The
Muslims suggested to Umar that Islam should have its own calendar to record
historical events just as the Christians used A.D. to record years starting
from the death of Eisa (AS). Some said that the calendar should begin from the
year of the Meraj, others that it should begin from the birthday of the prophet.
Amir ul mumineen (AS) suggested that the year of the Hijrat of Rasulullah (SA)
from Mecca to Medina should be taken as the beginning of this calendar. The
Muslims agreed one and all to Amir ul mumineen's (AS) suggestion. The year of
the Hijrat became the 1st year Hijri or 1 H.
How was the Hijri Calendar born ?
