Why a purely lunar calendar?

As it is well-known, Islam follows for liturgical or religious purposes, a purely lunar calendar in which, for instance, the month of Ramadan with its fasts, and of Dhul-Hijjah with its pilgrimage rotate from season to season. In pre'lsiamic Arabia intercalation was known, and it was the Holy Prophet who abolished it - after long and mature thinking, let us say - during his last pilgrimage, just three months before his death, when he received a revelation (Quran 9/37) condemning the intercalation. This intrigues the uninitiated, and shocks those who suffer from inferiority complex and want always to imitate others blindly. Of the many utilities of this Islamic reform, three may be brought into relief:

(a) As far as fast is concerned, it is very useful, since it provides one with the possibility of getting accustomed to food and drink privations in all seasons - neither always hardship, nor always easy-going lot.

b) Islam being destined for the whole world, the difference between the different climates had also to be taken into consideration. Had fasting been prescribed in a given month of the solar calendar, that is to say in a certain definite season, the purpose would be vitiated by the nature; and physically it would not be possible. In fact the summer of the Northern hemisphere, of the countries situated North of the equator coincides with the winter in the Southern hemisphere, in countries South of the equator. It may also be that the winter is considered as a pleasant time in equatorial regions, and a horror in the sub-polar ones. This discrimination among the Faithful of the different countries is easily avoided when lunar calendar is followed. All will have all seasons turn by turn.

(c) The paying of the zakaat on savings, commerce, etc., - to the exclusion of agricultural products - is increased imperceptibly in a way that in every 33 solar years there will be 34 lunar years, and one will pay in 33 solar years 34 annual taxes. Even after payment of salaries according to lunar calendar, the savings of the government will be considerable, and will be available for its nation-building activities for the benefit of the poorer classes in particular.

The Islamic Months

1. MUHARRAM
a. The 1st of Muharram (New years day of the Muslims).
b. The 10th of Muharram (The day of Ashoorah).

2. SAFAR

3. RABIUL-AWWAL
a. The 12th Rabiul-Awaaal (The day on which our beloved Prophet Muhammed (S.A.W) was born).

4. RABIUL AAKHAR

5. JUMADAL-OOLAA

6. JUMADAL-UKHRAA

7. RAJAB
a. The 27th of Rajab (Me'raaj).

8. SHABAAN
a. The 15th of Shabaan (Shab-e-Baraat).

9. RAMADHAN
a. Fasting month for the Muslims.
b. The 27th of Ramadhan (Laylat-ul-Qadr, according to some scholars).

10. SHAWWAL
a. The 1st of Shawwal (Eid-ul-Fitr).

11. ZUL-QA'DAH

12. ZUL-HIJJAH
a. The 8th to the 12th of Zul-Hijjah (5 days of Hajj)
b. The 9th of Zul-Hijjah (The day of Arafah)
c. The 10th of Zul-Hijjah (Eid-ul-Adhaa)