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Hijri era Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge

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Study Guide: The Hijri Calendar: History, Structure, and Usage

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The Hijri Calendar: History, Structure, and Usage Study Guide

The Hijri Epoch and Its Significance

The epoch, or starting point, of the Hijri era corresponds to the year of Muhammad's birth.

Answer: False

Explanation: The epoch of the Hijri era is the year in which Muhammad and his followers migrated from Mecca to Yathrib (now Medina), an event known as the Hijrah, which occurred in 622 Common Era (CE).

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The Hijrah is historically significant as it marks the establishment of the first unified Muslim community (ummah).

Answer: True

Explanation: The Hijrah is significant because it marks the founding of the first Muslim community, or ummah, and serves as the starting point for the Islamic calendar.

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The official commencement of the Hijri era is dated to the Hijrah event itself, occurring around Rabi al-Awwal 8.

Answer: False

Explanation: No, the Hijrah event itself occurred around the 8th day of Rabi al-Awwal, approximately 66 days into the first year of the Islamic calendar, not on the first day of Muharram.

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The commencement of the Hijri era is historically correlated with July 16, 622 CE, according to the Julian calendar.

Answer: True

Explanation: The start of the Hijri era, specifically the first day of Muharram, is equated to July 16, 622 CE in the Julian calendar.

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What pivotal event signifies the commencement (epoch) of the Hijri calendar era?

Answer: The migration (Hijrah) of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina.

Explanation: The epoch of the Hijri era is the year in which Muhammad and his followers migrated from Mecca to Yathrib (now Medina), an event known as the Hijrah, which occurred in 622 Common Era (CE).

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The official commencement of the Hijri era is marked by which day and month?

Answer: The 1st day of Muharram

Explanation: The Hijri era officially begins on the first day of the month of Muharram, which corresponds to July 16, 622 CE in the Julian calendar.

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What specific calendar date, in the Julian system, marks the official commencement of the Hijri era (Muharram 1)?

Answer: July 16, 622 CE (Julian)

Explanation: The start of the Hijri era, specifically the first day of Muharram, is equated to July 16, 622 CE in the Julian calendar.

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Within the context of the Hijrah, what does the term 'ummah' signify?

Answer: The first Muslim community.

Explanation: In the context of early Islam, ummah refers to the first Muslim community that was established following the Hijrah.

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Within the initial year of the Islamic calendar, at approximately what point did the Hijrah event transpire, according to the source?

Answer: Around the 8th day of Rabi al-Awwal.

Explanation: No, the Hijrah event itself occurred around the 8th day of Rabi al-Awwal, approximately 66 days into the first year of the Islamic calendar, not on the first day of Muharram.

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Lunar and Solar Hijri Calendars

The Hijri era primarily utilizes a calendar system based on lunar cycles, not solar years.

Answer: False

Explanation: The two principal calendars are the lunar Hijri calendar, which counts lunar years and is used by most Muslims globally, and the solar Hijri calendar (also known as the Persian calendar), which counts solar years and is used in Iran.

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The solar Hijri calendar year exhibits a length that is nearly identical to that of the Gregorian calendar year.

Answer: True

Explanation: The solar Hijri calendar year is almost exactly the same length as a Gregorian calendar year, making date conversions between them straightforward.

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A lunar year typically comprises 12 months and spans between 354 and 355 days.

Answer: True

Explanation: A lunar year consists of twelve lunar months and typically has 354 or 355 days.

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What distinguishes the Solar Hijri calendar from the Gregorian calendar in terms of its annual duration?

Answer: Its year length is almost identical.

Explanation: The solar Hijri calendar year is almost exactly the same length as a Gregorian calendar year, making date conversions between them straightforward.

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What is the definition of the tabular Islamic calendar?

Answer: A computational method for determining Islamic calendar dates.

Explanation: The tabular Islamic calendar is a computational method used for determining dates within the Islamic calendar system.

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Dating Conventions and Terminology

The Hijri era serves as the primary calendar system for marking time within the Islamic world.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Hijri era is the calendar era used to record dates in the Islamic world. Its purpose is to mark time within this cultural and religious context.

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In Western scholarly notation, dates within the lunar Hijri calendar are commonly preceded by the abbreviation 'AH', signifying 'Anno Hegirae'.

Answer: True

Explanation: In the West, dates in the lunar Hijri calendar are denoted as AH, which stands for Anno Hegirae (Latin for in the year of the Hijra), or simply as Hijri year.

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The abbreviation 'H', frequently employed in Muslim-majority nations, refers to the Gregorian calendar year.

Answer: False

Explanation: The abbreviation 'H' is commonly used in predominantly Muslim countries and signifies Hijra, derived from its Arabic abbreviation 'h'.

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Years preceding the first Hijri year (AH 1) are designated using the abbreviation 'BH' (Before Hijra).

Answer: False

Explanation: Years prior to AH 1 are reckoned in English as BH, which stands for Before the Hijra, and this designation typically follows the date.

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The Latin phrase 'Anno Hegirae' translates to 'In the year of the Prophet'.

Answer: False

Explanation: Anno Hegirae is a Latin phrase that translates to in the year of the Hijra, and it is used in the West to denote dates in the lunar Hijri calendar.

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The Arabic term 'sanat hijriyya' is commonly abbreviated as 'h' and denotes the year of the Hijra.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Arabic term for year of the Hijra is sanat hijriyya, and its common abbreviation is h.

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The Arabic designation for the Hijri era is 'at-taqwīm al-hijrī'.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Arabic name for the Hijri era is at-taqwīm al-hijrī, which is romanized as at-taqwīm al-hijrī.

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The term 'ummah' refers to the religious scripture utilized within the Hijri calendar system.

Answer: False

Explanation: In the context of early Islam, ummah refers to the first Muslim community that was established following the Hijrah.

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The abbreviation 'AM' commonly associated with dates refers to Anno Hegirae.

Answer: False

Explanation: AM stands for Anno Mundi, the Hebrew calendar era that counts years from the traditional date of the creation of the world, and is presented alongside Hijri dates for comparison.

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What is the principal function of the Hijri era calendar?

Answer: To mark time and record dates within the Islamic cultural and religious context.

Explanation: The Hijri era is the calendar era used to record dates in the Islamic world. Its purpose is to mark time within this cultural and religious context.

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What is the meaning of the abbreviation 'AH' as used in conjunction with the Hijri calendar?

Answer: Anno Hegirae (In the year of the Hijra)

Explanation: In the West, dates in the lunar Hijri calendar are denoted as AH, which stands for Anno Hegirae (Latin for in the year of the Hijra), or simply as Hijri year.

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In English scholarly contexts, how are years preceding the first Hijri year (AH 1) conventionally designated?

Answer: BH (Before Hijra)

Explanation: Years prior to AH 1 are reckoned in English as BH, which stands for Before the Hijra, and this designation typically follows the date.

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What is the definition of a Caliph in Islamic history?

Answer: A historical leader succeeding Muhammad as head of the Muslim community.

Explanation: A Caliph is a historical successor to the Prophet Muhammad, considered the leader of the Muslim community (ummah) and responsible for guiding the community according to Islamic principles.

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What clarification does Note [a] provide regarding the usage of the Islamic calendar?

Answer: It is significant but not the sole calendar used by Muslims.

Explanation: Note [a] clarifies that the Islamic calendar, while significant, is not the sole calendar used by Muslims.

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What is the Arabic designation for the Hijri era?

Answer: At-taqwīm al-hijrī

Explanation: The Arabic name for the Hijri era is at-taqwīm al-hijrī, which is romanized as at-taqwīm al-hijrī.

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Historical Context and Calendar Establishment

Prior to the establishment of the Hijri era, years in Arabia were conventionally named based on significant events, rather than being numbered sequentially.

Answer: False

Explanation: Before the Hijri era, years in Arabia were conventionally named rather than numbered. For instance, the year of Muhammad's birth in 570 CE was known as the Year of the Elephant.

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The first year of the Hijra (622-623 CE) was designated as the 'Year of the Elephant' within the pre-Islamic Arabian system.

Answer: False

Explanation: The first year of the Hijra was named Permission to Travel in the Arabian calendar system of that time.

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The Hijri era was officially instituted approximately 17 years following the Hijrah, during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Hijri era was established 17 years after the Hijra, prompted by a complaint from Abu Musa Ashaari, which led Caliph Umar to abolish the practice of naming years and institute a new calendar era.

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Tradition attributes the proposal for the structure of the Hijri calendar, including the use of the Hijrah as the epoch, to Caliph Umar.

Answer: False

Explanation: Tradition credits Uthman ibn Affan with proposing the successful structure, which involved using the Hijrah as the epoch and maintaining the order of months starting with Muharram.

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During the pre-Islamic period known as Jahiliyyah, the sequence of months in the Arabian calendar was not consistently established.

Answer: False

Explanation: During the Jahiliyyah period, there was no established or consistent order for the months.

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The Battle of Badr, referenced in the 'See also' section, took place prior to the Hijrah.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Battle of Badr, the first major battle in early Islam, which occurred in 624 CE, is mentioned in the 'See also' section.

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The article references F. A. Shamsi's 1984 publication in 'Islamic Studies' for supplementary details concerning the date of the Hijrah.

Answer: True

Explanation: The article The Date of Hijrah by F. A. Shamsi, published in Islamic Studies in 1984, is cited for further reading.

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The 'See also' section directs readers to related subjects, including the Battle of Badr.

Answer: True

Explanation: The 'See also' section provides links to related topics that may offer further information or context on subjects connected to the Hijri era.

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What established practice was discontinued upon the official institution of the Hijri era during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab?

Answer: The practice of naming years.

Explanation: The Hijri era was established 17 years after the Hijra, prompted by a complaint from Abu Musa Ashaari, which led Caliph Umar to abolish the practice of naming years and institute a new calendar era.

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Who is traditionally credited with proposing the specific structural framework of the Hijri calendar, notably the adoption of the Hijrah as its epoch?

Answer: Uthman ibn Affan

Explanation: Tradition credits Uthman ibn Affan with proposing the successful structure, which involved using the Hijrah as the epoch and maintaining the order of months starting with Muharram.

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How were years typically designated in Arabia prior to the advent of the Hijri era?

Answer: Years were named based on significant events.

Explanation: Before the Hijri era, years in Arabia were conventionally named rather than numbered. For instance, the year of Muhammad's birth in 570 CE was known as the Year of the Elephant.

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What designation was given to the first year of the Hijra (622-623 CE) within the pre-Islamic Arabian calendar framework?

Answer: Permission to Travel

Explanation: The first year of the Hijra was named Permission to Travel in the Arabian calendar system of that time.

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What is the historical significance of the Battle of Badr, as mentioned in the 'See also' section?

Answer: It was the first major battle in early Islam.

Explanation: The Battle of Badr, mentioned in the 'See also' section, was the first major battle in early Islam and occurred in 624 CE.

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Calendar Mechanics, Conversion, and Comparison

A lunar Hijri year is approximately eleven days shorter than a solar Gregorian year.

Answer: False

Explanation: A lunar year is approximately eleven days shorter than a solar year. This difference causes the months of the lunar Hijri calendar to advance about eleven days earlier each year relative to the Gregorian calendar.

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The conversion formulas between Gregorian and lunar Hijri years are approximate, not exact, due to variations in year lengths.

Answer: False

Explanation: The conversion formulas are approximate primarily because the lunar Hijri year is about eleven days shorter than the Gregorian solar year, leading to a drift in alignment.

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Note [d] indicates that an earlier commencement date for the Hijri era could be posited if lunar intercalation was employed prior to 10 AH.

Answer: True

Explanation: Note [d] suggests that an earlier date in April for the start of the Hijri era is possible if lunar intercalation was performed before the 10th year of the Hijra (10 AH).

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The average duration of a tropical year is approximately 354.367 days, as stated in Note [e].

Answer: False

Explanation: According to Note [e], the mean duration of a tropical year is approximately 365.24219 days.

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Intercalation is a method employed to shorten the solar Hijri year to align with the lunar year.

Answer: False

Explanation: Intercalation is the practice of adding extra days or months to a calendar system to synchronize it with astronomical cycles, such as the solar year, especially in lunar or lunisolar calendars.

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Which of the following is NOT considered one of the principal calendars directly associated with or utilized within the Hijri era context?

Answer: Gregorian calendar

Explanation: The two principal calendars are the lunar Hijri calendar... and the solar Hijri calendar.... The Julian calendar is mentioned for epoch reference. The Gregorian is used for comparison but not as a principal calendar of the Hijri era itself.

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What is the reason for the annual advancement of lunar Hijri calendar months relative to the Gregorian calendar?

Answer: The lunar year is approximately eleven days shorter than the solar year.

Explanation: A lunar year is approximately eleven days shorter than a solar year. This difference causes the months of the lunar Hijri calendar to advance about eleven days earlier each year relative to the Gregorian calendar.

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Which of the following represents an approximate formula provided for converting a Gregorian year (CE) into an Islamic lunar year (AH)?

Answer: AH = 1.030684 * (CE - 621.5643)

Explanation: The two approximate formulas are AH = 1.030684 × (CE − 621.5643) and AH = (CE − 622) × 33/32.

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What is the primary reason why the conversion formulas between the Gregorian and lunar Hijri calendars yield only approximate results?

Answer: The lunar Hijri year is about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year.

Explanation: The conversion formulas are approximate primarily because the lunar Hijri year is about eleven days shorter than the Gregorian solar year, leading to a drift in alignment.

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What is the approximate daily difference between a lunar year and a solar year, as noted in the text?

Answer: Solar year is about 11 days longer.

Explanation: A lunar year is approximately eleven days shorter than a solar year.

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According to Note [e], what is the average duration of a tropical year in days?

Answer: 365.24219 days

Explanation: According to Note [e], the mean duration of a tropical year is approximately 365.24219 days.

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The disparity in annual length between lunar and solar calendars results in a Gregorian year overlapping with how many consecutive Hijri years?

Answer: Two or sometimes three

Explanation: Due to the approximately 11-day shorter lunar year, a Gregorian year typically overlaps with two or sometimes three successive Hijri years.

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The practice of incorporating additional days or months to synchronize a calendar with astronomical cycles is termed:

Answer: Intercalation

Explanation: Intercalation is the practice of adding extra days or months to a calendar system to synchronize it with astronomical cycles, such as the solar year, especially in lunar or lunisolar calendars.

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According to the source, which formula accurately approximates the conversion of an Islamic lunar year (AH) to a Gregorian year (CE)?

Answer: CE = 0.970229 * AH + 621.5643

Explanation: The two approximate formulas are CE = 0.970229 × AH + 621.5643 and CE = AH × 32/33 + 622.

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Variations and Contemporary Usage

As per the provided text, the current year within the lunar Hijri calendar is designated as AH 1447.

Answer: True

Explanation: According to the text, the current year in the lunar Hijri calendar is AH 1447, and the current year in the solar Hijri calendar is SH 1404.

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Sunni Muslims and Twelver Shia Muslims concur on commencing the Hijri year with the month of Muharram.

Answer: False

Explanation: Twelver Shias begin the Hijri year with the month of Rabi al-Awwal, the month of the Hijra, whereas the standard practice, followed by Sunnis, begins the year with Muharram.

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Discrepancies in historical year numbering between Shia and Sunni Muslims are partially attributable to divergent start dates for the Hijri year.

Answer: True

Explanation: This difference in dating leads to discrepancies in the year numbering for certain events; for example, the Battle of Karbala is stated by Shias to have occurred 60 years after the Hijra, while Sunnis place it in the 61st year.

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The Shia Islamic calendar year is determined by solar observation and commences on the northward equinox.

Answer: False

Explanation: In Shia Islam, the calendar year is determined entirely by solar observation or calculation, with each year commencing on the northward equinox.

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The Gregorian date presented as current within the text is September 28, AD 2025.

Answer: True

Explanation: As of the information presented, the current date according to the Gregorian calendar is Sunday, September 28, AD 2025.

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The Islamic lunar calendar date provided as current is the 5th of Muharram, AH 1447.

Answer: False

Explanation: The article indicates that the current date according to the Islamic lunar calendar is the 5th of Rabi al-Thani, AH 1447.

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The Solar Hijri calendar displays the current date as the 6th of Mehr, SH 1404.

Answer: True

Explanation: According to the Solar Hijri calendar, the current date is the 6th of Mehr, SH 1404.

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The Julian calendar date provided as current is September 15, AD 2025.

Answer: True

Explanation: The Julian calendar shows the current date as September 15, AD 2025.

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According to the provided text, which specific group commences the Hijri year with the month of Rabi al-Awwal?

Answer: Twelver Shias

Explanation: Twelver Shias begin the Hijri year with the month of Rabi al-Awwal, the month of the Hijra, whereas the standard practice, followed by Sunnis, begins the year with Muharram.

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As indicated in the provided text, what is the current year designation within the Solar Hijri calendar?

Answer: SH 1404

Explanation: According to the Solar Hijri calendar, the current date is the 6th of Mehr, SH 1404.

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The variance in the year numbering of the Battle of Karbala between Shia and Sunni historical accounts is primarily attributed to:

Answer: Different start dates for the Hijri year.

Explanation: This difference in dating leads to discrepancies in the year numbering for certain events; for example, the Battle of Karbala is stated by Shias to have occurred 60 years after the Hijra, while Sunnis place it in the 61st year.

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What specific date is presented as the current date within the Julian calendar in the article?

Answer: September 15, AD 2025

Explanation: The Julian calendar shows the current date as September 15, AD 2025.

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According to the source, the current date within the Hebrew calendar is the 6th day of which month?

Answer: Tishrei

Explanation: The Hebrew calendar shows the current date as the 6th of Tishrei, AM 5786.

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