Hijri
/ˈhɪdʒ.ri/noun
Relating to the Islamic calendar, whose years are counted from the Hijra, Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina.
Did you know?Although the Hijra occurred in 622 CE, the Islamic calendar’s official era was established later under Caliph Umar, around 638–639 CE.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Semitic / Early Arabic
Semitic
ḥ-j-r
“A root associated with leaving, departing, separating, or abandoning”
Classical Arabic
Arabic
hijrah (هِجْرَة)
“Departure, emigration, or migration; especially Muhammad’s migration from Mecca to Medina”
7th Century CE
Arabic
al-Hijra
“The migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE”
7th Century CE
Arabic
hijrī (هِجْرِيّ)
“Of or relating to the Hijra”
17th Century
English
Hegira
“The Muslim era beginning with Muhammad’s migration; an English form borrowed through Arabic and European languages”
Modern English
English
Hijri
“Relating to the Islamic lunar calendar or its era”