The Creator's Calendar

Astronomical timings and lunar months computed by the The Creator's Calendar method

﴿ٱلشَّمۡسُ وَٱلۡقَمَرُ بِحُسۡبَانٖ ﴾ [الرحمن: 5]

“The sun and the moon follow a precise calculation.” [Ar-Rahman: 5]

The Evidence of Events

Conclusive proof from history

The sources often state the weekday of an event as well as its date — "Monday, twelve having passed of Rabi' al-Awwal". The weekday is a fixed astronomical fact, so it lets us test which calendar the date was written in: we read the date exactly as the text gives it in both The Creator's Calendar and the Lunar Hijri calendar, and compare the resulting weekday with the one the text names.

From the Prophet's birth to the handover of rule to Muawiya (events 1–73)

The Creator's Calendar

  • Exact match: 42
  • Match, different year: 1
  • Near: 22
  • Near, different year: 2
  • Mismatch: 2

Lunar Hijri

  • Exact match: 7
  • Near: 17
  • Mismatch: 45

69 of 70 events have a weekday in their source.

After Muawiya (events 74–107)

The Creator's Calendar

  • Exact match: 3
  • Near: 11
  • Mismatch: 18

Lunar Hijri

  • Exact match: 16
  • Match, different year: 2
  • Near: 9
  • Near, different year: 4
  • Mismatch: 1

32 of 32 events have a weekday in their source.

How the comparison is made

  • The date as written: the day, month and year are read exactly as the source states them. When the text gives no year, the year of the researched date is used, and the same number is read in both calendars.
  • "Seven remaining": the sources count the remaining nights in two ways — with the present night or without it — so the day is the month's length minus seven, or one day after that. Whichever is closer to the text's weekday is accepted, equally in both calendars.
  • The verdict: the difference between the weekday in the text and the weekday the date falls on — no difference is an exact match, one day is near, two days or more is a mismatch.
  • Several reports: when the sources disagree, the report that fits The Creator's Calendar is shown for events 1–73, and the one that fits the Lunar Hijri calendar after them; every other report appears under "Other reports" with its own verdict.
  • Not included: eclipses of the sun and the moon, and events whose source gives no day-level date (the Battle of Mu'tah, the death of Heraclius).
  • The researched date is the date recorded for the event on the site after study; it is shown for reference and does not enter the verdict — except for the year, as explained next.
  • A different year: the reports of this era disagree widely on the year of an event — the killing of al-Husayn, for example, is dated to different years in different reports. The researched year comes from linking each event with the events before and after it. So when the text does not match in its own year, the same day and month are read in the researched year, in the calendar the research was done in (The Creator's Calendar for events 1–73, the Lunar Hijri calendar after them): no difference is a match, different year, one day is near, different year. Both are counted separately from the matches by the text's own year. The Lunar Hijri calendar has no researched date for events 1–73, so it receives no such verdict there.

Why does not every event match exactly?

  1. Fixing the first day of the month: the start of a month could differ by a day from one place or reckoning to another, which moves the day of the month by one against its weekday.
  2. The narrator's error: a report may preserve the weekday correctly and slip in the day number, the month or the year — or the reverse — as it passed from narrator to narrator.
  3. "The night precedes the day": in the narrators' time it was held that the night comes before its day, so "the night of Friday" was the evening before Friday. This contradicts the Qur'an: nor does the night outstrip the day [Ya-Sin 36:40], and He imposed it upon them for seven nights and eight days in succession [Al-Haqqah 69:7] — seven nights between eight days, so the punishment began with a day and ended with a day, and the night follows its day. In The Creator's Calendar the day begins at dawn and its night follows it. Reports marked night are compared with the day the text names, as written, so some of them appear as near.

Events 1–73

# Event What the source says The Creator's Calendar Lunar Hijri Researched date
1 Birth of the Prophet Muhammad Monday 12 Rabi' al-Awwal, year 54 before the Hijra Ibn Ishaq: on Monday, twelve nights having passed of Rabi' al-Awwal, in the Year of the Elephant Sunday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Saturday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 12 Rabi' al-Awwal 54 before the Hijra
2 Beginning of the Revelation Monday 17 Ramadan, year 14 before the Hijra Al-Waqidi: on Monday, seventeen nights having passed of Ramadan
Other reports (1)
  • It was also said: on the twenty-fourth of it Creator's: Tuesday ≈ Near (1 day) Hijri: Friday Mismatch (3 days)
Tuesday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Friday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 17 Ramadan 14 before the Hijra
3 Return from Ta'if Tuesday 23 Dhu al-Qa'dah, year 3 before the Hijra He arrived in Makkah on Tuesday, twenty-three nights having passed of Dhu al-Qa'dah Tuesday Exact match Open the month Sunday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 23 Dhu al-Qa'dah 3 before the Hijra
4 Day of the Hijra Monday 12 Rabi' al-Awwal, year 1 On Monday, twelve having passed of Rabi' al-Awwal (the established report)
Other reports (1)
  • It is also said: two nights having passed of Rabi' al-Awwal Creator's: Friday Mismatch (3 days) Hijri: Monday Exact match
Monday Exact match Open the month Thursday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 12 Rabi' al-Awwal 1
5 Expedition of al-Abwa Monday 12 Safar, year 2 Ibn Ishaq: twelve nights having passed of Safar; Ali ibn Muhammad: he set out on a Monday in Safar Wednesday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month Sunday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 17 Safar 2
6 Expedition of Buwat Monday 10 remaining of Rabi' al-Thani, year 2 He returned on Monday, ten remaining of Rabi' al-Akhir Monday Exact match Open the month Wednesday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 21 Rabi' al-Thani 2
7 The First Badr Monday 12 Jumada al-Ula, year 2 Al-Bad' wa'l-Tarikh: in Jumada al-Ula (no day given)
Other reports (1)
  • Al-Muhabbar: on Monday, twelve having passed of Jumada al-Akhirah Creator's: Tuesday ≈ Near (1 day) Hijri: Saturday Mismatch (2 days)
Monday Exact match Open the month Thursday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 12 Jumada al-Ula 2
8 Expedition of Yanbu Thursday 2 Sha'ban, year 2 On Thursday, two nights having passed of Sha'ban Wednesday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Saturday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 3 Sha'ban 2
9 Change of the Qibla Tuesday 15 Sha'ban, year 2 The Qibla was changed on Tuesday, the middle of Sha'ban Tuesday Exact match Open the month Friday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 15 Sha'ban 2
10 Expedition toward Juhayna Tuesday 15 Sha'ban, year 2 On Tuesday, the middle of Sha'ban Tuesday Exact match Open the month Friday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 15 Sha'ban 2
11 Departure for the Battle of Badr Wednesday 8 Ramadan, year 2 He set out on Wednesday, eight having passed of Ramadan Wednesday Exact match Open the month Saturday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 8 Ramadan 2
12 Arrival at Naqb Bani Dinar Sunday 12 Ramadan, year 2 On Sunday, twelve having passed of Ramadan Sunday Exact match Open the month Wednesday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 12 Ramadan 2
13 Arrival at al-Rawha Wednesday night 15 Ramadan, year 2 On the night of Wednesday, the middle of Ramadan Wednesday Exact match Open the month Saturday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 15 Ramadan 2
14 The Battle of Badr Friday 17 Ramadan, year 2 The Battle of Badr was on Friday, seventeen nights having passed of Ramadan Friday Exact match Open the month Monday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 17 Ramadan 2
15 Return from Badr Wednesday 8 remaining of Ramadan, year 2 He returned on Wednesday, eight nights remaining of Ramadan Wednesday Exact match Open the month Saturday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 22 Ramadan 2
16 Expedition of Qarqarat al-Kudr Friday 1 Shawwal, year 2 On Friday, the first of Shawwal Friday Exact match Open the month Monday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 1 Shawwal 2
17 Raid of Ghalib ibn Abdullah al-Laythi Sunday 10 Shawwal, year 2 On Sunday, ten nights having passed of Shawwal Sunday Exact match Open the month Wednesday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 10 Shawwal 2
18 Return of Ghalib ibn Abdullah's raid Saturday 14 remaining of Shawwal, year 2 They returned on Saturday, fourteen nights remaining of Shawwal Saturday Exact match Open the month Monday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 16 Shawwal 2
19 Expedition against Banu Qaynuqa Saturday 15 Shawwal, year 2 On Saturday, the middle of Shawwal Friday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Monday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 16 Shawwal 2
20 Expedition of al-Sawiq Sunday 7 Dhu al-Hijjah, year 2 He set out on Sunday, seven having passed of Dhu al-Hijjah Monday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Wednesday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 6 Dhu al-Hijjah 2
21 Return from the Expedition of al-Sawiq Monday 8 remaining of Dhu al-Hijjah, year 2 He returned on Monday, eight remaining of it Tuesday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Wednesday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 21 Dhu al-Hijjah 2
22 Expedition of Ghatafan at Dhu Amarr Thursday 12 Rabi' al-Awwal, year 3 On Thursday, twelve having passed of Rabi' Thursday Exact match Open the month Saturday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 12 Rabi' al-Awwal 3
23 Expedition against Banu al-Nadir Tuesday 12 Rabi' al-Awwal, year 4 On Tuesday, twelve nights having passed of Rabi' al-Awwal Monday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Wednesday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 13 Rabi' al-Awwal 4
24 Expedition of Dhat al-Riqa Monday 10 Jumada al-Ula, year 4 On Monday, ten having passed of Jumada al-Ula Tuesday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Thursday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 10 Jumada al-Ula 4
25 Departure for Badr al-Maw'id Thursday 1 Sha'ban, year 4 On Thursday, the beginning of Sha'ban Thursday Exact match Open the month Sunday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 1 Sha'ban 4
26 Return from Badr al-Maw'id Wednesday 10 remaining of Sha'ban, year 4 He returned on Wednesday, ten remaining of it Wednesday Exact match Open the month Thursday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 21 Sha'ban 4
27 Raid of Ibn Atik against Abu Rafi Monday night 4 Dhu al-Hijjah, year 4 On the night of Monday, before dawn, four having passed of Dhu al-Hijjah Sunday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Monday Exact match Open the month 4 Dhu al-Hijjah 4
28 Raid of Abdullah ibn Unays Monday 5 Muharram, year 5 I set out on Monday, five having passed of al-Muharram
Another reading: "al-Muharram" here is Al-Nasi

In the body of al-Maghazi (p. 531) al-Waqidi dates Ibn Unays's departure "at the head of fifty-four months" and the al-Qurata' expedition after it "at the head of fifty-five months" — both "in al-Muharram".

Fifty-four months after the Prophet's arrival in Madinah (Rabi' al-Awwal, year 1), the month in The Creator's Calendar is Sha'ban of year 5, and after fifty-five months it is Al-Nasi; in the Lunar Hijri calendar they are Ramadan and Shawwal (or Sha'ban and Ramadan if Rabi' al-Awwal is counted as the first month) — al-Muharram in neither.

Al-Nasi is a sacred month in The Creator's Calendar, so a narrator could call it "al-Muharram". On this reading, "five nights having passed" falls on Sunday 5 Al-Nasi of year 5 (near), or on Monday 6 Al-Nasi — as the text says — if the passed nights are counted with their days.

On the other hand, the introduction of al-Maghazi itself, and Ibn Sa'd and those who quote him (Uyun al-Athar, al-Mawahib al-Laduniyya, Tarikh al-Khamis, Subul al-Huda), give "at the head of thirty-five months", i.e. al-Muharram of year 4 — and 5 al-Muharram of year 4 in the Lunar Hijri calendar is a Sunday (near).

Wednesday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month Thursday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 6 Al-Nasi 5
29 Expedition of al-Qurta No weekday in the source 10 Muharram, year 5 I set out with ten nights having passed of al-Muharram (no day given)
The month count: "al-Muharram" at the head of fifty-five months

The text gives no weekday, but al-Waqidi (p. 534) dates Muhammad ibn Maslama's departure on 10 al-Muharram "at the head of fifty-five months".

The month after fifty-five months from the Prophet's arrival in Madinah is, in The Creator's Calendar, Al-Nasi of year 5 — a sacred month that could be called "al-Muharram" — and in the Lunar Hijri calendar Shawwal of year 5 (or Ramadan if Rabi' al-Awwal is counted first), not al-Muharram. So al-Waqidi's month count agrees with The Creator's Calendar on this reading.

On the other hand, Ibn Sa'd and those who quote him (Uyun al-Athar, al-Mawahib al-Laduniyya, Tarikh al-Khamis) give "ten nights having passed of al-Muharram, year six, at the head of fifty-nine months", which matches the Lunar Hijri calendar.

— — 10 Al-Nasi 5
30 The Battle of the Trench Tuesday 8 Dhu al-Qa'dah, year 5 On Tuesday, eight having passed of Dhu al-Qa'dah Tuesday Exact match Open the month Tuesday Exact match Open the month 8 Dhu al-Qa'dah 5
31 Expedition against Banu Qurayza Wednesday 7 remaining of Dhu al-Qa'dah, year 5 On Wednesday, seven remaining of Dhu al-Qa'dah Wednesday Exact match Open the month Wednesday Exact match Open the month 23 Dhu al-Qa'dah 5
32 Expedition of al-Ghaba Wednesday 4 Rabi' al-Awwal, year 6 On Wednesday, four having passed of Rabi' al-Awwal
Other reports (1)
  • On the night of Wednesday, three having passed of Rabi' al-Akhir Creator's: Thursday ≈ Near (1 day) Hijri: Thursday ≈ Near (1 day)
Thursday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Wednesday Exact match Open the month 3 Rabi' al-Awwal 6
33 Expedition of al-Muraysi Monday 2 Sha'ban, year 5 Al-Waqidi: on Monday, two nights having passed of Sha'ban, year five
Other reports (1)
  • Al-Muhabbar: on Saturday, the first of Sha'ban, year six Creator's: Monday Mismatch (2 days) Hijri: Tuesday Mismatch (3 days)
Tuesday ≈ Near, different year year 6 (text: 5) Open the month Friday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 1 Sha'ban 6
34 The Compensatory Umra Monday 6 Dhu al-Qa'dah, year 7 On Monday, six having passed of Dhu al-Qa'dah Monday Exact match Open the month Tuesday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 6 Dhu al-Qa'dah 7
36 The Conquest of Mecca Friday 10 remaining of Ramadan, year 8 The conquest of Makkah was on Friday, ten remaining of Ramadan
Other reports (1)
  • Al-Zuhri: thirteen having passed of Ramadan (no day given) Creator's: — — Hijri: — —
Thursday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Wednesday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 21 Ramadan 8
37 Morning of the Conquest of Mecca Saturday 6 Shawwal, year 8 He left on Saturday, six nights having passed of Shawwal Friday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Thursday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 7 Shawwal 8
38 The Battle of Hunayn Tuesday night 10 Shawwal, year 8 On the evening of the night of Tuesday, ten nights having passed of Shawwal Tuesday Exact match Open the month Monday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 10 Shawwal 8
39 The Battle of Hunayn (variant) Sunday 15 Shawwal, year 8 On Sunday, in the middle of Shawwal Sunday Exact match Open the month Saturday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 15 Shawwal 8
40 The Expedition of Tabuk Monday 1 Rajab, year 9 On Monday, the first of Rajab Sunday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Saturday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 2 Rajab 9
42 Departure for the Farewell Pilgrimage Saturday 5 remaining of Dhu al-Qa'dah, year 10 On Saturday, five nights remaining of Dhu al-Qa'dah Saturday Exact match Open the month Saturday Exact match Open the month 24 Dhu al-Qa'dah 10
43 The Farewell Pilgrimage Friday 8 Dhu al-Hijjah, year 10 Friday, the Day of Tarwiyah (8 Dhu al-Hijjah) Friday Exact match Open the month Thursday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 8 Dhu al-Hijjah 10
44 The Prophet's sermon before his death Saturday 10 Rabi' al-Awwal, year 11 On Saturday, ten nights having passed of Rabi' al-Awwal Saturday Exact match Open the month Thursday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 10 Rabi' al-Awwal 11
45 Death of the Prophet Monday 12 Rabi' al-Awwal, year 11 On Monday, twelve having passed of Rabi' al-Awwal Monday Exact match Open the month Saturday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 12 Rabi' al-Awwal 11
46 Death of Fatima Tuesday night 3 Ramadan, year 11 On the night of Tuesday, three having passed of Ramadan Tuesday Exact match Open the month Saturday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 3 Ramadan 11
47 The Conquests of Syria Thursday 1 Safar, year 13 On Thursday, the beginning of Safar, year thirteen Friday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Tuesday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 30 Muharram 13
48 The Battle of Marj al-Suffar Thursday 12 remaining of Jumada al-Ula, year 13 On Thursday, twelve remaining of Jumada al-Ula Thursday Exact match Open the month Wednesday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 17 Jumada al-Ula 13
49 The Battle of Ajnadayn Saturday 3 remaining of Jumada al-Ula, year 13 On Saturday, three remaining of Jumada al-Ula Saturday Exact match Open the month Friday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 26 Jumada al-Ula 13
50 Khalid's letter to Abu Bakr Thursday 2 Jumada al-Akhirah, year 13 On Thursday, two nights having passed of Jumada al-Akhirah Thursday Exact match Open the month Tuesday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 2 Jumada al-Akhirah 13
51 Abu Bakr's final illness Monday 7 Jumada al-Akhirah, year 13 On Monday, seven having passed of Jumada al-Akhirah Tuesday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Sunday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 6 Jumada al-Akhirah 13
52 Death of Abu Bakr Friday 7 remaining of Jumada al-Akhirah, year 13 Ibn Ishaq: on Friday, seven nights remaining of Jumada al-Akhirah
Other reports (1)
  • Abu al-Yaqzan: he died on a Monday Creator's: Thursday Mismatch (3 days) Hijri: Monday Exact match
Friday Exact match Open the month Monday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 24 Jumada al-Akhirah 13
53 Abu Ubayda's letter to Umar Friday 12 Dhu al-Hijjah, year 13 On Friday, twelve days having passed of Dhu al-Hijjah Friday Exact match Open the month Sunday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 12 Dhu al-Hijjah 13
54 The Battle of Yarmouk Monday 5 Rajab, year 15 On Monday, five having passed of Rajab, year fifteen Monday Match, different year year 14 (text: 15) Open the month Monday Exact match Open the month 5 Rajab 14
55 The Battle of al-Qadisiyya Monday 3 remaining of Shawwal, year 14 On Monday, three remaining of Shawwal (the established year: fourteen)
Other reports (2)
  • Some people of Kufa said: year fifteen Creator's: Wednesday Mismatch (2 days) Hijri: Sunday ≈ Near (1 day)
  • Al-Waqidi: year sixteen Creator's: Tuesday ≈ Near (1 day) Hijri: Wednesday Mismatch (2 days)
Sunday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Tuesday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 28 Shawwal 14
56 The Battle of Fahl Saturday 8 remaining of Dhu al-Hijjah, year 14 On Saturday, eight remaining of Dhu al-Hijjah, year fourteen Saturday Exact match Open the month Sunday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 23 Dhu al-Hijjah 14
57 The Battle of Marj Raghban Tuesday 3 Safar, year 17 On Tuesday, the third of Safar, year seventeen Monday ≈ Near, different year year 16 (text: 17) Open the month Monday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 4 Safar 16
58 Iyad's march to al-Jazira Thursday 15 Sha'ban, year 18 On Thursday, the middle of Sha'ban, year eighteen Thursday Exact match Open the month Friday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 15 Sha'ban 18
60 A messenger to Umar Friday night 1 Ramadan, year 19 On Friday, the first night of Ramadan, before sunset Thursday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Thursday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 2 Ramadan 19
61 Assassination of Umar Wednesday 6 remaining of Dhu al-Hijjah, year 23 Others said: six remaining
Other reports (2)
  • Abu Ma'shar: on Wednesday, four nights remaining of Dhu al-Hijjah Creator's: Thursday ≈ Near (1 day) Hijri: Tuesday ≈ Near (1 day)
  • Al-Mada'ini: he was stabbed on Wednesday, seven remaining Creator's: Tuesday ≈ Near (1 day) Hijri: Friday Mismatch (2 days)
Wednesday Exact match Open the month Saturday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 25 Dhu al-Hijjah 23
62 Pledge of Allegiance to Uthman Monday 1 remaining of Dhu al-Hijjah, year 23 On Monday, one night remaining of Dhu al-Hijjah Monday Exact match Open the month Thursday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 30 Dhu al-Hijjah 23
63 Birth of Shabib ibn Yazid al-Shaybani Saturday 10 Dhu al-Hijjah, year 25 In Dhu al-Hijjah, on the Day of Sacrifice, a Saturday Friday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Monday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 11 Dhu al-Hijjah 25
64 Death of al-Abbas Friday 12 Rajab, year 32 On Friday, twelve nights having passed of Rajab
Other reports (3)
  • It was also said: of Ramadan Creator's: Tuesday Mismatch (3 days) Hijri: Monday Mismatch (3 days)
  • It was also said: he died in year thirty-three Creator's: Wednesday Mismatch (2 days) Hijri: Wednesday Mismatch (2 days)
  • And it was said: year thirty-four Creator's: Monday Mismatch (3 days) Hijri: Sunday Mismatch (2 days)
Thursday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Saturday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 13 Rajab 32
65 Arrival of the Egyptians at Medina Wednesday night 1 Dhu al-Qa'dah, year 35 On the night of Wednesday, the new moon of Dhu al-Qa'dah Tuesday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Sunday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 2 Dhu al-Qa'dah 35
66 Assassination of Uthman Friday 17 Dhu al-Hijjah, year 35 On Friday, seventeen having passed of Dhu al-Hijjah
Other reports (1)
  • Or eighteen Creator's: Saturday ≈ Near (1 day) Hijri: Thursday ≈ Near (1 day)
Friday Exact match Open the month Wednesday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 17 Dhu al-Hijjah 35
67 Pledge of allegiance to Ali Saturday 18 Dhu al-Hijjah, year 35 On Saturday, eighteen nights having passed of Dhu al-Hijjah Saturday Exact match Open the month Thursday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 18 Dhu al-Hijjah 35
68 Ali's first sermon Friday 5 remaining of Dhu al-Hijjah, year 35 On Friday, five remaining of Dhu al-Hijjah Saturday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Friday Exact match Open the month 24 Dhu al-Hijjah 35
69 The Battle of Siffin Wednesday 7 Safar, year 37 On Wednesday, seven having passed of Safar Wednesday Exact match Open the month Monday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 7 Safar 37
70 Truce between Ali and Muawiya Saturday night 10 Safar, year 37 On the night of Saturday, ten having passed of Safar Saturday Exact match Open the month Thursday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 10 Safar 37
71 The arbitration agreement Wednesday 13 Safar, year 37 On Wednesday, thirteen having passed of Safar Tuesday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Sunday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month 14 Safar 37
72 Assassination of Ali Friday 17 Ramadan, year 40 On Friday, seventeen having passed of Ramadan Friday Exact match Open the month Sunday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 17 Ramadan 40
73 Handover of rule to Muawiya Monday 5 remaining of Rabi' al-Awwal, year 41 On Monday, five nights remaining of Rabi' al-Awwal Monday Exact match Open the month Tuesday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 24 Rabi' al-Awwal 41

Events 74–107

# Event What the source says The Creator's Calendar Lunar Hijri Researched date
75 Death of Aisha Tuesday night 17 Ramadan, year 58 On the night of Tuesday, seventeen having passed of Ramadan Monday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Monday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 18 Jumada al-Akhirah 56
Hijri: 17 Ramadan 58
76 Death of Muawiya Thursday 8 remaining of Rajab, year 60 On Thursday, eight remaining of Rajab
Other reports (2)
  • At the new moon of Rajab (no day given) Creator's: — — Hijri: — —
  • In the middle of Rajab (no day given) Creator's: — — Hijri: — —
Saturday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month Thursday Exact match Open the month 21 Rabi' al-Awwal 58
Hijri: 21 Rajab 60
77 Al-Husayn's departure from Medina Sunday 2 remaining of Rajab, year 60 On Sunday, two nights remaining of Rajab, year sixty Saturday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Monday ≈ Near, different year year 61 (text: 60) Open the month 27 Rabi' al-Awwal 59
Hijri: 27 Rajab 61
78 Al-Husayn's arrival in Mecca Friday night 3 Sha'ban, year 60 On the night of Friday, three having passed of Sha'ban Wednesday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month Saturday ≈ Near, different year year 61 (text: 60) Open the month 2 Rabi' al-Thani 59
Hijri: 2 Sha'ban 61
79 Al-Husayn's departure from Mecca Tuesday 8 Dhu al-Hijjah, year 60 He left it with eight having passed of Dhu al-Hijjah, on Tuesday Monday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Tuesday Match, different year year 61 (text: 60) Open the month 8 Sha'ban 59
Hijri: 8 Dhu al-Hijjah 61
80 Muslim ibn Aqil's rising in Kufa Tuesday 8 Dhu al-Hijjah, year 60 On Tuesday, eight nights having passed of Dhu al-Hijjah
Other reports (1)
  • It is also said: on Wednesday, seven having passed, in year sixty, from the Day of Arafah, a day after al-Husayn left Makkah (he left on Tuesday the 8th, so Arafah was Wednesday the 9th, and 9 + 7 = Wednesday the 16th) Creator's: Tuesday ≈ Near (1 day) Hijri: Saturday Mismatch (3 days)
Monday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Tuesday Match, different year year 61 (text: 60) Open the month 16 Sha'ban 59
Hijri: 16 Dhu al-Hijjah 61
81 First Thursday of Karbala Thursday 2 Muharram, year 61 On Thursday, the second day of al-Muharram, year sixty-one Wednesday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Friday ≈ Near, different year year 62 (text: 61) Open the month 1 Al-Nasi 59
Hijri: 1 Muharram 62
82 Second Thursday of Karbala Thursday 9 Muharram, year 61 On Thursday evening, nine having passed of al-Muharram Wednesday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Friday ≈ Near, different year year 62 (text: 61) Open the month 8 Al-Nasi 59
Hijri: 8 Muharram 62
83 The killing of al-Husayn Saturday 10 Muharram, year 62 It was also said he was killed in year sixty-two (Ibn al-Madini and Ibn al-Kalbi)
Other reports (2)
  • On Saturday, the day of Ashura Creator's: Thursday Mismatch (2 days) Hijri: Monday Mismatch (2 days)
  • We have also heard that it was a Friday Creator's: Thursday ≈ Near (1 day) Hijri: Monday Mismatch (3 days)
Monday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month Saturday Exact match Open the month 10 Al-Nasi 59
Hijri: 10 Muharram 62
84 The Battle of al-Harra Wednesday 2 remaining of Dhu al-Hijjah, year 63 On Wednesday, two nights remaining of Dhu al-Hijjah
Other reports (1)
  • Some said: three nights remaining Creator's: Saturday Mismatch (3 days) Hijri: Wednesday Exact match
Monday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month Wednesday Exact match Open the month 28 Rajab 61
Hijri: 28 Dhu al-Hijjah 63
85 The burning of the Kaaba Tuesday 5 Rabi' al-Thani, year 64 On Tuesday, five having passed of Rabi' al-Akhir
Other reports (1)
  • On Saturday, three nights having passed of Rabi' al-Awwal Creator's: Monday Mismatch (2 days) Hijri: Thursday Mismatch (2 days)
A confusion between Rabi' al-Awwal and Rabi' al-Akhir

The two reports differ in both the month and the day: Khalifa ibn Khayyat has "on Tuesday, five having passed of Rabi' al-Akhir", and al-Waqidi "on Saturday, three nights having passed of Rabi' al-Awwal".

Al-Waqidi places the fire "twenty-nine days before the news of Yazid ibn Mu'awiya's death arrived, and the news came at the new moon of Rabi' al-Akhir" — about a month before the new moon of Rabi' al-Akhir, i.e. early in Rabi' al-Awwal — which favours Rabi' al-Awwal over the Rabi' al-Akhir report.

The researched date is Saturday 5 Rabi' al-Awwal, year 64: the weekday of al-Waqidi's report with the day number of Khalifa's. Because it combines two reports it does not enter the verdict, which stays with the text of each.

Thursday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month Sunday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month 5 Shawwal 61
Hijri: 5 Rabi' al-Awwal 64
86 Death of Yazid ibn Muawiya Tuesday 14 Rabi' al-Awwal, year 64 On Tuesday, fourteen nights having passed of Rabi' al-Awwal Friday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month Monday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 15 Shawwal 61
Hijri: 15 Rabi' al-Awwal 64
87 Al-Mukhtar's arrival in Kufa Friday 15 Ramadan, year 64 In the middle of Ramadan, on a Friday Monday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month Thursday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 16 Rabi' al-Thani 62
Hijri: 16 Ramadan 64
88 Arrival of Abdullah ibn Yazid al-Ansari Friday 8 remaining of Ramadan, year 64 On Friday, eight remaining of Ramadan Monday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month Friday Exact match Open the month 23 Rabi' al-Thani 62
Hijri: 23 Ramadan 64
89 Caliphate of Marwan ibn al-Hakam Wednesday 3 Dhu al-Qa'dah, year 64 On Wednesday, three having passed of Dhu al-Qa'dah Saturday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month Wednesday Exact match Open the month 3 Jumada al-Akhirah 62
Hijri: 3 Dhu al-Qa'dah 64
90 The Penitents set out Friday 5 Rabi' al-Thani, year 65 On Friday evening, five having passed of Rabi' al-Akhir Tuesday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month Friday Exact match Open the month 5 Shawwal 62
Hijri: 5 Rabi' al-Thani 65
91 The Penitents' march (part 2) Wednesday 8 remaining of Jumada al-Ula, year 65 On Wednesday, eight remaining of Jumada al-Ula Monday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month Wednesday Exact match Open the month 23 Dhu al-Qa'dah 62
Hijri: 23 Jumada al-Ula 65
92 Arrival of Abdullah ibn Muti in Kufa Thursday 5 remaining of Ramadan, year 65 On Thursday, five remaining of Ramadan Thursday Exact match Open the month Thursday Exact match Open the month 24 Rabi' al-Awwal 63
Hijri: 24 Ramadan 65
93 Al-Mukhtar's rising in Kufa Thursday night 14 Rabi' al-Awwal, year 66 On the night of Thursday, fourteen of Rabi' al-Awwal Monday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month Wednesday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 15 Ramadan 63
Hijri: 15 Rabi' al-Awwal 66
94 Death of Mus'ab ibn al-Zubayr Tuesday 13 Jumada al-Ula, year 72 On Tuesday, thirteen having passed of Jumada al-Ula
Other reports (1)
  • Or al-Akhirah Creator's: Saturday Mismatch (3 days) Hijri: Thursday Mismatch (2 days)
Friday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month Tuesday Exact match Open the month 13 Ramadan 69
Hijri: 13 Jumada al-Ula 72
96 Death of Abdullah ibn al-Zubayr Tuesday 15 Jumada al-Ula, year 73 It is also said: the middle of it
Other reports (1)
  • On Tuesday, seventeen having passed of Jumada al-Ula Creator's: Sunday Mismatch (2 days) Hijri: Thursday Mismatch (2 days)
Friday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month Tuesday Exact match Open the month 15 Al-Nasi 70
Hijri: 15 Jumada al-Ula 73
97 Al-Muhallab and Ibn Mikhnaf expel the Azariqa from Ramhurmuz Monday 10 remaining of Sha'ban, year 75 Ten remaining of Sha'ban, on Monday Tuesday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Sunday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 21 Dhu al-Qa'dah 72
Hijri: 21 Sha'ban 75
98 Death of Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan Thursday 15 Shawwal, year 86 On Thursday, the middle of Shawwal Friday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Thursday Exact match Open the month 15 Ramadan 83
Hijri: 15 Shawwal 86
99 Death of al-Walid ibn Abd al-Malik Saturday 15 Jumada al-Akhirah, year 96 On Saturday, in the middle of Jumada al-Akhirah Monday Mismatch (2 days) Open the month Sunday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 14 Muharram 93
Hijri: 14 Jumada al-Akhirah 96
100 Death of Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz Friday 10 remaining of Safar, year 99 On Friday, ten nights remaining of Safar Saturday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Thursday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 21 Sha'ban 95
Hijri: 21 Safar 99
101 Death of Umar ibn Abd al-Aziz Friday 5 remaining of Rajab, year 101 On Friday, five remaining of Rajab Monday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month Friday Exact match Open the month 26 Dhu al-Hijjah 97
Hijri: 26 Rajab 101
102 The killing of Yazid ibn al-Muhallab Friday 14 Safar, year 102 On Friday, fourteen having passed of Safar Tuesday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month Friday Exact match Open the month 14 Rajab 98
Hijri: 14 Safar 102
103 The uprising and death of Zayd ibn Ali Wednesday night 1 Safar, year 122 On the night of Wednesday, the first night of Safar Wednesday Exact match Open the month Tuesday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 2 Dhu al-Hijjah 117
Hijri: 2 Safar 122
104 Death of Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik Wednesday 6 Rabi' al-Thani, year 125 On Wednesday, six nights having passed of Rabi' al-Akhir Thursday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Tuesday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month 7 Muharram 121
Hijri: 7 Rabi' al-Thani 125
105 Death of al-Walid ibn Yazid ibn Abd al-Malik Thursday 2 remaining of Jumada al-Akhirah, year 126 On Thursday, two nights remaining of Jumada al-Akhirah Sunday Mismatch (3 days) Open the month Thursday Exact match Open the month 28 Rabi' al-Awwal 122
Hijri: 28 Jumada al-Akhirah 126
106 Defeat of Marwan ibn Muhammad at the Battle of al-Zab Saturday 11 Jumada al-Akhirah, year 132 On Saturday morning, eleven nights having passed of Jumada al-Akhirah Saturday Exact match Open the month Saturday Exact match Open the month 11 Dhu al-Hijjah 127
Hijri: 11 Jumada al-Akhirah 132
107 Death of Marwan ibn Muhammad ibn Marwan ibn al-Hakam Sunday 3 remaining of Dhu al-Hijjah, year 133 On Sunday, three remaining of Dhu al-Hijjah Monday ≈ Near (1 day) Open the month Sunday Exact match Open the month 27 Jumada al-Akhirah 129
Hijri: 27 Dhu al-Hijjah 133

Witness of the season and the rain-stars

Some reports describe the season of an event — heat, ripening fruit, the rains of autumn, the rain-star (naw') that brought the rain. The season is fixed by the sun, so it tests a date far more sharply than the weekday: the same month name falls months apart in the two calendars. We read the month exactly as the sources give it in both calendars and compare each day of it with the season the text describes, and with the computed date of the rain-star it names.

The expedition of Dhat al-'Ushayra (the caravan setting out for Syria) — Jumada al-Akhirah, year 2, sixteen months after the Hijra (Ibn Sa'd).

"For the accustomed security of the Quraysh — their accustomed security in the journey of winter and summer."

Quraysh 106:1–2

…intercepting the caravans of Quraysh as they set out for Syria.

al-Waqidi, al-Maghazi 1/12 — the expedition of Dhat al-'Ushayra
Jumada al-Akhirah 2 The Creator's Calendar Lunar Hijri
The month in Gregorian dates 25 June 624 – 24 July 624 Open the month2 December 623 – 30 December 623 Open the month
Sun longitude 92.7° → 120.5°249.8° → 278.4°
Astronomical season summerautumn → winter
The Arabs' season (books of anwa') "al-qayz" (summer)"al-rabi'" (autumn) → "al-shita'" (winter)
The text: «the journey of winter and summer — Syria was the summer journey» — summer Astronomical: Agrees Arabs' reckoning: Agrees Astronomical: Does not agree Arabs' reckoning: Does not agree

The Battle of Badr (the caravan returning from Syria) — Ramadan, year 2 after the Hijra, as the same caravan returned from Syria.

"For the accustomed security of the Quraysh — their accustomed security in the journey of winter and summer."

Quraysh 106:1–2

"When He covered you with drowsiness as security from Him, and sent down upon you water from the sky to purify you with it."

Al-Anfal 8:11

…and it was the same caravan that he set out for again when it returned from Syria … They came out to protect it, and met the Messenger of God ﷺ at Badr, and he fought them.

Ibn Sa'd, al-Tabaqat al-Kubra 2/9–10
Ramadan 2 The Creator's Calendar Lunar Hijri
The month in Gregorian dates 22 September 624 – 21 October 624 Open the month28 February 624 – 28 March 624 Open the month
Sun longitude 179° → 208°338.8° → 7.4°
Astronomical season summer → autumnwinter → spring
The Arabs' season (books of anwa') "al-rabi'" (autumn)"al-shita'" (winter) → "al-sayf" (spring)
The text: «the journey of winter and summer — when it returned from Syria» — journey of summer The journey: 25 June 624 – 21 October 624 (119 days) Astronomical: 91 days in summer — Agrees Arabs' reckoning: 75 days in "al-qayz" (summer) — Agrees The journey: 2 December 623 – 28 March 624 (118 days) Astronomical: 0 days in summer — Does not agree Arabs' reckoning: 0 days in "al-qayz" (summer) — Does not agree
The text: «and He sent down upon you water from the sky» — rain = Does not distinguish = Does not distinguish

The Battle of the Trench (al-Ahzab) — Dhu al-Qa'dah, year 5 after the Hijra (al-Waqidi — whose reports are borne out by the weekday matches above; Ibn Ishaq has Shawwal).

"O you who believe, remember God's favour upon you when armies came against you, and We sent against them a wind and armies you did not see."

Al-Ahzab 33:9

They said: when it was the night of Saturday, God sent the wind, and it uprooted and swept away.

al-Waqidi, al-Maghazi — the Battle of the Trench

They said: the siege of the Trench was in bitter cold and hunger.

al-Waqidi, al-Maghazi — the Battle of the Trench

Hudhayfa ibn al-Yaman used to say: We were at the Trench with the Messenger of God ﷺ on a night of severe cold; cold, hunger and fear had all come upon us together.

al-Waqidi, al-Maghazi — the Battle of the Trench
Dhu al-Qa'dah 5 The Creator's Calendar Lunar Hijri
The month in Gregorian dates 18 December 627 – 15 January 628 Open the month27 March 627 – 24 April 627 Open the month
Sun longitude 266.2° → 294.7°5.7° → 32.8°
Astronomical season autumn → winterspring
The Arabs' season (books of anwa') "al-shita'" (winter)"al-sayf" (spring)
The text: «in bitter cold · a night of severe cold» — winter Astronomical: ≈ Partly Arabs' reckoning: Agrees Astronomical: Does not agree Arabs' reckoning: Does not agree

The Truce of al-Hudaybiyya — Dhu al-Qa'dah, year 6 after the Hijra.

…and they were heading for a rain-cloud of autumn that had fallen at Farsh Malal. The Messenger of God ﷺ called one of them and asked: "Where are you heading?" He said: "O Muhammad, we were told of a rain-cloud that fell at Farsh Malal a month ago."

al-Waqidi, al-Maghazi — the expedition of al-Hudaybiyya

They said: the Messenger of God ﷺ was rained on at al-Hudaybiyya several times, and water became plentiful.

al-Waqidi, al-Maghazi — the expedition of al-Hudaybiyya

I heard Ibn Ubayy say — while we were at al-Hudaybiyya and had been rained on there: "This is the rain-star of autumn; we were rained on by al-Shi'ra (Sirius)."

al-Waqidi, al-Maghazi — the expedition of al-Hudaybiyya
Dhu al-Qa'dah 6 The Creator's Calendar Lunar Hijri
The month in Gregorian dates 6 December 628 – 3 January 629 Open the month15 March 628 – 13 April 628 Open the month
Sun longitude 254.7° → 283.3°354.7° → 22.9°
Astronomical season autumn → winterwinter → spring
The Arabs' season (books of anwa') "al-rabi'" (autumn) → "al-shita'" (winter)"al-sayf" (spring)
The text: «the rain-star of autumn» — autumn Astronomical: ≈ Partly Arabs' reckoning: ≈ Partly Astronomical: Does not agree Arabs' reckoning: Does not agree
The text: «we were rained on by al-Shi'ra (Sirius)» — rain-star of Sirius (al-Shi'ra al-'Abur) Rain-star of Sirius (al-Shi'ra al-'Abur): 6 December 628 – 15 December 628, within the month Agrees Nearest rain-star of Sirius (al-Shi'ra al-'Abur): 6 December 627 – 16 December 627, 90 days before the month Does not agree

The expedition of Tabuk (setting out) — He set out in Rajab, year 9 after the Hijra.

"And they said: Do not go forth in the heat. Say: The fire of Hell is more intense in heat."

Al-Tawbah 9:81

…until that expedition came: the Messenger of God ﷺ undertook it in intense heat, facing a long journey, a waterless desert and a numerous enemy … The Messenger of God ﷺ undertook that expedition when the fruits had ripened and the shade was pleasant.

Sahih al-Bukhari, Book of Expeditions, the hadith of Ka'b ibn Malik (4418)
Rajab 9 The Creator's Calendar Lunar Hijri
The month in Gregorian dates 7 August 631 – 5 September 631 Open the month16 October 630 – 13 November 630 Open the month
Sun longitude 133.3° → 161.5°202.5° → 230.8°
Astronomical season summerautumn
The Arabs' season (books of anwa') "al-qayz" (summer)"al-rabi'" (autumn)
The text: «do not go forth in the heat · in intense heat» — summer Astronomical: Agrees Arabs' reckoning: Agrees Astronomical: Does not agree Arabs' reckoning: Does not agree

How the season is computed

  • The month: the month and year are read as the sources give them, in both calendars, by the site's own engine; every day of the month is tested.
  • The astronomical season is set by the sun's ecliptic longitude at noon: spring from the March equinox (0°), summer from the June solstice (90°), autumn from the September equinox (180°), winter from the December solstice (270°).
  • The Arabs' season: in the books of anwa' (Ibn Qutayba, Kitab al-Anwa') each of the four seasons begins about half a month before its astronomical counterpart (at 165°, 255°, 345° and 75°), and the names differ: the Arabs called autumn al-rabi', spring al-sayf, and summer al-qayz.
  • The rain-star (naw') is the setting of a star in the west at dawn. It is computed at the place of the event, from the star's J2000 position with its proper motion and precession, as a span between two limits: geometric — the first morning the star has set by sunrise — and visible — the first morning it sets while the sun is still 10° below the horizon, so its setting is seen in the dark of dawn.
  • A journey: a caravan's return from a seasonal journey falls at the end of its season, so the return month alone is not judged; the whole journey is counted, from the first day of the month it set out to the last day of the month it returned, and the verdict follows how many of its days fall in the season named: half or more agrees, fewer is partial, none does not agree.
  • Rain is possible in the Hejaz throughout the cooler months, so a report of rain alone cannot tell the two calendars apart; such reports are shown, for completeness, as = does not distinguish.
  • The verdict: for a season, agrees when every day of the month lies in it, partly when some days do, and does not agree when none do; for a rain-star, it agrees when the month overlaps its span, is near within 15 days of it, and does not agree otherwise.