Solar and lunar chronology in the Qur'an

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Professor and Faculty Member at Al-Mustafa International University

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to examine the concept of calendrical systems in the Qur’an, focusing on the roles of lunar and solar reckoning in religious rituals and social life. The significance of the research lies in the fact that time and its division have been central concerns of civilizations and religions, while the Qur’an, through references to the sun, moon, night, day, seasons, and months, provides a comprehensive framework for understanding and calculating time.
Method: The research employs a descriptive-analytical approach with a textual-traditional orientation. Qur’anic verses related to time were collected and analyzed alongside authoritative exegetical, lexical, and narrative sources. Key terms such as sanah, ‘ām, ḥawl, ḥijjah, and shahr were studied. Furthermore, historical and astronomical evidence, along with comparative data from other civilizations, were used to clarify the relationship between solar and lunar calendars.
Results: Conceptual Results: The Qur’an uses multiple terms for time, each carrying specific meanings. While shahr and shuhūr clearly denote lunar months, terms like sanah and ‘ām may refer to both solar and lunar years. Calendrical Systems: The Qur’an acknowledges the twelve-month division (Q 9:36), consistent with other civilizations. The lunar calendar forms the basis for worship (fasting, Hajj, zakāt, sacred months), whereas the solar calendar is aligned with natural cycles such as agriculture, trade, and seasonal change. Integrative Approach: The findings show that the Qur’an does not set lunar and solar systems in opposition but validates both: the lunar calendar for religious rituals and the solar calendar for civil and natural calculations.
Conclusion: The Qur’an simultaneously establishes the lunar calendar as the foundation of religious observances and affirms the solar calendar as a valid system for social and natural life. Thus, the Qur’anic conception of time is comprehensive and integrative, recognizing the complementary functions of both systems in meeting human spiritual and practical needs.

Keywords

References

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  • Receive Date: 13 March 2025
  • Revise Date: 06 April 2025
  • Accept Date: 02 May 2025

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