most precious possession, the proof of their existence, the arena of their relationship with their Creator, the field of their good deeds, and the essence of their value. Time is one of the greatest and most significant blessings. All people are equally bound to it, regardless of their cultures, religions, or ethnicities. In every era, they are in urgent need of understanding it, observing its changes, fulfilling their needs, setting their goals, and organizing their priorities; for life is made up of moments that pass and ages that follow one another 

Due to the عظَمة of time, Allah the Almighty has sworn by it in several places in His Holy Book, saying: ﴿وَالْعَصْرِ ۝ إِنَّ الْإِنسَانَ لَفِي خُسْرٍ﴾, and Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) said: “Al-Asr is time (al-dahr).” Because of its significance, Allah has also linked time to the pillars of religion, saying: ﴿إِنَّ الصَّلَاةَ كَانَتْ عَلَى الْمُؤْمِنِينَ كِتَاباً مَوْقُوتاً﴾. He also made the lunar phases a means of determining time and months, due to the various benefits this brings in both religious and worldly affairs. As for religious matters, they are many, including Hajj, as Allah says: ﴿الْحَجُّ أَشْهُرٌ مَعْلُومَاتٌ﴾, and fasting, as the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: «صوموا لرؤيته وأفطروا لرؤيته». As for worldly matters, they include financial transactions, leases, appointments, pregnancy and breastfeeding periods, as stated in Allah’s saying: ﴿وَحَمْلُهُ وَفِصَالُهُ ثَلَاثُونَ شَهْراً﴾, and many other affairs of people whose timing cannot be properly regulated except through knowledge of the lunar mansions and the changes of the moon.  

Allah, Glorified and Exalted be He, has informed us that He has arranged the lunar phases in this precise and wondrous system for the benefit of His servants and for the proper functioning of their worldly affairs, so that they may also reflect upon these variations as evidence of His Oneness and perfect power.  

Based on this elevated status of time, the Muslim interest in the Hijri calendar comes as an integral part of religion and worship, and as an important landmark in Islamic civilization, culture, heritage, and identity. The importance of this calendar goes back to the great event it represents: the Hijrah (migration) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Madinah; a noble turning point in Islamic history, marking the transition of Muslims from a life of fear, isolation, and persecution to a life filled with peace, mercy, tranquility, tolerance, and human coexistence.