Solar and Lunar YearsSolar and Lunar Years

Miracles ofMiracles of

The Holy Qur’anThe Holy Qur’an

A presentation byA presentation by

Najib Khan SuratteeNajib Khan Surattee

najib_009@yahoo.com.sgnajib_009@yahoo.com.sg

1 Muharram 1429H1 Muharram 1429H

All praises and thanks are to Allah, the All praises and thanks are to Allah, the Originator and Creator of the heavens and Originator and Creator of the heavens and earth and Who created the universe from earth and Who created the universe from absolute nothingness. absolute nothingness.

Peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad Peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad s.a.w.,his family and companions.s.a.w.,his family and companions.

I dedicate this presentation to our late I dedicate this presentation to our late ulamaulama, , Ustaz Syed Abdillah Bin Ahmad Al JufriUstaz Syed Abdillah Bin Ahmad Al Jufri, who , who had guided me on the interpretation of the Al had guided me on the interpretation of the Al Qur’an specifically Qur’an specifically verse 25 of Surah Al Kahfverse 25 of Surah Al Kahf and who had encouraged me to do some and who had encouraged me to do some mathematical calculation.mathematical calculation.

My special thanks also goes to My special thanks also goes to Ustaz Ahmad Ustaz Ahmad Sonhadji MuhamadSonhadji Muhamad for his explanation on this for his explanation on this verse and encouraging me to do research on verse and encouraging me to do research on the scientific and mathematical aspects of the the scientific and mathematical aspects of the Holy Qur’an.Holy Qur’an.

Brief History of the Brief History of the Hijr CalendarHijr Calendar

The Islamic Calendar (known as the Hijr The Islamic Calendar (known as the Hijr Calendar) was established by Calendar) was established by Syedina Syedina Omar Al Khatab r.aOmar Al Khatab r.a. on the year 639 A.D., . on the year 639 A.D., on the 4on the 4thth year of his role as the caliphate. year of his role as the caliphate.

The Hijr Calendar started on the year our The Hijr Calendar started on the year our beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. beloved Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. migrated from Mecca for Madina. This migrated from Mecca for Madina. This migration, known as migration, known as hijrahhijrah, occurred in the , occurred in the month of Rabiulawal in 622 A.D.month of Rabiulawal in 622 A.D.

Syedina Omar r.a. counted backwards and Syedina Omar r.a. counted backwards and decided the 1decided the 1stst day of the Month of Muharram day of the Month of Muharram of that year (the year that the hijrah took place) of that year (the year that the hijrah took place) to be called to be called 1 Muharram 1H. 1 Muharram 1H.

In the Gregorian Calendar, 1 Muharram 1H In the Gregorian Calendar, 1 Muharram 1H correlated to correlated to 1616thth July 622 A.D. July 622 A.D. (Friday). (Friday).

(Please be aware that all the names and (Please be aware that all the names and sequence of the 12 months of the Hijr Calendar sequence of the 12 months of the Hijr Calendar had been established long before 1 Muharram had been established long before 1 Muharram 1H.)1H.)

Let us now look into the Let us now look into the Holy Qur’anHoly Qur’an and and interpret what Allah tells us about the interpret what Allah tells us about the relationship between the movement of sun relationship between the movement of sun and the moon and hence try to and the moon and hence try to correlatecorrelate the the SolarSolar and and Lunar Lunar YearsYears

“(He is the) Splitter of the daybreak and He has made the night for rest, and the sun and the moon for keeping an account (of time). That is the program of the All-Mighty, The All-Knowing.” (Surah Al An’am, 6: 96)

“It is He who made the sun to be a shining glory, and the moon to be a light (of beauty), and measured out stages for her, that you might compute the number of years and the count of time.” (Yunos, 10: 5)

“The sun and the moon run on their ordered (fixed) courses (exactly).” – (Ar-Rahman, 55: 5)

The story of theThe story of the People of the CavePeople of the Cave is narrated is narrated inin Surah Al KahfSurah Al Kahf fromfrom verse 10 till verse 25verse 10 till verse 25. It is . It is at verse 25 that Allah mentions the number of at verse 25 that Allah mentions the number of years they stayed in the Cave.years they stayed in the Cave.

In this particular verse lies aIn this particular verse lies a secretsecret. .

““And they stayed in their CaveAnd they stayed in their Cave three hundredthree hundred

Years, andYears, and addadd ninenine.” .”

(Surah Al Kahf, 18:25)(Surah Al Kahf, 18:25)

It means that they stayed for It means that they stayed for 300300 Solar YearsSolar Years oror

((300300 ++ 99) =) = 309 309 Lunar YearsLunar Years

One Solar Year = 365.2425 days (Gregorian One Solar Year = 365.2425 days (Gregorian Calendar)Calendar)

One Lunar Year = 12 months of the Hijr One Lunar Year = 12 months of the Hijr CalendarCalendar

Interestingly, the number of words from the first Interestingly, the number of words from the first word of verse 10 i.e.word of verse 10 i.e. ““WhenWhen” till the word” till the word ““stayedstayed” in verse 25 of Surah Kahf is exactly” in verse 25 of Surah Kahf is exactly 309309..

Hence, one can calculate the number of days in an Islamic Lunar Year (Hijr) directly from the verse.

Hence,Hence, a Lunar Year has either 354 or 355 daysa Lunar Year has either 354 or 355 days

37.354365309

300

(When this verse was revealed, the Gregorian Calendar has been established and in use since 8 B.C. To compare with the Solar Calendar, we need to use the integer 365 rather than the exact 365.2425 days in a Solar Month)

The difference in number of days per year between the Gregorian Calendar and the Hijr Calendar is:

365 – 354.37 = 10.63 (bet. 10 or 11)

Hence, 1st Muharram will always falls about 10 or 11 days earlier (based on the Gregorian Calendar) the next year.

““Surely the number of months with Allah isSurely the number of months with Allah is twelvetwelve months so ordained by Him the day He created the months so ordained by Him the day He created the heavens and the earth;….”heavens and the earth;….” (Surah At-Taubah, 9: 36)(Surah At-Taubah, 9: 36)

One Lunar Year = 12 Lunar MonthsOne Lunar Year = 12 Lunar Months

Hence,Hence, the number of days in a Lunar month isthe number of days in a Lunar month is

354.37354.37//1212 = = 29.5329.53 (min 29 and max 30) (min 29 and max 30)

In Astronomy,In Astronomy, 29.5329.53 is also known as theis also known as the Synodic MonthSynodic Month..

““A A synodic monthsynodic month is is 29.5329.53 days (29 days, 12 days (29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, 2.8 sec) and is measured hours, 44 minutes, 2.8 sec) and is measured from New Moon to New Moon” – from New Moon to New Moon” – Wikipedia, the Wikipedia, the free encyclopediafree encyclopedia

From NASA’s Cosmos: From NASA’s Cosmos:

“ “A Synodic Month = A Synodic Month = 29.5329.53 days” days”

Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (r.a.): The Prophet s.a.w Narrated Ibn ‘Umar (r.a.): The Prophet s.a.w said, “We are an illiterate nation; we neither said, “We are an illiterate nation; we neither write nor know counts. This month is like this write nor know counts. This month is like this i.e. sometimes i.e. sometimes 29 days29 days and sometimes and sometimes 30 30 daysdays.” – Sahih Al Bukhari.” – Sahih Al Bukhari

(This Hadith tallies with the numbers derived (This Hadith tallies with the numbers derived from the Qur’an)from the Qur’an)

“Do they not consider the Qur’an carefully? Had it beenfrom other than Allah, they would surely have found therein much contradictions.” – (An-Nisa, 4: 82)

Now, we can calculate the Sidreal month:Now, we can calculate the Sidreal month:

1/T1/Tsynodicsynodic = 1/T = 1/TMoon, revMoon, rev – 1/T – 1/TEarth, revEarth, rev

1/T1/TMoon, revMoon, rev = (1/T = (1/Tsynodicsynodic + 1/T + 1/TEarth, revEarth, rev))-1-1

1/T1/TMoon, revMoon, rev = (1/ = (1/29.5329.53 + 1/365.2425)+ 1/365.2425)-1-1 = = 27.3227.32 daysdays

(Here we use the exact value of 365.2425 solar days (Here we use the exact value of 365.2425 solar days since we use the exact value of 29.53 lunar days also. since we use the exact value of 29.53 lunar days also. The extra 0.2425 days in the Gregorian Calendar was The extra 0.2425 days in the Gregorian Calendar was achieved because this calendar has 97 leap years in achieved because this calendar has 97 leap years in every 400 years)every 400 years)

27.3227.32 days is also known as adays is also known as a Sidereal MonthSidereal Month..

““A sidreal month is measured by observing how A sidreal month is measured by observing how long it takes the moon to pass a fixed star on long it takes the moon to pass a fixed star on the celestial sphere and isthe celestial sphere and is exactly 27.32 days exactly 27.32 days (27 days, 7 hours, 43 minutes, 11.6 sec)” (27 days, 7 hours, 43 minutes, 11.6 sec)” – – Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaWikipedia, the free encyclopedia

From NASA’s Cosmos: From NASA’s Cosmos: ““A A Sidreal Month =Sidreal Month = 27.32 27.32 daysdays””

But we have never seen the other side of the But we have never seen the other side of the Moon without the aid of the satellite. It is Moon without the aid of the satellite. It is always always facing the Earth with the same sidefacing the Earth with the same side as it revolve as it revolve around the Earth.around the Earth.

Hence, the Moon must beHence, the Moon must be rotatingrotating on its own on its own axis takingaxis taking exactly 27.32 daysexactly 27.32 days to complete one to complete one complete rotation.complete rotation.

..

The Two Sides of the MoonThe Two Sides of the Moon

The Near Side The Far Side

It is the Near Side that would reflect light from the Sun uniformly with full brightness till you see it as if it is a “flat circle” in the sky. The Far Side is unable to reflect in this way.

However, based on books of Astronomy today,However, based on books of Astronomy today,

No of Solar Days per year isNo of Solar Days per year is 365.2425365.2425

Max no of days between the Solar and Lunar years Max no of days between the Solar and Lunar years == 365.2425 – 365.2425 – 354354 = = 11.242511.2425

Hence, it takesHence, it takes 365.2425/365.2425/11.242511.2425 = = 32.49 years32.49 years for the for the Solar and Lunar Calendar to get back in synchronization.Solar and Lunar Calendar to get back in synchronization.

It means that for each and everyone of It means that for each and everyone of us, “our Gregorian date of birth” will us, “our Gregorian date of birth” will meet again “our Hijr date of birth” when meet again “our Hijr date of birth” when we reach our (we reach our (32.49 x 232.49 x 2) i.e. ) i.e. 6565thth Solar Solar years birthdayyears birthday (or (or 6767thth Lunar years Lunar years birthdaybirthday))

Example 1 (Adding 65 years to the Gregorian Calendar):Example 1 (Adding 65 years to the Gregorian Calendar):

I was born onI was born on 9 September 19679 September 1967 ((4 Jamadilakhir 4 Jamadilakhir 1387) 1387)

I can only experience these two same dates meeting I can only experience these two same dates meeting again in my lifetime when I am again in my lifetime when I am 6565 solar years solar years (or 67 lunar (or 67 lunar years)years) old (InsyaAllah!). old (InsyaAllah!).

So, come So, come 9 September9 September 2032, the date in the Hijr 2032, the date in the Hijr

Calendar will also beCalendar will also be 4 Jamadilakhir4 Jamadilakhir 14541454

(Note: 1967 + 65 = 1454)(Note: 1967 + 65 = 1454)

Example 2 (Adding 67 years to the Hijr Calendar)Example 2 (Adding 67 years to the Hijr Calendar)

Al Marhum Ustaz Syed Abdillah Al Jufri was born onAl Marhum Ustaz Syed Abdillah Al Jufri was born on 29 Zulhijjah 29 Zulhijjah 13561356HH ((2 March2 March 1938)1938)

Adding Adding 6767 years to years to 13561356H, we get 1423 H.H, we get 1423 H.

Hence, onHence, on 29 Zulhijjah29 Zulhijjah 1423 H the Gregorian1423 H the Gregorian Calendar Calendar was alsowas also 2 March2 March 2003.2003.

(FYI, I discovered this theory on 2 March 2003, 2 (FYI, I discovered this theory on 2 March 2003, 2 months after Al Marhum Ustaz Syed Abdillah passed months after Al Marhum Ustaz Syed Abdillah passed away (4away (4thth Jan 2003) while writing an article on his Jan 2003) while writing an article on his teachings). May Allah always bless him. Amin!teachings). May Allah always bless him. Amin!

(2(2ndnd March 2003 has a nice eight digit number i.e. March 2003 has a nice eight digit number i.e. 02032003)02032003)

With the aid of a With the aid of a Gregorian-Hijr Calendar Gregorian-Hijr Calendar Conversion SoftwareConversion Software (easily found in the (easily found in the internet), try to check for your own birthdates. internet), try to check for your own birthdates.

Take note that you might get a day later or Take note that you might get a day later or earlier. Remember the Islamic day starts at earlier. Remember the Islamic day starts at Maghrib, so it is still on the same day.Maghrib, so it is still on the same day.

Anyway, on your Anyway, on your 6565thth birthday, you get closest birthday, you get closest to the original date and never on any other year to the original date and never on any other year in your lifetime!in your lifetime!

Now, let us be more accurate and calculate the Now, let us be more accurate and calculate the exact correlation between the Solar and the exact correlation between the Solar and the Lunar YearsLunar Years

One Solar Year = One Solar Year = 365.2425365.2425 days days

With this exact number, using verse 25, With this exact number, using verse 25,

One Lunar Year = 365.2425 x (One Lunar Year = 365.2425 x (300300//309309))

= = 354.6043689354.6043689 days days

Their difference = 365.2425 – 354.6043689Their difference = 365.2425 – 354.6043689

= = 10.6381311 10.6381311 daysdays

For one cycle:For one cycle:

No of Solar Years = 354.6043689/10.6381311No of Solar Years = 354.6043689/10.6381311 = 33.333333 years= 33.333333 years = = 33 years 4 months (exactly)33 years 4 months (exactly)

No of Lunar Years = 365.2425/10.6381311No of Lunar Years = 365.2425/10.6381311 = 34.333333 years= 34.333333 years = = 34 years 4 months (exactly)34 years 4 months (exactly)

This means that for every This means that for every 33 years and 4 months33 years and 4 months that that passed in the Solar Calendar, the Lunar Calendar has passed in the Solar Calendar, the Lunar Calendar has passed passed 34 years and 4 months34 years and 4 months, , exactly one year exactly one year apart!apart!

It simply means that only when you reach It simply means that only when you reach the age of 33 years and 4 months old, you the age of 33 years and 4 months old, you can say that, in lunar calendar, you are can say that, in lunar calendar, you are already 34 years and 4 months old (already 34 years and 4 months old (exactly exactly one year more!one year more!))

And when you are 65 years old exactly, you And when you are 65 years old exactly, you can look at both the Gregorian and Hijr can look at both the Gregorian and Hijr Calendars and see both your birthdays. (You Calendars and see both your birthdays. (You would be would be 2 years older2 years older in the Hijr Calendar). in the Hijr Calendar).

Metonic CycleMetonic Cycle

Let us now calculated how many Let us now calculated how many lunar monthslunar months are there in are there in 19 solar months19 solar months based on verse 25 based on verse 25 of Surah Kahf:of Surah Kahf:

One Solar Year = 12 months (ref.)One Solar Year = 12 months (ref.)

Hence, 19 Solar Years = 19 x 12 =Hence, 19 Solar Years = 19 x 12 = 228228 monthsmonths

This is equivalent toThis is equivalent to 228228 xx 309309//300300 == 234.84 234.84 Lunar Months Lunar Months

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

““Meton of AthensMeton of Athens was a Greek mathematician, was a Greek mathematician, astronomer, geometer and engineer who lived in astronomer, geometer and engineer who lived in Athens in the 5Athens in the 5thth century BCE. century BCE.

He is best known for the He is best known for the 19-year Metonic19-year Metonic cycle which cycle which he introduced in 432 BCE into the lunisolar Attic he introduced in 432 BCE into the lunisolar Attic calendar as a method of calculating date.calendar as a method of calculating date.

Meton found that Meton found that 19 19 solar years are solar years are almost almost equal to equal to 235235 lunar months or 6940 days.” lunar months or 6940 days.”

((What Meton did not know is that What Meton did not know is that 300 Solar Years300 Solar Years equals equals exactlyexactly 309 Lunar Years309 Lunar Years!!)!!)

In short, based on In short, based on Surah Al Kahf, 18:25Surah Al Kahf, 18:25 and and Surah At-Taubah, 9: 36Surah At-Taubah, 9: 36 from thefrom the Holy Qur’anHoly Qur’an, , we derived: we derived:

i)i) A A siderealsidereal month takesmonth takes 27.32 days27.32 daysii)ii) A A synodicsynodic month takes month takes 29.53 days29.53 daysiii)iii) one can expect his birth date in both the Hijr one can expect his birth date in both the Hijr

and the Gregorian calendars to meet again at and the Gregorian calendars to meet again at his his 65th 65th birthday of the Gregorian Calendar birthday of the Gregorian Calendar (or (or 6767thth birthday of the Hijr Calendar) birthday of the Hijr Calendar)

iv)iv) 1919 Solar years = Solar years = 234.84234.84 Lunar months Lunar months(The Holy Qur’an provides an (The Holy Qur’an provides an accurate calculationaccurate calculation of of the the Metonic Cycle)Metonic Cycle)

Some interesting discoveries from the Qur’an:Some interesting discoveries from the Qur’an:

1.1. The word “qamar” (means Moon) is The word “qamar” (means Moon) is mentioned mentioned 2727 times in the Qur’an. There are times in the Qur’an. There are another another 22 verses which refer to the Moon but verses which refer to the Moon but without using the word “qamar”. without using the word “qamar”.

(One Sidereal Month = (One Sidereal Month = 2727 days, One Synodic days, One Synodic Month = Month = 2929 days) days)

2.2. The Surah entitled “Al Qamar” or “The Moon” The Surah entitled “Al Qamar” or “The Moon” is in Part (Juz) is in Part (Juz) 27 27

3.3.The word “The word “hilalhilal” is mentioned (2:189) before ” is mentioned (2:189) before any word ‘any word ‘qamarqamar” is mentioned.” is mentioned.

((HilalHilal means New Moon. That is the shape means New Moon. That is the shape of the Moon we see first. This word also of the Moon we see first. This word also comes before any verse containing the Sun comes before any verse containing the Sun appears in the Qur’an. appears in the Qur’an. It signifies a day in It signifies a day in Islam begins with the nightIslam begins with the night))

4.4. Both the Moon and the Sun are first mentioned in the Both the Moon and the Sun are first mentioned in the same surah (Al Baqarah) in same surah (Al Baqarah) in separateseparate verses, second verses, second in same surah (Al An’am) in in same surah (Al An’am) in separateseparate verses and last verses and last mentioned in the same surah (Ash Shams) in mentioned in the same surah (Ash Shams) in separate separate verses.verses.(They have (They have separate separate paths (orbits) yet they are paths (orbits) yet they are coordinated)coordinated)

5.5. They are both mentioned in PartThey are both mentioned in Part 1, 7, …..301, 7, …..30(1, 7 and 30(1, 7 and 30 representingrepresenting 1 day, 1 week, 1 month)1 day, 1 week, 1 month)

6.6. On theOn the 1919thth occasion when the word “qamar” occasion when the word “qamar” appears, the verse contains the name “appears, the verse contains the name “AllahAllah”. No ”. No other verses about the Moon mentions “other verses about the Moon mentions “AllahAllah”. This ”. This verse mentions both “qamar’ and “shams” verse mentions both “qamar’ and “shams” twicetwice..

7.7. The Sun is mentioned The Sun is mentioned 3333 times. It is always times. It is always mentioned before the Moon except for one mentioned before the Moon except for one verse (71:16).verse (71:16).

8.8. The first verse (2:258) describes when the The first verse (2:258) describes when the Sun is risingSun is rising (That is how we first see the Sun (That is how we first see the Sun at the beginning of each day)at the beginning of each day)

9.9. There areThere are 19 verses19 verses that mention the Sun that mention the Sun and the Moon is one sentence. and the Moon is one sentence. (Remember (Remember the Metonic Cycle?)the Metonic Cycle?)

10.10. On theOn the 1919thth verse verse (in Surah Al Qiyamah) in (in Surah Al Qiyamah) in which they are mentioned in the same verse, which they are mentioned in the same verse, they are described as “they are described as “join togetherjoin together” or “” or “co-co-joinjoin”. ”. (Every 19 years, the earth, sun and the (Every 19 years, the earth, sun and the moon will be in phase!)moon will be in phase!)

11.If we take the11.If we take the mean number of Moon and Sunmean number of Moon and Sun mentioned in the Qur’an we getmentioned in the Qur’an we get (27 + 33)/2 = (27 + 33)/2 = 30 30 (30 days per month!)(30 days per month!)

If we take theIf we take the mean of the Lunar calendar and mean of the Lunar calendar and Solar calendarSolar calendar, , we’ll also getwe’ll also get (29 + 31)/2 = 30(29 + 31)/2 = 30 (30 days in a month!)(30 days in a month!)

“Say: If the whole of mankind and jinns were to gathertogether to produce the like of this Qur’an, they couldnot produce the like thereof, even if they backed up each other with help and support.” – (Al Israk, 17: 88)

End Of PresentationEnd Of Presentation

Thank You!Thank You!