Hijri vs. Shamsi: What's the Difference?
A guide to understanding the two major Islamic calendar systems used in Afghanistan.
In Afghanistan, it is common to see two different years and dates mentioned alongside the international Gregorian (Miladi) date. These are the Shamsi and Hijri calendars. While they share the same starting point (the epoch), they function very differently.
Shamsi (Solar Hijri)
- Basis: Orbit of the Earth around the Sun.
- Days in Year: 365 or 366 days.
- Usage: Official government business, school, and climate.
- Consistency: Months always fall in the same season (e.g., Hamal is always Spring).
Hijri (Lunar Hijri)
- Basis: Phases of the Moon.
- Days in Year: 354 or 355 days.
- Usage: Religious observances (Ramadan, Eid, Hajj).
- Consistency: Dates "drift" about 11 days earlier every solar year.
The Shared Epoch
Both calendars are "Hijri" because they both count years from the Hijra — the migration of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD.
However, because the Lunar year is shorter, the year numbers are different today. For example, while the Shamsi year might be 1405, the Hijri (Lunar) year is around 1447.
Summary: Which one should I use?
If you are looking for an official date or checking the Afghan calendar for work or school, use the Shamsi date.
If you are checking for Ramadan, Eid, or other Islamic holidays, use the Lunar Hijri date.