Fath al-Rabbani

Benefits: … In the first hadith, the descent of revelation at the age of forty is mentioned, while in the second, it is stated as forty-three years. The reconciliation and harmonization between these is that in the second hadith, the period of the cessation of revelation (fatrah wahy) is not counted; otherwise, the beginning of revelation occurred when the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam was forty years old. How old was the Noble Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam? See the benefits of hadith number (11065). The Caliph of the Muslims, Sayyiduna Umar ibn al-Khattab radi Allahu anhu, in the year 17 or 18 Hijri, initiated for the Muslim Ummah the distinctive system of dating, and he began it from the event of the Prophet’s sallallahu alayhi wa sallam migration (hijrah).

Muslims should have observed Islamic traditions in their calendars when mentioning the days of the week, the dates of the month, and the year; they should have mentioned Friday first among the days of the week, because it is the first day; adhered to the Islamic months (Muharram, Safar, Rabi‘ al-Awwal …), because Allah Ta‘ala Himself has arranged these months; and followed the Hijri year, which alludes both to the ascension of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa sallam and to the great achievement of the great Caliph.

This achievement of Sayyiduna Umar radi Allahu anhu indicates his far-sightedness, foresight, and legal acumen.