The Abbreviation ‘A.D.’

The Abbreviation ‘A.D.’ in English Dates

We often see history dated with the abbreviations ‘A.D.’ and ‘B.C.’ The B.C, stands for ‘Before Christ’ while A.D. stands for two Latin words, ‘Anno Domini’ which means ‘in the year of the Lord - Jesus Christ’. The Christian Era was invented by Dionysius Exiguus, a monk of Scythian birth resident in Italy; it was a by-product of the dispute that had long vexed the churches as to the correct method of calculating Easter. This system of dating is called the Gregorian calender.

As Muslims we should avoid using the abbreviation ‘A.D.’ as it involves shirk [polytheism]. As each religion looks back to a different turning point in history, it is better to use another set of letters for dating. The letters ‘BCE’ and ‘CE’ are suggested instead. ‘BCE’ stands for ‘Before the Common Era’ and ‘CE’ stands for ‘Common Era’. BCE and CE can be used by people of all religions including Christianity. The year numbers are not changed. Year one in this system is the same as in the Gregorian calendar.

The Islâmic reckoning of the years should follow the Hijrah calendar. If the Gregorian date is sometimes necessary, it should be followed by ‘CE and not ‘AD’.

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