📅 Islamic Calendar
The 12 Islamic Months
A complete guide to the twelve months of the Hijri (Islamic lunar) calendar — their Arabic names, meanings, key events, and which are among the sacred months.
A lunar calendar — 354 days, 12 months
The Islamic calendar is purely lunar — each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon. The Hijri year is 10–11 days shorter than the Gregorian year, meaning Islamic dates cycle through all seasons over 33 years.
The Four Sacred Months (Ashhur al-Hurum)
Allah says: "Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve... of these, four are sacred." (Quran 9:36)
All 12 Months — Details & Key Events
Muharram
Sacred Monthمُحَرَّم
Meaning: Forbidden (sacred)
- • Day of Ashura (10th Muharram) — fasting recommended (Sahih Muslim)
- • New Hijri year begins
- • Fasting on the 9th and 10th, or 10th and 11th
Safar
صَفَر
Meaning: Empty / Yellow
- • No specific major events
- • Some ignorant pre-Islamic superstitions associated — all rejected in Islam
- • Regular month — full worship continues
Rabi' al-Awwal
رَبِيعُ الأَوَّل
Meaning: First spring
- • Birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (12th, widely observed)
- • Death of the Prophet ﷺ (12th)
- • Hijra to Madinah (1st) — some scholars place it here
Rabi' al-Thani
رَبِيعُ الثَّانِي
Meaning: Second spring
- • No major obligatory events
- • Month of continued regular worship
Jumada al-Ula
جُمَادَى الأُولَى
Meaning: First of frozen ground
- • Battle of Mu'tah occurred (8 AH)
- • No obligatory fasts or major dates
Jumada al-Thani
جُمَادَى الثَّانِيَة
Meaning: Second of frozen ground
- • Death of Fatimah al-Zahra ؓ (some accounts)
- • No obligatory fasts
Rajab
Sacred Monthرَجَب
Meaning: Respect / Reverence
- • One of the 4 sacred months
- • Isra wal-Mi'raj (Night Journey) — 27th Rajab (widely observed)
- • Increased voluntary worship recommended
Sha'ban
شَعْبَان
Meaning: Scattered / Dispersed
- • Prophet ﷺ fasted most of Sha'ban (Sahih Muslim 1156)
- • Night of Bara'ah (15th Sha'ban) — significance debated among scholars
- • Preparation month before Ramadan
Ramadan
رَمَضَان
Meaning: Scorching heat / Burning
- • Fasting — obligatory (Fard) for all adult Muslims
- • Night of Power — Laylat al-Qadr in the last 10 nights
- • First revelation of the Quran began
- • Eid al-Fitr on 1 Shawwal marks its end
Shawwal
شَوَّال
Meaning: Raised / Uplifted
- • Eid al-Fitr — 1st Shawwal
- • 6 days of fasting in Shawwal — equivalent to fasting the full year (Sahih Muslim 1164)
- • No obligatory fasting
Dhu al-Qi'dah
Sacred Monthذُو الْقَعْدَة
Meaning: Month of sitting / resting
- • One of the 4 sacred months
- • Hajj season begins — pilgrims travel toward Mecca
- • Warfare was forbidden in pre-Islamic and early Islamic tradition
Dhu al-Hijjah
Sacred Monthذُو الْحِجَّة
Meaning: Month of Hajj
- • First 10 days: greatest days of the year (Sahih al-Bukhari 969)
- • Day of Arafah — 9th: fasting highly recommended
- • Eid al-Adha — 10th: Day of Sacrifice
- • Days of Tashreeq — 11th–13th: continued Qurbani
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the 12 Islamic months in order?
The 12 months of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar in order are: (1) Muharram, (2) Safar, (3) Rabi' al-Awwal, (4) Rabi' al-Thani, (5) Jumada al-Ula, (6) Jumada al-Thani, (7) Rajab, (8) Sha'ban, (9) Ramadan, (10) Shawwal, (11) Dhu al-Qi'dah, (12) Dhu al-Hijjah. The Islamic calendar is lunar — each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon, making the Hijri year approximately 354 days (10-11 days shorter than the Gregorian year).
What are the four sacred months in Islam?
The four sacred months (Ashhur al-Hurum) mentioned in the Quran (9:36) are: Muharram (1st), Rajab (7th), Dhu al-Qi'dah (11th), and Dhu al-Hijjah (12th). Allah says: 'Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and earth; of these, four are sacred.' Sin in these months is more serious, and worship is more rewarded.
Which Islamic month has fasting?
Ramadan (the 9th Islamic month) is the only obligatory fasting month. Additional recommended fasting includes: 6 days of Shawwal (10th month) for a year's equivalent of fasting, the Day of Ashura (10th Muharram), the Day of Arafah (9th Dhu al-Hijjah), Mondays and Thursdays year-round, and the 13th, 14th and 15th of each month (the White Days).
What is the first month of the Islamic calendar?
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. The Islamic New Year begins on 1 Muharram. Muharram is also one of the four sacred months. The most important date in Muharram is the 10th — Yawm Ashura — which the Prophet ﷺ fasted and recommended fasting on, noting it expiates the sins of the previous year.
Why is Dhu al-Hijjah special?
Dhu al-Hijjah is the month of Hajj and contains the greatest days of the year. The Prophet ﷺ said: 'There are no days in which righteous deeds are more beloved to Allah than these ten days (of Dhu al-Hijjah).' (Sahih al-Bukhari 969). Key events: the first 10 days are the most virtuous days of the year, the Day of Arafah (9th) is recommended for fasting, and Eid al-Adha (10th) is the Festival of Sacrifice.
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