The 12 Months of the Islamic Calendar
A comprehensive guide to the names, meanings, and historical significance of the Hijri months.
Islamic Calendar1. Muharram
Sacred MonthMeaning: "Forbidden" or "Sacred"
The first month of the Islamic year. It is one of the four sacred months where warfare is forbidden. Fasting in this month is the best after Ramadan.
• 10th: Day of Ashura (Allah saved Prophet Musa)
2. Safar
Meaning: "Empty" or "Yellow"
In pre-Islamic times, Arab houses would be "empty" during this month as people went out to gather food or engage in battle. Some associate the name with the yellowing of autumn leaves.
3. Rabi' al-Awwal
Meaning: "The First Spring"
A month of great historical significance in the Seerah. Though the Islamic calendar rotates, it was originally named during the spring season.
• Birth of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ
• The Prophet's ﷺ Hijrah to Madinah
• The Prophet's ﷺ passing
4. Rabi' al-Thani
Meaning: "The Second Spring"
Also known as Rabi' al-Akhir. It marked the continuation of the spring season in ancient Arabia.
5. Jumada al-Ula
Meaning: "The First Dry/Parched Month"
The root word 'Jamad' means 'to freeze' or 'to become dry/parched'. It historically fell during the dry summer months or when water would freeze in winter.
6. Jumada al-Akhirah
Meaning: "The Last Dry/Parched Month"
Also known as Jumada al-Thaniyah. The second of the two dry months.
7. Rajab
Sacred MonthMeaning: "To Respect" or "To Honor"
The second sacred month, standing alone in the middle of the calendar. Arabs would remove the heads of their spears as a sign of peace during this month.
• 27th: Isra and Mi'raj (The Night Journey)
8. Sha'ban
Meaning: "Scattered" or "Separated"
Arabs used to scatter in search of water or spread out for war after the peaceful month of Rajab. The Prophet ﷺ fasted more in Sha'ban than any other month besides Ramadan.
• 15th: Mid-Sha'ban (Laylat al-Bara'ah)
9. Ramadan
Holiest MonthMeaning: "Intense Heat" or "Scorching"
The holiest month in Islam. Muslims fast from dawn to sunset. The name signifies how fasting burns away sins like intense heat burns the ground.
• The Quran was revealed
• Battle of Badr
• Last 10 Nights: Laylatul Qadr
10. Shawwal
Meaning: "To Raise" or "To Carry"
Named because female camels would normally be carrying calves during this time of year. Fasting 6 days in Shawwal after Ramadan brings the reward of fasting the whole year.
• 1st: Eid al-Fitr
11. Dhu al-Qi'dah
Sacred MonthMeaning: "The Month of Sitting/Resting"
A sacred month where people "sat" from fighting to allow pilgrims to travel safely to Makkah in preparation for the upcoming Hajj.
12. Dhu al-Hijjah
Sacred MonthMeaning: "The Month of Pilgrimage"
The final month of the year and a sacred month. It contains the Hajj pilgrimage. The first 10 days are the most blessed days of the entire year.
• 8th-13th: Hajj Pilgrimage
• 9th: Day of Arafah
• 10th: Eid al-Adha