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Islam Basics

The Islamic Months

The Islamic year has twelve months, and it follows the moon. Tap a month to see what its name means and what happens in it.

The Islamic yearTwelve months

Each month begins when the new crescent moon is seen, so dates can differ by a day from place to place.

1
Muharrammu-HAR-ramOne of the four sacred months
مُحَرَّم

The name means Made sacred

In this month

  • The first month of the Islamic year.
  • The 10th of Muharram is Ashura. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ fasted on this day, the day Allah saved Musa, peace be upon him, from Pharaoh.
2
SafarSA-far
صَفَر

The name means EmptyOften explained as homes being empty while people travelled. Some say it comes from the word for yellow.

In this month

  • In Islam, no month is unlucky, and Safar is no different.
3
Rabi al-Awwalra-BEE al-AW-wal
رَبِيع ٱلْأَوَّل

The name means The first spring

In this month

  • The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was born in this month, according to most scholars.
  • The Prophet ﷺ reached Madinah on the Hijra in this month.
The People of the Elephant →Abu Bakr in the Cave →
4
Rabi al-Akhirra-BEE al-AA-khir
رَبِيع ٱلْآخِر

The name means The last springAlso called Rabi ath-Thani, the second spring.

In this month

  • No special days fall in this month. Every day is still a chance to do good.
5
Jumada al-Ulaju-MAA-da al-OO-la
جُمَادَىٰ ٱلْأُولَىٰ

The name means The first dry monthSaid to be named for a time when the land was dry or the water froze.

In this month

  • No special days fall in this month. Every day is still a chance to do good.
6
Jumada al-Akhirahju-MAA-da al-AA-khi-rah
جُمَادَىٰ ٱلْآخِرَة

The name means The last dry monthAlso called Jumada ath-Thaniyah.

In this month

  • No special days fall in this month. Every day is still a chance to do good.
7
RajabRA-jabOne of the four sacred months
رَجَب

The name means Honoured

In this month

  • Many Muslims believe the Night Journey, al-Isra wal-Miraj, took place in this month, though its exact date is not known for certain.
Abu Bakr in the Cave →
8
Shabansha-BAAN
شَعْبَان

The name means Spreading outSaid to be named for tribes spreading out to look for water.

In this month

  • The month before Ramadan, and a time to get ready for it.
  • The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ fasted more in Shaban than in any other month except Ramadan.
9
Ramadanra-ma-DAAN
رَمَضَان

The name means Scorching heat

In this month

  • During Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims fast from dawn until sunset.
  • Ramadan is also a month of extra prayer and Quran.
  • The Quran was first revealed in Ramadan.
  • Laylat al-Qadr, the holiest night of the year, is one of its last ten nights.
  • Ramadan ends with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.
The five pillars of Islam →The First Revelation in Hira →Surah Al-Qadr →
10
Shawwalshaw-WAAL
شَوَّال

The name means LiftingSources differ on why; a common explanation is camels lifting their tails in this season.

In this month

  • Eid al-Fitr is on the first day of Shawwal.
  • Many Muslims fast six extra days in Shawwal. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught that fasting Ramadan and then six days of Shawwal is like fasting the whole year.
The Eid Takbir →
11
Dhul Qadahthul-QA-dahOne of the four sacred months
ذُو ٱلْقَعْدَة

The name means The month of sittingPeople stayed home, without fighting or travelling. The qaf can also be read with a kasra (Dhul Qidah).

In this month

  • One of the four sacred months, and the month before Hajj.
12
Dhul Hijjahthul-HIJ-jahOne of the four sacred months
ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة

The name means The month of Hajj

In this month

  • Hajj takes place each year in the month of Dhul Hijjah.
  • The 9th of Dhul Hijjah is the Day of Arafah.
  • Hajj is followed by the celebration of Eid al-Adha, on the 10th.
The five pillars of Islam →The Eid Takbir →

Common questions

How many months are in the Islamic calendar?
Twelve. The Islamic calendar follows the moon. Each month begins when the new crescent moon is seen, and lasts 29 or 30 days.
What are the four sacred months?
Muharram, Rajab, Dhul Qadah and Dhul Hijjah. Allah tells us in the Quran that four of the twelve months are sacred, and the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ named them in his sermon at the Farewell Hajj.
Why does Ramadan come at a different time each year?
The Islamic year is a lunar year, about 11 days shorter than the solar year that most calendars use, so Ramadan and Eid come about 11 days earlier each year.
Which month is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims fast from dawn until sunset, and it ends with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr.