THE HIJRI YEAR
The twelve months of the Islamic calendar
Explore the meaning, religious significance, important dates, and recommended practices associated with every month—presented through a clear Sunni framework.
Calendar note: A Hijri month begins with the new crescent according to the method followed by the relevant community or authority. Dates shown in advance are estimates until confirmed. How dates are determined →
A LUNAR CALENDAR
One year, twelve months
The Hijri calendar has twelve lunar months and a year of about 354 or 355 days. Allah identifies four as sacred: Muharram, Rajab, Dhul Qa'dah, and Dhul Hijjah. Because the lunar year is shorter than the solar year, Islamic months move through every season.
12 monthsEach begins with a new lunar cycle
4 sacredMonths of particular sanctity
4 sacredMonths of particular sanctity
Jump to: Muharram · Safar · Rabi Al-Awwal · Rabi Al-Thani · Jumada Al-Awwal · Jumada Al-Thani · Rajab · Sha'ban · Ramadan · Shawwal · Dhul Qa'dah · Dhul Hijjah
01
مُحَرَّم · Muharram
The sacred beginning
Meaning: “Sacred” or “forbidden.” Muharram is one of the four sacred months and opens the Hijri year. The Prophet ﷺ called it “the month of Allah” and described its voluntary fasting as the best after Ramadan.
Significance: Its sanctity predates Islam and was confirmed by the Qur’an. It is an especially fitting time for voluntary fasting, repentance, and leaving wrongdoing.
Key dates & practice
- 9 Muharram — Tasu‘a: commonly fasted with Ashura.
- 10 Muharram — Ashura: fasting expiates the preceding year’s minor sins, by Allah’s permission.
- Fast the 9th and 10th; scholars also allow pairing the 10th with the 11th.
Keep in mind: Sunni worship on Ashura centers on fasting and gratitude to Allah. Grief over Karbala is respected, but ritual self-harm and invented mourning rites are not prescribed.
02
صَفَر · Safar
Faith over superstition
Meaning: The name is often connected to homes being “empty” when people traveled or went out in search of provisions.
Significance: Safar is an ordinary month in Islamic law. The Prophet ﷺ rejected the pre-Islamic belief that Safar carries inherent bad luck or causes misfortune.
Key dates & practice
- No annual act of worship is authentically assigned to a particular day of Safar.
- Continue the regular Sunnah: obligatory worship, daily remembrance, charity, Qur’an, and optional fasting.
Keep in mind: Weddings, travel, business, and other permissible activities should not be avoided because of superstition about this month.
03
رَبِيع ٱلْأَوَّل · Rabi Al-Awwal
The Prophet’s life and legacy
Meaning: “The first spring.” Month names retained their older seasonal names even though the lunar calendar now moves through all seasons.
Significance: The birth, Hijrah arrival in Madinah, and death of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ are traditionally associated with this month, making it a natural time to study his biography and renew commitment to his Sunnah.
Key dates & practice
- The Prophet’s exact birth date is disputed; 12 Rabi Al-Awwal is widely commemorated but not historically certain.
- His arrival near Madinah during the Hijrah and his passing occurred in this month.
- Study the seerah, send blessings upon him, and follow his teachings throughout the year.
Keep in mind: Sunni scholars differ over Mawlid gatherings. It should not be presented as an agreed-upon Sunnah or obligatory observance.
04
رَبِيع ٱلْآخِر · Rabi Al-Thani
Steadiness in worship
Meaning: “The second spring,” also called Rabi Al-Thani.
Significance: No special virtue for the month as a whole or fixed annual observance is established in the Qur’an or authentic Sunnah. Its lesson is consistency: worship is not limited to famous dates.
Useful practice
- Maintain the five prayers, Qur’an, charity, and family ties.
- Observe the regular Sunnah fasts, such as Mondays and Thursdays or the three white days.
- Use quieter months to form sustainable habits.
Keep in mind: Historical anniversaries are not automatically religious festivals or prescribed days of worship.
05
جُمَادَىٰ ٱلْأُولَىٰ · Jumada Al-Awwal
Constancy through changing seasons
Meaning: “The first parched land.” The name likely reflects the dry season when it was originally named.
Significance: No month-specific act of worship is established. Like every part of the year, it remains an opportunity for obedience, learning, service, and reflection.
Useful practice
- Continue regular optional prayers and fasting.
- Review personal goals before the sacred months and Ramadan approach.
- Study Islamic history while separating documented events from devotional rulings.
Keep in mind: The absence of a special festival does not make a month spiritually unimportant; consistent deeds are beloved to Allah.
06
جُمَادَىٰ ٱلْآخِرَة · Jumada Al-Thani
Preparation with purpose
Meaning: “The second parched land,” also called Jumada Al-Thani.
Significance: There are no universally prescribed observances unique to this month. It leads into Rajab and the period in which many Muslims begin preparing deliberately for Ramadan.
Useful practice
- Strengthen neglected obligations before adding optional goals.
- Make up missed obligatory fasts before the next Ramadan where required.
- Plan charitable giving and Qur’an study realistically.
Keep in mind: Preparation is beneficial, but no invented ritual should be attributed to this month.
07
رَجَب · Rajab
A sacred month
Meaning: Associated with honor and reverence. Rajab is one of the four sacred months.
Significance: Believers should especially honor Allah’s limits and avoid wrongdoing. Its sacred status is established, but many popular claims about specific Rajab prayers or guaranteed rewards are not authentic.
Key dates & practice
- Increase general good deeds and prepare for Ramadan.
- Isra and Mi‘raj are momentous events, but their exact calendar date is not established by sound evidence.
- No particular fast or prayer is authentically prescribed specifically for the 27th of Rajab.
Keep in mind: Honor Rajab as sacred without assigning worship to dates for which there is no reliable proof.
08
شَعْبَان · Sha'ban
The month before Ramadan
Meaning: Often linked to people dispersing in search of water or provision.
Significance: The Prophet ﷺ fasted more in Sha'ban than in any month besides Ramadan. It is a practical season to prepare the heart, schedule, and body for the obligatory fast.
Key dates & practice
- Increase voluntary fasting, following one’s capacity and the Sunnah.
- Complete outstanding Ramadan fasts when due.
- Scholars differ about narrations concerning the middle night of Sha'ban and about singling it out.
Keep in mind: Avoid presenting special prayers, fixed formulas, or celebrations for the 15th as established Sunnah.
09
رَمَضَان · Ramadan
The month of fasting and Qur’an
Meaning: Traditionally connected with intense heat. Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was sent down as guidance.
Significance: Fasting Ramadan is one of Islam’s five pillars for accountable Muslims who are able. Its nights are marked by prayer, recitation, generosity, repentance, and pursuit of Laylat al-Qadr.
Key dates & practice
- 1 Ramadan: obligatory fasting begins after the month is established.
- Last ten nights: intensify worship and seek Laylat al-Qadr, especially on the odd nights.
- Fast from true dawn to sunset; pray Tarawih, recite Qur’an, give charity, and guard conduct.
- Zakat al-Fitr is due before the Eid prayer.
Keep in mind: Exemptions and make-up rules apply for illness, travel, menstruation, pregnancy, nursing, old age, and other circumstances; qualified guidance may be needed.
10
شَوَّال · Shawwal
Celebration and continuity
Meaning: The name has pre-Islamic linguistic associations with lifting or raising.
Significance: Shawwal begins with Eid al-Fitr, a day of gratitude and lawful celebration. The six voluntary fasts of Shawwal help extend the discipline of Ramadan.
Key dates & practice
- 1 Shawwal — Eid al-Fitr: fasting is prohibited; attend the Eid prayer and uphold family and community ties.
- Six days of Shawwal: fasting them after Ramadan carries the reward described as fasting the year.
- The six days may be consecutive or separate.
Keep in mind: Obligatory make-up fasts and the voluntary six involve distinct intentions; scholarly details vary.
11
ذُو ٱلْقَعْدَة · Dhul Qa'dah
A sacred time of restraint
Meaning: “The possessor of sitting,” reflecting the historic cessation of fighting and travel toward pilgrimage.
Significance: One of the four sacred months and the first of three consecutive sacred months. It invites restraint from wrongdoing, peaceful conduct, and preparation for Hajj.
Key dates & practice
- No fixed annual festival or special prayer is authentically assigned to this month.
- Those intending Hajj prepare their knowledge, finances, health, and obligations.
- All four ‘umrahs of the Prophet ﷺ occurred in or began during Dhul Qa'dah.
Keep in mind: Sacred months heighten the call to avoid sin; they do not suspend ordinary lawful life.
12
ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة · Dhul Hijjah
The month of Hajj
Meaning: “The possessor of pilgrimage.” It is a sacred month containing Hajj and some of the most virtuous days of the year.
Significance: Good deeds in the first ten days are exceptionally beloved to Allah. Muslims proclaim Allah’s greatness, pilgrims complete the rites of Hajj, and Eid al-Adha recalls Ibrahim’s devotion.
Key dates & practice
- 1–10: increase prayer, remembrance, charity, and fasting as able.
- 9 — Day of Arafah: pilgrims stand at Arafah; fasting is highly recommended for non-pilgrims.
- 10 — Eid al-Adha: Eid prayer and udhiyah for those able; fasting is prohibited.
- 11–13 — Days of Tashriq: days of eating, drinking, and remembering Allah; fasting is generally prohibited.
Keep in mind: Hajj is obligatory once in a lifetime only for Muslims who meet its conditions of ability.
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Why the first day can differ
About Islamic dates: Hijri dates may differ by location and methodology. IslamCal labels dates as Confirmed, Calculated, Estimated, or Locally observed. Learn how dates are determined →
Explore every Islamic month
Choose a month for its meaning, significance, important dates, worship guidance and live calendar range.
Month 01 of 12MuharramSacredExplore guide →Month 02 of 12SafarNot sacredExplore guide →Month 03 of 12Rabi Al-AwwalNot sacredExplore guide →Month 04 of 12Rabi Al-ThaniNot sacredExplore guide →Month 05 of 12Jumada Al-AwwalNot sacredExplore guide →Month 06 of 12Jumada Al-ThaniNot sacredExplore guide →Month 07 of 12RajabSacredExplore guide →Month 08 of 12Sha'banNot sacredExplore guide →Month 09 of 12RamadanNot one of the four sacred monthsExplore guide →Month 10 of 12ShawwalNot sacredExplore guide →Month 11 of 12Dhul Qa'dahSacredExplore guide →Month 12 of 12Dhul HijjahSacredExplore guide →