Explore the Hijri months and discover the significance of each sacred time in Islam
How the Islamic calendar works
ٱلتَّقْوِيمُ ٱلْهِجْرِيُّ — At-Taqwīm al-Hijrī — The Hijri Calendar
The Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar based on the moon's phases. Each month begins when the new crescent moon is sighted. A lunar year is about 11 days shorter than a solar year, so Islamic dates shift by about 11 days each year in the Gregorian calendar.
The calendar started in 622 CE with the Hijrah (migration) of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Madinah. The current year is written as 1446 AH (After Hijrah) or 1447 AH.
The 12 lunar months are: Muharram, Safar, Rabi' al-Awwal, Rabi' ath-Thani, Jumada al-Awwal, Jumada ath-Thaniyah, Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul Qa'dah, Dhul Hijjah.
The sacred month
مُحَرَّم — Muharram — "Forbidden / Sacred"
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months (al-Ashur al-Hurum) in which fighting is forbidden. Allah says: "Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months... of them, four are sacred." (Surah At-Tawbah 9:36)
The most significant day is Ashura (10th of Muharram). The Prophet ﷺ said: "Fasting on the day of Ashura, I hope, will expiate the sins of the previous year." (Sahih Muslim)
It is recommended to fast on the 9th and 10th or 10th and 11th of Muharram, following the Sunnah of Prophet Musa (Moses) عليه السلام, who fasted on this day in gratitude for Allah saving the Children of Israel from Pharaoh.
Month of the Prophet's ﷺ birth
رَبِيعُ ٱلْأَوَّل — Rabi' al-Awwal — "The first spring"
Rabi' al-Awwal is the third month of the Islamic calendar. It is a special month because our beloved Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was born in this month — on the 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal in the Year of the Elephant (570 CE).
This is also the month in which the Prophet ﷺ made the Hijrah (migration) from Makkah to Madinah, and it is the month in which he ﷺ passed away (returned to Allah).
Muslims around the world remember the Prophet ﷺ with love and study his Seerah (life story) during this blessed month.
The holy month of fasting
رَمَضَان — Ramadan — The ninth month
Ramadan is the holiest month in Islam. It was the month in which the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Allah says: "The month of Ramadan [is that] in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion." (Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185)
During Ramadan, adult Muslims fast from dawn until sunset — abstaining from food, drink, and marital relations. The pre-dawn meal is called Suhoor and the meal to break the fast at sunset is called Iftar.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan with faith and hoping for reward, his previous sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari & Muslim)
Special prayers called Taraweeh are performed every night, and Muslims strive to give more charity, read more Quran, and increase in worship during this blessed month.
Celebration after Ramadan
شَوَّال — Shawwal — The tenth month
Shawwal begins with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr (عِيدُ ٱلْفِطْرِ — "Festival of Breaking the Fast") on the 1st of Shawwal. This joyous day marks the end of Ramadan fasting.
Eid traditions include:
It is also recommended to fast 6 days in Shawwal — the Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted the entire year." (Sahih Muslim)
The month of Hajj
ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة — Dhul Hijjah — "Possessor of the Pilgrimage"
Dhul Hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar. It is one of the four sacred months and contains the greatest days of the year.
The first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah are the best 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." (Bukhari)
The 9th of Dhul Hijjah is Yawm 'Arafah (Day of Arafah) — the most important day of Hajj. Fasting on this day expiates the sins of two years. Pilgrims stand on the plain of Arafah, making du'a and seeking Allah's mercy.
Muslims who are not performing Hajj are encouraged to fast on the 9th and increase in worship, dhikr, and charity during these blessed days.
Festival of sacrifice
عِيدُ ٱلْأَضْحَى — Eid al-Adha — "Festival of Sacrifice"
Eid al-Adha is celebrated on the 10th of Dhul Hijjah and lasts for three days. It commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) عليه السلام to sacrifice his son Ismail (Ishmael) عليه السلام in obedience to Allah's command.
Allah provided a ram to be sacrificed instead, and this tradition continues today. Muslims who can afford it sacrifice an animal (sheep, goat, cow, or camel) and distribute the meat in three parts:
The days of Eid are days of joy, feasting, and remembering Allah. The Takbirat are recited from the 9th to the 13th of Dhul Hijjah.
Laylat al-Qadr and more
Islam has several special nights that are filled with blessings and mercy:
🌙 Laylat al-Qadr (لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ — The Night of Decree/Power)
This is the most important night of the year — the night the Quran was first revealed. It falls in the last 10 odd nights of Ramadan (likely the 27th). Worship on this night is better than 1000 months of worship. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever prays on Laylat al-Qadr with faith and hoping for reward, his previous sins will be forgiven."
🌙 Laylat al-Bara'ah (لَيْلَةُ ٱلْبَرَاءَةِ — The Night of Salvation/Nisf Sha'ban)
This is the 15th night of Sha'ban (the 8th month). It is a night when Allah's mercy descends and He forgives those who sincerely seek forgiveness. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah looks at His creation on the night of the middle of Sha'ban and forgives all of His creation except the polytheist and the one who harbors hatred." (Ibn Hibban, Sahih)
🌙 Laylat al-Isra' wal-Mi'raj (27th of Rajab)
The night of the Prophet's ﷺ miraculous journey from Makkah to Jerusalem and ascension through the heavens. The five daily prayers were made obligatory on this night.