Hijri Calendar

Understanding the Hijri Calendar

The lunar year, and the four sacred months.

• ◆Twelve months, four sacred"Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve — in the register of Allah from the day He created the heavens and the earth — of these, four are sacred. That is the upright religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them." (Qur'an, At-Tawbah 9:36)
• ◆The four sacred monthsThe Prophet ﷺ named them in his farewell sermon: three in succession — Dhu'l-Qa'dah, Dhu'l-Hijjah and Muharram — and Rajab of Mudar, which comes between Jumada and Sha'ban. Fighting was forbidden in them, and a good deed in them is greater, as is a sin. (Sahih al-Bukhari 4406)
• ◆A lunar year — about 354 daysThe Hijri months follow the moon, so the year is roughly eleven days shorter than the solar one. This is why Ramadan and the Hajj move earlier each year, passing through every season over time — the worship is never tied to one climate.
• ◆How the counting beganThe years are counted from the Hijrah — the Prophet's ﷺ migration from Makkah to Madinah. About seventeen years later the Caliph 'Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), with the Companions, fixed the Hijrah as year one: the Ummah dates itself not from a birth or a conquest, but from the journey undertaken for the sake of faith.

The Twelve Months

• ◆1. Muharram (ٱلْمُحَرَّم) — The Forbidden · Sacred monthThe first month of the Hijri year and one of the four sacred months. "Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve — of these, four are sacred" (9:36). The Prophet ﷺ called it "the month of Allah" and said the best fast after Ramadan is in Muharram. The 10th (Ashura) fasting expiates the previous year's sins. (Sahih Muslim 1162 · Qur'an 9:36)
• ◆2. Safar (صَفَر) — The VoidThe second month. Pre-Islamic Arabs considered it ominous, but the Prophet ﷺ abolished superstitions, saying: "No haamah, no safar, no naw', and no ghoul." There is no inherent bad omen in any month — all days belong to Allah. The Prophet ﷺ himself travelled, married, and campaigned in Safar. (Sahih al-Bukhari 5757)
• ◆3. Rabi' al-Awwal (رَبِيع ٱلْأَوَّل) — The First SpringThe third month — the month in which the Prophet ﷺ was born and in which he passed away. His birth on the 12th is commemorated across the Muslim world. The Sirah reminds us that the greatest man who ever lived began as an orphan in this month. (Sirah Ibn Hisham · Sahih al-Bukhari)
• ◆4. Rabi' al-Thani (رَبِيع ٱلثَّانِي) — The Second SpringThe fourth month. A quieter month in the Islamic calendar but no less blessed. Every day is an opportunity for good deeds — "And your Lord creates what He wills and chooses" (28:68). The passing of time itself is a sign for those who reflect. (Qur'an, Al-Qasas 28:68)
• ◆5. Jumada al-Ula (جُمَادَىٰ ٱلْأُولَىٰ) — The First Dry MonthThe fifth month. The name reflects the dry season in pre-Islamic Arabia. Though no major annual events fall here, the believer's life is not built on occasions alone. The Prophet ﷺ said: "The most beloved deeds to Allah are those done consistently, even if small." (Sahih al-Bukhari 6464)
• ◆6. Jumada al-Thani (جُمَادَىٰ ٱلثَّانِيَة) — The Second Dry MonthThe sixth month. In this month, the beloved daughter of the Prophet ﷺ, Fatimah (RA), was born — the leader of the women of Paradise. A reminder that the Prophet's legacy continues through his family and through every believer who follows his way. (Sahih al-Bukhari 3767)
• ◆7. Rajab (رَجَب) — The Honoured · Sacred monthThe seventh month and one of the four sacred months. Pre-Islamic Arabs would cease fighting in Rajab out of reverence. It precedes Sha'ban and Ramadan — the scholars call it "the month of planting seeds" whose harvest is reaped in Ramadan. Increase in istighfar and good deeds. (Qur'an 9:36 · Sahih al-Bukhari 3197)
• ◆8. Sha'ban (شَعْبَان) — The ScatteredThe eighth month. The Prophet ﷺ would fast more in Sha'ban than any month besides Ramadan. He said: "That is a month people neglect — between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the Worlds, and I love that my deeds be raised while I am fasting." The 15th night (Nisf Sha'ban) is a night of forgiveness. (Sunan an-Nasa'i 2357 · Sunan Ibn Majah 1390)
• ◆9. Ramadan (رَمَضَان) — The ScorcherThe ninth month — the crown of the Islamic year. "The month of Ramadan in which the Qur'an was revealed" (2:185). Fasting its days is the fourth pillar of Islam. The gates of Paradise open, the gates of Hell close, and the devils are chained. Within it lies Laylat al-Qadr — better than a thousand months (97:3). Every night Allah frees souls from the Fire. (Qur'an 2:185 · Sahih al-Bukhari 1894 · Qur'an 97:3)
• ◆10. Shawwal (شَوَّال) — The UpliftThe tenth month — begins with Eid al-Fitr, a day of gratitude after Ramadan. The Prophet ﷺ said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan then follows it with six days of Shawwal — it is as if he fasted the entire year." A beautiful bridge from the intensity of Ramadan back to everyday life without losing momentum. (Sahih Muslim 1164)
• ◆11. Dhu'l-Qa'dah (ذُو ٱلْقَعْدَة) — The One of Rest · Sacred monthThe eleventh month — the first of the three Hajj months and one of the four sacred months. Named for the pre-Islamic practice of ceasing warfare. A month of preparation and peace before the great pilgrimage. (Qur'an 9:36 · Sahih al-Bukhari 3197)
• ◆12. Dhu'l-Hijjah (ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة) — The One of Pilgrimage · Sacred monthThe twelfth month — the culmination of the Islamic year and one of the four sacred months. Contains the best ten days of the year: "No good deeds are more beloved to Allah than those done in these ten days" (Bukhari). The 9th is Arafah — fasting it expiates two years of sins. The 10th is Eid al-Adha, commemorating Ibrahim's (AS) surrender. Hajj — the fifth pillar — is performed in this month. (Sahih al-Bukhari 969 · Sahih Muslim 1162 · Qur'an 37:107)

Key Dates & Observances

• ◆Islamic New Year — 1 MuharramThe Hijri year begins — one of the four sacred months. (Qur'an, At-Tawbah 9:36)
• ◆Ashura — 10 MuharramFasting expiates the previous year's sins. Fast the 9th & 10th or 10th & 11th. (Sahih Muslim 1162)
• ◆Isra & Mi'raj — 27 RajabThe night journey and ascension — the five prayers were gifted to the Ummah. (Qur'an, Al-Isra 17:1)
• ◆Nisf Sha'ban — 15 Sha'banA night of forgiveness — Allah forgives all but the idolater and the hateful. (Sunan Ibn Majah 1390)
• ◆Ramadan begins — 1 RamadanThe month of the Qur'an — fasting is prescribed. Gates of Paradise opened. (Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:185)
• ◆Seek Laylat al-Qadr — 21 Ramadan onward"Better than a thousand months" (97:3). Seek the odd nights. (Sahih al-Bukhari 2017)
• ◆Eid al-Fitr — 1 ShawwalThe festival of breaking the fast. Give Zakat al-Fitr before the prayer. (Qur'an, Al-Baqarah 2:185)
• ◆Day of Arafah — 9 Dhu'l-HijjahFasting expiates two years of sins. The best day for dua. (Sahih Muslim 1162)
• ◆Eid al-Adha — 10 Dhu'l-HijjahThe festival of sacrifice — commemorating Ibrahim's (AS) surrender. (Qur'an, As-Saffat 37:107)

The White Days (Ayyam al-Beed)

Fast the 13th, 14th & 15th of every lunar month — like fasting a lifetime. (Sahih al-Bukhari 1979 · Sunan an-Nasa'i 2409)