The Hijri calendar, also known as the Islamic calendar, has its own system of timekeeping. It is also a lunar calendar. This implies that it takes the stages of the moon. This system unites Muslims all over the world with a common spiritual beat. A glimpse into its 12-month history is full of history. It points out major happenings. It is also a time of prayer and quietness. Therefore, this calendar forms part of the Islamic life.
In this post, you will be taken through the 12 islamic muslim months. We shall discuss the name of every month. We shall examine its importance. You are going to be educated about the most important events and practices associated with each of them. So, let’s explore the Hijri year.
What is the Islamic Calendar?
The Islamic calendar is calculated upon the lunar cycle. A year contains 12 months. This will lead to a 354 or 355-day year. It has a difference of approximately 11 days compared to the solar Gregorian calendar. This variation implies that Islamic months move according to seasons. As an illustration, one year, the fasting month of Ramadan may be experienced during summer. Several years later, it will come during winter. Therefore, the Hijra is the point of reference of the calendar. Thus, this was the migration of Prophet Muhammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD.
The 12 Months of the Islamic Calendar.
| Month | Meaning | Significance | Key Events/Practices |
| 1. Muharram | Forbidden | One of the four sacred months; a time of peace and meditation | Ashura (10th day): Sunni Muslims commemorate Prophet Moses’ rescue; Shia Muslims mourn Husayn ibn Ali’s martyrdom |
| 2. Safar | Void/Empty | Ordinary month of work, travel, and worship | Dispels superstitions; emphasizes that no month is unlucky |
| 3. Rabi al-Awwal | First Spring | Celebrates the birth of Prophet Muhammad | Gatherings, poetry recitations, and reflections on the Prophet’s life and teachings |
| 4. Rabi al-Thani | Second Spring | A quieter month for spiritual development | No major events; focus on daily worship and self-reflection |
| 5. Jumada al-Awwal | First Dry Month | Reflects the dry season in pre-Islamic Arabia | No religious celebrations; a time of steadfast faith |
| 6. Jumada al-Thani | Second Dry Month | Continuation of the dry season theme | A period of self-reflection and preparation for the upcoming spiritual months |
| 7. Rajab | Respected | One of the sacred months, a time of increased prayer and charity | Al-Isra wal-Miraj (27th night): Prophet Muhammad’s miraculous night journey |
| 8. Sha’ban | Division | Preparation for Ramadan, a time of fasting and prayer | Laylat al-Bara (15th night): Night of prayer; frequent fasting by the Prophet |
| 9. Ramadan | Scorching Heat | The holiest month; fasting is obligatory for able-bodied adult Muslims | Fasting, prayer, Quran recitation, charity; Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power) in the last 10 days |
| 10. Shawwal | To Carry or Lift | The month of festivity following Ramadan | Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast); voluntary fasting for six days |
| 11. Dhu al-Qa’dah | Month of Rest | One of the sacred months, a time of peace and preparation for Hajj | Prohibition of war; preparations for the Hajj pilgrimage |
| 12. Dhu al-Hijjah | Month of Pilgrimage | One of the sacred months, marked by the annual Hajj pilgrimage | Hajj rituals; Eid al-Adha (Festival of Sacrifice); Day of Arafah (9th day) |
The stories and spiritual weight of each month in the Hijra calendar. These are four months of the sacred. Let’s delve into each one.
1. Muharram: The Holy First Month.
The month of the first month of the Islamic year is known as Muharram. It is among the four holy months. Its name means “forbidden.” Fighting was not accepted during this period. This month is a month of peace and meditation.
Ashura is the tenth day of Muharram. This is a very important day. To the Sunni Muslims, it is the day when God rescued Prophet Moses from the Pharaoh. A large number of them fast on this day willingly. Ashura is also a day of mourning for the Shia Muslims. It also points out the martyrdom of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, Husayn ibn Ali.
2. Safar: The Month of Emptiness
Safar follows Muharram. Its name means “void” or “empty.” This title could be used to describe the pre-Islamic period. People went in search of business or war and their houses were lonely. There are certain historical superstitions of this month. The teachings of Islam explain the fact that there is no such month that is unlucky. Safar is also an ordinary month of work, travelling, and worship.
3. Rabi al-Awwal: The Birth of the Prophet.
It is a month of celebrations, Rabi al-Awwal. It is referred to as the primal spring. This is the month of the birth of Prophet Muhammad. Societies have meetings. Therefore, they recite poetry. Thus, they recount tales of the character and mission of the Prophet. It is also season of renewing oneself in his message of mercy.
4. Rabi al-Thani: The Second Spring.
There is a second spring, known as Rabi al-Thani. It is also a less noisy month without significant obligatory rituals. It provides some relaxation after the Rabi al-Awwal celebrations. Muslims still worship daily. They spend this time on self-spiritual development.
5. Jumada el-Auwal: the First Dry Month.
The name of Jumada al-Awwal implies a dry season. The name derives from the pre-Islamic Arabian climate. Therefore, there were no religious celebrations this month. It is also the midwinter of the Hijra year. It is a period of unalterable faith.
6. Jumada al-Thani: The Second Dry Month.
Jumada al-Thani is a continuation of the theme. It is the sixth month. This time is a time of self-reflection. It is a passage to the spiritually important islamic months that are to come. There were significant historical events during this month. Thereore, these instances influenced the initial Muslim fraternity.
7. Rajab: The Respected Month
The second month of the sacred days is Rajab. It is translated as to respect or to revere. Fighting was forbidden. Thus, this is a very important spiritual month. It is regarded as a premonition of Ramadan. Most Muslims pray more and give altruistically. Many believe that the 27th night of Rajab was the night of Al-Isra wal-Miraj. It was the miraculous night journey of the Prophet.
8. Sha’ban: The Month of Division
Sha’ban derives its name from the meaning of to spread out or to distribute. It was a period when tribes would go out to get water. The month is a last-minute preparation for Ramadan. The Prophet Muhammad used to fast with a lot of frequency during Sha’ban. The 15th of Sha’ban is referred to as Laylat al-Bara. Some of them pass this night in prayer.
9. Ramadan: The Month of Fasting
The ninth and the most holy month is Ramadan. It is a pillar of Islam. The able-bodied adult Muslims observe fasting during the day. Fasting is not merely not eating and drinking. It is a period of severe spiritual training. Therefore, the believers emphasize prayer, recitation of the Quran, and charity. Thus, the month is communal, and the family and friends get together to share their fast. The final ten days are particularly powerful, and they include Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of the Power.
10. The Month of Festivity, Shawwal.
Shawwal follows Ramadan. Eid al-Fitr is the first day of Shawwal. Therefore, this is an important festival known asthe Festival of Breaking the Fast. Muslims assemble to pray together. They pay visits to relatives and friends. Thus, they give gifts and donate to charity. It is also a a happy day of thanksgiving.
11. Dhu al-Qa’dah: The Month of Rest
The third holy month is Dhu al-Qa’dah. It is known as the owner of the truce. It was the month when war was prohibited. This also allowed for safe travel. Individuals were able to make preparations for the Hajj pilgrimage. It is a month of peace. It is also a religious vacation in the run-up to the climax of the year.
12. Dhu al-Hijjah: The Month of Pilgrimage
The last month is Dhu al-Hijjah. It is the fourth sacred month. This month is marked by the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca, which happens annually. Millions of Muslims worldwide congregate. Thereore, they perform sacred rituals. Here is an excellent exhibition of solidarity. Dhu al-Hijjah is very bless or us during the first ten days. However, the ninth day is the Day of Arafah. Pilgrims stand in prayer.
A Calendar Beyond Dates
The Islamic calendar is not just a timekeeping system. It is also a spiritual compass. Its menstrual cycle forms an ebb and flow life with the moon. Therefore, there are muslim months of blissful feast. Others are solemnly to remember. Others are passionately devout. Some are to be contemplate. This calendar is not in line with the commercial or agricultural seasons of the world. Rather, it makes its own season of the soul. It also welcomes an ongoing process of faith which teaches believers that each stage of life, just as each stage of the moon, has a reason within a Godly plan.
