Explore each month of the Islamic calendar — names, meanings, significant events, and Gregorian date equivalents for 2026.
The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days. It is used to determine the proper days of Islamic holidays and rituals, such as the annual period of fasting (Ramadan) and the proper time for the pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj).
The calendar was first introduced by the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), in 638 CE. The starting point of the calendar is the Hijra — the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE, which is why the calendar is called "Hijri."
| # | Month Name | Meaning | Days | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muharram | Forbidden / Sacred | 30 | Sacred month. Day of Ashura (10th) — fasting recommended |
| 2 | Safar | Void / Empty | 29 | Pre-Islamic Arabs believed it was unlucky; Islam rejects superstitions |
| 3 | Rabi al-Awwal | First Spring | 30 | Birth month of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) — 12th Rabi al-Awwal |
| 4 | Rabi al-Thani | Second Spring | 29 | Also called Rabi al-Akhir |
| 5 | Jumada al-Ula | First of Dry/Parched Land | 30 | Fifth month with no specific major events |
| 6 | Jumada al-Thani | Second of Dry/Parched Land | 29 | Also called Jumada al-Akhirah |
| 7 | Rajab | Respect / Honor | 30 | Sacred month. Isra and Mi'raj (27th) — Night Journey |
| 8 | Shaban | Scattered / Spread | 29 | Shab-e-Barat (15th). Month of preparation for Ramadan |
| 9 | Ramadan | Scorching Heat | 30 | Month of fasting. Quran revealed. Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power) |
| 10 | Shawwal | Raised / Light | 29 | Eid al-Fitr (1st). Six days of optional fasting recommended |
| 11 | Dhul Qadah | Master of Truce | 30 | Sacred month. One of the Hajj months |
| 12 | Dhul Hijjah | Master of Pilgrimage | 29-30 | Sacred month. Hajj (8th-13th). Eid al-Adha (10th). Day of Arafah (9th) |
Islam designates four months as sacred (Haram), during which warfare and fighting are traditionally prohibited. These months are: Muharram (1st month), Rajab (7th month), Dhul Qadah (11th month), and Dhul Hijjah (12th month). The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) confirmed this in his farewell sermon, and the designation is referenced in Surah At-Tawbah (9:36).
The Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, meaning each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon (Hilal). Because a lunar month is approximately 29.5 days, the Islamic year is about 10-11 days shorter than the Gregorian solar year. This is why Islamic holidays and events appear to "move backward" through the Gregorian calendar each year.
Over a period of approximately 33 years, the Islamic calendar completes a full cycle through all Gregorian seasons. This means that Ramadan, Hajj, and other Islamic observances are experienced in every season — summer, winter, spring, and autumn — over a Muslim's lifetime.
📅 Need to convert a specific date? Use our Hijri Date Converter for instant conversions between Gregorian and Islamic dates.
| Event | Hijri Date | Expected Gregorian Date |
|---|---|---|
| Islamic New Year 1448 | 1 Muharram 1448 | ~June 26, 2026 |
| Day of Ashura | 10 Muharram 1448 | ~July 5, 2026 |
| Mawlid an-Nabi | 12 Rabi al-Awwal 1448 | ~September 4, 2026 |
| Isra and Mi'raj | 27 Rajab 1448 | ~January 13, 2027 |
| Start of Ramadan | 1 Ramadan 1448 | ~February 7, 2027 |
| Laylat al-Qadr | 27 Ramadan 1448 | ~March 5, 2027 |
| Eid al-Fitr | 1 Shawwal 1448 | ~March 9, 2027 |
| Day of Arafah | 9 Dhul Hijjah 1448 | ~May 16, 2027 |
| Eid al-Adha | 10 Dhul Hijjah 1448 | ~May 17, 2027 |
Note: Dates are approximate and based on astronomical calculations. Actual dates depend on local moon sighting.
🌙 Preparing for Ramadan? Calculate your Zakat and Zakat al-Fitr obligations in advance.
The 12 Islamic months in order are: Muharram, Safar, Rabi al-Awwal, Rabi al-Thani, Jumada al-Ula, Jumada al-Thani, Rajab, Shaban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul Qadah, and Dhul Hijjah.
Four months are sacred (Haram) in Islam: Muharram, Rajab, Dhul Qadah, and Dhul Hijjah. Fighting and conflict are prohibited during these months.
The Islamic lunar year is approximately 354-355 days, about 10-11 days shorter than the Gregorian solar calendar year of 365 days. This causes Islamic dates to shift earlier each Gregorian year.
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which is shorter than the solar calendar. Because of this difference of about 10-11 days, Ramadan starts approximately 10-11 days earlier each Gregorian year.
As of early 2026, we are in the Islamic year 1447 AH. The Islamic New Year 1448 AH is expected to begin around late June 2026.