Every Muslim knows Ramadan and Dhul Hijjah. Fewer can name all the months in between, or say why the calendar matters beyond fasting and Hajj dates.
This guide lists the 12 Islamic months in order, from Muharram to Dhul Hijjah. For each month you will find the Arabic name, its meaning, the events tied to it, and the acts of worship connected with it. You will also learn why the months drift through the seasons, how a new month begins, and a simple method to memorize the full list.
By the end, you will be able to read any Hijri date with confidence and plan your year around the moments that count.
What Is the Islamic (Hijri) Calendar?
The Islamic calendar, also called the Hijri calendar, is a lunar calendar made of 12 months. It is used by Muslims worldwide to decide the dates of religious obligations: Ramadan, the two Eids, Hajj, and the days of voluntary fasting.
The abbreviation AH stands for Anno Hegirae, meaning “in the year of the Hijra.” It marks years counted from the Prophet’s migration from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE.
Who Started the Hijri Calendar?
The Hijri calendar was formally adopted during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), around 17 AH. As the Muslim state grew, officials needed a clear way to date letters and records. The Companions agreed to count from the Hijra, because it marked the turning point when the Muslim community gained a home and a state.
They chose Muharram as the first month. The months themselves were not invented then. The names were already in use among the Arabs, and the Quran refers to the system of twelve months directly (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:36).
Why Is It Based on the Moon?
The Quran points to the moon as a way of measuring time. Surah Al-Baqarah (2:189) says the new moons are timekeepers for people and for Hajj.
A lunar month lasts about 29.5 days, so each Hijri month has either 29 or 30 days. A lunar year is therefore about 354 or 355 days, roughly 11 days shorter than a solar year.
This has a lovely effect. Ramadan does not stay in one season. It moves backward through the year and returns to the same season roughly every 33 years. A Muslim may fast long summer days in one decade and short winter days in another. Over a lifetime, everyone experiences both.
How a Hijri Month Begins
A new month starts with the sighting of the crescent moon (hilal). If the crescent is not seen on the 29th evening, the current month completes 30 days.
Two practical points follow:
- The Islamic day begins at sunset, not midnight. The night comes first, then the daytime.
- Dates can differ by one day between countries, because moon sighting depends on local visibility. In Pakistan, for example, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announces month starts and Eid dates based on sightings. Saudi Arabia also uses the Umm al-Qura calendar for civil purposes.
The 12 Islamic Months in Order (Quick Reference Table)
Use this table as a fast reference. Detailed explanations follow below.
| # | Month (Arabic) | Meaning of the Name | Best-Known Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muharram | Forbidden / sacred | Islamic New Year, Day of Ashura (10th), a sacred month |
| 2 | Safar | Empty / yellow | Dispelling superstition about bad omens |
| 3 | Rabi’ al-Awwal | First spring | Birth and passing of the Prophet ﷺ, arrival in Madinah |
| 4 | Rabi’ al-Thani (Rabi’ al-Akhir) | Second spring | Continuation of the spring months |
| 5 | Jumada al-Awwal (Jumada al-Ula) | First of the dry/frozen | Battle of Mu’tah (8 AH) |
| 6 | Jumada al-Thani (Jumada al-Akhirah) | Second of the dry/frozen | Passing of Abu Bakr (may Allah be pleased with him) |
| 7 | Rajab | To revere / respect | A sacred month, Isra and Mi’raj commemorated by many |
| 8 | Sha’ban | To spread / scatter | Frequent fasting of the Prophet ﷺ, change of the qibla |
| 9 | Ramadan | Scorching heat | Month of fasting, revelation of the Quran, Laylat al-Qadr |
| 10 | Shawwal | To lift / carry | Eid al-Fitr, six voluntary fasts |
| 11 | Dhul Qa’dah | Master of sitting/truce | A sacred month, Treaty of Hudaybiyyah |
| 12 | Dhul Hijjah | Master of pilgrimage | Hajj, Day of Arafah, Eid al-Adha, a sacred month |
Note: Spellings vary because Arabic sounds are transliterated into English in different ways. You may see Dhul Hijjah, Dhu al-Hijjah, or Zil Hajj (common in Urdu). They all refer to the same month.
Each Islamic Month Explained
1. Muharram: The Sacred Beginning
Meaning: “Forbidden” or “sacred.” Fighting was prohibited in this month, even before Islam.
Muharram opens the Hijri year and is one of the four sacred months. The Prophet ﷺ called it the month of Allah and said that the best fasting after Ramadan is fasting in Muharram, as recorded in Sahih Muslim.
The Day of Ashura (10th Muharram) is the most famous day. Muslims fast on it in remembrance of Allah saving Musa (Moses) and the Children of Israel from Pharaoh. The Prophet ﷺ said that fasting Ashura expiates the sins of the previous year. He also expressed the intention to fast the 9th as well, so many Muslims fast the 9th and 10th (or the 10th and 11th).
Muharram also carries deep historical meaning for Muslims. The martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) at Karbala in 61 AH took place on the 10th of Muharram, and it is remembered with grief across the Muslim world, especially among Shia communities.
Recommended: Fast on the 9th and 10th, increase voluntary worship, reflect on the passing of the year.
2. Safar: Letting Go of Superstition
Meaning: “Empty” or “yellow.” Explanations vary. Some say Arab homes were emptied as people left for travel or war. Others link it to yellowing leaves.
Safar has no special act of worship attached to it, and that is the point. Some people wrongly treat it as an unlucky month and avoid weddings or travel. The Prophet ﷺ rejected this thinking. In an authentic hadith recorded in Bukhari and Muslim, he said there is no contagion by itself, no bad omen, and no evil sign in Safar, meaning that misfortune does not come from months or days.
Some Muslim communities mark Arba’een (the 40th day after Ashura, around 20 Safar) in remembrance of Husayn ibn Ali.
Recommended: Treat Safar like any other month. Make tawakkul (trust in Allah) your response to fear of bad luck.
3. Rabi’ al-Awwal: The Month of the Prophet’s Birth
Meaning: “First spring.”
Rabi’ al-Awwal is dear to Muslims because of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Most historians place his birth in this month, in the Year of the Elephant (around 570 CE), commonly given as the 12th. His arrival in Madinah during the Hijra also took place in Rabi’ al-Awwal, and many scholars say he passed away in this month as well.
Many Muslims, especially in South Asia, observe the Mawlid (the Prophet’s birthday) with gatherings, recitation, and charity. Scholars differ on whether celebrating the Mawlid is a recommended act or an innovation, and the Muslim world holds both views. What all Muslims agree on is that this month is a good time to study the Seerah and renew love and obedience through his example.
Recommended: Read a book of Seerah, send salawat, give charity, and learn one new Sunnah.
4. Rabi’ al-Thani (Rabi’ al-Akhir): The Second Spring
Meaning: “Second spring” (also called Rabi’ al-Akhir, “the last spring”).
This month has no obligatory or widely agreed fixed event. In parts of South Asia, many Muslims commemorate the passing of the Sufi scholar Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani (11th Rabi’ al-Thani), often called Gyarvin Sharif.
The lesson of an “ordinary” month is important: Islam is lived 12 months a year, not only during peak seasons. Steady good deeds are loved by Allah, even if small.
Recommended: Keep up the habits you built in Rabi’ al-Awwal, such as Quran reading and regular charity.
5. Jumada al-Awwal (Jumada al-Ula): The Dry Season
Meaning: The name comes from jamad, linked to freezing or hardness. The Arabs named it when the months fell in cold, dry weather. Because the calendar moves, the name no longer matches the season.
Traditional sources report that the Battle of Mu’tah took place in this month in 8 AH, where the Muslim army faced a much larger Byzantine force and three commanders were martyred in succession: Zayd ibn Harithah, Ja’far ibn Abi Talib, and Abdullah ibn Rawahah (may Allah be pleased with them).
Recommended: Study the lives of the Companions who gave everything for their faith.
6. Jumada al-Thani (Jumada al-Akhirah): The Second Dry Month
Meaning: “The second of Jumada” (also called Jumada al-Akhirah, “the last”).
Traditional accounts say Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, the first caliph, passed away in this month in 13 AH. His short but vital caliphate protected the unity of the Muslim community after the Prophet’s death.
Recommended: Reflect on loyalty and leadership. Prepare spiritually for Rajab, Sha’ban, and Ramadan, which are just ahead.
7. Rajab: The Month of Reverence
Meaning: “To revere” or “to respect.”
Rajab is one of the four sacred months. The Arabs honored it by stopping warfare, and Islam confirmed its sanctity.
Many Muslims connect Rajab with Isra and Mi’raj, the Prophet’s night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem and his ascension through the heavens, during which the five daily prayers were prescribed. The 27th of Rajab is the date most often given in popular tradition. Scholars note that no authentic report fixes the exact date, so it is better to remember the lesson of the event than to rely on a date.
Be careful with weak or fabricated narrations about special prayers or fasts in Rajab. Stick to practices that are authentically established.
Recommended: Begin preparing for Ramadan, make sincere repentance, and strengthen your five daily prayers.
8. Sha’ban: The Bridge to Ramadan
Meaning: “To spread” or “to scatter,” from the Arabs dispersing to find water.
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that she never saw the Prophet ﷺ fast more in any month than Sha’ban (Bukhari and Muslim). He prepared for Ramadan through extra fasting, and Muslims follow that example.
In Sha’ban, around 2 AH, the direction of prayer (qibla) was changed from Jerusalem to the Kaaba in Makkah, according to commonly accepted accounts.
The 15th night, known as Nisf Sha’ban or Shab-e-Barat in South Asia, is observed by many Muslims with prayer and supplication. Scholars differ on the strength of the narrations about this night. Some encourage private worship, while others caution against fixed rituals not found in authentic sources.
Recommended: Fast extra days, settle disputes, repay debts, and get ready mentally for Ramadan.
9. Ramadan: The Month of the Quran
Meaning: From ramad, scorching heat. The name was given when the month fell in intense summer.
Ramadan is the most important month of the Islamic year. It is the month in which the Quran was revealed (Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:185), and fasting from dawn to sunset is one of the five pillars of Islam.
Key features:
- Fasting (Sawm): Obligatory for adult Muslims who are healthy and not traveling.
- Taraweeh: Special night prayers.
- Laylat al-Qadr: The Night of Decree, described in the Quran as better than a thousand months (97:3). The Prophet ﷺ advised seeking it in the odd nights of the last ten days.
- I’tikaf: Spiritual retreat in the mosque during the last ten days.
- Zakat al-Fitr: Charity due before the Eid prayer.
Major historical events in Ramadan include the Battle of Badr (17 Ramadan, 2 AH) and the Conquest of Makkah (8 AH).
Recommended: Complete the Quran, pray at night, give generously, and forgive others.
10. Shawwal: The Month of Eid al-Fitr
Meaning: “To lift” or “to carry.” One explanation says she-camels lifted their tails during this season.
Shawwal begins with Eid al-Fitr on the 1st, a day of gratitude, family, and charity. Fasting on the day of Eid is prohibited.
The Prophet ﷺ said that whoever fasts Ramadan and follows it with six days of Shawwal is like one who fasted the whole year (Sahih Muslim). These six days can be kept together or spread across the month.
The Battle of Uhud (3 AH) also took place in Shawwal, a reminder that obedience and patience matter even after hardship.
Recommended: Fast six days of Shawwal, keep the habits formed in Ramadan, and stay in touch with relatives.
11. Dhul Qa’dah: The Month of Sitting
Meaning: “Master of sitting” or “master of the truce,” because fighting stopped and people stayed home before Hajj.
This is the first of the three consecutive sacred months (Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah, and Muharram) that make safe travel to Makkah possible.
The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was signed in this month in 6 AH. At the time, many Muslims felt the terms were unfair. Within two years it opened the way for the peaceful spread of Islam, and the Quran called it a clear victory (Surah Al-Fath). The Prophet ﷺ also performed several Umrahs in this month.
Recommended: Plan your Hajj or Umrah, avoid conflict and injustice, and learn the rites of Hajj.
12. Dhul Hijjah: The Month of Hajj
Meaning: “Master of the pilgrimage.”
Dhul Hijjah is the final month of the year and one of the holiest. It contains the Hajj, the fifth pillar of Islam, performed by Muslims who are able.
The first ten days are the best days of the year for good deeds. The Prophet ﷺ said that no deeds are more beloved to Allah than those done in these days (Sahih al-Bukhari). Muslims increase dhikr, Quran, charity, and fasting.
The Day of Arafah (9th) is the high point of Hajj. For those not performing Hajj, fasting this day expiates the sins of the previous and coming year, as narrated in Sahih Muslim. The Prophet’s Farewell Sermon was delivered at Arafah in 10 AH.
Eid al-Adha (10th) commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his son Isma’il (peace be upon them) to submit to Allah’s command. Muslims who can afford it offer a Qurbani (sacrifice) and share the meat with family, neighbors, and the poor.
Recommended: Fast the first nine days (especially Arafah), say the takbir, give charity, and offer Qurbani if able.
The Four Sacred Months
Allah says in the Quran that the number of months with Him is twelve, and four of them are sacred (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:36). The Prophet ﷺ identified them in his Farewell Sermon:
- Dhul Qa’dah
- Dhul Hijjah
- Muharram
- Rajab
Three come one after another, and Rajab stands alone. In these months, fighting was forbidden, and wrongdoing carries a heavier weight. The Quran urges believers not to wrong themselves in them.
This does not mean other months are unimportant. It means these four deserve extra care in conduct, repentance, and worship.
Hijri vs Gregorian Calendar
| Feature | Hijri (Islamic) Calendar | Gregorian Calendar |
|---|---|---|
| Basis | Moon cycles | Sun (Earth’s orbit) |
| Year length | 354 or 355 days | 365 or 366 days |
| Month length | 29 or 30 days | 28 to 31 days |
| Start of day | Sunset | Midnight |
| Month start | Crescent sighting | Fixed rule |
| Seasons | Months move through all seasons | Months stay in fixed seasons |
| Starting point | Hijra, 622 CE | Traditional birth of Jesus (CE) |
Because the Hijri year is about 11 days shorter, Islamic dates move earlier on the Gregorian calendar each year. This is why Ramadan and Eid arrive about 10 to 11 days earlier every year.
Example: If Ramadan began on a certain date this year, expect it to start roughly 11 days earlier next year. After about 33 years, it returns to the same season.
How to Remember the 12 Islamic Months in Order (Step-by-Step)
Memorizing the 12 Islamic months in order is easier when you split them into small groups.
- Learn the first group of four: Muharram, Safar, Rabi’ al-Awwal, Rabi’ al-Thani.
- Learn the second group of four: Jumada al-Awwal, Jumada al-Thani, Rajab, Sha’ban.
- Learn the third group of four: Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah.
- Pair months with events: Muharram with Ashura, Rabi’ al-Awwal with the Prophet’s birth, Ramadan with fasting, Dhul Hijjah with Hajj.
- Notice the pairs: Two Rabi’s, two Jumadas, and the last two months both start with Dhul.
- Say them aloud daily for a week: Children respond well to a simple rhythm or song.
- Check the Hijri date each day: Using a calendar app, so the names become familiar through use.
Summary
The Islamic calendar has 12 lunar months, each 29 or 30 days long. It begins with Muharram and ends with Dhul Hijjah. Four months are sacred: Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. Ramadan is the most blessed month, Dhul Hijjah hosts the Hajj, and Muharram brings Ashura. Because the lunar year is shorter than the solar year, Islamic dates shift earlier every year.
Conclusion
The 12 Islamic months in order are more than a list of names. Each one carries a story, a lesson, or an opportunity for worship. Muharram teaches renewal, Safar teaches trust, Rabi’ al-Awwal turns the heart toward the Prophet ﷺ, Rajab and Sha’ban prepare the soul, Ramadan transforms it, Shawwal keeps it steady, and the last two months bring you to the House of Allah.
Start small. Learn the order, check the Hijri date each morning, and choose one practice per month to hold on to. By the time the year turns again, the calendar will have become a companion for your faith.
FAQs
1. What are the 12 Islamic months in order?
The 12 Islamic months in order are: 1) Muharram, 2) Safar, 3) Rabi’ al-Awwal, 4) Rabi’ al-Thani, 5) Jumada al-Awwal, 6) Jumada al-Thani, 7) Rajab, 8) Sha’ban, 9) Ramadan, 10) Shawwal, 11) Dhul Qa’dah, 12) Dhul Hijjah.
2. Which is the first month of the Islamic calendar?
Muharram is the first month. The Hijri new year begins on the 1st of Muharram.
3. Which is the last month of the Islamic year?
Dhul Hijjah is the 12th and final month. It includes Hajj, the Day of Arafah, and Eid al-Adha.
4. Which are the four sacred months in Islam?
Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. They are mentioned in Surah At-Tawbah (9:36).
5. Why do Islamic months move through the seasons?
The Hijri calendar follows the moon, and a lunar year is about 11 days shorter than a solar year. So each month shifts earlier by roughly 11 days every Gregorian year and returns to the same season after about 33 years.
6. How many days are in an Islamic month?
Either 29 or 30 days, depending on the sighting of the new crescent moon.
7. Which Islamic month is the holiest?
Ramadan is the most blessed month because the Quran was revealed in it, and fasting is obligatory during it. Dhul Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab also hold special status.
8. Who started the Hijri calendar?
It was formally adopted in the time of the second caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), around 17 AH, counting from the Hijra to Madinah.
9. When does an Islamic day begin?
At sunset. The night belongs to the date that follows, which is why many special nights begin the evening before the day.
10. Is Safar an unlucky month in Islam?
No. The Prophet ﷺ rejected the idea of bad omens in months, days, or birds. Safar is a regular month, and believers should place their trust in Allah.
