Islamic Hijri Calendar — Islamic Months, Dates & Events

The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar or the Islamic lunar calendar, is a purely lunar timekeeping system used by Muslims worldwide to determine religious observances, annual holidays, and key historical commemorations. It consists of 12 lunar months, each beginning with the sighting of the new moon, which makes the Hijri year approximately 10–12 days shorter than the Gregorian year. Because of this, Islamic months rotate through the seasons over a 33-year cycle.

This guide explains each Islamic month in detail, highlights major Islamic events, and provides context on how Hijri–Gregorian date conversion works. It is designed to be semantically rich and optimized for search engines, conversational queries, and AI-driven assistants.

The Islamic calendar is based on the synodic lunar cycle, which averages about 29.53 days. Each month is either 29 or 30 days depending on moon sighting. The beginning of the month is traditionally confirmed by local ru’yat al-hilal (crescent sighting). Some regions use astronomical calculations, while others rely exclusively on visible sighting. These differences can lead to one-day variations in the start of months like Ramadan and Shawwal.

The calendar began with the Hijrah, the migration of Prophet Muhammad from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE, marking the start of year 1 AH (Anno Hijri).

1. Muharram

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar year and one of the four sacred months in Islam. It is often associated with reflection, renewal, and spiritual discipline.

What is Muharram?
It marks the Islamic New Year and includes the significant day of Ashura, observed on the 10th of Muharram.

2. Safar

Safar is traditionally viewed as a month in which journeys and transitions took place. Historically, communities undertook travel after the sacred month of Muharram concluded. Today, Safar has no negative connotations and holds no specific obligatory rituals.

3. Rabi’ al-Awwal

Rabi’ al-Awwal is widely known for the birth of Prophet Muhammad, observed in many regions as Mawlid al-Nabi. It is also valued for multiple historical events central to Islamic tradition.

4. Rabi’ al-Thani (Rabi’ al-Akhir)

This month continues the season of “Rabi,” which historically refers to spring. While it carries no specific rituals, it is a time for voluntary worship, learning, and spiritual growth.

5. Jumada al-Awwal

A month whose name implies dryness or the solidification of water in colder climates. Jumada al-Awwal historically marked seasonal cycles in the Arabian Peninsula. It is recognized today primarily within the religious and civil Hijri structure.

6. Jumada al-Thani (Jumada al-Akhirah)

Another month connected to the early pre-Islamic seasonal naming system. Many Muslim communities use this period for community service, education, and routine worship.

7. Rajab

Rajab is the second of the four sacred months. It is often associated with increased voluntary prayer and reflection. Some traditions connect this month with historic events related to early Islam, such as the Isra’ and Mi’raj, although practices vary by region.

8. Sha’ban

Sha’ban serves as a preparatory month for Ramadan. Many Muslims increase fasting during this month, particularly on the 15th night, known in some cultures as Laylat al-Bara’ah or Shab-e-Barat, though observances differ widely.

9. Ramadan

Ramadan is the holiest month in the Islamic year.

Why is Ramadan important?
Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, engage in night prayers (Taraweeh), intensify charity, and commemorate Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree, when the Quran began to be revealed. It is a month of worship, discipline, and spiritual purification.

10. Shawwal

Shawwal begins with Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of Ramadan. Many Muslims also observe six voluntary fasts during this month, known as the Six Fast Days of Shawwal, believed to carry the reward of fasting for an entire year.

11. Dhul-Qi’dah

One of Islam’s sacred months, Dhul-Qi’dah is traditionally associated with peace, when fighting was historically prohibited to allow safe travel. Pilgrims often begin their preparations for Hajj during this month.

12. Dhul-Hijjah

Dhul-Hijjah is the month of the Hajj pilgrimage, one of the Five Pillars of Islam. It also includes the Day of Arafah and the festival of Eid al-Adha. It is considered one of the spiritually strongest periods of the year.

Ramadan

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Hijri year and a cornerstone of Islamic practice. It commemorates the revelation of the Quran and is observed with fasting, prayer, charity, and reflection. It plays a central role in Islamic spirituality and community cohesion.

Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the 1st of Shawwal. It marks the completion of Ramadan’s fasting and is characterized by communal prayers, feasting, charity (Zakat al-Fitr), and gatherings with family and community.

Hajj (Pilgrimage)

Hajj occurs annually in Dhul-Hijjah and brings millions of Muslims to Makkah for a series of rites rooted in the legacy of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham). It signifies unity, humility, and submission to God. Participation is mandatory once in a lifetime for those physically and financially able.

Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha, observed on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, is the Festival of Sacrifice and coincides with the final rites of Hajj. It commemorates Prophet Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to God, and God’s provision of a ram in place of the child. The central ritual is the Qurbani (sacrifice of livestock such as sheep, goats, cattle, or camels), after which the meat is distributed among family, friends, and those in need. The observance includes special congregational prayers, charitable giving, festive meals, and widespread community engagement. Eid al-Adha reinforces values of devotion, generosity, and social responsibility.

Ashura

Ashura falls on the 10th of Muharram. It carries dual significance:

• For Sunni Muslims, it commemorates the day Allah saved Prophet Musa (Moses).
• For Shia Muslims, it is the solemn remembrance of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein at Karbala.

Day of Arafah

Observed on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, this is the pinnacle day of Hajj. For non-pilgrims, fasting on the Day of Arafah is considered extremely virtuous and is believed to expiate sins of the previous and coming year.

What is a Hijri–Gregorian Converter?

A Hijri–Gregorian converter is a tool that allows users to translate dates between the Islamic lunar calendar and the Gregorian (solar) calendar. This is essential because Islamic observances do not align to fixed Gregorian dates.

How does the Hijri converter work?

These tools use a combination of astronomical calculations and pre-defined lunar cycle tables. Some converters align with local moon-sighting practices, while others follow global or astronomical models. Although calculations provide strong approximations, official Islamic dates can still vary by region based on moon sighting.

Why it is useful

A converter helps Muslims and researchers plan for:

• Ramadan and fasting schedules
• Hajj and Eid holiday planning
• Islamic anniversaries and commemorations
• Personal religious events such as naming ceremonies or memorial dates

Islamic months traditionally begin with the visual crescent sighting. However, variations arise due to geography, weather, and jurisprudential differences. Some countries rely on national moon-sighting committees, while others adopt a global sighting approach or use astronomical calculations. These differences explain why Ramadan or Eid may start on different days in various parts of the world.