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Guide · Islamic calendar
The Islamic months.
All twelve months of the Hijri calendar in order: the Arabic names, what each one means, what happens in it, and when it starts in 1448 and 1449 AH.
The 12 Islamic months in order are Muharram, Safar, Rabi al-Awwal, Rabi al-Thani, Jumada al-Ula, Jumada al-Akhirah, Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhu al-Qa'dah and Dhu al-Hijjah. Each follows the moon and lasts 29 or 30 days. Four are sacred: Muharram, Rajab, Dhu al-Qa'dah and Dhu al-Hijjah.
The 12 Islamic months, with 1448 and 1449 start dates
| # | Month | Starts in 1448 AH | Starts in 1449 AH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muharram محرّم | Tue 16 Jun 2026 | Sun 6 Jun 2027 |
| 2 | Safar صفر | Wed 15 Jul 2026 | Mon 5 Jul 2027 |
| 3 | Rabi al-Awwal ربيع الأول | Fri 14 Aug 2026 | Tue 3 Aug 2027 |
| 4 | Rabi al-Thani ربيع الآخر | Sat 12 Sep 2026 | Thu 2 Sep 2027 |
| 5 | Jumada al-Ula جمادى الأولى | Mon 12 Oct 2026 | Fri 1 Oct 2027 |
| 6 | Jumada al-Akhirah جمادى الآخرة | Wed 11 Nov 2026 | Sun 31 Oct 2027 |
| 7 | Rajab رجب | Thu 10 Dec 2026 | Mon 29 Nov 2027 |
| 8 | Sha'ban شعبان | Sat 9 Jan 2027 | Wed 29 Dec 2027 |
| 9 | Ramadan رمضان | Mon 8 Feb 2027 | Fri 28 Jan 2028 |
| 10 | Shawwal شوّال | Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Sat 26 Feb 2028 |
| 11 | Dhu al-Qa'dah ذو القعدة | Thu 8 Apr 2027 | Mon 27 Mar 2028 |
| 12 | Dhu al-Hijjah ذو الحجة | Fri 7 May 2027 | Wed 26 Apr 2028 |
Umm al-Qura calendar. Months that begin by local moon sighting can start a day earlier or later. For today's date, use the Hijri date converter.
What each Islamic month means
1. Muharram محرّم
Meaning: Sacred, forbidden: fighting was forbidden in it.
One of the four sacred months. Contains Ashura on the 10th. The Prophet ﷺ called it the month of Allah and said the best fasting after Ramadan is in Muharram (Muslim).
2. Safar صفر
Meaning: Empty: homes emptied as people travelled.
The belief that Safar brings bad luck was rejected by the Prophet ﷺ: there is no evil omen and no Safar (Bukhari).
3. Rabi al-Awwal ربيع الأول
Meaning: First spring.
The month of the Prophet's ﷺ birth and of his arrival in Madinah on the Hijrah.
4. Rabi al-Thani ربيع الآخر
Meaning: Second spring. Also called Rabi al-Akhir.
5. Jumada al-Ula جمادى الأولى
Meaning: From jamad, dry or frozen: named in a season of dryness or cold.
6. Jumada al-Akhirah جمادى الآخرة
Meaning: The second Jumada.
7. Rajab رجب
Meaning: To respect or honour.
One of the four sacred months.
8. Sha'ban شعبان
Meaning: To branch out: tribes dispersed in search of water.
The Prophet ﷺ fasted more in Sha'ban than in any month outside Ramadan (Bukhari, Muslim).
9. Ramadan رمضان
Meaning: From ramad, scorching heat.
The month of fasting, in which the Quran was revealed, with Laylat al-Qadr in its last ten nights.
10. Shawwal شوّال
Meaning: To lift: she-camels raised their tails in this season.
Eid al-Fitr is on the 1st. Fasting six days of Shawwal after Ramadan is like fasting the whole year (Muslim).
11. Dhu al-Qa'dah ذو القعدة
Meaning: The one of sitting: people sat back from fighting.
One of the four sacred months.
12. Dhu al-Hijjah ذو الحجة
Meaning: The one of the pilgrimage.
One of the four sacred months: Hajj, the Day of Arafah on the 9th and Eid al-Adha on the 10th. Its first ten days are the best days of the year (Bukhari).
The four sacred months
Allah says the number of months with Him is twelve, of which four are sacred (Quran 9:36). In his farewell sermon the Prophet ﷺ named them: three in a row, Dhu al-Qa'dah, Dhu al-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab on its own (Bukhari). Wrongdoing in them is weightier, and good deeds are especially encouraged.
Plan the year ahead
For the exact dates of Ramadan, both Eids, Arafah and Ashura, see the Islamic calendar 2027, or count down with the Ramadan countdown. If you make seasonal content, browse Ramadan nasheeds and Eid nasheeds.
Making Islamic content?
Every Islamic month brings its own content: Muharram reminders, Ramadan series, Hajj season, Eid reels. Aswati makes voice-only nasheeds and vocal beds with no instruments, royalty-free and cleared for monetised videos. Start with the free pack or browse background nasheeds.
From Aswati
Voice-only audio for every season
Aswati Studio adds new instrument-free nasheeds every month for Ramadan, Eid, Hajj and everyday reminders, royalty-free.
Frequently asked questions
What are the 12 Islamic months in order?
Muharram, Safar, Rabi al-Awwal, Rabi al-Thani, Jumada al-Ula, Jumada al-Akhirah, Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhu al-Qa'dah and Dhu al-Hijjah.
What are the four sacred months in Islam?
Dhu al-Qa'dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab. The Quran says four months are sacred (9:36), and the Prophet ﷺ named them in his farewell sermon (Bukhari).
What is the current Islamic month?
Check the live Hijri date tool for today's date. In late October 2026 it is Jumada al-Ula 1448 AH.
Why do Islamic months move every year?
Each month follows the moon and lasts 29 or 30 days, so the Islamic year is about 354 days, around 11 days shorter than the Gregorian year. That is why Ramadan comes about 11 days earlier each year.
Which is the first month of the Islamic calendar?
Muharram. 1 Muharram is the Islamic New Year; 1 Muharram 1449 is expected on or around 6 June 2027.
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