The Islamic Lunar Year (At-Taqweem al-Hijri)
The Islamic calendar is a purely lunar calendar comprising 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days. Established by the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab (RA), its epoch begins with the historic Migration (Hijrah) of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE.
The 12 Hijri Months
- Muharram (مُحَرَّم): Sacred month; contains the Day of Ashura (10th).
- Safar (صَفَر): Second lunar month.
- Rabi' al-Awwal (رَبِيع الأَوَّل): Month of the Prophet's ﷺ birth and arrival in Madinah.
- Rabi' al-Thani (رَبِيع الآخِر): Fourth month.
- Jumada al-Ula (جُمَادَى الأُولَى): Fifth month.
- Jumada al-Akhirah (جُمَادَى الآخِرَة): Sixth month.
- Rajab (رَجَب): Sacred month; time of spiritual preparation and the Miraculous Isra and Mi'raj.
- Sha'ban (شَعْبَان): Pre-Ramadan month of increased voluntary fasting.
- Ramadan (رَمَضَان): The blessed month of obligatory fasting and revelation of the Quran.
- Shawwal (شَوَّال): Begins with Eid al-Fitr; Sunnah to fast 6 days.
- Dhul Qi'dah (ذُو القَعْدَة): Sacred month preceding pilgrimage.
- Dhul Hijjah (ذُو الحِجَّة): Sacred month of Hajj and Eid al-Adha (10th).
The 4 Sacred Months (Al-Ashhur al-Hurum)
Allah states: "Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah from the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred" (Surah At-Tawbah 9:36). These are Rajab, Dhul Qi'dah, Dhul Hijjah, and Muharram.
Sunnah Fasting Days Throughout the Year
Voluntary fasts beloved to the Prophet ﷺ include Mondays and Thursdays, the White Days (Ayyam al-Beed: 13th, 14th, 15th of each lunar month), the 9th and 10th of Muharram (Ashura), and the Day of Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah).