Islamic Names

Names of Islamic Months

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Names of Islamic Months are based on lunar calendar. It depends upon moon’s movement which consist of 12 months and 354 to 355 days. Lunar calendar is different from Gregorian or Solar calendar that is based on solar movement. It consists of 12 months but 365 to 366 days. The Islamic months are lunar based so approximately equals to 29 or 30 days. Rather gregorian calendar consists of almost 30 to 31 days so lunar calendar is little shorter than solar calendar.

Here we will describe the names of Islamic months and little brief about each month and its importance in Islamic religion & history.

SR#Name Arabic NameMeaning In EnglishDescription
1-Muḥarram ٱلْمُحَرَّمforbidden1-A sacred month, so called because battle and all kinds of fighting are forbidden (ḥarām) during this month. Muḥarram includes ‘Āshūrā’, the tenth day.
2-ṢafarصَفَرvoidSupposedly named thus because pre-Islamic Arab houses were empty this time of year while their occupants gathered food. Another account relates that they used to loot the houses of their enemies after defeating them in battle, leaving nothing behind.
3-Rabī‘ al-awwalرَبِيع ٱلْأَوَّلthe first springAlso means to graze, because cattle grazed during this month. Also a very holy month of celebration for many Muslims, as it was the month the Prophet Muhammad was born.
4-Rabī‘ ath-thānīرَبِيع ٱلْآخِرthe second springRabi’ al-thani is the fourth month of the Islamic calendar and is a time for reflection and contemplation. It is the second Rabi’, and is considered a time of renewal and spiritual growth.
5-Jumādá al-ūlá
جُمَادَىٰ ٱلْأُولَىٰthe first of parched landOften considered the pre-Islamic summer. Jumādá may is related to a verb meaning “to freeze” and another account relates that water would freeze during this time of year.
6-Jumādá al-ākhirahجُمَادَىٰ ٱلْآخِرَةthe last of parched landJumada al-thani is the sixth month of the Islamic calendar and is a time for seeking forgiveness and mercy. It is the second Jumada, and is considered a time for healing and restoration.
7-Rajabرَجَبrespect, honorThis is the second sacred month in which fighting is forbidden. Rajab may is related to a verb meaning “to remove”, so called because pre-Islamic Arabs would remove the heads of their spears and refrain from fighting.
8-Sha‘bānشَعْبَانscatteredMarked the time of year when Arab tribes dispersed to find water. Sha‘bān is related to a verb meaning “to be in between two things”. Another account relates that it was called thus because the month lies between Rajab and Ramaḍān.
9-Ramaḍānرَمَضَانburning heatBurning is related to fasting as in empty stomach one’s worldly desire will burn. Supposedly so called because of high temperatures caused by the excessive heat of the sun. Ramaḍān is the most venerated month of the Hijri calendar. During this time, Muslims must fast from pre-dawn till sunset and should give charity to the poor and needy.
10-ShawwālشَوَّالraisedShe-camels are normally in calf status at this time of year and raise their tails.
11-Dhū al-Qa‘dahذُو ٱلْقَعْدَةthe one of truce/sittingThis is a holy month during which war is banned. People are allowed to defend themselves if attacked.
12-Dhū al-Ḥijjahذُو ٱلْحِجَّةthe one of pilgrimageDuring this month Muslim pilgrims from all around the world congregate at Mecca to visit the Kaaba. The Hajj is performed on the eighth, ninth and the tenth of this month. Day of Arafah takes place on the ninth of the month. Eid al-Adha, the “Festival of the Sacrifice”, begins on the tenth day and ends on sunset of the twelfth, and during which war is banned.

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