The 12 Months of the Islamic Calendar
The Islamic calendar (Hijri calendar) is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days. Each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon. Here are all 12 months and their significance:
Month 1
Muharram
محرم
Sacred month. Includes the Day of Ashura (10th Muharram).
Month 2
Safar
صفر
Second month. Name means "void" or "empty."
Month 3
Rabi' al-Awwal
ربيع الأول
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was born and passed away in this month.
Month 4
Rabi' al-Thani
ربيع الثاني
Second spring month. Also called Rabi' al-Akhir.
Month 5
Jumada al-Awwal
جمادى الأولى
First of the two Jumada months. Name relates to dry/frozen ground.
Month 6
Jumada al-Thani
جمادى الآخرة
Second Jumada month. Also called Jumada al-Akhirah.
Month 7
Rajab
رجب
Sacred month. The Isra' and Mi'raj (Night Journey) occurred on the 27th.
Month 8
Sha'ban
شعبان
Month before Ramadan. The Prophet ﷺ fasted much of this month.
Month 9
Ramadan
رمضان
Holiest month. Month of fasting, the Quran was first revealed here.
Month 10
Shawwal
شوال
Eid al-Fitr is on the 1st. Six voluntary fasts are recommended.
Month 11
Dhu al-Qi'dah
ذو القعدة
Sacred month. One of the months of Hajj preparation.
Month 12
Dhu al-Hijjah
ذو الحجة
Hajj occurs here. Eid al-Adha is on the 10th. First 10 days are especially blessed.
What is the Hijri Calendar?
The Islamic Hijri calendar (also called the Muslim calendar or AH calendar) is a lunar calendar used to determine Islamic holidays and dates for religious observances. It was introduced in 638 CE by the second Caliph, Umar ibn al-Khattab, with the migration (Hijra) of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE as year 1.
Unlike the Gregorian calendar which is solar (based on Earth's orbit around the sun), the Hijri calendar is purely lunar — each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon. This means a Hijri year is about 354 days long — approximately 11 days shorter than a Gregorian year. As a result, Islamic holidays move approximately 11 days earlier each Gregorian year.
Why converts love knowing their Hijri birthday
For many converts to Islam, discovering their Hijri birth date is a meaningful experience — it connects a personal milestone to the Islamic calendar and can feel like discovering a new dimension of your identity. Some Muslims celebrate their Hijri birthday (called "milad" in some cultures) in addition to or instead of their Gregorian birthday.
Your Hijri birthday falls on a different Gregorian date each year because the lunar calendar shifts by about 11 days annually. This tool calculates your Hijri birth date and can help you find when your Hijri birthday will fall in any given Gregorian year.
What does AH mean?
AH stands for "Anno Hegirae" (Latin) or "After Hijra" — the year of the migration of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Mecca to Medina. This event in 622 CE marks year 1 of the Islamic calendar. The current Hijri year is 1446 AH (as of 2025 CE).
Is this calculation 100% accurate?
This tool uses the tabular Islamic calendar (the most common algorithmic calculation method). In practice, actual Islamic months begin with the physical sighting of the crescent moon, which can vary by 1-2 days by location and local religious authority. For official religious purposes, defer to your local Islamic authority.
Why does Ramadan fall on different dates every year?
Because the Islamic calendar is lunar and about 11 days shorter than the Gregorian solar calendar, Islamic holidays shift approximately 11 days earlier each Gregorian year. This is why Ramadan cycles through all seasons over approximately 33 years.
What are the four sacred months in Islam?
The four sacred months (Al-Ashhur Al-Hurum) are Muharram (1st), Rajab (7th), Dhu al-Qi'dah (11th), and Dhu al-Hijjah (12th). Fighting was traditionally prohibited in these months in pre-Islamic Arabia, and Islam upheld their sanctity.