jj_islamic_months

Islamic Months

The Islamic calendar has 12 months. It is also called Hijri Calendar because it began with Hijra of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) from Mecca to Medina.The hijri calendar was introduced by Umar Ibn Al Khattab, a follower of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Following are the 12 months of Islamic Calendar:

  1. Muharram
  2. Safar
  3. Rabi-ul-Awwal
  4. Rabi-ul-thani
  5. Jumada-al-Awwal
  6. Jumada-al –Thani
  7. Rajab
  8. Sha’aban
  9. Ramadan
  10. Shawwal
  11. Zulqadah
  12. Zul hijjah

Muharram

  • First month of Islamic calendar.
  • The word Muharram means Forbidden. Even before Islam this month was always known as a sacred month, in which all unlawful acts were forbidden, especially shedding of blood.
  • Day Of Ashura is observed on the 10th of Muharram.
  • Prophet Adam ( AS) was born in this month.
  • The oceans and heavens were also created in this month.
  • Hussein (R.A.) met martyrdom in this month.

Safar

  • Second month of Islamic Calendar.
  • Safar means whistling of the wind.
  • Battle of Khyber took place in this month in the year 7A.H.

Rabi ul Awwal

  • Third month of calendar.
  • Meaning is The first month of Spring.
  • Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was born in this month. And departed in the same month 63 years later.
  • Holy Prophet (PBUH), migrated from Mecca to Medina in this month.
  • Abu Bakr (RA.) was appointed Caliph.

Rabi Al Thani

  • Fourth month of calendar.
  • Meaning is The second month of Spring.

Jumada Al Awwal

  • Fifth month of calendar.
  • Meaning is The first month of Summer.
  • Jumada means dry.

Jumada Al Thani

  • Sixth month of calendar.
  • Meaning is The second month of Summer.

Rajab

  • Seventh month of Islamic calendar.
  • Meaning is from rajaba “ to respect”.
  • Prophet Muhammad (SAW) ascended to heaven on the 27th of Rajab.The journey is called “ Isra al Mairaj.”
  • The battle of Tabook took place in the year 9 A.H..This was the last battle in which Prophet Muhammad (SAW) participated.
  • Another one of the sacred months in which fighting was forbidden prior to Islam.

Shaaban

  • Eighth month of Islamic calendar.
  • Meaning of Shaaban is consecutively escalating.(undisturbed increase).
  • With the beginning of Shaaban blessings progressively increase and reach their peak by the end of Ramadan.
  • The battle of Banu Mustaliq took place in this month.
  • During the above mentioned battle, The Ayah of tayammum was revealed in the year 5 A.H.( purifying with sand before salah).
  • Qibla” the direction to be adopted during salah, was reverted back to the “ka’aba” in Makkah.

Ramadan

  • 9th month of Islamic calendar
  • This is the most blessed month, in which muslims all around the world observe fasts the entire month.
  • In this month lies a night more greater in virtue than a 1000 months.(Laylat ul Qadr).
  • Quran was revealed on Prophet Muhammad (SAW) for the first time in this month.
  • The first battle in Islamic history “Battle Of Badr”, took place in this month on 12th Ramadan in year 2 A.H.
  • Victory of Makkah took place on 18th of Ramadan in the year 8 A.H

Shawwal

  • 10th month of Islamic calendar.
  • Eid Al fitr is celebrated on first day of shawwal , when all sins are forgiven as a result of fasting and prayers in the month of Ramadan.
  • It is sunnah to observe 6 fasts of Shawwal that are voluntary.

Zul Qa'dah

  • 11th month of Islamic calendar.
  • Taken from the word Qa’da which means to sit.

Zul Hajjah

  • 12th month of Islamic calendar.
  • The month of Hajj (Pilgrimage), which is also the fifth pillar of Islam.
  • Prophet Muhammad (SAW) performed Hajj and gave the last sermon which is also known as “Farewell Sermon”.
  • Eid al Adha is celebrated on the 10th of zul hajjah.