Islamic calendar or, in the Arab world, Hijri calendar is a lunar calendar based on twelve months. These months bear a lot of importance for Muslims from all over the world because the activities that happen in these months are very much central and related to Islamic history and tradition. Every month has its name derived from the occurrences and aspects of Islam. Explore the blog about Islamic month names with meaning and their significance.
Understanding the Islamic Calendar
The Islamic calendar was created during the lifetime of Caliph Umar ibn Al-Khattab RA. It starts from the Hijrah, the Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) migration from Makkah to Madinah in 622 CE. The Islamic calendar is not like the Gregorian calendar in that it follows cycles of the moon and hence is about eleven days shorter each year. As a result, there is a shift of Islamic months from one season to another as time progresses.
| Month | Arabic Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Muharram | Sacred; a month of peace and sanctity. |
| 2 | Safar | Empty or void; associated with the pre-Islamic practice of leaving homes for battle or trade. |
| 3 | Rabi’ al-Awwal | The first spring; marks the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). |
| 4 | Rabi’ al-Thani | The second spring; continuation of the previous month’s blessings. |
| 5 | Jumada al-Awwal | The first of parched land; signifies the dry season in Arabia. |
| 6 | Jumada al-Thani | The second of parched land; continuation of the dry season. |
| 7 | Rajab | Respect or honor; one of the sacred months in Islam. |
| 8 | Sha’ban | Dispersal; a month in which people dispersed to seek water or prepare for Ramadan. |
| 9 | Ramadan | Scorching heat; the most revered month when fasting is observed. |
| 10 | Shawwal | Uplift or breakage; marks the end of Ramadan and the celebration of Eid al-Fitr. |
| 11 | Dhu al-Qi’dah | The one of rest; a sacred month where fighting was historically forbidden. |
| 12 | Dhu al-Hijjah | The one of pilgrimage; the month of Hajj and Eid al-Adha. |
Significance of Islamic Months
Every Islamic month has a religious connotation or historical or even operational importance. Nonetheless, there remained four actual sacred months: Muharram, Rajab, Dhu al-Qi’dah, and Dhu al-Hijjah which were considered holy months of no war and fighting. Ramadan is also sacred month in which Muslim fast for the whole month. Today, they remind us of a time when people prayed, meditated and worshipped.
The Islamic months may be said to denote what has happened in the past, the religious implications, and what is learned from it. It is easier to know the lessons which can be got from the meaning of the two comprising parts as knowledge on the culture and teachings of Islam to encourage the Muslims to remain faithful. Every month is a chapter in the Devotional journey, that embraces the spirituality of devotion, thanksgiving and contemplation.
By learning about these months and their meanings, individuals can deepen their appreciation for the Islamic calendar and its role in shaping Muslim identity across generations.
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