Islamic Months List and Order

The Islamic (Hijri) calendar has 12 lunar months: Muharram, Safar, Rabi al-awwal, Rabi al-thani, Jumada al-awwal, Jumada al-thani, Rajab, Shaban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul-Qadah and Dhul-Hijjah. Four of them — Muharram, Rajab, Dhul-Qadah and Dhul-Hijjah — are sacred months.

Because a lunar year is about 354 days, every Hijri month begins roughly 10-11 days earlier each Gregorian year. This page lists all twelve months with their key significance and highlights the current Hijri month computed in your browser.

Important: The start of each month is confirmed by crescent sighting, so a month can be 29 or 30 days and may begin a day earlier or later than computed.

Islamic (Hijri) Months — 5 Rabi al-thani 1448 AH

#	Month	Significance
1	Muharram	Sacred month; Islamic New Year and Ashura (10th)
2	Safar	Travel and routine month
3	Rabi al-awwal	Month of Mawlid (birth of the Prophet ﷺ, 12th)
4	Rabi al-thani	Rabi al-Akhir — fourth month
5	Jumada al-awwal	First Jumada
6	Jumada al-thani	Second Jumada
7	Rajab	Sacred month; Shab-e-Meraj (27th)
8	Shaban	Month before Ramadan; Shab-e-Barat (15th)
9	Ramadan	Month of fasting; Lailatul Qadr in last 10 nights
10	Shawwal	Eid ul-Fitr (1st); six voluntary fasts
11	Dhul-Qadah	Sacred month; Hajj season begins
12	Dhul-Hijjah	Month of Hajj; Eid ul-Adha (10th)

The Hijri year is about 354 days, so months start 10–11 days earlier each Gregorian year. The current month is highlighted.

Formula

Hijri year ≈ 354 days → each month shifts ~10-11 days earlier per Gregorian year.

Example

If Ramadan begins ~18 February 2026, Ramadan 2027 begins ~7 February 2027.

How to Use

1. Read the 12 months in order in the table.
2. Find the highlighted row — that is the current Hijri month.
3. Check the significance column for key dates like Ashura, Ramadan and Eid.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Islamic months are there?

Twelve lunar months, alternating between 29 and 30 days.

Which are the sacred months?

Muharram, Rajab, Dhul-Qadah and Dhul-Hijjah.

Which month is best for fasting?

Ramadan — obligatory fasting — followed by recommended fasts in Muharram and Shaban.

Why does the current month differ by country?

Month start depends on crescent sighting, which can vary by a day by region.

Author: Islamic Editorial Team Reviewed by: Islamic Editorial Team Last updated: 2026-09-16

This page was reviewed for accuracy by the Islamic editorial team. Our editorial process follows our editorial policy to ensure reliable, up-to-date conversion tools and reference content.