Islamic Dates In The Muslim Calendar
The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar, is a lunar calendar used by Muslims to regulate the dates of religious events and ceremonies. It comprises of 12 months based on the moon's chapters, and each month can have 29 or 30 days subject to the sighting of the moon, the Islamic year is concisely shorter than the Gregorian year by about 10–12 days, which means Islamic dates shift each year in relation to the Gregorian calendar. Muslims all around the world witness these important dates through out the year, and celebrate them permitting to the Islamic customs.
Muharram
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar and one of the four holy months in Islam, during which conflict is traditionally forbidden. It is important for Muslims for both ancient and religious reasons and the first month of the Islamic year. For lots of Muslims, especially Shia Muslims, Muharram symbolises an era of grieving, particularly the first ten days, starting the Day of Ashura which is the 10th of Muharram, this day is reminisced for the tragic events of Karbala in 680 CE, where Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, and his companions were martyred in a battle against the Umayyad caliph Yazid.
Safar
Safar is the second month in the Islamic Hijri calendar, subsequently following Muharram, It holds particular importance in Islamic history but is not directly related to any compulsory religious practices like Ramadan or Dhul-Hijjah. The word "Safar" in Arabic is thought to mean clear or abandoned referring to the time when homes were often left empty as people went on voyages or were often involved in battles after the month of Muharram, which is reflected as a blessed time.
Rabi' al-Awwal
Rabi al-Awwal is the third month of the Islamic lunar calendar, It’s an important month for Muslims around the world, as it is customarily believed to be the month in which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born. This occasion is observed as Mawlid al-Nabi or the Prophet's Birthday, which falls on the 12th of Rabi' al-Awwal corresponding to many Islamic traditions, though the exact date may vary between castes of Muslims in different Islamic countries.
Rabi' al-Thani (Rabi' al-Akhir)
Rabi' al-Thani also identified as Rabi' al-Akhir, is the fourth month in the Islamic (lunar) calendar, like all Islamic months. This calendar is significant for Muslims worldwide because it decrees the timing of religious fulfilments and occasions and the name Rabi' al-Thani means "the second spring," as it follows Rabi' al-Awwal the first spring. Traditionally, these names may have originally resembled to the times, but because the Islamic calendar is lunar and about 11 days shorter than the solar year, the months cycle through distinctive periods over time.
Jumada al-Awwal
Jumada al-Awwal is the fifth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, the name Jumada signifies dryness or a parched land, mirroring the time of year when this month by tradition fell in pre-Islamic Arabia, a dry season. Like all Islamic months, Jumada al-Awwal is regulated by the lunar cycle and its precise dates shift each year according to the Gregorian calendar, moving approximately 10-12 days earlier each year.
Jumada al-Thani
Jumada al-Thani also known as Jumada al-Akhira is the sixth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, the Islamic calendar is founded on the lunar cycle, and each month starts with the sighting of the new moon. Since the Islamic calendar is about 10-12 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar, the months revolve through the times of the year. Traditionally, the name Jumada is thought to be connected to the dry or barren times in the Arabian Peninsula, as Jumada refers to something concrete, possibly indicating to the dry season.
Rajab
Rajab is the seventh month of the Islamic lunar calendar, it is one of the four holy months in Islam, during which clashes are traditionally prohibited. Muslims often view Rajab as a time for amplified dedication, prayer, and reflection and it is also a month related to various Islamic past events, such as the Isra and Mi'raj, the night journey of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to the heavens. Some Muslims also implement extra prayers or fasting during this month, although this is not mandatory.
Sha'ban
Sha'ban is the eighth month in the Islamic lunar calendar, following the month of Rajab and above the month of Ramadan. It is reflected as a significant month for Muslims, as it acts as a religious preparation for the holy month of Ramadan and the night of Mid-Sha'ban also recognised as Laylat al-Bara'ah or Shab-e-Barat. In some beliefs, the 15th night of Sha'ban is witnessed by many Muslims as a night of prayer and a quest for mercy, though the exact practices linked with this night vary, it is often seen as a time to contemplate and seek Allah’s mercy.
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, performed by Muslims worldwide as a sacred month of fasting, prayer, reflection, and unity. It is considered to be the month in which the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad and Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, this fast includes abstaining from eating, drinking, smoking, and engaging in sinful behaviour. The pre-dawn meal is called Suhoor, and the meal at sunset to break the fast is called Iftar.
Shawwal
Shawwal is the tenth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, following the month of Ramadan and leads the month of Dhul-Qi'dah, shawwal holds special importance for Muslims. The month begins with the celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which results the end of Ramadan and this is a day of celebration, gratitude, and charity, where Muslims thank Allah for the power to complete the fasting during Ramadan.
Dhu al-Qi'dah
Dhu al-Qi'dah is the 11th month of the Islamic lunar calendar, It’s a month of peace and is thought to be one of the four holy months in Islam, during which rivalry and arguing are by tradition forbidden and It's a time for reflection and the groundwork for performing the Hajj pilgrimage.
Dhu al-Hijjah
Dhu al-Hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar, It's a special month for Muslims, especially because it includes the mighty Hajj pilgrimage, which is one of the Five Pillars of Islam. The first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah are measured among the most honourable of the year, and the 8th to the 12th days are the days of Hajj. Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is celebrated on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah, which marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage and remembering the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son as an act of submission to God.