Islamic Months
Islamic calendar or Muslim calendar also called the Hijri calendar is the calendar used to date events in many predominantly Muslim countries, and used by Muslims everywhere to determine the proper day on which to celebrate Islamic holy days or other Islamic Occasions. Islamic calendar or Muslim calendar is based on the Glorious Quran and its proper observance is a sacred duty for Muslims.
Four months are considered haram or sacred; Muharram, Rajab, Dhu al-Qi'dah, and Dhu al-Hijjah. Of all the months in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is the most venerated. Muslims are required to abstain from eating, drinking any liquid, and sexual intercourse during the daylight hours of this month.
Of all the months in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is the most sacred, during the daytime of which no Muslim may eat food or drink liquid, except for those who are ill or traveling, who must make up the days missed later. Daytime begins at dawn, traditionally when a white thread can be distinguished from a black thread, but now often equated with astronomical dawn, which occurs when the center of the sun is 18° below the eastern geometric horizon. It ends at sunset, when the entire disk of the sun has gone below the actual western horizon, even if substantially elevated above the ideal horizon by mountains.
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Names of Islamic Months
1 - Muharram
This is the first month on the Islamic calendar; the Islamic New Year, also known as Arabic New Year or Al Hijrii starts on the first day of Muharram.
The Arabic word ‘Muharram’ means ‘forbidden’, this is so because battles and all kinds of fighting were forbidden (ḥarām) during this month. Muḥarram includes ‘Āshūrā’, the tenth day.
2 - Safar
This is the second Islamic month, the Arabic word ‘Safar’ means ‘void’
Supposedly named thus because pre-Islamic Arab houses were empty this time of year while their occupants gathered food.
Another account relates that they used to loot the houses of their enemies after defeating them in battle, leaving nothing behind.
3 - Rabi-Al Awal
This is the third Islamic month, the Arabic words ‘Rabi-Al Awwal’ mean ‘the first spring’.
The name also means to graze, because cattle were grazed during this month.
Rabi Al-Awwal is a very holy month for many Muslims as the Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) was born in this month.
4 - Rabi-Al Sani
This is the fourth Islamic month. The Arabic words ‘Rabi-Al Sanni’ mean ‘the second spring’. Others refer to the month as Rabi-Al Akhir which means the end of spring time.
5 - Jumaada-Al Awal
This is the fifth Islamic month. The Arabic words ‘Jumada-Al Awal’ mean ‘the first of parched land’.
Often considered the pre-Islamic summer, Jumāda may also be related to a verb meaning “to freeze” and another account relates that water would freeze during this time of year.
6 - Jumaada Sani
This is the sixth Islamic month and the second month of parched land. Also reffered to as Jumada Al-Akhir.
7 - Rajab
This is the seventh Islamic month. The Arabic word ‘Rajab’ mean ‘respect/honour’. This is the second sacred month in which fighting is forbidden.
Rajab may also be related to a verb meaning “to remove”, so called because pre-Islamic Arabs would remove the heads of their spears and refrain from fighting.
8 - Shaaban
This is the eighth Islamic month; the word ‘Sha’aban’ means ‘scattered’.
This month marked the time of year when Arab tribes dispersed to find water.
Sha‘bān may also be related to a verb meaning “to be in between two things”. Another account relates that it was called thus because the month lies between Rajab and Ramadan.
9 - Ramadan
This is the ninth Islamic month which is the most popular month and which virtually every non-Muslim knows.
The Arabic word ‘Ramadan’ means ‘burning heat’.
Burning is related to fasting as on an empty stomach one’s worldly desire will burn.
Supposedly so called because of high temperatures caused by the excessive heat of the sun, Ramadan is the most venerated month of the Hijri calendar.
During this time, Muslims must fast from pre-dawn till sunset and should give charity to the poor and needy.
10 - Shawwal
This is the tenth Islamic month. The Arabic word ‘Shawwal’ means ‘raised’.
She-camels would normally be in calf at this time of year and raise their tails.
11 - Zhul Qadah
This is the eleventh month on the Islamic calendar. The Arabic words ‘Zhul Qa’dah’ means ‘the one of truce/sitting’.
This is a holy month during which war was banned. People were however allowed to defend themselves if attacked.
12 - Zhul Hijjah
This is the twelfth and last month on the Islamic calendar. The Arabic words ‘Zhul Hijjah’ means ‘the one for pilgrimage’.
During this month Muslim pilgrims from all around the world congregate at Mecca to visit the Kaabah.
The Hajj is performed on the eighth, ninth and the tenth of this month.
Day of Arafah takes place on the ninth of the month. Eid al-Adha, the “Festival of Sacrifice”, begins on the tenth day and ends at sunset on the twelfth, and during which war was banned.