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Islamic Months: List and Benefits

Author: Mohammad Hashim Qasmi Bastawi

The Islamic months begin according to the Hijri calendar, which is also known as a lunar calendar. The Hijri calendar officially started in 622 CE, the year of the Prophet Muhammad’s migration, or Hijra, from Mecca to Medina. This event was pivotal in the history of Islam, marking not only a geographical relocation but also the establishment of the first Islamic state. The year of the Hijra (1 AH or 1 After Hijra) serves as the foundation for the Islamic calendar, and it has been utilized by Muslims ever since.

The Islamic months are based on the moon’s phases. Each month begins with the sighting of the new moon, making the Islamic year shorter than the Gregorian year, typically around ten to twelve days shorter.

Here’s a list of Islamic months:

1. Muharram
2. Safar
3. Rabi al-Awwal
4. Rabi al-Thani
5. Jumada al-Awwal
6. Jumada al-Thani
7. Rajab
8. Sha’ban
9. Ramadan
10. Shawwal
11. Dhul-Qi’dah
12. Dhul-Hijjah

Some significant events of Islamic months:

1. Muharram (المحرّم)

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months in which fighting is prohibited.

Day of Ashura (10th of Muharram): A day of fasting, mourning, and reflection, especially for Shia Muslims, who remember the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (RA) at the Battle of Karbala. Sunni Muslims also fast on this day as it is believed that the Prophet Musa fasted on this day to mark the liberation of the Children of Israel from Pharaoh.

It is narrated by Bukhari:

The Prophet (ﷺ) came to Medina and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. He asked them about that. They replied, “This is a good day, the day on which Allah rescued Bani Israel from their enemy. So, Moses fasted this day.” The Prophet (ﷺ) said, “We have more claim over Moses than you.” So, the Prophet fasted on that day and ordered (the Muslims) to fast (on that day).  [Sahih Bukhari: 2004]

The Prophet said that it expiates the sins of the past year, as came in a hadith narrated by Muslim:

Fast the Day of Ashura, for indeed I anticipate that Allah will forgive (the sins of) the year before it.” [Sahih Muslim: 1162]

2. Safar (صفر)

The second month of the Islamic calendar. There are no specific religious benefits or events, but it is a month like any other in which Muslims are encouraged to maintain their good deeds and avoid negative practices.

3. Rabi’ al-Awwal (ربيع الأول)

The third month in the Islamic calendar is Rabi’ al-Awwal . Mawlid al-Nabi (12th of Rabi’ al-Awwal) celebrates the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) by some Sunni Muslims. The Prophet (PBUH) was born in the Year of the Elephant, and his birth marked the beginning of a new era in the world.

4. Rabi’ al-Thani (ربيع الآخر)

The fourth month of the Islamic calendar. While there are no specific events tied to Rabi’ al-Thani in the mainstream Islamic tradition, it is still a month for reflection and ongoing worship. Muslims are encouraged to perform good deeds, offer prayers, and contemplate the teachings of Islam.

5. Jumada al-Awwal (جمادى الأول)

The fifth month of the Islamic calendar. The Prophet’s first wife, Khadijah, passed away in this month, marking a significant emotional period in the Prophet’s life.

6. Jumada al-Thani (جمادى الآخرة)

The sixth month of the Islamic calendar. Like Jumada al-Awwal, there are no major specific events in mainstream Islam that are observed in this month.

7. Rajab (رجب)

The seventh month of the Islamic calendar, one of the four sacred months in which fighting is prohibited.

Key Events:

•  There is no authentic and deserving hadith regarding the virtue of the month of Rajab or its fasting or the virtue of fasting on a specific day or a specific night in it.

Hafiz Ibn Hajar Asqalani writes:

There is no authentic and deserving hadith regarding the virtue of the month of Rajab  its fasting, or the merit of fasting on a specific day or night within it.

 (Tabyeen Al Ajab Bima warda fi Shahri Rajab, by Abu al-Fadl Ahmad bin Ali bin Muhammad bin Ahmad bin Hajar al-Asqalani (died: 852 AH) Researcher: Tariq Awad Allah,  Publisher: Cordoba Foundation, Cairo – Egypt, p: 23)

The result is that the narrations regarding the fasting on the twenty-seventh of Rajab are fabricated and false. It is well known that the reward for one fast in 27 Rajab is equal to one thousand fasts; that is why it is called the “thousand fasts”. Similarly, celebrating the night of the Ascension and performing optional prayers, etc, on the night of the twenty-seventh of Rajab is also incorrect and an innovation.

Firstly, declaring the night of the twenty-seventh of Rajab as the night of the Ascension is not supported by any authentic narration; rather, there are differing opinions regarding the night on which the Ascension took place. Mentions of the occurrence of the Ascension event in the months of Rabi’ al-Awwal, Rabi’ al-Thani, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul-Hijjah, and Rajab are found in the books of Seerat, and since its determination is not confirmed by any authentic narration, it is incorrect to designate a month without evidence.

Secondly, there is no special virtue in the night on which the event of the Ascension occurred, as established by the Book and Sunnah, nor is any worship encouraged on that night.

8. Sha’ban (شعبان)

The eighth month of the Islamic calendar is Sha’ban.

Key Events:

• Laylat al-Bara’ah ( the 15th of Sha’ban) 

In this month, there is a night called Laylat al-Bara’ah ( the 15th of Sha’ban) , known as the “Night of Forgiveness,” when Muslims seek forgiveness from Allah for their sins. It is believed to be a night when Allah grants mercy and pardon to the repentant, as mentioned in a hadith narrated by Imam Ahmad in his book “Musnad Ahmad”.

“Allah looks down on the night of the middle of Sha’ban and forgives all His creation, apart from the idolater and the Mushahin.” Another chain from Abu Musa, from the Prophet (ﷺ) with similar wording.[Musnad Ahmad: Vol: 2, P: 176]

• Fasting is highly recommended in this month, as the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was known to fast often during this time , as mentioned in a hadith narrated by Imam Abu Dawood and Nasai.

“I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting any month as much as Shaban.’ He said: ‘That is a month to which people do not pay much attention, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are taken up to the Lord of the worlds, and I like that my deeds be taken up when I am fasting.” [Sunan Abu Daud: 2436, Sunan Nasayi: 2357]

•  Seeking forgiveness and repentance during this month are highly encouraged.

9. Ramadan (رمضان)

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, which holds the significance of being the month of fasting.

Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). As mentioned in the Qur’an:

The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an, a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the Criterion (of right and wrong) . And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, [Surah Baqarah: 185]

• Key Events:

  • Laylat al-Qadr (The Night of Decree): A night during the last 10 days of Ramadan, believed to be when the Qur’an was revealed, and it is a night of great blessings and mercy. It is said that prayers on this night are more powerful than those of a thousand months.

As mentioned in the Qur’an:

The Night of Qadr is much better than one thousand months.

• • • Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars of Islam and is a means of attaining taqwa (God-consciousness). Muslims fast from dawn to sunset, abstaining from food, drink, and other physical needs.

That also mentioned in a hadith narrated by Bukhari and Muslim:

the testimony that there is no god but God and that Muhammad is His servant and messenger, the observance of the prayer, the payment of zakat, the Pilgrimage, and the fast during Ramadan.”  [Sahih Bukhari: 8, Sahih Mislim: 16]

• Increased acts of charity, prayer, and reflection. It is a time for Muslims to purify their hearts and souls.

That also mentioned in a hadith narrated by Ibne Khudhaima by Salman Al Farsi:

Salman al-Farisi told of God’s messenger saying in a sermon which he delivered to them on the last day of Sha’ban, “A great month, a blessed month, a month containing a night which is better than a thousand months has approached you people. God has appointed the observance of fasting during it as an obligatory duty, and the passing of its night in prayer as a voluntary practice. If someone draws near to God during it with some good act he will be like one who fulfils an obligatory duty in another month, and he who fulfills an obligatory duty in it will be like one who fulfills seventy obligatory duties in another month. It is the month of endurance, and the reward of endurance is paradise. It is the month of sharing with others, and a month in which the believer’s provision is increased. If someone gives one who has been fasting something with which to break his fast it will provide forgiveness of his sins and save him from hell, and he will have a reward equal to his without his reward being diminished in any respect. [Sahih Ibne Khzaimah: 1887]

10. Shawwal (شوّال)

The tenth month of the Islamic calendar.

• Key Events:

  • Eid al-Fitr: The festival marking the end of Ramadan and the beginning of Shawwal. It is a day of celebration, feasting, and giving thanks to Allah for strength and patience during the month of fasting.
  • Six Fasts of Shawwal: It is recommended to fast six additional days during Shawwal (after Eid) to gain the reward of fasting for an entire year.
  • Fasting six days in Shawwal (after Eid) is equivalent to fasting for a whole year in reward.

“Whoever fasts during the month of Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal will be (rewarded) as if he had fasted the entire year.”‏ [Sahih Muslim: 1664]

Charity and continued worship are highly encouraged during this month.

11. Dhul-Qi’dah (ذو القعدة)

The eleventh month of the Islamic calendar, another of the sacred months.

• Key Events:

  • The start of Hajj: Dhul-Qi’dah is the month before Dhul-Hijjah, when pilgrims start preparing for the pilgrimage (Hajj) to Makkah.
  • Peace and tranquility are emphasized during this month, as it is one of the months when fighting is       prohibited.
  • Preparation for Hajj and increased worship, especially for those intending to go on the pilgrimage.

12. Dhul-Hijjah (ذو الحجة)

The twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar.

• Key Events:

  • Hajj: The annual pilgrimage to Makkah, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, occurs during this month. The 8th to the 12th of Dhul-Hijjah are significant days for Hajj.
  • Eid al-Adha (10th of Dhul-Hijjah): The festival of sacrifice, commemorating Prophet Ibrahim’s (Abraham) willingness to sacrifice his son Isma’il (Ishmael) in obedience to Allah’s command. Muslims around the world sacrifice animals (usually sheep, goats, cows, or camels) as a symbolic act.
  • Fasting on the 9th of Dhul-Hijjah (Day of Arafah) is highly recommended, especially for those not performing Hajj, as it expiates sins of the past year and the coming year.

As mentioned in a hadith narrated by Imam Muslim:

Abu Qatadah Al-Ansari (RAA) narrated, ‘The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah (the 9th of the month of Dhul Hijjah). He replied, “Fasting on the day of Arafah is an expiation for the preceding year and the following year.” He was also asked about fasting on the day of Ashura (the 10th of the month of Muharram). He replied, “Fasting on the day of Ashura is an expiation for the preceding year.” The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) was also asked about fasting on Monday, and he replied, “This is the day on which I was born and the day on which I was sent (with the Message of Islam) and the day on which I received revelation.”  [Sahih Muslim: 1162]

Summary:

Each month in the Islamic calendar presents unique opportunities for spiritual reflection, worship, and personal growth. Whether it’s fasting, giving charity, remembering the Prophet (PBUH), or participating in significant religious events like Ramadan, Hajj, and Eid, every month provides Muslims a chance to strengthen their connection to Allah and enhance their faith and character.