Islamic and Arabic months hold historical, cultural, and religious meanings. Let us explore the Islamic and Arabic months in order, thier meanings, and significance. You will see why learning the Arabic months is important for understanding the Arabic language and Islamic culture.

What Are the Islamic Months in Arabic?

The Islamic (Hijri) calendar is known as التقويم الهجري (al-taqwīm al-hijrī), and it is a lunar calendar, consists of 12 months, each starting with the sighting of the crescent moon. 

The Islamic (Hijri) calendar began during the caliphate of Umar ibn al-Khattab, linked to the Hijra—the migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. 

The Arabic calendar is based on the moon’s cycles, so it shifts about 10–12 days earlier each Gregorian year.

The Islamic calendar is deeply tied to Islamic practices, including the timing of Ramadan, Hajj, and ‘Eid celebrations. 

Let’s learn Arabic months..

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Islamic Months in Order 

Here is the order of the Islamic months, with their Arabic name, meanings and examples:

1. Muharram (مُحَرَّم)

 Muharram (مُحَرَّم) means “forbidden” or “sacred”. This is the first month and one of the four sacred months in Islam. Fighting was traditionally forbidden during this time.

شهر محرم هو بداية السنة الهجرية
(Shahr Muharram huwa bidayat as-sanat al-hijriyya.)
Muharram is the beginning of the Hijri year.

2. Safar (صَفَر)

Safar (صَفَر) means “empty” or “void.” Some say it was named this because homes were often left empty as people went to war or traveled.

بعد محرم يأتي شهر صفر
(Ba’da Muharram ya’ti shahr Safar.)
After Muharram comes the month of Safar.

3. Rabi’ al-Awwal (رَبِيع الأَوَّل)

Rabi’ al-Awwal (رَبِيع الأَوَّل) means “the first spring”. Rabi’ al-Awwal is significant as it is believed to be the month of the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace be upon him) birth.

ولد النبي محمد صلى الله عليه وسلم في شهر ربيع الأول
(Wulida an-Nabiyy Muhammad salla Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam fi shahr Rabi’ al-Awwal.)
Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was born in the month of Rabi’ al-Awwal.

4. Rabi’ al-Thani (رَبِيع الثَّانِي) (or Rabi’ al-Akhir ربيع الآخر)

Rabi’ al-Thani (رَبِيع الثَّانِي) means “the second spring” or “the last spring”. It follows Rabi’ al-Awwal.

ربيع الثاني يأتي بعد ربيع الأول
(Rabi’ al-Thani ya’ti ba’da Rabi’ al-Awwal.)
Rabi’ al-Thani comes after Rabi’ al-Awwal.

5. Jumada al-Ula (جُمَادَىٰ الأُولَىٰ)

Jumada al-Ula (جُمَادَىٰ الأُولَىٰ) means “the first of the parched land”. Jumada al-Ula was named so as it often coincided with dry, parched times.

جمادى الأولى هو الشهر الخامس في التقويم الهجري
(Jumada al-Ula huwa ash-shahr al-khamis fi at-taqweem al-hijri.)
Jumada al-Ula is the fifth month in the Hijri calendar.

6. Jumada al-Akhirah (جُمَادَىٰ الآخِرَة) (or Jumada al-Thaniya جمادى الثانية)

 Jumada al-Akhirah (جُمَادَىٰ الآخِرَة means “the last of the parched land.” It follows Jumada al-Ula.

يلي جمادى الأولى شهر جمادى الآخرة
(Yali Jumada al-Ula shahr Jumada al-Akhirah.)
Jumada al-Akhirah follows Jumada al-Ula.

7. Rajab (رَجَب)

Rajab (رَجَب) means “to respect” or “revere”. Rajab is another of the four sacred months (4 sacred months in islam).

شهر رجب من الأشهر الحرم
(Shahr Rajab min al-ashhur al-hurum.)
Rajab is one of the sacred months.

8. Sha’ban (شَعْبَان)

Sha’ban (شَعْبَان) means “scattered” or “branched out”. Some say Sha’ban was named so because Arab tribes dispersed in search of water after the month of Rajab, or prepared for battle.

 شعبان يأتي قبل رمضان
(Sha’ban ya’ti qabla Ramadan.)
Sha’ban comes before Ramadan.

9. Ramadan (رَمَضَان)

Ramadan (رَمَضَان) means “scorching heat”. Ramadan is the month of fasting for Muslims.

 شهر رمضان هو شهر الصيام
(Shahr Ramadan huwa shahr as-siyam.)
Ramadan is the month of fasting.

10. Shawwal (شَوَّال)

Shawwal (شَوَّال) means “to carry” or “lift,” referring to camels carrying their young or a decrease in camel milk. It follows Ramadan and includes Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

يحتفل المسلمون بعيد الفطر في شهر شوال
(Yahtafil al-muslimun bi-‘Eid al-Fitr fi shahr Shawwal.)
Muslims celebrate Eid al-Fitr in the month of Shawwal.

11. Dhu al-Qa’dah (ذُو القَعْدَة)

Dhu al-Qa’dah (ذُو القَعْدَة) means “the one of sitting” or “resting”. Dhu al-Qa’dah was named so because people refrained from traveling or warfare in preparation for Hajj (pilgrimage). This is another of the sacred months.

 ذو القعدة هو أحد الأشهر الحرم
(Dhu al-Qa’dah huwa ahad al-ashhur al-hurum.)
Dhu al-Qa’dah is one of the sacred months.

12. Dhu al-Hijjah (ذُو الحِجَّة)

Dhu al-Hijjah means “the one of pilgrimage”. Dhu al-Hijjah is the month of Hajj, the annual pilgrimage to Mecca. It is also one of the sacred months.

يؤدي المسلمون فريضة الحج في شهر ذي الحجة
(Yu’addi al-muslimun faridat al-Hajj fi shahr Dhi al-Hijjah.)
Muslims perform the Hajj pilgrimage in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah.

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Gregorian months in Arabic 

Here are the Gregorian months translated into Arabic. Each month is provided with its Arabic equivalent for easy reference:

1. January – يناير (Yanāyir)
2. February – فبراير (Fibrāyir)
3. March – مارس (Māris)
4. April – إبريل (Ibrīl)
5. May – مايو (Māyū)
6. June – يونيو (Yūnyū)
7. July – يوليو (Yūlyū)
8. August – أغسطس (Aghusṭus)
9. September – سبتمبر (Sibtambar)
10. October – أكتوبر (Uktūbar)
11. November – نوفمبر (Nūfambar)
12. December – ديسمبر (Dīsambar)

Read more about: Days of the Week in Arabic – With Sentences Examples And Pronounciation

What Are the Four Sacred Months in Islam?

The four sacred months (الأشهر الحرم, al-ashhur al-hurum) are Dhu al-Qa‘dah (ذُو القَعْدَة), Dhu al-Hijjah (ذُو الحِجَّة), Muharram (مُحَرَّم), and Rajab (رَجَب). 

The four sacred months hold a profound significance in both pre-Islamic and Islamic traditions

In the four sacred months, fighting is prohibited, allowing for peace, worship, and safe travel. Let us explore their origins, meanings, and importance.

The Four Sacred Months Before Islam

The practice of honoring these months dates back to the time of Prophet Ibrahim, who, according to historical accounts, established the sanctity of the sacred months as he called people to pilgrimage. Over centuries, this tradition became deeply ingrained in Arab society, ensuring that pilgrims and traders could travel safely without the threat of conflict.

Dhu al-Qa‘dah (ذُو القَعْدَة) marked the beginning of a peaceful period when tribes would lay down their weapons, preparing for the pilgrimage. This peaceful month was followed by Dhu al-Hijjah (ذُو الحِجَّة), during which the sacred rituals of Hajj were performed. Muharram (مُحَرَّم) continued this time of reflection and safety, while Rajab (رَجَب) stood alone mid-year, further emphasizing the importance of peace.

Even during these months, Arabs refrained from engaging in unnecessary violence, though they allowed fighting in self-defense and continued their hunting practices. However, with the advent of Islam, hunting during the state of ihram (إحرام) was forbidden within the sacred cities of Mecca and Medina.

The Four Sacred Months in Islam

Islam confirmed and preserved the sanctity of these months, as mentioned in the Quran:

“إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللَّهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِي كِتَابِ اللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ”
“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah from the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred.” (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:36)

These months were set aside for spiritual reflection, allowing believers to focus on acts of worship such as fasting, prayer, and pilgrimage. 

Islam also prohibited the practice of Nasi’ (نسيء), which involved altering the months for personal convenience or extending the sacred period to suit one’s interests.

“إِنَّمَا النَّسِيءُ زِيَادَةٌ فِي الْكُفْرِ ۖ يُضَلُّ بِهِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُحِلُّونَهُ عَامًا وَيُحَرِّمُونَهُ عَامًا لِّيُوَاطِئُوا عِدَّةَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ فَيُحِلُّوا مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ ۚ زُيِّنَ لَهُمْ سُوءُ أَعْمَالِهِمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ”
“Indeed, the postponing [of restriction within sacred months] is an increase in disbelief by which those who have disbelieved are led [further] astray. They make it lawful one year and unlawful another year to correspond to the number made unlawful by Allah and [thus] make lawful what Allah has made unlawful. Made pleasing to them is the evil of their deeds; and Allah does not guide the disbelieving people.” (Surah al-Tawba 9:37).

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FAQs about Islamic and Arabic Months in Order