Muslim Calendar

Based on the lunar year, the Muslim calendar dates from the migration (Hegira) of the Prophet Mohammad from Mecca to Medina in 622 A.D. According to this calendar, the actual beginning of a month depends upon the physical sighting of the moon and not merely on astronomical calculations. If the sky is overcast, and the new moon is not visible within a territory, the previous month is allowed to run to 30 days instead of the usual 29 days. Because of the inconsistencies between the solar and lunar calendars, annual holidays fall on different dates in different years. The names of the months of the Muslim calendar take roots in pre-Islamic times and possibly originate from the beliefs of the pagan Arabs. These months include:

Moharram: “the sacred month”

Safar: “the void month”

Rabi al-avval: “the first spring”

Rabi al-thani: “the second spring”

Jumada al-avval: “the first month of darkness”

Jumada al-thaniya: “the second month of darkness”

Rajab: “the revered month”

Shaban: “the month of division”

Ramazan: “the month of great heat”

Shavval: “the month of hunting”

Dhu al-Qadah: “the month of rest”

Dhu al-Hajjah: “the month of pilgrimage”