The Arabic calendar is a lunar calendar, meaning it is based on the moon’s cycle rather than the sun’s. It has 12 months, each with its own unique name. Here are the names of the Arabic months:
- Muharram (مُحَرَّم): The first month of the Islamic calendar, considered one of the four sacred months in Islam.
- Safar (صَفَر): The second month of the Islamic calendar.
- Rabi’ al-awwal (رَبِيع الأَوَّل): The third month of the Islamic calendar, which translates to “the first spring.”
- Rabi’ al-thani (رَبِيع الثَّانِي): The fourth month of the Islamic calendar, which translates to “the second spring.”
- Jumada al-awwal (جُمَادَى الأُولَى): The fifth month of the Islamic calendar.
- Jumada al-thani (جُمَادَى الثَّانِيَة): The sixth month of the Islamic calendar.
- Rajab (رَجَب): The seventh month of the Islamic calendar, considered one of the sacred months.
- Sha’ban (شَعْبَان): The eighth month of the Islamic calendar.
- Ramadan (رَمَضَان): The ninth month of the Islamic calendar, known for fasting observed by Muslims worldwide during this month.
- Shawwal (شَوَّال): The tenth month of the Islamic calendar.
- Dhu al-Qi’dah (ذُو الْقَعْدَة): The eleventh month of the Islamic calendar.
- Dhu al-Hijjah (ذُو الْحِجَّة): The twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar, known for the Hajj pilgrimage.
These months are significant in Islamic culture and are used to determine important dates and events, such as Ramadan and Hajj, which are central to the Islamic faith.
More Informations
The Arabic calendar, also known as the Islamic calendar or Hijri calendar, is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days. It is used by Muslims around the world to determine the dates of Islamic holidays and events.
The Islamic calendar began with the Hijra (هِجْرَة), the emigration of the Islamic prophet Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 AD. The Islamic year is based on the lunar cycle, with each month starting and ending with the new moon. As a result, the Islamic year is shorter than the Gregorian calendar year by about 11 days.
Because the Islamic calendar is based on the lunar cycle, the months rotate backward through the seasons, completing a full cycle every 33 Islamic years. This means that Islamic holidays, such as Ramadan, can occur in different seasons over time.
The names of the months in the Islamic calendar have historical and cultural significance. Some months, such as Muharram and Rajab, are considered sacred months in which warfare is prohibited in Islamic tradition. Other months, like Ramadan, are known for specific religious observances, such as fasting from dawn to sunset.
Overall, the Arabic calendar is a central aspect of Islamic culture and is used to organize religious and cultural events for Muslims worldwide.