Allah says in the Quran that the number of months with Him is twelve, and four of them are sacred (Surah At-Tawbah, 9:36). The Islamic (Hijri) calendar follows the moon, so each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent. Here are all twelve months with the meaning of their names.
The Twelve Months
- Muharram � "forbidden": a sacred month in which fighting was forbidden.
- Safar � often explained as "empty", as homes were empty when people travelled.
- Rabi' al-Awwal � "the first spring".
- Rabi' al-Thani � "the second spring".
- Jumada al-Ula � from jamad, linked to dryness or freezing of water.
- Jumada al-Thani (Jumada al-Akhirah) � the second Jumada. This is the month we are about to enter.
- Rajab � linked to respect and honour; a sacred month.
- Sha'ban � linked to "spreading out", as tribes dispersed to seek water.
- Ramadan � from ramad, intense heat; the month of fasting and the Quran.
- Shawwal � linked to "lifting"; the month of Eid al-Fitr.
- Dhul-Qa'dah � "the month of sitting", when people stayed home from fighting; a sacred month.
- Dhul-Hijjah � "the month of Hajj"; a sacred month.
The Four Sacred Months
The four sacred months are Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab (Sahih al-Bukhari, 4662). Good deeds in them are especially valuable, and sins are especially serious.
A Fun Activity for Children
- Write the 12 months on cards and ask your child to put them in order.
- Mark this month, Jumada al-Thani, and the coming months Rajab, Sha'ban and Ramadan.
- Ask: "Which month do we fast in? Which month do people go for Hajj?"
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