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Islamic Calendar Facts & Worksheets

The Islamic calendar, also known as the lunar calendar or the Hijri calendar, is a lunar calendar used by Muslims worldwide. It is based on the Moon's phases, with the new Moon's sighting marking the start of each month.

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The Islamic calendar, also known as the lunar calendar or the Hijri calendar, is a lunar calendar used by Muslims worldwide. It is based on the Moon’s phases, with the new Moon’s sighting marking the start of each month. The Islamic calendar has 12 months, each of which is either 29 or 30 days long. The months are named after Arabic words for different phenomena, such as Muharram (meaning “sacred”), Safar (meaning “empty”), and Rabi’ al-Awwal (meaning “first spring”). 

See the fact file below for more information about the Islamic Calendar, or you can download our 29-page Islamic Calendar worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT

  • Hijri New Year is celebrated as an official holiday in several Islamic nations and observed by Muslims on the first day of the Islamic calendar month of Muharram. 
  • Muslims are commemorating the year 1440 AH this year.
  • One of the four main calendars in use today throughout the world is thought to be the Hijri calendar. 
  • The Chinese, Persian, Hijri, and Miladi calendars are among these. The popular Hijri calendar is the official calendar of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.  
  • The term “Hijra,” which describes the migration of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in 622 CE from Mecca to Al Madina El Monawara, is used to specify the Hijri Year.
  • The Hijri calendar, which consists of 12 months determined by the moon cycle, is credited to Khalifa Umar ibn Al-Khattab. 
  • Even today, the beginning and end of each month are determined by the full and crescent moons, with particular attention paid to marking the start of Ramadan, the start of Shawwal, as well as the dates of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
  • Am al-Fil, the year of the Prophet Muhammad’s birth, was one of the significant events in Muslim history that Muslims used to mark the passage of time before the adoption of the Hijri calendar. 
  • However, seventeen years after the Prophet’s flight and during the third or fourth year of Khalifa Umar ibn al-Khattab’s reign, an official in Basra, Iraq, named Abu Musa al-Ash’ari complained that the dates on the letters he was receiving were inconsistent. 
  • Khalifa Umar conferred with his advisors on the matter. Some proposed that the Prophet’s birth date should be the start of a new calendar, while others suggested his death date. 
  • The majority did agree, though, that his migration date should be the start of the calendar. After consulting Ali bin Abi Talib and Uthman ibn Affan, two of the Prophet’s esteemed companions, Khalifa Umar made the decision.
  • Following all of the talks, Khalifa Umar declared that the Hijri calendar would start in the year that the Prophet Muhammad moved. 
  • The first day of Muharram would mark the start of the calendar, and Dhu al Hijja would mark its conclusion. As a result, the Prophet’s migration year, 622 CE, was made the first year in the Hijri calendar.
  • The Hijri calendar is a lunar calendar in which the Moon’s movements determine when each month starts and ends. 
  • The Moon’s disappearance indicates the end of the month. The Hijri calendar was formally established during Khalifa Umar ibn al-Khattab’s rule. 
  • The calendar refers to the Hijri year, which began with the Prophet’s migration, or hijra, in 622 CE.
  • Many important Islamic holidays and occasions, including Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and the start of the Hajj season, are observed on the Hijri calendar. 

HIJRI CALENDAR MONTHS

  • There are twelve months in a Hijri year. As Allah states in Surat al-Tawbah verse (36) of the Quran:
  • “Verily the number of months with Allah is twelve months in the Book of Allah, (since) the day He created the heavens and the Earth, four of them are sacred. That is the established religion. So be you not unjust unto your selves during them. And fight polytheists totally even as they fight you totally, and know that Allah is with the pious ones.”
  • The new moon cycle begins at the beginning of each Hijri month. 
  • Each Hijri calendar month has different days based on how the Moon moves across the Earth. Every month lasts 29 to 30 days, except Dhu al-Hijjah. 
  • The 30-year cycle determining the number of days in Dhu al-Hijjah indicates that the Hijri calendar is subject to variations based on the Moon’s long-term orbit around the Earth. 
  • The Hijri calendar indicates the dates Allah obligates Muslims to perform annual religious rituals, such as the Hajj and fasting.

Types of Hijri Months

  • Muslims distinguish two categories for the Hijri months:
  • Sacred Months: Four of the twelve months are called Sacred Months because fighting is prohibited during Dhu Al Qa’da, Dhu Al Hijja, Muharram, and Safar events. According to what Allah says in Surat al-Tawbah verse (5) of the Quran:
  • “Then when the sacred months are drawn away, slay the polytheists wherever you find them, and seize them and besiege them and lie in wait for them in every ambush. But if they repent and perform the prayer and pay poor-rate, (zakāt) then leave their way free to them; verily Allah is Forgiving, Merciful.”
  • Non-Sacred Months: Since there are no prohibitions against fighting during the remaining eight months—they are known as non-sacred months.

Hijri Month Names Meanings

The following are the meanings of the month names in Hijiri:

  • Muharram: Known as the Forbidden month because fighting is prohibited during the first month of the Hijri year, it is considered one of the Sacred Months.
  • Safar: Safar, the second month of the Hijri year, is said to have gotten its name because Arabs would, after outlasting their rivals in combat, plunder their opponents’ houses, leaving nothing (none) in their wake.
  • Rabi al-Awwal and Rabi al-Akhar: When spring arrived and conquerors could finally enjoy themselves, these two months fell in line with their newly acquired goods, which they had taken during the preceding month of Safar.
  • Jumada al-Ula and Jumada al-Akhira: These two months, which fall within the winter season, got their namesake from the freezing of water.
  • Rajab: Denotes honor and respect.
  • Sha’aban: It seems to be named after the crossings or travels the Arabs made in search of water during battle. Sha’aban comes after a month-long fast from violence during the preceding month of Rajab.
  • Ramadan: Known for the intense heat from the summer sun, this month is also known as Muslims’ traditional month of fasting.
  • Shawwal: This is the time of year when camels traditionally raise their tails to give birth.
  • Dhu al-Qa’da: Its name derives from the Arabic word for “sitting” and is a holy month that requires Muslims to “sit out” or refrain from fighting (though it is acceptable to defend oneself if attacked).
  • Dhu al-Hijja: The month that marks the conclusion of the Hajj pilgrimage in the Hijri calendar.

FEASTS AND COMMEMORATIONS

  • Some Muslims believe that the only holidays that should be celebrated yearly are Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.
  • Even the most devout Muslims don’t commemorate their birthdays or other anniversaries.

The additional feasts and holidays added by other Muslims—particularly Shi’ites—are listed below.

  • (Eid al-Fitr, 1st of Shawwal) The Feast of Breaking the Fast
  • It falls on the first day of the tenth month because it is celebrated right after the conclusion of the annual month of fasting (Ramadan, the ninth month).
  • Special meals are served during the festivities, and family and friends exchange gifts.
  • (Eid al-Adha, 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah) The Feast of the Sacrifice
  • It honors Abraham’s sacrifice, in which he almost killed a ram to sacrifice his son (Ishmael in Islamic tradition, versus Isaac in the Hebrew Bible).
  • It is observed after the Hajj, the yearly pilgrimage to Makkah, during which Muslims participating in the Hajj carry out specific rituals.
  • Muslims celebrate with special meals and gift-giving to family and friends throughout the rest of the world.
  • Some Muslims (especially Shiites) celebrate or remember the following other feasts and holidays, but not all of them:
  • Islamic New Year, First day of Muharram
  • Day of Atonement or Ashura,  10th day of Muharram
  • While Sunnis observe it as a voluntary fast, Shias view it as the most significant holy day, honoring the martyrdom of Imam Husayn ibn Ali (Hussein, son of Ali, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad).
  • Mawlid or Milad al-Nabi, 12th day of Rabi’ al-Awwal
  • The 12-day celebration of Mawlid, also known as Milad al-nabi, marks the Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad in the third month of Rabi’ al-Awwal.
  • Laylat al-Mi’raj, 27th day of Rajab
  • The 27th night of Rajab, the seventh month, is known as Laylat al-Mi’raj. It honors the Prophet’s ascension into heaven and his miraculous Night Journey from Makkah to Jerusalem (refer to Qur’an 17.1).
  • Laylat al-Bara’a, 14th night of Sha’ban
  • Laylat al-Bara’a, also known as the eve of the Twelfth Imam of the Twelver Shi’is, is the Muslim Day of the Dead observed in South and Southeast Asia on the fourteenth night of Sha’ban, the eighth month.
  • Laylat al-Qadr, 26-27th day of Ramadan
  • Between the 26th and 27th of Ramadan, Muslims celebrate Laylat al-Qadr, also known as the Night of Power, which honors the night they believe Muhammad received the Quran for the first time.

IMPORTANCE

  • The Hijri calendar is significant not only for marking important Islamic occasions but also for serving as a reminder of the history of the Muslims and all they gave up—including their wealth and familial ties—when they relocated from Makkah to Madinah to uphold their religion.
  • The creation of a calendar corresponds with the growth of the Muslim community. Civilization ought to have a calendar representative of its past, after all.
  • It honors the journey from Mecca to Medina by the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his adherents. An important turning point in Islamic history, the Hijrah is regarded as the beginning of the Islamic community.
  • The dates of significant Islamic holidays, including Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, are ascertained using it. Ramadan is dedicated to fasting, and its conclusion is celebrated with Eid al-Fitr.
  • It is employed in the computation of zakat, one of the Five Pillars of Islam, and a required alms payment. Zakat is determined and given to the needy and impoverished based on the amount of a Muslim’s wealth.
  • It serves as a reminder of the Moon’s significance in Islam. The Moon is considered a representation of God’s majesty and power and a symbol of rebirth and change.
  • Apart from its religious significance, the Hijri calendar offers several pragmatic advantages. In Muslim nations, it is utilized, for instance, to ascertain the dates of public holidays and business hours. Additionally, it’s used to plan agricultural tasks like planting and harvesting.

Islamic Calendar Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about the Islamic Calendar across 29 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about the Islamic Calendar. The Islamic calendar has 12 months, each of which is either 29 or 30 days long. The months are named after Arabic words for different phenomena, such as Muharram (meaning “sacred”), Safar (meaning “empty”), and Rabi’ al-Awwal (meaning “first spring”). 

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Islamic Calendar Facts
  2. Islamic Holidays
  3. Fill it In!
  4. Calendar Search
  5. Lunar vs. Solar
  6. The Hijri Months
  7. The Start of Hijri
  8. Holiday Greeting
  9. Eid Celebration
  10. Tune of Reflection
  11. Islamic Flip Calendar

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Islamic calendar, and how does it differ from the Gregorian calendar?

The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri or lunar calendar, is a calendar used by Muslims to determine the proper days of observance for Islamic holidays and rituals. It is a lunar calendar, meaning that it is based on the phases of the moon. The Gregorian calendar, in contrast, is a solar calendar based on the Earth’s orbit around the sun.

How many months are there in the Islamic calendar, and what are their names?

The Islamic calendar consists of 12 lunar months. The names of these months are as follows: Muharram, Safar, Rabi’ al-Awwal (or Rabi’ I), Rabi’ al-Thani (or Rabi’ II), Jumada al-Awwal (or Jumada I), Jumada al-Thani (or Jumada II), Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhu al-Qa’dah, and Dhu al-Hijjah.

How is the beginning of a new month in the Islamic calendar determined?

The Islamic calendar is based on the sighting of the new moon. The new month begins when the first crescent of the new moon is sighted. Traditionally, this observation was done by human witnesses, but in modern times, astronomical calculations are also used to predict the appearance of the new moon.

What event marks the starting point of the Islamic calendar (Hijra)?

The Islamic calendar begins with the migration (Hijra) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Mecca to Medina. This event occurred in the year 622 CE (Common Era). The first day of the Islamic calendar, 1 Muharram, corresponds to the day of the Hijra.

How does the Islamic calendar relate to the solar year, and is there a specific adjustment for leap years?

The Islamic calendar is shorter than the solar year, consisting of approximately 354 or 355 days. To keep the calendar in line with the solar year, a 30-year cycle is used, where 11 leap years are interspersed. In a leap year, an extra day is added to the last month, making it 30 days instead of 29. This helps align the Islamic calendar with the seasons over a longer period.

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These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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