Knowing the Islamic months helps children follow Ramadan, Eid and other special days.
The 12 months
| # | Arabic | Name | Linked to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | مُحَرَّم | Muharram | Islamic New Year; Ashura |
| 2 | صَفَر | Safar | |
| 3 | رَبِيع الْأَوَّل | Rabi’ al-Awwal | Birth of the Prophet ﷺ (according to many historians) |
| 4 | رَبِيع الْآخِر | Rabi’ al-Akhir | |
| 5 | جُمَادَى الْأُولَى | Jumada al-Ula | |
| 6 | جُمَادَى الْآخِرَة | Jumada al-Akhirah | |
| 7 | رَجَب | Rajab | A sacred month |
| 8 | شَعْبَان | Sha’ban | Preparing for Ramadan |
| 9 | رَمَضَان | Ramadan | Fasting; the Quran revealed |
| 10 | شَوَّال | Shawwal | Eid al-Fitr |
| 11 | ذُو الْقَعْدَة | Dhul Qa’dah | A sacred month |
| 12 | ذُو الْحِجَّة | Dhul Hijjah | Hajj; Eid al-Adha |
Four sacred months
Allah says that four months are sacred (Quran 9:36): Muharram, Rajab, Dhul Qa’dah and Dhul Hijjah.
Why Ramadan moves
Islamic months follow the moon, so the Islamic year is about 354 days, around 11 days shorter than the solar year. That is why Ramadan comes about 11 days earlier each year, and moves through summer and winter.
Make it visual
- A wall calendar showing both Islamic and UK dates.
- Moon-watching: look for the new crescent (هِلَال) at the start of each month.
Teacher’s tip: teach three months at a time, with a song or rhythm. Many children learn all twelve within a month.
Related: Ramadan and Eid words.
