Unit: The Islamic Year · Lesson 47 of 50 · study cards + quiz
Twelve lunar months
The Islamic year has 12 lunar months (9:36): Muharram, Safar, Rabi I & II, Jumada I & II, Rajab, Shaban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul-Qadah and Dhul-Hijjah — about 354 days.
The sacred months
Four months are sacred: Dhul-Qadah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab — in them fighting was forbidden and good deeds weigh heavier.
Counting from the Hijrah
In the caliphate of Umar (may Allah be pleased with him), the Muslims chose the Hijrah as year 1 — dating their history from sacrifice for the deen, not from a victory or a king.
📝 Test yourself
How many months are in the Hijri year? Ten · Eleven · Twelve · Thirteen
How many months are sacred? One · Two · Four · Six
From what event does the Islamic calendar count? The Prophet's birth · The Hijrah to Madinah · The conquest of Makkah · The first revelation