Muharram is the first month of the Hijri year. It was given this name because the Arabs held it in high esteem and refrained from fighting during it. It is the first of the Sacred Months referred to by Allah Almighty in His saying: ﴿إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْراً فِي كِتَابِ اللهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ﴾ [التوبة: 36].  

Major Islamic Events and Occurrences  

• Beginning of the Hijri Year: Muslims adopted the Hijri calendar as the Islamic calendar during the caliphate of Umar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him), in Rabi' al-Awwal of the sixteenth year after Hijrah. Muharram was designated as the first month of the Hijri year, making Muharram of the seventeenth year after Hijrah the beginning of the first official Hijri year.  
• Day of Ashura: The tenth day of Muharram.  
• Covering of the Holy Kaaba: Ashura was once one of the occasions on which the Kaaba was covered with a new Kiswah. This practice was later changed, and the covering came to be replaced on the Day of Sacrifice (Eid al-Adha).  
• The Salvation of Prophet Musa (Moses) and His People: The day on which Allah saved Musa (peace be upon him) and his people from Pharaoh.  

Virtues of the Month  

• Abundant Fasting: Fasting during the Month of Allah, Muharram, is regarded as the best voluntary fasting after Ramadan. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: «أَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ بَعْدَ شَهْرِ رَمَضَانَ، صِيَامُ شَهْرِ اللهِ الْمُحَرَّمِ».  
• Fasting on Ashura: Great reward has been promised for fasting on this day. Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: «صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ، أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ».  

Safar is the second month of the Hijri year. Several explanations have been given for its name, including that Makkah would become empty of its inhabitants during this month as they departed for travel or military expeditions. 

Major Islamic Events and Occurrences

• According to a number of historians, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) left his home in Makkah to migrate to Madinah by the command of Allah on the night of the twenty-seventh of Safar.

Rabi' al-Awwal is the third month of the Hijri year. It was given this name because it coincided with the spring season when the Arabic months were named.  

Major Islamic Events and Occurrences 

• The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was born on the twelfth of Rabi' al-Awwal, according to the most widely accepted opinion.  
• According to several historians, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) entered Madinah on Monday, the twelfth of Rabi' al-Awwal.  
• During this month, the Prophet (peace be upon him) built his noble mosque and residences.  
• The Prophet (peace be upon him) established the bond of brotherhood between the Muhajirun and the Ansar.  
• The Adhan was prescribed during the first year after Hijrah.  
• In Rabi' al-Awwal of the first year after Hijrah, the Prophet (peace be upon him) performed the first Friday prayer between Quba and Madinah and delivered the first Friday sermon after the Hijrah.

Rabi' al-Akhir is the fourth month of the Hijri year. It was named because it coincided with the spring season when the Arabic months were named.  

Major Islamic Events and Occurrences

• It is reported that the increase of the four-unit prayers took place in Rabi' al-Akhir during the first year after Hijrah. Initially, these prayers consisted of two units (rak‘ahs), then two additional units were prescribed, making them four units.  

Jumada al-Ula is the fifth month of the Hijri year. When the Arabic months were named, this period coincided with winter, when water would freeze due to the intense cold; hence the month acquired this name.  

Major Islamic Events and Occurrences

• The verse permitting the shortening of prayers during travel was revealed in Jumada al-Ula in the fourth year after Hijrah.  

Jumada al-Akhirah is the sixth month of the Hijri year. Like Jumada al-Ula, it coincided with winter when the Arabic months were named, a season during which water would freeze because of the severe cold. 

Major Islamic Events and Occurrences  

• Abdullah ibn Al-Zubayr (may Allah be pleased with him) began rebuilding the Holy Kaaba after it had been damaged by fire. Construction began on a Saturday in the middle of Jumada al-Akhirah in the year 64 AH and was completed in Rajab of the year 65 AH. Upon completion, he sacrificed one hundred camels for the poor and provided them with clothing.  

Rajab is the seventh month of the Hijri year. It was given this name because the Arabs used to revere it and refrain from fighting during it. It is also said that the angels devote themselves to glorification and praise of Allah during this month. 

Major Islamic Events and Occurrences 

• According to a number of biographical scholars, the miracle of Al-Isra’ and Al-Mi‘raj took place on the twenty-seventh of Rajab, and the five daily prayers were prescribed on that blessed night. 
• /Virtues of the Month  
• Rajab is one of the Sacred Months referred to in the Holy Qur’an: ﴿إِنَّ عِدَّةَ الشُّهُورِ عِندَ اللهِ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْراً فِي كِتَابِ اللهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَاوَاتِ وَالْأَرْضَ مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ذَٰلِكَ الدِّينُ الْقَيِّمُ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ﴾ [التوبة: 36]. This highlights the sanctity of these months and emphasizes the importance of avoiding wrongdoing and sin during them. 

Sha'ban is the eighth month of the Hijri year. It was named Sha'ban because the Arab tribes would disperse and spread out after refraining from fighting during Rajab. It is also said that they dispersed in search of water, while others attribute the name to the branching of tree limbs during the season in which it was named. 

Virtues of the Month

• Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: «مَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم اسْتَكْمَلَ صِيَامَ شَهْرٍ قَطُّ إِلَّا رَمَضَانَ، وَمَا رَأَيْتُهُ أَكْثَرَ صِيَاماً مِنْهُ فِي شَعْبَانَ».  
• Mu‘adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: «يَطَّلِعُ اللهُ إِلَى خَلْقِهِ فِي لَيْلَةِ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ، فَيَغْفِرُ لِجَمِيعِ خَلْقِهِ، إِلَّا لِمُشْرِكٍ أَوْ مُشَاحِنٍ».

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Hijri year. Its name is derived from the Arabic word *ramad*, meaning intense heat or the scorching heat of sun-baked stones. When the Arabs named the months, this month coincided with a period of extreme heat, and thus it came to be known as Ramadan. 

Major Islamic Events and Occurrences

• The revelation of the Qur’an began during this month while the Prophet (peace be upon him) was in the Cave of Hira.  
• Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree) occurs in this month.  
• Zakat al-Fitr was prescribed in the second year after Hijrah.  
• The Eid prayer was prescribed in the second year after Hijrah.  

Virtues of the Month

• Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: «مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَاناً وَاحْتِسَاباً، غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ، وَمَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ القَدْرِ إِيمَاناً وَاحْتِسَاباً، غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ».  
• Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) also reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: «إِذَا دَخَلَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ فُتِّحَتْ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ، وَغُلِّقَتْ أَبْوَابُ جَهَنَّمَ، وَسُلْسِلَتِ الشَّيَاطِينُ».  
• Regarding spiritual retreat (*I‘tikaf*), Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported: «أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَعْتَكِفُ العَشْرَ الأَوَاخِرَ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ حَتَّى تَوَفَّاهُ اللهُ، ثُمَّ اعْتَكَفَ أَزْوَاجُهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ».

Shawwal is the tenth month of the Hijri year and follows the month of Ramadan. The months of Hajj begin with its first day and continue until the tenth of Dhu al-Hijjah. It is said that Shawwal was given this name because of the rising temperatures at the time when the Arabic months were named.  

Major Islamic Events and Occurrences

• The Prophet (peace be upon him) performed the first Eid al-Fitr prayer in Shawwal during the second year after Hijrah.

Virtues of the Month

• Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: «مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ، ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتّاً مِنْ شَوَّالٍ، كَانَ كَصِيَامِ الدَّهْرِ»   

        [رواه مسلم: 1164].

Dhu al-Qa'dah is the eleventh month of the Hijri year. The pronunciation *Dhu al-Qa‘dah* (with a fatḥah on the qaf) is the more common form, though some pronounce it with a kasrah. The month was given this name because the Arabs would cease fighting and remain in their homes in preparation for the pilgrimage during Dhu al-Hijjah. It is also said that they refrained from travel, trade, and seeking pasture during this month.  

Major Islamic Events and Occurrences

• The verse of Hijab was revealed in the third year after Hijrah, on the morning following the wedding of the Mother of the Believers, Zaynab (may Allah be pleased with her).  
• The Treaty of Hudaybiyyah was concluded in the sixth year after Hijrah.  
• The Prophet (peace be upon him) performed his first Umrah, known as the Umrah of Hudaybiyyah, in the sixth year after Hijrah.  

Virtues of the Month

• Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) reported: «اعْتَمَرَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَرْبَعَ عُمَرٍ، كُلُّهُنَّ فِي ذِي القَعْدَةِ، إِلَّا الَّتِي كَانَتْ مَعَ حَجَّتِهِ: عُمْرَةً مِنَ الحُدَيْبِيَةِ فِي ذِي القَعْدَةِ، وَعُمْرَةً مِنَ العَامِ المُقْبِلِ فِي ذِي القَعْدَةِ، وَعُمْرَةً مِنَ الجِعْرَانَةِ، حَيْثُ قَسَمَ غَنَائِمَ حُنَيْنٍ فِي ذِي القَعْدَةِ، وَعُمْرَةً مَعَ حَجَّتِهِ».  

Dhu al-Hijjah is the twelfth and final month of the Hijri year. It was given this name because it is the month of Hajj (pilgrimage). Linguistically, the word *Hajj* means “to intend” or “to set out for a purpose,” but it came to refer specifically to the journey to Makkah to perform the prescribed rites of pilgrimage.  

Major Islamic Events and Occurrences

• The Farewell Pilgrimage took place in the tenth year after Hijrah.  
• The Farewell Sermon was delivered on the ninth day of Dhu al-Hijjah in the tenth year after Hijrah.  

Virtues of the Month

• Allah the Almighty says: ﴿وَلِلَّهِ عَلَى النَّاسِ حِجُّ البَيْتِ مَنِ اسْتَطَاعَ إِلَيْهِ سَبِيلاً وَمَن كَفَرَ فَإِنَّ اللهَ غَنِيٌّ عَنِ العَالَمِينَ﴾ [آل عمران: 97].  
• Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) addressed the people and said: «أَيُّهَا النَّاسُ، قَدْ فَرَضَ اللهُ عَلَيْكُمُ الحَجَّ، فَحُجُّوا».  
• Concerning the virtue of righteous deeds during the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: «مَا العَمَلُ فِي أَيَّامٍ أَفْضَلَ مِنْهَا فِي هَذِهِ؟» referring to the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah.  
• The Prophet (peace be upon him) also said: «خَيْرُ الدُّعَاءِ دُعَاءُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ، وَخَيْرُ مَا قُلْتُ أَنَا وَالنَّبِيُّونَ مِنْ قَبْلِي: لَا إِلَهَ إِلَّا اللهُ وَحْدَهُ لَا شَرِيكَ لَهُ، لَهُ المُلْكُ وَلَهُ الحَمْدُ، وَهُوَ عَلَى كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ».  
• Abu Qatadah al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) was asked about fasting on the Day of Arafah, and he said: «يُكَفِّرُ السَّنَةَ المَاضِيَةَ وَالبَاقِيَةَ».  
• Abdullah ibn Qurt (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: «إِنَّ أَعْظَمَ الأَيَّامِ عِنْدَ اللهِ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى يَوْمُ النَّحْرِ، ثُمَّ يَوْمُ القَرِّ». Al-Khattabi (may Allah have mercy on him) explained in *Ma‘alim al-Sunan* that *Yawm al-Qarr* is the day following the Day of Sacrifice, and it was given this name because pilgrims remain and settle in Mina on that day.