What is the Hijri calendar?

The Hijri calendar (also called the Islamic or Hegirian calendar) is a lunar calendar of 12 months of 29 or 30 days, that is 354 or 355 days a year. It starts at the Hijrah (622 in the Gregorian calendar), the migration of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Mecca to Medina.

Why is the hijri year shorter?

The hijri calendar is based on 12 lunar months (354 or 355 days) with no solar correction, unlike the Gregorian calendar (365.25 days). Each hijri year therefore moves back 10–11 days against the Gregorian one — which is why Ramadan “advances” through the seasons every year.

What are the 12 months of the hijri calendar?

In order: 1. Muharram, 2. Safar, 3. Rabi' al-Awwal, 4. Rabi' ath-Thani, 5. Jumada al-Awwal, 6. Jumada ath-Thani, 7. Rajab, 8. Sha'ban, 9. Ramadan, 10. Shawwal, 11. Dhu al-Qi'dah, 12. Dhu al-Hijjah.

What are the 4 sacred months of Islam?

The 4 sacred months named in the Quran (9:36) are Dhu al-Qi'dah (11), Dhu al-Hijjah (12), Muharram (1) and Rajab (7). Fighting is forbidden in them, sins weigh heavier and good deeds are rewarded twice over.

How is the start of Ramadan determined?

The start of Ramadan is determined by sighting the crescent moon (Ru'ya al-Hilal) on the evening of 29 Sha'ban. If the crescent is seen, Ramadan begins the next day; otherwise Sha'ban is completed to 30 days. Some countries, and Saudi Arabia (Umm al-Qura), use astronomical calculation to fix the dates in advance.

Hijri Calendar — Converter

Hijri Calendar 2026

Gregorian ↔ hijri converter, the 12 Islamic months explained, the 4 sacred months, and the key dates of the year (Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, Ashura, Mawlid, Hajj).

Gregorian → Hijri

Hijri equivalent

6 Jumada al-Awwal 1448 AH

6 جُمَادَىٰ ٱلْأُولَىٰ 1448هـ

Hijri → Gregorian

Gregorian equivalent

Sunday, 18 October 2026

Arithmetic conversion (Umm al-Qura approximation). For ritual dates, check your mosque's official calendar.

Upcoming key dates of the Islamic year

Eid al-Fitr

1 Shawwal 1448 AH

≈ 10 March 2027

Eid al-Adha

10 Dhu al-Hijjah 1448 AH

≈ 17 May 2027

1 Muharram (New Year)

1 Muharram 1449 AH

≈ 6 June 2027

Ashura

10 Muharram 1449 AH

≈ 15 June 2027

Mawlid (birth of the Prophet ﷺ)

12 Rabi' al-Awwal 1449 AH

≈ 15 August 2027

Laylat al-Mi'raj

27 Rajab 1448 AH

≈ 6 January 2027

Laylat al-Baraa

15 Sha'ban 1448 AH

≈ 24 January 2027

1 Ramadan (start of the fast)

1 Ramadan 1448 AH

≈ 8 February 2027

Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Decree)

27 Ramadan 1448 AH

≈ 6 March 2027

The 12 months of the hijri calendar

Muharram

مُحَرَّمSacred month

First month, Islamic New Year. Ashura falls on the 10th.

Safar

صَفَر

“The empty month” — traditionally avoided for weddings in some cultures, though with no religious basis.

Rabi' al-Awwal

رَبِيعُ ٱلْأَوَّل

The month the Prophet ﷺ was born (Mawlid, the 12th).

Rabi' ath-Thani

رَبِيعُ ٱلثَّانِي

A transitional month.

Jumada al-Awwal

جُمَادَىٰ ٱلْأُولَىٰ

A spring month in the original Arabian calendar.

Jumada ath-Thani

جُمَادَىٰ ٱلْآخِرَة

“The last Jumada” — literally “the frozen one”, a reference to Arabian winters.

Rajab

رَجَبSacred month

A sacred month, a favourable time for Umrah. It contains Laylat al-Isra wal-Miraj (27 Rajab).

Sha'ban

شَعْبَان

The month of preparation for Ramadan. Laylat al-Baraa (night of 15 Sha'ban).

Ramadan

رَمَضَان

The 9th month — the obligatory fast, the revelation of the Quran, Laylat al-Qadr.

Shawwal

شَوَّال

1 Shawwal is Eid al-Fitr. The 6 recommended fasting days follow Eid.

Dhu al-Qi'dah

ذُو ٱلْقَعْدَةSacred month

A sacred month, a truce from fighting.

Dhu al-Hijjah

ذُو ٱلْحِجَّةSacred month

The month of Hajj. The 10th is Eid al-Adha. Its first ten days are among the most blessed.

The hijri calendar, built into BasiraLife

Your planner shows Gregorian and hijri dates side by side. Automatic reminders for key dates (Ramadan, Eid, Ashura…) and synchronisation with the official Umm al-Qura table.

Use BasiraLife