Hijri lunar calendar with important Islamic dates, prayer times, and monthly observances
The Islamic calendar, also known as the Hijri calendar or Muslim calendar, is a lunar calendar consisting of 12 months in a year of 354 or 355 days. It is used to determine the dates of Islamic holidays and observances, including Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, and Eid al-Adha.
The calendar begins in 622 CE (Common Era), the year of the Hijra (migration) of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Mecca to Medina. Years in the Islamic calendar are designated as AH (Anno Hegirae, "in the year of the Hijra").
2026 CE corresponds approximately to 1447-1448 AH in the Islamic calendar.
| Islamic Month | Arabic | Approximate 2026 Dates | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Muharram | محرم | July 2026 | Islamic New Year |
| 2. Safar | صفر | August 2026 | - |
| 3. Rabi al-Awwal | ربيع الأول | September 2026 | Mawlid (Prophet's Birthday) |
| 4. Rabi al-Thani | ربيع الآخر | October 2026 | - |
| 5. Jumada al-Awwal | جمادى الأولى | November 2026 | - |
| 6. Jumada al-Thani | جمادى الآخرة | December 2026 | - |
| 7. Rajab | رجب | January 2027 | Isra and Mi'raj |
| 8. Sha'ban | شعبان | February 2027 | Mid-Sha'ban (15th) |
| 9. Ramadan | رمضان | March 2027 | Month of Fasting |
| 10. Shawwal | شوال | April 2027 | Eid al-Fitr |
| 11. Dhu al-Qi'dah | ذو القعدة | May 2027 | - |
| 12. Dhu al-Hijjah | ذو الحجة | June 2027 | Hajj & Eid al-Adha |
*Note: Islamic calendar dates are approximate and depend on moon sighting. Exact dates may vary by location.
Approximately July 2026 - Marks the beginning of 1448 AH
Approximately September 2026 - Prophet Muhammad's Birthday
Approximately January 2027 - Night Journey and Ascension
Expected March 2027 - Month of Fasting
Expected April 2027 - Festival of Breaking the Fast
Expected June 2027 - Festival of Sacrifice
Expected June 2027 - Hajj pilgrimage day
Islamic prayer times are closely tied to the Islamic calendar and the position of the sun. The five daily prayers (Salah) are performed at specific times:
Prayer times change daily based on the sun's position and vary by location. Use our city-specific prayer time pages to get accurate times for your location throughout the Islamic year.
Islamic months begin when the new crescent moon (Hilal) is sighted. This tradition, known as moon sighting, is the basis for determining the start of each Islamic month, including Ramadan and the two Eids.
Local vs. Global Moon Sighting: Some Muslim communities follow local moon sighting within their city or country, while others follow announcements from Islamic authorities in Makkah (Mecca) or other significant locations.
Because the Islamic calendar is lunar and approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian solar calendar, Islamic dates move earlier each year. This is why Ramadan and other Islamic observances occur at different times each year.