The Islamic Calendar

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1 Muharram May 18 - Jun 16, 1996 مُحَرَّم Sacred Month

Muḥarram

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of Muharram are the White Days (Ayyam al-Bid) — voluntary fasting is recommended.

Monday & Thursday Voluntary Fasts

Monday May 20, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday May 23, 1996 Voluntary
Monday May 27, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday May 30, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Jun 3, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Jun 6, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Jun 10, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Jun 13, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Jun 17, 1996 Voluntary
رأس السنة الهجرية Ra's as-Sanah al-Hijriyyah
1 Muharram ~May 18, 1996

The first day of the Islamic calendar year, marking the month of Muharram.

Fasting optional
Ashura Observance
عاشوراء 'Ashura'
9–10 Muharram ~May 26 – May 27, 1996

A day of voluntary fasting on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.

Fasting recommended
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Muharram ~May 30-June 1, 1996

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Hijri month — voluntary fasting recommended.

Fasting recommended
2 Safar Jun 17 - Jul 15, 1996 صَفَر

Ṣafar

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of Safar are the White Days (Ayyam al-Bid) — voluntary fasting is recommended.

Monday & Thursday Voluntary Fasts

Monday Jun 17, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Jun 20, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Jun 24, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Jun 27, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Jul 1, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Jul 4, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Jul 8, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Jul 11, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Jul 15, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Jul 18, 1996 Voluntary
The Hijrah Observance
الهجرة al-Hijrah
8–12 Safar ~Jun 24 – Jun 28, 1996

The migration of the Prophet (peace be upon him) from Makkah to Madinah.

الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Safar ~June 29-July 1, 1996

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Hijri month — voluntary fasting recommended.

Fasting recommended
3 Rabi' al-Awwal Jul 16 - Aug 14, 1996 رَبِيعٌ الأوَّل

Rabī' al-Awwal

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of Rabi' al-Awwal are the White Days (Ayyam al-Bid) — voluntary fasting is recommended.

Monday & Thursday Voluntary Fasts

Thursday Jul 18, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Jul 22, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Jul 25, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Jul 29, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Aug 1, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Aug 5, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Aug 8, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Aug 12, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Aug 15, 1996 Voluntary
Mawlid an-Nabi Observance
المولد النبوي al-Mawlid an-Nabawi
12 Rabi' al-Awwal ~Jul 27, 1996

The traditional date of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Rabi' al-Awwal ~July 28-July 30, 1996

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Hijri month — voluntary fasting recommended.

Fasting recommended
4 Rabi' al-Thani Aug 15 - Sep 12, 1996 رَبِيعٌ الثاني

Rabī' al-Thānī

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of Rabi' al-Thani are the White Days (Ayyam al-Bid) — voluntary fasting is recommended.

Monday & Thursday Voluntary Fasts

Thursday Aug 15, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Aug 19, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Aug 22, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Aug 26, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Aug 29, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Sep 2, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Sep 5, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Sep 9, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Sep 12, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Sep 16, 1996 Voluntary
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Rabi' al-Thani ~August 27-August 29, 1996

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Hijri month — voluntary fasting recommended.

Fasting recommended
5 Jumada al-Ula Sep 13 - Oct 12, 1996 جُمَادَى الأولى

Jumādā al-Ūlā

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of Jumada al-Ula are the White Days (Ayyam al-Bid) — voluntary fasting is recommended.

Monday & Thursday Voluntary Fasts

Monday Sep 16, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Sep 19, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Sep 23, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Sep 26, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Sep 30, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Oct 3, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Oct 7, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Oct 10, 1996 Voluntary
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Jumada al-Ula ~September 25-September 27, 1996

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Hijri month — voluntary fasting recommended.

Fasting recommended
6 Jumada al-Akhira Oct 13 - Nov 11, 1996 جُمَادَى الآخِرة

Jumādā al-Ākhirah

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of Jumada al-Akhira are the White Days (Ayyam al-Bid) — voluntary fasting is recommended.

Monday & Thursday Voluntary Fasts

Monday Oct 14, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Oct 17, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Oct 21, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Oct 24, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Oct 28, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Oct 31, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Nov 4, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Nov 7, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Nov 11, 1996 Voluntary
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Jumada al-Akhira ~October 25-October 27, 1996

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Hijri month — voluntary fasting recommended.

Fasting recommended
7 Rajab Nov 12 - Dec 10, 1996 رَجَب Sacred Month

Rajab

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of Rajab are the White Days (Ayyam al-Bid) — voluntary fasting is recommended.

Monday & Thursday Voluntary Fasts

Thursday Nov 14, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Nov 18, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Nov 21, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Nov 25, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Nov 28, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Dec 2, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Dec 5, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Dec 9, 1996 Voluntary
Isra and Mi’raj Observance
الإسراء والمعراج al-Isra' wal-Mi'raj
27 Rajab ~Dec 8, 1996

Commemorates the Night Journey and Ascension of the Prophet (peace be upon him).

Fasting optional
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Rajab ~November 24-November 26, 1996

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Hijri month — voluntary fasting recommended.

Fasting recommended
8 Sha'ban Dec 11, 1996 - Jan 9, 1997 شَعْبَان

Sha'bān

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of Sha'ban are the White Days (Ayyam al-Bid) — voluntary fasting is recommended.

Monday & Thursday Voluntary Fasts

Thursday Dec 12, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Dec 16, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Dec 19, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Dec 23, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Dec 26, 1996 Voluntary
Monday Dec 30, 1996 Voluntary
Thursday Jan 2, 1997 Voluntary
Monday Jan 6, 1997 Voluntary
Thursday Jan 9, 1997 Voluntary
Laylat al-Bara’ah Observance
ليلة البراءة Laylat al-Bara'ah
15 Sha'ban ~Dec 25, 1996

The Night of the 15th of Sha'ban, associated with forgiveness and prayer.

Fasting optional
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Sha'ban ~December 23-December 25, 1996

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Hijri month — voluntary fasting recommended.

Fasting recommended
9 Ramadan Jan 10 - Feb 7, 1997 رَمَضَان

Ramaḍān

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of Ramadan are the White Days (Ayyam al-Bid) — voluntary fasting is recommended.

During Ramadan, daily readings follow the 30-juz division so the entire Quran is completed over the month.
Ramadan Pillar
رمضان Ramadan
1–30 Ramadan ~Jan 10 – Feb 8, 1997

The holy month of fasting, one of the Five Pillars of Islam.

Fasting mandatory
Laylat al-Qadr Observance
ليلة القدر Laylat al-Qadr
21–29 Ramadan ~Jan 30 – Feb 7, 1997

The Night of Power, when the first verses of the Quran were revealed.

Fasting mandatory
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Ramadan ~January 22-January 24, 1997

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Hijri month — voluntary fasting recommended.

Fasting recommended
10 Shawwal Feb 8 - Mar 9, 1997 شَوَّال

Shawwāl

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of Shawwal are the White Days (Ayyam al-Bid) — voluntary fasting is recommended.

Monday & Thursday Voluntary Fasts

Thursday Feb 13, 1997 Voluntary
Monday Feb 17, 1997 Voluntary
Thursday Feb 20, 1997 Voluntary
Monday Feb 24, 1997 Voluntary
Thursday Feb 27, 1997 Voluntary
Monday Mar 3, 1997 Voluntary
Thursday Mar 6, 1997 Voluntary
Monday Mar 10, 1997 Voluntary
Eid al-Fitr Holiday
عيد الفطر 'Id al-Fitr
1–3 Shawwal ~Feb 8 – Feb 10, 1997

The Festival of Breaking the Fast, marking the end of Ramadan.

Fasting prohibited
Six Days of Shawwal Observance
ست من شوال Sitta min Shawwal
4–30 Shawwal ~Feb 11 – Mar 10, 1997

Voluntary fasting for any six days in Shawwal after Eid al-Fitr.

Fasting recommended
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Shawwal ~February 20-February 22, 1997

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Hijri month — voluntary fasting recommended.

Fasting recommended
11 Dhul-Qi'dah Mar 10 - Apr 7, 1997 ذُو القَعدة Sacred Month

Dhū al-Qi'dah

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of Dhul-Qi'dah are the White Days (Ayyam al-Bid) — voluntary fasting is recommended.

Monday & Thursday Voluntary Fasts

Monday Mar 10, 1997 Voluntary
Thursday Mar 13, 1997 Voluntary
Monday Mar 17, 1997 Voluntary
Thursday Mar 20, 1997 Voluntary
Monday Mar 24, 1997 Voluntary
Thursday Mar 27, 1997 Voluntary
Monday Mar 31, 1997 Voluntary
Thursday Apr 3, 1997 Voluntary
Monday Apr 7, 1997 Voluntary
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Dhul-Qi'dah ~March 22-March 24, 1997

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Hijri month — voluntary fasting recommended.

Fasting recommended
12 Dhul-Hijjah Apr 8 - May 6, 1997 ذُو الحِجَّة Sacred Month

Dhū al-Ḥijjah

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of Dhul-Hijjah are the White Days (Ayyam al-Bid) — voluntary fasting is recommended.

Monday & Thursday Voluntary Fasts

Thursday Apr 10, 1997 Voluntary
Monday Apr 14, 1997 Voluntary
Monday Apr 21, 1997 Voluntary
Thursday Apr 24, 1997 Voluntary
Monday Apr 28, 1997 Voluntary
Thursday May 1, 1997 Voluntary
Monday May 5, 1997 Voluntary
Thursday May 8, 1997 Voluntary
عشر ذي الحجة 'Ashr Dhul-Hijjah
1–10 Dhul-Hijjah ~Apr 8 – Apr 17, 1997

The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah — among the most sacred days of the year.

Fasting recommended
الحج al-Hajj
8–13 Dhul-Hijjah ~Apr 15 – Apr 20, 1997

The annual pilgrimage to Makkah, the fifth pillar of Islam.

Fasting optional
Day of Arafah Observance
يوم عرفة Yawm 'Arafah
9 Dhul-Hijjah ~Apr 16, 1997

The most important day of Hajj — fasting is highly recommended for non-pilgrims.

Fasting recommended
Eid al-Adha Holiday
عيد الأضحى 'Id al-Adha
10 Dhul-Hijjah ~Apr 17, 1997

The Festival of Sacrifice on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah.

Fasting prohibited
Days of Tashriq Observance
أيام التشريق Ayyam at-Tashriq
11–13 Dhul-Hijjah ~Apr 18 – Apr 20, 1997

The three days after Eid al-Adha — fasting is prohibited.

Fasting prohibited
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Dhul-Hijjah ~April 20-April 22, 1997

The 13th, 14th, and 15th of every Hijri month — voluntary fasting recommended.

Fasting recommended

Note: Gregorian dates shown are algorithmically calculated approximations. Actual dates of Ramadan, the two Eids, and other events may vary by 1–2 days depending on moon sighting. Always verify with your local Islamic authority or mosque for official observance dates.