The Islamic Calendar

Hijri year, lunar months, sacred months | Events, fasts, and observances | Subscribe to the calendar

1 Muharram Jan 10 - Feb 7, 2008 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

Thursday Jan 10, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Jan 14, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Jan 17, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Jan 21, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Jan 24, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Jan 28, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Jan 31, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Feb 4, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Feb 7, 2008 Voluntary
رأس السنة الهجرية Ra's as-Sanah al-Hijriyyah
1 Muharram ~Jan 10, 2008

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

Fasting optional
Ashura Observance
عاشوراء 'Ashura'
9–10 Muharram ~Jan 18 – Jan 19, 2008

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

Fasting recommended
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Muharram ~January 22-January 24, 2008

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

Fasting recommended
2 Safar Feb 8 - Mar 8, 2008 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 Feb 11, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Feb 14, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Feb 18, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Feb 21, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Feb 25, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Feb 28, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Mar 3, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Mar 6, 2008 Voluntary
The Hijrah Observance
الهجرة al-Hijrah
8–12 Safar ~Feb 15 – Feb 19, 2008

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

الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Safar ~February 20-February 22, 2008

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

Fasting recommended
3 Rabi' al-Awwal Mar 9 - Apr 6, 2008 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

Monday Mar 10, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Mar 13, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Mar 17, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Mar 20, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Mar 24, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Mar 27, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Mar 31, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Apr 3, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Apr 7, 2008 Voluntary
Mawlid an-Nabi Observance
المولد النبوي al-Mawlid an-Nabawi
12 Rabi' al-Awwal ~Mar 20, 2008

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

الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Rabi' al-Awwal ~March 21-March 23, 2008

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

Fasting recommended
4 Rabi' al-Thani Apr 7 - May 5, 2008 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

Monday Apr 7, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Apr 10, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Apr 14, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Apr 17, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Apr 21, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Apr 24, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Apr 28, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday May 1, 2008 Voluntary
Monday May 5, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday May 8, 2008 Voluntary
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Rabi' al-Thani ~April 19-April 21, 2008

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

Fasting recommended
5 Jumada al-Ula May 6 - Jun 4, 2008 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

Thursday May 8, 2008 Voluntary
Monday May 12, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday May 15, 2008 Voluntary
Monday May 19, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday May 22, 2008 Voluntary
Monday May 26, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday May 29, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Jun 2, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Jun 5, 2008 Voluntary
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Jumada al-Ula ~May 18-May 20, 2008

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

Fasting recommended
6 Jumada al-Akhira Jun 5 - Jul 3, 2008 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

Thursday Jun 5, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Jun 9, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Jun 12, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Jun 16, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Jun 19, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Jun 23, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Jun 26, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Jun 30, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Jul 3, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Jul 7, 2008 Voluntary
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Jumada al-Akhira ~June 17-June 19, 2008

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

Fasting recommended
7 Rajab Jul 4 - Aug 1, 2008 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

Monday Jul 7, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Jul 10, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Jul 14, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Jul 17, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Jul 21, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Jul 24, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Jul 28, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Jul 31, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Aug 4, 2008 Voluntary
Isra and Mi’raj Observance
الإسراء والمعراج al-Isra' wal-Mi'raj
27 Rajab ~Jul 30, 2008

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

Fasting optional
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Rajab ~July 16-July 18, 2008

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

Fasting recommended
8 Sha'ban Aug 2 - Aug 31, 2008 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

Monday Aug 4, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Aug 7, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Aug 11, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Aug 14, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Aug 18, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Aug 21, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Aug 25, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Aug 28, 2008 Voluntary
Laylat al-Bara’ah Observance
ليلة البراءة Laylat al-Bara'ah
15 Sha'ban ~Aug 16, 2008

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

Fasting optional
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Sha'ban ~August 14-August 16, 2008

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

Fasting recommended
9 Ramadan Sep 1 - Sep 29, 2008 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 ~Sep 1 – Oct 1, 2008

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 ~Sep 21 – Sep 30, 2008

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

Fasting mandatory
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Ramadan ~September 13-September 15, 2008

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

Fasting recommended
10 Shawwal Sep 30 - Oct 29, 2008 شَوَّال

Shawwāl

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

Monday & Thursday Voluntary Fasts

Monday Oct 6, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Oct 9, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Oct 13, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Oct 16, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Oct 20, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Oct 23, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Oct 27, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Oct 30, 2008 Voluntary
Eid al-Fitr Holiday
عيد الفطر 'Id al-Fitr
1–3 Shawwal ~Sep 30 – Oct 3, 2008

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 ~Oct 4 – Nov 2, 2008

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

Fasting recommended
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Shawwal ~October 13-October 15, 2008

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

Fasting recommended
11 Dhul-Qi'dah Oct 30 - Nov 28, 2008 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

Thursday Oct 30, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Nov 3, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Nov 6, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Nov 10, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Nov 13, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Nov 17, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Nov 20, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Nov 24, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Nov 27, 2008 Voluntary
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Dhul-Qi'dah ~November 11-November 13, 2008

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

Fasting recommended
12 Dhul-Hijjah Nov 29 - Dec 28, 2008 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

Monday Dec 1, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Dec 4, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Dec 15, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Dec 18, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Dec 22, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Dec 25, 2008 Voluntary
Monday Dec 29, 2008 Voluntary
عشر ذي الحجة 'Ashr Dhul-Hijjah
1–10 Dhul-Hijjah ~Nov 29 – Dec 8, 2008

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

Fasting recommended
الحج al-Hajj
8–13 Dhul-Hijjah ~Dec 6 – Dec 11, 2008

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

Fasting optional
Day of Arafah Observance
يوم عرفة Yawm 'Arafah
9 Dhul-Hijjah ~Dec 7, 2008

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 ~Dec 8, 2008

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 ~Dec 9 – Dec 11, 2008

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

Fasting prohibited
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Dhul-Hijjah ~December 11-December 13, 2008

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.