The Islamic Calendar

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

1 Muharram Dec 29, 2008 - Jan 26, 2009 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 Dec 29, 2008 Voluntary
Thursday Jan 1, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Jan 5, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Jan 8, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Jan 12, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Jan 15, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Jan 19, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Jan 22, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Jan 26, 2009 Voluntary
رأس السنة الهجرية Ra's as-Sanah al-Hijriyyah
1 Muharram ~Dec 29, 2008

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

Fasting optional
Ashura Observance
عاشوراء 'Ashura'
9–10 Muharram ~Jan 6 – Jan 7, 2009

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

Fasting recommended
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Muharram ~January 10-January 12, 2009

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

Fasting recommended
2 Safar Jan 27 - Feb 25, 2009 صَفَر

Ṣafar

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

Monday & Thursday Voluntary Fasts

Thursday Jan 29, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Feb 2, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Feb 5, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Feb 9, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Feb 12, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Feb 16, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Feb 19, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Feb 23, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Feb 26, 2009 Voluntary
The Hijrah Observance
الهجرة al-Hijrah
8–12 Safar ~Feb 3 – Feb 7, 2009

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

الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Safar ~February 8-February 10, 2009

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

Fasting recommended
3 Rabi' al-Awwal Feb 26 - Mar 27, 2009 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 Feb 26, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Mar 2, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Mar 5, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Mar 9, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Mar 12, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Mar 16, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Mar 19, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Mar 23, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Mar 26, 2009 Voluntary
Mawlid an-Nabi Observance
المولد النبوي al-Mawlid an-Nabawi
12 Rabi' al-Awwal ~Mar 9, 2009

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 10-March 12, 2009

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

Fasting recommended
4 Rabi' al-Thani Mar 28 - Apr 25, 2009 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 Mar 30, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Apr 2, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Apr 6, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Apr 9, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Apr 13, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Apr 16, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Apr 20, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Apr 23, 2009 Voluntary
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Rabi' al-Thani ~April 9-April 11, 2009

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

Fasting recommended
5 Jumada al-Ula Apr 26 - May 24, 2009 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 Apr 27, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Apr 30, 2009 Voluntary
Monday May 4, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday May 7, 2009 Voluntary
Monday May 11, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday May 14, 2009 Voluntary
Monday May 18, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday May 21, 2009 Voluntary
Monday May 25, 2009 Voluntary
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Jumada al-Ula ~May 8-May 10, 2009

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

Fasting recommended
6 Jumada al-Akhira May 25 - Jun 23, 2009 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 May 25, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday May 28, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Jun 1, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Jun 4, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Jun 8, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Jun 11, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Jun 15, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Jun 18, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Jun 22, 2009 Voluntary
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Jumada al-Akhira ~June 6-June 8, 2009

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

Fasting recommended
7 Rajab Jun 24 - Jul 22, 2009 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 Jun 25, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Jun 29, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Jul 2, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Jul 6, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Jul 9, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Jul 13, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Jul 16, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Jul 20, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Jul 23, 2009 Voluntary
Isra and Mi’raj Observance
الإسراء والمعراج al-Isra' wal-Mi'raj
27 Rajab ~Jul 20, 2009

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

Fasting optional
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Rajab ~July 6-July 8, 2009

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

Fasting recommended
8 Sha'ban Jul 23 - Aug 21, 2009 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 Jul 23, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Jul 27, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Jul 30, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Aug 3, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Aug 6, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Aug 10, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Aug 13, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Aug 17, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Aug 20, 2009 Voluntary
Laylat al-Bara’ah Observance
ليلة البراءة Laylat al-Bara'ah
15 Sha'ban ~Aug 6, 2009

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 4-August 6, 2009

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

Fasting recommended
9 Ramadan Aug 22 - Sep 19, 2009 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 ~Aug 22 – Sep 20, 2009

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 11 – Sep 19, 2009

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

Fasting mandatory
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Ramadan ~September 3-September 5, 2009

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

Fasting recommended
10 Shawwal Sep 20 - Oct 19, 2009 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 Sep 24, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Sep 28, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Oct 1, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Oct 5, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Oct 8, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Oct 12, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Oct 15, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Oct 19, 2009 Voluntary
Eid al-Fitr Holiday
عيد الفطر 'Id al-Fitr
1–3 Shawwal ~Sep 20 – Sep 22, 2009

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 ~Sep 23 – Oct 20, 2009

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

Fasting recommended
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Shawwal ~October 2-October 4, 2009

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

Fasting recommended
11 Dhul-Qi'dah Oct 20 - Nov 17, 2009 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 22, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Oct 26, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Oct 29, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Nov 2, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Nov 5, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Nov 9, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Nov 12, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Nov 16, 2009 Voluntary
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Dhul-Qi'dah ~November 1-November 3, 2009

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

Fasting recommended
12 Dhul-Hijjah Nov 18 - Dec 17, 2009 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 Nov 19, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Nov 23, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Nov 26, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Dec 3, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Dec 7, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Dec 10, 2009 Voluntary
Monday Dec 14, 2009 Voluntary
Thursday Dec 17, 2009 Voluntary
عشر ذي الحجة 'Ashr Dhul-Hijjah
1–10 Dhul-Hijjah ~Nov 18 – Nov 27, 2009

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

Fasting recommended
الحج al-Hajj
8–13 Dhul-Hijjah ~Nov 25 – Nov 30, 2009

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

Fasting optional
Day of Arafah Observance
يوم عرفة Yawm 'Arafah
9 Dhul-Hijjah ~Nov 26, 2009

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 ~Nov 27, 2009

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 ~Nov 28 – Nov 30, 2009

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

Fasting prohibited
الأيام البيض Ayyam al-Bid
13–15 Dhul-Hijjah ~November 30-December 2, 2009

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.