Hijri Calendar

The "festival of sacrifice" on the 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, commemorating Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son and marking the climax of Hajj.

The "festival of breaking the fast", celebrated on the first of Shawwal to mark the end of Ramadan, beginning with a special congregational prayer.

The Islamic lunar calendar of twelve months, counted from the Prophet's migration (Hijra) in 622 CE and used to fix Ramadan, Hajj, and the festivals.

The "Night of Power" in the last ten nights of Ramadan, described in the Quran as better than a thousand months; the night the Quran began to be revealed.

The ninth and holiest month of the Islamic calendar, the month of obligatory fasting and the revelation of the Quran.

The 9th of Dhul-Hijjah, the pinnacle of Hajj when pilgrims stand at Arafat; fasting it for non-pilgrims expiates the sins of two years.

The 10th of Muharram, a day of fasting commemorating God's saving of Moses; also the day of the martyrdom of Husayn, mourned by Shia Muslims.

The twelfth and final month of the Islamic calendar, in which the Hajj pilgrimage and Eid al-Adha take place; its first ten days are especially blessed.

The new crescent moon whose sighting determines the beginning of each Islamic month, including Ramadan and the days of the two Eids.

The night, traditionally placed in Rajab, of the Prophet's Night Journey and ascension through the heavens, when the five daily prayers were ordained.

The observance of the Prophet Muhammad's birthday in Rabi al-Awwal; widely celebrated in many regions, though its ruling is debated among scholars.

The first month of the Islamic year and one of the four sacred months; fasting in it, especially on Ashura, is highly recommended.

The third month of the Islamic calendar, in which the Prophet Muhammad was born and in which he later passed away.

The four months — Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab — declared sacred in the Quran, in which warfare was traditionally forbidden.

Friday, the best day of the week and the weekly day of congregation, on which the Jumu'ah prayer replaces the noon prayer for men.

The three "white days" of each lunar month — the 13th, 14th, and 15th — when the moon is full and fasting is recommended.

The three days following Eid al-Adha (11th-13th Dhul-Hijjah), days of eating, drinking, and remembrance of God, during which fasting is forbidden.

The 8th of Dhul-Hijjah, on which pilgrims begin the rites of Hajj by setting out from Mecca to Mina.

The eleventh month of the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months, falling just before the month of Hajj.

The first day of Muharram, marking the start of a new year in the Islamic calendar and commemorating the Hijra.

The night of the middle of Sha'ban, observed by many Muslims with extra worship and supplication, though views on its special status vary.

A month of the Islamic calendar based on the moon's cycle, lasting 29 or 30 days and beginning with the sighting of the new crescent.

The seventh month of the Islamic calendar and one of the four sacred months in which fighting was traditionally forbidden.

The second month of the Islamic calendar. Pre-Islamic superstitions about its bad luck were rejected by the Prophet.

The eighth month of the Islamic calendar, preceding Ramadan; the Prophet fasted often during it in preparation for the fasting month.

The tenth month of the Islamic calendar, beginning with Eid al-Fitr; fasting its six days after Eid carries the reward of fasting the whole year.

The 10th of Dhul-Hijjah, the greatest day of Hajj, on which pilgrims perform the sacrifice, stoning, and circumambulation; coincides with Eid al-Adha.

The fifth month of the Islamic calendar.

The sixth month of the Islamic calendar, also called Jumada al-Akhirah.

The fourth month of the Islamic calendar, also known as Rabi al-Akhir.