🌙 The 12 Islamic Months in Arabic with Poem - Learn Hijri

🌙 The 12 Islamic Months in Arabic — Easy Guide for Kids & Families

The Islamic (Hijri) calendar has 12 months, based on the movement of the moon. Let’s explore these months — and how each connects beautifully to the Seerah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.

Allah ﷻ says in the Qur’an:

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًۭا فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ

“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve months in the Book of Allah.”
(Surah At-Tawbah 9:36)

✨ Arabic Poem to Memorize the Islamic Months

لْشُهُورُ فِي السَّنَةِ اثْنَا عَشَرْ
فَاحْفَظْهَا وَاعْقِلْهَا يَا بَشَرْ

مُحَرَّمٌ صَفَرٌ رَبِيعَانِ
جُمَادَيَانِ ثُمَّ رَجَبَانِ

شَعْبَانُ بَعْدَهُ رَمَضَانُ
ثُمَّ شَوَّالٌ فَذُو الْقَعْدَانُ

وَذُو الْحِجَّةِ الَّذِي بِهِ الْحَجُّ
فَاحْمَدُوا اللَّهَ وَاسْعَوْا لِلْخَيْرِ نَجْحُ

✨ Translation in English

There are twelve months in the year,

so memorize them and understand them, O human being.

Muharram, Safar, the two Rabi'an,the two Jumada,

then Rajaban.Sha'ban, followed by Ramadan.

Then Shawwal, then Dhul-Qa'dan.

Dhul-Hijjah, which is the month of Hajj.

So praise Allah and strive for goodness to succeed.

This short, rhyming poem makes it easy and fun for kids to memorize all the 12 Hijri months. You can recite it together during bedtime or for homeschool!

🗓️ The 12 Islamic Months in Order

1. Muharram (المحرّم)

The first month of the Islamic year. A sacred month of peace and fasting.

Prophet ﷺ said: “The best fasting after Ramadan is in the month of Allah, Muharram.” (Muslim)

2. Safar (صفر)

The second month. The Prophet ﷺ rejected superstitions that considered Safar unlucky — teaching us trust in Allah alone and rejecting the shirk of taking evil omens.

3. Rabi‘ al-Awwal (ربيع الأول)

4. Rabi‘ al-Thani (ربيع الآخر)

A peaceful month following Rabi‘ al-Awwal. Good time for reflection and gratitude.

5. Jumada al-Ula (جمادى الأولى)

Means “dry season. Teaches patience and appreciation for Allah’s blessings. A reminder of patience and bravery from the companions of the Prophet ﷺ.

6. Jumada al-Thaniyah (جمادى الآخرة)

Follows Jumada al-Ula. A reminder that everything in life changes with Allah’s will.

7. Rajab (رجب)

One of the four sacred months. A month to hasten to good deeds and avoid sin. The month of the Isra’ and Mi’raj — when the Prophet ﷺ was taken on the Night Journey.

مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ
“Of which four are sacred.”
(Surah At-Tawbah 9:36 — quran.com/9/36)

8. Sha‘ban (شعبان)

The month before Ramadan. Time to prepare our hearts for fasting. The Prophet ﷺ used to fast often in this month to prepare for Ramadan.

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Sha‘ban is a month between Rajab and Ramadan that people neglect, but deeds are raised to Allah in it.” (Nasai)

9. Ramadan (رمضان)

The month of fasting, worship, and Qur’an.

شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ ٱلَّذِىٓ أُنزِلَ فِيهِ ٱلْقُرْءَانُ
“The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur’an.”
(Surah Al-Baqarah 2:185 — quran.com/2/185)

The Prophet ﷺ received the first revelation of the Qur’an in Ramadan — a time of mercy and forgiveness.

10. Shawwal (شوّال)

The month after Ramadan. Starts with Eid al-Fitr — a joyful time of celebration for families.

11. Dhul-Qa‘dah (ذو القعدة)

A sacred month of peace and rest, when fighting was forbidden. The Prophet ﷺ performed the Treaty of Hudaybiyyah during this month — a lesson in peace, patience, and wisdom.

12. Dhul-Hijjah (ذو الحجة)

The month of Hajj (pilgrimage) and Eid al-Adha.

وَأَذِّن فِى ٱلنَّاسِ بِٱلْحَجِّ
“And proclaim to the people the Hajj.”
(Surah Al-Hajj 22:27 — quran.com/22/27)

The Prophet ﷺ gave his Farewell Sermon during Hajj in this month.

🌙 Final Thoughts

Each month in the Islamic calendar reminds us of a lesson from the life of our beloved Prophet ﷺ — from courage and patience to gratitude and worship. Teaching children about them helps nurture their Islamic identity and love for Allah ﷻ and the Prophet ﷺ.

Make learning fun for your children by reading this together, decorating a Hijri calendar, or memorizing the poem above!

✨ Visit TinyMuslim.com to explore Islamic education printables and books that help your little ones love learning about Islam.