The Origins of the Names of the Islamic Months

Bismillâh wal-hamdulillâh

The names of the Islamic months were used before Islam; the Arabs came up with the names of the months long before Islâm. Most of the names were based on the climate at the time or big event which was taking place. However, since they now are based on the moon, the months shift about 11 days every year; the seasons do not necessarily correspond to the name of the month anymore.

The Arabs used to intercalate (add days, weeks or months to a calendar) their months in order to make them follow the seasons, especially the four sacred months (mentioned below).

Allâh (سبحانه وتعالى) says in Sûrah At-Tawbah (Sûrah 9, Âyah 37) about intercalation:

إِنَّمَا النَّسِيءُ زِيَادَةٌ فِي الْكُفْرِ ۖ يُضَلُّ بِهِ الَّذِينَ كَفَرُوا يُحِلُّونَهُ عَامًا وَيُحَرِّمُونَهُ عَامًا لِّيُوَاطِئُوا عِدَّةَ مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ فَيُحِلُّوا مَا حَرَّمَ اللَّهُ ۚ زُيِّنَ لَهُمْ سُوءُ أَعْمَالِهِمْ ۗ وَاللَّهُ لَا يَهْدِي الْقَوْمَ الْكَافِرِينَ

Indeed, the postponing [of restriction within sacred months] is an increase in disbelief by which those who have disbelieved are led [further] astray. They make it lawful one year and unlawful another year to correspond to the number made unlawful by Allâh and [thus] make lawful what Allâh has made unlawful. Made pleasing to them is the evil of their deeds; and Allâh does not guide the disbelieving people.

So, here are the names of the Islamic months and their origins:

1. Muharram: This month's name is taken from the word "Harâm" which means forbidden. It was so called because it is one of the 4 sacred months in which warfare is prohibited.

Narrated Abu Bakrah: The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said. "The division of time has turned to its original form which was current when Allâh created the Heavens and the Earths. The year is of twelve months, out of which four months are sacred: Three are in succession Dhul-Qa`dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and (the fourth is) Rajab of (the tribe of) Mudar which comes between Jumâdâ ath-Thâniyah and Sha`ban."

What is meant by sacred here that it is prohibited to be involved in warfare in these months, whereas Ramadân is sacred in a sense that we increase the amount of `ibâdah (worship) we do to please Allâh (سبحانه وتعالى).

2. Safar: Literally means blow or whistle; used by the Arabs to mean 'whistling of the wind'. When this name was assigned to this month, it was probably a windy time of the year.

3. Rabî` al-Awwal: The first month of spring.

4. Rabî` al-Âkhir/Rabî` ath-Thâni: The last/second month of spring.

5. Jumâdâ al-Ûlâ/Jumâdâ al-Awwal: Jumâdâ literally means dry parched land; land devoid of rain. Hence, the name if this month denotes the first month of summer.

6. Jumâdâ al-Ukhrâ/Jumâdâ al-Âkhirah/Jumâdâ ath-Thâniyah: The last/second month of summer.

7. Rajab: means 'to respect'. This is another sacred month in which warfare is forbidden (see hadîth mentioned above).

8. Sha`bân: means scattered; separated. This is so because during this time, the Arabs used to spread around the land in search for water. As mentioned earlier, since the months follow the moon cycle, they do not necessarily correspond to the name of the month anymore.

9. Ramadân: means scorched. When the name was assigned to this month, it was a very hot time of the year.

10. Shawwâl: comes from the word 'shâla' meaning 'to raise'. This was because so named because she-camels normally would be pregnant at this time of the year.

11. Dhu-l-Qa`dah: the word 'qa`dah' comes from the word 'qa`ada' meaning 'to sit'. The name of the month means 'the one of sitting'. This month was named so because the people used to stop their business activities and sit and prepare for the Hajj (Pilgrimage). This is the third sacred month in which warfare is forbidden.

12. Dhu-l-Hijjah: means 'the one of pilgrimage'. This is the last sacred month in which warfare is forbidden. This is the month in which the Hajj (Pilgrimage to Makkah) is performed.

Wallâhu A`lam Wa Ahkam