The Islamic Calendar
Islamic Holidays
The Islamic calendar is lunar — dates shift each year relative to the Gregorian calendar. The spirit of each occasion, its meaning and its practice, does not.
Ramadan
The holy month of fasting — from dawn to sunset, the entire Muslim world abstains from food, drink, and ill conduct. Nights come alive with prayer, community, and the recitation of the Quran.
Eid al-Fitr
The feast of breaking the fast — one of the two major Islamic holidays, celebrating the end of Ramadan with prayer, family, new clothes, gifts, and an abundance of food. You earned every bite.
Eid al-Adha
The feast of sacrifice, honoring Ibrahim's (AS) absolute devotion to Allah. Observed worldwide at the culmination of Hajj — the greatest gathering of humanity on earth.
Laylat al-Qadr
The Night of Power — the single most sacred night in Islam, in which the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). Worth more than a thousand months of worship.
Mawlid al-Nabi
The commemoration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), marked by gatherings of praise, the recitation of poetry and nasheed, and gratitude for the mercy he brought to humanity.
Islamic New Year
The first day of Muharram marks the beginning of the Hijri calendar year — a moment of quiet reflection on the passing of time, the journey of the soul, and the migration that changed history.
Ashura
The tenth day of Muharram — a sacred day of fasting, gratitude, and remembrance. The day Musa (Moses) and his people were saved from Pharaoh; observed with fasting and profound reflection.
Hajj Season
The annual pilgrimage to Mecca — one of the Five Pillars of Islam, obligatory for every Muslim who is able. Two million people. One direction. One God. The greatest gathering on earth.
The Islamic calendar is lunar and approximately 11 days shorter than the Gregorian calendar each year. Specific Gregorian dates for Islamic holidays shift annually. Check with your local mosque for confirmed dates in your region.