How Many Months in Islamic Calendar?
The Islamic calendar has exactly 12 months, just like the Gregorian calendar
Quick Answer
The Islamic calendar has exactly 12 months
Each month has 29 or 30 days, making a total of 354-355 days per year
Total Months
12
Just like the Gregorian calendar
Days per Month
29-30
Varies between months
All 12 Islamic Months
First month, Islamic New Year
Regular Islamic month
Regular Islamic month
Regular Islamic month
Regular Islamic month
Regular Islamic month
Regular Islamic month
Regular Islamic month
Month of fasting
Month of Eid al-Fitr
Regular Islamic month
Month of Hajj and Eid al-Adha
Why Does the Islamic Calendar Have 12 Months?
The Islamic calendar follows the lunar cycle, which naturally divides into 12 periods. This is based on the Quranic verse that mentions "twelve months" in the Islamic calendar.
The 12-month structure was established during the time of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and has remained unchanged since then. Each month begins with the sighting of the new moon.
Lunar Based
Each month corresponds to one complete lunar cycle (new moon to new moon)
Quranic Reference
The Quran mentions "twelve months" as the structure for the Islamic calendar
Comparison with Other Calendars
| Calendar Type | Number of Months | Days per Year | Basis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Islamic (Hijri) | 12 | 354-355 | Lunar |
| Gregorian | 12 | 365-366 | Solar |
| Chinese | 12 | 353-385 | Lunisolar |
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all Islamic months the same length?
No, Islamic months vary between 29 and 30 days. This is because the Islamic calendar is based on the actual sighting of the new moon, which can vary slightly.
Why does the Islamic calendar have fewer days than the Gregorian calendar?
The Islamic calendar is lunar-based (354-355 days) while the Gregorian calendar is solar-based (365-366 days). This is why Islamic months shift through the seasons over time.
Which Islamic month are we in now?
We are currently in Shaban (1447 AH).
What are the sacred months in the Islamic calendar?
The four sacred months are: Muharram, Rajab, Dhu al-Qadah, and Dhu al-Hijjah. During these months, fighting was traditionally forbidden.
Learn More About Islamic Calendar
Explore our comprehensive guides on Islamic dates, months, and calendar tools.