Hijri Months in Order: A Practical Calendar Guide

A lunar sequence, not a fixed Gregorian season

The Hijri, or Islamic, calendar has twelve lunar months. The US Naval Observatory explains that twelve lunar months are about eleven days shorter than the Gregorian civil year. The sequence of month names stays the same while its position in the Gregorian year moves.

That is why Ramadan does not remain in one Gregorian season. Learning the month order helps when reading a calendar, discussing a future commitment or checking that you have selected the intended month in a conversion tool.

The twelve months in order

English transliterations vary. The numbered sequence below uses familiar English spellings and shows the I/II labels that the US Naval Observatory uses for the Rabi and Jumada pairs.

Read the label before the number

Ramadan is month nine and Shawwal is month ten. A numeric entry such as “09” only becomes useful once you know which calendar and year it belongs to. When sharing a plan, write the month name, the year and the corresponding Gregorian date as separate pieces of information.

For personal organisation, you might keep two columns: the Gregorian date used for work or travel, and the Hijri label shown by your selected calendar. This makes the intended date easier to discuss than an isolated screenshot or an unexplained number.

Keep planning dates and local announcements distinct

The Observatory distinguishes a formal tabular calendar, with an established arithmetic pattern, from calendar practice linked to the lunar crescent. A printed alternating 29/30-day table should therefore not be treated as a guarantee of every locally announced month start.

Use calendar tools to organise and compare dates, and check the responsible local institution when a religious observance depends on its announcement. This guide explains labels and planning; it does not choose a moon-sighting policy for your community.

• Confirm whether the date you are reading is Gregorian or Hijri.
• Include the month name and year when sharing the date.
• Keep a link to the calendar or announcement you used.
• Recheck tentative plans when the relevant local announcement is published.