1
Muharram
Tap to flipMuharram
Named for fighting being forbidden in it.
Why the Hijri months are named as they are
Twelve months — their names tell of Arab life before Islam.
2
Safar
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Said to be for homes emptying as men left to raid.
3
Rabi' al-Awwal
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Named in the spring season.
4
Rabi' al-Akhir
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Follows the first Rabi'.
5
Jumada al-Ula
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Named when water froze from the cold.
6
Jumada al-Akhira
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Follows the first Jumada.
7
Rajab
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From 'veneration'; a sacred month.
8
Sha'ban
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Said to be for tribes dispersing to raid after Rajab.
9
Ramadan
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From intense heat; said to burn away sins.
10
Shawwal
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Said to be for camels raising their tails.
11
Dhu al-Qa'dah
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Named for sitting back from fighting in it.
12
Dhu al-Hijjah
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The month of the greater pilgrimage.
1 / 12
Traditional linguistic etymologies attributed to the early Arabs.
All items
- Muharram — Named for fighting being forbidden in it.
- Safar — Said to be for homes emptying as men left to raid.
- Rabi' al-Awwal — Named in the spring season.
- Rabi' al-Akhir — Follows the first Rabi'.
- Jumada al-Ula — Named when water froze from the cold.
- Jumada al-Akhira — Follows the first Jumada.
- Rajab — From 'veneration'; a sacred month.
- Sha'ban — Said to be for tribes dispersing to raid after Rajab.
- Ramadan — From intense heat; said to burn away sins.
- Shawwal — Said to be for camels raising their tails.
- Dhu al-Qa'dah — Named for sitting back from fighting in it.
- Dhu al-Hijjah — The month of the greater pilgrimage.
Study modes
Print single-sided and cut along the lines: the title on one card, the description on another.
1Muharram
1Named for fighting being forbidden in it.
2Safar
2Said to be for homes emptying as men left to raid.
3Rabi' al-Awwal
3Named in the spring season.
4Rabi' al-Akhir
4Follows the first Rabi'.
5Jumada al-Ula
5Named when water froze from the cold.
6Jumada al-Akhira
6Follows the first Jumada.
7Rajab
7From 'veneration'; a sacred month.
8Sha'ban
8Said to be for tribes dispersing to raid after Rajab.
9Ramadan
9From intense heat; said to burn away sins.
10Shawwal
10Said to be for camels raising their tails.
11Dhu al-Qa'dah
11Named for sitting back from fighting in it.
12Dhu al-Hijjah
12The month of the greater pilgrimage.