In Arabic, when a language person learns the months of the year in Arabic language one window is thrown open onto the curtain of culture, history, and religious practices of the Arab world. Arabic is among the most widely spoken languages in the world, carrying deep-rooted history and an extensive calendar system that includes both the Hijri (Islamic) and Gregorian (Miladi) calendars. One becomes aware of various Islamic events, Arab traditions, and cultural observances thereby supplementing one’s language learning.
How Many Months of the Year in Arabic Language
| English | Arabic (Standard) | Arabic (Levant/Iraq) | Arabic (North Africa) |
| January | يناير (Yanāyir) | كانون الثاني (Kānūn al-Thānī) | جانفي (Jānfī) |
| February | فبراير (Fibrāyir) | شباط (Shubāṭ) | فيفري (Fīfrī) |
| March | مارس (Māris) | آذار (Ādhār) | مارس (Māris) |
| April | أبريل (Abrīl) | نيسان (Nīsān) | أفريل (Afrīl) |
| May | مايو (Māyū) | أيار (Ayyār) | ماي (Māy) |
| June | يونيو (Yūniyū) | حزيران (Ḥazīrān) | جوان (Jūwān) |
| July | يوليو (Yūliyū) | تموز (Tammūz) | جويلية (Jūwilya) |
| August | أغسطس (Aghusṭus) | آب (Āb) | أوت (Ūt) |
| September | سبتمبر (Sibtambir) | أيلول (Aylūl) | سبتمبر (Sibtambir) |
| October | أكتوبر (Uktūbar) | تشرين الأول (Tishrīn al-Awwal) | أكتوبر (Uktūbar) |
| November | نوفمبر (Nūfambir) | تشرين الثاني (Tishrīn al-Thānī) | نوفمبر (Nūfambir) |
| December | ديسمبر (Dīsambir) | كانون الأول (Kānūn al-Awwal) | ديسمبر (Dīsambir) |
Hijri Months
These are the months of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, based on the lunar cycle:
| Month Number | Arabic Name | Transliteration | Meaning/Notes |
| 1 | مُحَرَّم | Muḥarram | Sacred month |
| 2 | صَفَر | Ṣafar | Means “void” or “empty” |
| 3 | رَبِيع ٱلْأَوَّل | Rabīʿ al-Awwal | “First spring” |
| 4 | رَبِيع ٱلثَّانِي | Rabīʿ al-Thānī | “Second spring” |
| 5 | جُمَادَىٰ ٱلْأُولَىٰ | Jumādā al-Ūlā | “First dry (month)” |
| 6 | جُمَادَىٰ ٱلثَّانِيَة | Jumādā al-Thāniyah | “Second dry (month)” |
| 7 | رَجَب | Rajab | Sacred month |
| 8 | شَعْبَان | Shaʿbān | “Scattered” (tribes dispersed in search of water) |
| 9 | رَمَضَان | Ramaḍān | Fasting month, from “scorching heat” |
| 10 | شَوَّال | Shawwāl | “Raised” (as in rising of animals or temperatures) |
| 11 | ذُو ٱلْقَعْدَة | Dhū al-Qaʿdah | Sacred month (prohibited fighting) |
| 12 | ذُو ٱلْحِجَّة | Dhū al-Ḥijjah | Month of Hajj pilgrimage |
Gregorian Months
The Gregorian calendar is the internationally accepted civil calendar introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. It’s a solar calendar, and it’s the standard for global business, education, and communication and you can learn more about it if you enroll into arabic language classes but here is a Quick view:
Here are the 12 Gregorian months in Arabic and their transliterations:
- يناير (Yanāyir) – January
- فبراير (Fibrāyir) – February
- مارس (Māris) – March
- أبريل (Abrīl) – April
- مايو (Māyū) – May
- يونيو (Yūniyū) – June
- يوليو (Yūliyū) – July
- أغسطس (Aghusṭus) – August
- سبتمبر (Sibtambir) – September
- أكتوبر (Uktūbir) – October
- نوفمبر (Nūfambir) – November
- ديسمبر (Dīsambir) – December
In many Arab countries, the Gregorian calendar is used in parallel with the Hijri calendar. Schools, government offices, and business documents follow the Gregorian system, while religious events are aligned with the Hijri calendar.
In Which Hijri Year Are We?
The current Hijri year (as per June 2025) is 1446 AH (After Hijrah).
The lunar-based sightings determine the year of Hijrah, so every year it tends to be somewhat different concerning the Gregorian calendar. For this reason, Islamic holidays such as Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha occur 10-11 days earlier every Gregorian year.
Beginning of the Islamic year is celebrated by Muslims around the world in Muharram, with the exact date being confirmed by moon sighting.
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Why Did the Arabs Use the Gregorian Calendar?
Historically, Arabs and Muslims used the Hijri calendar exclusively for religious and social – Globalization and Colonial Influence
Many Arab countries underwent colonization or were heavily influenced by European powers (e.g., France in North Africa, Britain in Egypt and Iraq, and so on).
The Gregorian calendar, which was established in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII, had become the international standard for trade, diplomacy, and communication.
Arab states had to accept the Gregorian calendar for official and administrative use to be treated as equals with the global powers.
Modern State Systems and Bureaucracy
Arab countries required a common solar calendar system to work with modern governments for:
- Civil registration (births, deaths, marriages)
- School years
- Military service
- Government budgets and taxation
By being lunar, the Islamic Hijri calendar shifts with respect to the Gregorian calendar by around 11 days every year, rendering it unsuitable for fixed planning on an annual basis.
Economic Integration
The Gregorian calendar is the calendar nowadays for international trade and finance (banks, contracts, salaries).
Arab states would have to reconcile their fiscal systems in congruence with the Gregorian year to maintain consistency as they made it to the global markets.
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Who is the Last Month of the Gregorian Calendar in Arabic?
Wintertime in the Northern Hemisphere, the last month of the solar year in December. It has become a time for celebration and reflection among many cultures. For Arab-speaking people, December is recognized generally for its civil significance except for Christian Arabs celebrating Christmas.
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Learn Arabic Months with Firdaws Online
If you’re looking to master Arabic months—both Hijri and Gregorian—with ease, Firdaws Online offers structured and culturally enriched Arabic Language Classes. Firdaws specializes in teaching Arabic with an Islamic foundation, making it an excellent resource for learners who want to:
- Learn Arabic vocabulary in the context of Islamic studies.
- Understand Islamic events and their Hijri dates.
- Memorize Arabic months with pronunciation and grammar.
- Gain conversational skills through calendar-related topics.
Why choose Firdaws Online?
- Native Arab teachers with Islamic knowledge.
- Personalized one-on-one classes.
- Focus on practical vocabulary, including calendar terms.
- Interactive learning materials, including visual aids for months and dates.
By learning Arabic months with Firdaws, you not only enhance your language skills but also deepen your connection to Islamic culture and traditions.
How To Say Month / Months
| English | Arabic | Transliteration |
| Month | شهر | shahr |
| Months | شهور | shuhūr |
| Months | أشهر | ashhur |
Usage Notes:
- شهر: Singular, generally used for one month.
- شهور: General plural form, used in most contexts (e.g. calendars, schedules).
- أشهر: More formal or classical Arabic, sometimes reserved for specifically numbered months (e.g. the four sacred months – الأشهر الحُرُم).
Examples:
- I was there for one month:
- كنت هناك لمدة شهر (kuntu hunāka limuddat shahr)
- I stayed for three months:
- مكثت ثلاثة أشهر (makathtu thalāthat ashhur)
Conclusion
Knowing the months of the year in the Arabic language is much more than simply learning vocabulary; it is tying into a great tradition connecting faith, history, and the depictions of daily life. From the sacred quantities of the Hijri calendar to the entirely worldly Gregorian system, both calendars are lovingly and meaningfully engaged by the Arabic-speaking communities.
Whether learning Arabic for religious purposes, academic reasons, or with some personal intent, knowing the month names will allow you to read Islamic literature, follow cultural events, and engage in conversations with native speakers in Arabic.
Considering that you are from one of these categories, there is really no reason to hold yourself back much further. Online programs like Firdaws Online are aimed at furnishing all the necessary tools to make your journey smooth and enjoyable.
FAQs
Q1: How many months are in the Arabic calendar?
There are 12 months in both the Hijri (Islamic) and Gregorian calendars in Arabic.
Q2: What is the difference between the Hijri and Gregorian calendars?
The Hijri calendar is lunar, based on the moon’s cycle, while the Gregorian calendar is solar, based on the sun’s movement.
Q3: Do all Arab countries use the Hijri calendar?
All Arab and Muslim-majority countries recognize the Hijri calendar, especially for religious purposes. However, most use the Gregorian calendar for civil matters.
Q4: What is the most important Hijri month?
hjri month due to the obligation of fasting and the revelation of the Qur’an.
Q5: How can I remember Arabic months easily?
Use visual aids, repetition, and online platforms like Firdaws Online that integrate months into language and religious learning.
Q6: Can I find the current Hijri date online?
Yes, many Islamic apps and websites provide the current Hijri date based on moon sightings and calculations.
Q7: Is December important in Islam?
December holds no religious significance in Islam but is part of the Gregorian calendar used in daily life.