Islamic Calendar 2026–2027: Key Dates and What the Sunnah Teaches

This Islamic calendar lists the expected dates of the key seasons from Rajab 1448 to Muharram 1449 (December 2026 to June 2027), and next to each date, what the Prophet ﷺ actually taught about it, with every hadith checked on Sunnah.com.

At a glance

  • Next season: Rajab 1448, expected from Thursday 10 December 2026
  • Dates based on: The Umm al-Qura calendar (Saudi Arabia). Local moon sighting decides, so your date may differ by a day or two
  • Covers: Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadan, Laylatul Qadr, Eid al-Fitr, Dhul Hijjah, Arafah, Eid al-Adha, Muharram and Ashura
  • How to use it: Check the date, read the short Sunnah note, then open the full article where we have one

Islamic calendar 2026–2027: key dates

Expected Gregorian dates for each season. A Hijri day begins at sunset, so the night of a date comes before its day.

OccasionHijri dateExpected dateWhat the Sunnah teaches
Rajab begins (sacred month)1 Rajab 1448Thu 10 Dec 2026A sacred month; no special Rajab prayer or set fast is authentic (details)
Sha’ban begins1 Sha’ban 1448Sat 9 Jan 2027The Prophet ﷺ fasted more in Sha’ban than in any month but Ramadan
Ramadan begins1 Ramadan 1448Mon 8 Feb 2027Fasting with faith and hope of reward; night prayer (Tarawih)
Last ten nights beginNight of 21 RamadanEvening of Sat 27 Feb 2027Seek Laylatul Qadr in the odd nights
Eid al-Fitr1 Shawwal 1448Tue 9 Mar 2027The Eid prayer, then six fasts of Shawwal
Dhul Qa’dah begins (sacred month)1 Dhul Qa’dah 1448Thu 8 Apr 2027A sacred month
Dhul Hijjah begins (sacred month)1 Dhul Hijjah 1448Fri 7 May 2027The best ten days for good deeds
Day of Arafah9 Dhul Hijjah 1448Sat 15 May 2027Fasting it, for those not on Hajj
Eid al-Adha10 Dhul Hijjah 1448Sun 16 May 2027The Eid prayer and the sacrifice
Days of Tashreeq11–13 Dhul Hijjah 144817–19 May 2027The days of Eid al-Adha continue
Islamic New Year (sacred month)1 Muharram 1449Sun 6 Jun 2027The best voluntary fasting after Ramadan
Tasu’a and Ashura9–10 Muharram 1449Mon 14 and Tue 15 Jun 2027Fast Ashura, and the 9th with it

Dates were computed from the Umm al-Qura calendar on 6 November 2026 and will be updated each year on this page.

The 12 Islamic months in order

The Islamic year has twelve lunar months of 29 or 30 days, so it is about 11 days shorter than the solar year and each season moves earlier every year. Allah tells us that four of the months are sacred:

إِنَّ عِدَّةَ ٱلشُّهُورِ عِندَ ٱللَّهِ ٱثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا فِى كِتَـٰبِ ٱللَّهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ ٱلسَّمَـٰوَٰتِ وَٱلْأَرْضَ مِنْهَآ أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ ۚ ذَٰلِكَ ٱلدِّينُ ٱلْقَيِّمُ ۚ فَلَا تَظْلِمُوا۟ فِيهِنَّ أَنفُسَكُمْ ۚ وَقَـٰتِلُوا۟ ٱلْمُشْرِكِينَ كَآفَّةً كَمَا يُقَـٰتِلُونَكُمْ كَآفَّةً ۚ وَٱعْلَمُوٓا۟ أَنَّ ٱللَّهَ مَعَ ٱلْمُتَّقِينَ

Indeed, the number of months with Allāh is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allāh [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion [i.e., way], so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allāh is with the righteous [who fear Him].

Surah at-Tawbah 9:36 · Translation: Saheeh International, from Quran.com

The Prophet ﷺ named the four sacred months in his farewell sermon. Abu Bakrah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated:

الزَّمَانُ قَدِ اسْتَدَارَ كَهَيْئَتِهِ يَوْمَ خَلَقَ السَّمَوَاتِ وَالأَرْضَ، السَّنَةُ اثْنَا عَشَرَ شَهْرًا، مِنْهَا أَرْبَعَةٌ حُرُمٌ، ثَلاَثَةٌ مُتَوَالِيَاتٌ ذُو الْقَعْدَةِ وَذُو الْحِجَّةِ وَالْمُحَرَّمُ، وَرَجَبُ مُضَرَ الَّذِي بَيْنَ جُمَادَى وَشَعْبَانَ

“Time has returned to its original form, as it was on the day Allah created the heavens and the earth. The year is twelve months, four of which are sacred: three in succession, Dhul-Qa‘dah, Dhul-Hijjah and Muharram, and Rajab of Mudar, which comes between Jumada (al-Akhirah) and Sha‘ban.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 3197 · Narrated by Abu Bakrah · Translation adapted from Sunnah.com

#MonthStarts in 1448 AHNote
1MuharramTue 16 Jun 2026Sacred month
2SafarWed 15 Jul 2026
3Rabi al-AwwalFri 14 Aug 2026
4Rabi al-ThaniSat 12 Sep 2026
5Jumada al-UlaMon 12 Oct 2026
6Jumada al-AkhirahWed 11 Nov 2026
7RajabThu 10 Dec 2026Sacred month
8Sha’banSat 9 Jan 2027
9RamadanMon 8 Feb 2027Month of fasting
10ShawwalTue 9 Mar 2027Eid al-Fitr on the 1st
11Dhul Qa’dahThu 8 Apr 2027Sacred month
12Dhul HijjahFri 7 May 2027Sacred month; Hajj and Eid al-Adha

Rajab: the first sacred month of the season

Rajab is one of the four sacred months, when wronging ourselves is even more serious and good deeds are worth guarding. No authentic hadith gives Rajab its own special prayer or a set fast, and many popular Rajab narrations are weak. We explain what is authentic and what is not in Rajab month in Islam.

Sha’ban: the month the Prophet ﷺ fasted most

Outside Ramadan, Sha’ban was the month the Prophet ﷺ fasted the most. ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said:

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَصُومُ حَتَّى نَقُولَ لاَ يُفْطِرُ، وَيُفْطِرُ حَتَّى نَقُولَ لاَ يَصُومُ. فَمَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم اسْتَكْمَلَ صِيَامَ شَهْرٍ إِلاَّ رَمَضَانَ، وَمَا رَأَيْتُهُ أَكْثَرَ صِيَامًا مِنْهُ فِي شَعْبَانَ

“Allah’s Messenger ﷺ used to fast until one would say he would never stop fasting, and he would leave fasting until one would say he would never fast. I never saw Allah’s Messenger ﷺ fast a whole month except Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more in any month than in Sha‘ban.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 1969 · Narrated by ‘A’ishah · Translation adapted from Sunnah.com

Try this: make up any missed Ramadan fasts in Sha’ban, and add a few voluntary fasts so your body is ready for Ramadan.

Ramadan 2027 and Laylatul Qadr

Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:

مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ

“Whoever fasts Ramadan out of faith and hoping for Allah’s reward, his past sins will be forgiven.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 38 · Narrated by Abu Hurairah · Translation adapted from Sunnah.com

The last ten nights are expected to begin on the evening of Saturday 27 February. The Prophet ﷺ told us where to look for Laylatul Qadr, as ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated:

تَحَرَّوْا لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ فِي الْوِتْرِ مِنَ الْعَشْرِ الأَوَاخِرِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ

“Search for Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 2017 · Narrated by ‘A’ishah · Translation adapted from Sunnah.com

The night prayer of Ramadan is covered in Tarawih prayer.

Eid al-Fitr and the six days of Shawwal

Eid al-Fitr is expected on Tuesday 9 March 2027 (or 10 March if Ramadan completes 30 days). How the Prophet ﷺ prayed and celebrated Eid is in Eid prayer. After Eid, Abu Ayyub al-Ansari (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:

مَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ ثُمَّ أَتْبَعَهُ سِتًّا مِنْ شَوَّالٍ كَانَ كَصِيَامِ الدَّهْرِ

“Whoever fasts Ramadan and then follows it with six days of Shawwal, it is as if he fasted for a lifetime.”

Sahih Muslim 1164a · Narrated by Abu Ayyub al-Ansari · Translation adapted from Sunnah.com

Dhul Hijjah: the best ten days, Arafah and Eid al-Adha

Dhul Hijjah 1448 is expected to begin on Friday 7 May 2027. Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:

مَا الْعَمَلُ فِي أَيَّامِ الْعَشْرِ أَفْضَلَ مِنَ الْعَمَلِ فِي هَذِهِ. قَالُوا وَلاَ الْجِهَادُ قَالَ وَلاَ الْجِهَادُ، إِلاَّ رَجُلٌ خَرَجَ يُخَاطِرُ بِنَفْسِهِ وَمَالِهِ فَلَمْ يَرْجِعْ بِشَىْءٍ

“No good deeds done on other days are better than those done on these days.” They said, “Not even jihad?” He said, “Not even jihad, except a man who goes out putting himself and his wealth at risk and does not return with any of it.”

Sahih al-Bukhari 969 · Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas · Translation adapted from Sunnah.com

The Day of Arafah is expected on Saturday 15 May, and Eid al-Adha on Sunday 16 May, followed by the days of Tashreeq (17 to 19 May). About fasting Arafah, Abu Qatadah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:

صِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَرَفَةَ أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ وَالسَّنَةَ الَّتِي بَعْدَهُ وَصِيَامُ يَوْمِ عَاشُورَاءَ أَحْتَسِبُ عَلَى اللَّهِ أَنْ يُكَفِّرَ السَّنَةَ الَّتِي قَبْلَهُ

“Fasting the Day of Arafah, I hope from Allah, expiates the sins of the year before it and the year after it. And fasting the Day of Ashura, I hope from Allah, expiates the sins of the year before it.”

Sahih Muslim 1162a · Narrated by Abu Qatadah · Translation adapted from Sunnah.com

Try this: plan the ten days before they arrive: extra dhikr, charity, Quran and, for those not on Hajj, the fast of Arafah.

Muharram and Ashura

Muharram 1449 is expected to begin on Sunday 6 June 2027. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said:

أَفْضَلُ الصِّيَامِ بَعْدَ رَمَضَانَ شَهْرُ اللَّهِ الْمُحَرَّمُ وَأَفْضَلُ الصَّلاَةِ بَعْدَ الْفَرِيضَةِ صَلاَةُ اللَّيْلِ

“The best fasting after Ramadan is in Allah’s month, al-Muharram, and the best prayer after the obligatory prayer is the night prayer.”

Sahih Muslim 1163a · Narrated by Abu Hurairah · Translation adapted from Sunnah.com

Ashura (10 Muharram) is expected on Tuesday 15 June, with the 9th on Monday 14 June. Ibn ‘Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that when the Prophet ﷺ fasted Ashura and told people to fast it, he was told it was a day the Jews and Christians honor. He said:

فَإِذَا كَانَ الْعَامُ الْمُقْبِلُ - إِنْ شَاءَ اللَّهُ - صُمْنَا الْيَوْمَ التَّاسِعَ

“When next year comes, if Allah wills, we will fast on the ninth day.”

Sahih Muslim 1134a · Narrated by Ibn ‘Abbas · Translation adapted from Sunnah.com

The Prophet ﷺ passed away before the next year came. The night prayer he praised is covered in Tahajjud hadith.

Why Islamic dates can differ by a day

Each month begins with the new crescent. Some countries begin when the moon is seen locally, some follow Saudi Arabia, and some use astronomical calculation, so Ramadan or Eid can start a day apart in different places. The dates on this page are the expected ones; scholars differ on how to settle the start of a month, so follow your local mosque or religious authority for the final date.

Questions people ask about the Islamic calendar

How many months are in the Islamic calendar?

Twelve lunar months of 29 or 30 days: Muharram, Safar, Rabi al-Awwal, Rabi al-Thani, Jumada al-Ula, Jumada al-Akhirah, Rajab, Sha’ban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul Qa’dah and Dhul Hijjah. Four are sacred (Quran 9:36; Sahih al-Bukhari 3197).

When is Ramadan 2027?

Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February 2027, with Eid al-Fitr on Tuesday 9 March 2027. The final dates depend on the moon sighting where you live.

When is Eid al-Adha 2027?

Eid al-Adha is expected on Sunday 16 May 2027, the day after the Day of Arafah (Saturday 15 May).

Is there a special prayer or fast for the middle night of Sha’ban?

The narration telling people to pray that night and fast its day is graded Maudu’ (fabricated) by Darussalam (Ibn Majah 1388), so it is not used. The narrations that Allah forgives on that night (Ibn Majah 1389, 1390) are graded Da’if by Darussalam, and scholars differ on them. The authentic Sunnah is fasting more in Sha’ban (Sahih al-Bukhari 1969).

Bookmark this page and come back before each season: a little planning turns these blessed days into real worship, in shaa Allah.

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Islamic Calendar 2026–2027: Key Dates and What the Sunnah Teaches – Pinterest pin, Surah at-Tawbah 9:36

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