The Muslim year follows the moon, so it shifts earlier through the seasons every year — that is why Ramadan travels around the seasons. These four lessons give a child a map of their own year.
Lesson 1 · ages 8-11
Twelve months, one moon
The Islamic calendar is lunar: each month begins when the new crescent is sighted, so a year is shorter than the sun-based calendar.
1Counted by the moon
A month starts with the new crescent, not on a fixed date.
2Shorter than a solar year
That is why Islamic dates move earlier in the seasons each year.
3Starts from the Hijrah
The Islamic calendar is counted from the year the Prophet ﷺ migrated to Madinah.
4Four sacred months
Dhul-Qa'dah, Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram and Rajab — fighting was forbidden in them.
5Know your date
Learn today's Hijri date the way you know today's English date.
“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him].”
Huwal lazee ja'alash shamsa diyaaa'anw walqamara nooranw wa qaddarahoo manaaz zila lita'lamoo 'adadas sineena walhisaab; maa khalaqal laahu zaalika illa bilhaqq; yufassilul aayaati liqawminw ya'lamoon
“It is He who made the sun a shining light and the moon a derived light and determined for it phases - that you may know the number of years and account [of time]. Allah has not created this except in truth. He details the signs for a people who know”
Do this before next time
Learn the twelve month names in order, then find out today's Hijri date.
Lesson 2 · ages 8-11
Jumu'ah — the best day of the week
On Friday, men and boys gather for Jumu'ah: a khutbah instead of the first two rakats of Dhuhr, and a whole set of sunnahs around it.
1Answer the call
The Qur'an tells us to hurry to the remembrance of Allah when the Friday call is made.
2Two rakats, one khutbah
Jumu'ah replaces Dhuhr with a sermon followed by two rakats in congregation.
3Get ready
Shower, wear clean clothes, use a nice scent, go early — all sunnah.
4Listen properly
During the khutbah we sit quietly and do not talk, not even to say 'be quiet'.
5Extra dua
Friday has an hour when dua is answered — and we send extra salawat on the Prophet ﷺ.
“O you who have believed, when [the adhan] is called for the prayer on the day of Jumu'ah [Friday], then proceed to the remembrance of Allah and leave trade. That is better for you, if you only knew.”
“The best day on which the sun has risen is Friday.”
Sahih Muslim 854a
Do this before next time
This Friday, get ready early and listen to the whole khutbah without talking.
Lesson 3 · ages 5-7
The two Eids
Muslims have exactly two Eids: Eid al-Fitr after Ramadan, and Eid al-Adha in Dhul-Hijjah. Both start with a prayer, not with presents.
1Eid al-Fitr
The first day of Shawwal, right after Ramadan. Zakat al-Fitr is given before the Eid prayer.
2Eat first
On Eid al-Fitr we eat something sweet, like dates, before going to the prayer.
3Eid al-Adha
The tenth of Dhul-Hijjah, in the days of pilgrimage — remembering the obedience of Ibrahim, peace be upon him.
4Qurbani shared
The meat is shared with family, neighbours and the poor.
5Takbir and salaam
Say Allahu Akbar on the way, greet everyone, and forgive anyone you argued with.
Wa iz yarfa'u Ibraaheemul qawaa'ida minal Baitiwa Ismaa'eelu Rabbanaa taqabbal minnaa innaka Antas Samee'ul Aleem
“And [mention] when Abraham was raising the foundations of the House and [with him] Ishmael, [saying], "Our Lord, accept [this] from us. Indeed You are the Hearing, the Knowing.”
“The Prophet ﷺ ordered the people to pay Zakat-ul-Fitr before going to the Eid prayer.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 1509
Memorise this
تَقَبَّلَ اللَّهُ مِنَّا وَمِنْكُمْ
Taqabbal-Allahu minna wa minkum
May Allah accept it from us and from you.
An Eid greeting reported from the companions.
Do this before next time
Plan one thing you will do for someone else this Eid, before you open anything of your own.
Lesson 4 · ages 12-15
Days worth fasting
Beyond Ramadan, the Prophet ﷺ pointed out particular days: Arafah, Ashura, Mondays and Thursdays, and the white days in the middle of the month.
1The day of Arafah
The ninth of Dhul-Hijjah — fasting it is recommended for those not on pilgrimage.
2Ashura
The tenth of Muharram, remembering how Allah saved Musa, peace be upon him, and his people.
3Mondays & Thursdays
The Prophet ﷺ regularly fasted on these two days.
4First ten of Dhul-Hijjah
The best ten days of the year for good deeds.
5Never on Eid
Fasting is not allowed on the two days of Eid — those days are for eating and joy.
Ayyaamam ma'doodaat; faman kaana minkum mareedan aw'alaa safarin fa'iddatum min ayyaamin ukhar; wa 'alal lazeena yuteeqoonahoo fidyatun ta'aamu miskeenin faman tatawwa'a khairan fahuwa khairulo lahoo wa an tasoomoo khairul lakum in kuntum ta'lamoon
“[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] - then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] - a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess - it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.”
“The Prophet ﷺ was asked about fasting on the day of Arafah and said it expiates the sins of the past year and the coming year.”
Sahih Muslim 1162a
“The Prophet ﷺ came to Madinah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. He asked them about it, and they said: this is a good day, the day on which Allah rescued the Children of Israel from their enemy, so Musa fasted this day. He said: we have more claim over Musa than you. So the Prophet fasted on that day and ordered the Muslims to fast it.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 2004
Do this before next time
Ask a grown-up to help you pick one sunnah fast to try this month — and mark it on the calendar.
Lesson 5 · ages 8-11
Muharram and the day of Ashura
Muharram is the first month of the Hijri year and one of the four sacred months. On its tenth day — Ashura — Muslims fast, following the Prophet ﷺ.
1The first month
The Hijri year begins with Muharram, counted from the Prophet's migration to Madinah.
2A sacred month
The Qur'an says there are twelve months, of which four are sacred.
3What Ashura remembers
The Prophet ﷺ found the Jews of Madinah fasting the day Allah rescued Musa and his people, and said: we have more claim to Musa than you.
4He fasted it
He fasted that day himself and told the Muslims to fast it.
5How a child can join in
Younger children can fast part of the day or help prepare the food for those fasting.
“Indeed, the number of months with Allah is twelve [lunar] months in the register of Allah [from] the day He created the heavens and the earth; of these, four are sacred. That is the correct religion, so do not wrong yourselves during them. And fight against the disbelievers collectively as they fight against you collectively. And know that Allah is with the righteous [who fear Him].”
“The Prophet ﷺ came to Madinah and saw the Jews fasting on the day of Ashura. He asked them about it, and they said: this is a good day, the day on which Allah rescued the Children of Israel from their enemy, so Musa fasted this day. He said: we have more claim over Musa than you. So the Prophet fasted on that day and ordered the Muslims to fast it.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 2004
Do this before next time
Find this year's date for 10th Muharram with a grown-up, and mark it on your family calendar.
Every ayah on this page comes from the Tanzil Uthmani text of the Qur'an with the Sahih International translation, and every hadith carries its collection and number so you can check it yourself. Back to the learning path
The twelve Hijri months
The Muslim year follows the moon, so it starts about eleven days earlier each year.
1. Muharram
مُحَرَّم
A sacred month; the 10th is the day of Ashura.
2. Safar
صَفَر
An ordinary month — no bad luck attached to it.
3. Rabi' al-Awwal
رَبِيع الأَوَّل
The month the Prophet ﷺ was born and later passed away.
4. Rabi' al-Thani
رَبِيع الثَّانِي
The second of the two Rabi' months.
5. Jumada al-Ula
جُمَادَى الأُولَى
The first Jumada.
6. Jumada al-Akhirah
جُمَادَى الآخِرَة
The second Jumada.
7. Rajab
رَجَب
One of the four sacred months.
8. Sha'ban
شَعْبَان
The month before Ramadan — a good time to practise fasting.
9. Ramadan
رَمَضَان
The month of fasting and the Qur'an.
10. Shawwal
شَوَّال
Begins with Eid al-Fitr.
11. Dhul-Qa'dah
ذُو الْقَعْدَة
A sacred month, just before Hajj.
12. Dhul-Hijjah
ذُو الْحِجَّة
The month of Hajj, Arafah and Eid al-Adha.
1-to-1 lessons
Go deeper into the islamic year
A teacher can answer your child's questions properly, check their understanding, and take this further at their own pace.
