Ramadan has began and there was a news clip about the Islamic
calendar and the sighting of moon. Out of curiosity, I google
and here's something interesting:
The Islamic months are named as follows:
1.
Muḥarram means "forbidden" in
Arabic, so called because it was unlawful to fight during this month. Muharram is
the second most sacred Muslim month, and includes the Day of
Ashura.
2.
Ṣafar means "void" in Arabic,
supposedly named because pagan Arabs looted during this month and left the
houses empty.
3.
Rabīʿ I (Rabīʿ al-Awwal) means "the first Spring" in
Arabic.
4.
Rabīʿ II (Rabīʿ ath-Thānī
or Rabīʿ al-Ākhir) means "the second (or last)
Spring" in Arabic.
5.
Jumādā I (Jumādā al-Ūlā) means "the first month of
parched land" in Arabic.
6.
Jumādā II (Jumādā ath-Thāniya or
Jumādā al-Ākhira) means "the
second (or last) month of parched land" in Arabic.
7.
Rajab means "respect" or
"honor" in Arabic. Rajab is another of the sacred months in which
fighting was traditionally
forbidden.
8.
Shaʿbān means "scattered" in Arabic, marking
the time of year when Arab tribes dispersed to find
water.
9.
Ramaḍān means "scorched" in
Arabic. Ramadan is the most venerated month of the Hijri calendar,
during which Muslims fast between
dawn and sunset.
10. Shawwāl means "raised" in Arabic, as
she-camels begin to raise their tails during this time of year,
after giving birth.
11. Dhū
al-Qaʿda
means "the one of truce" in Arabic. Dhu al-Qa'da was
another month during which war was banned.
12. Dhū
al-Ḥijja means "the one of pilgrimage" in
Arabic, referring to the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca, the
Hajj.