By Mustafa Makumba

Before Islam, the Arabs used different names for the lunar months that were known at that time, until those names changed and became standardised throughout Arabia, and took their final forms at the end of the fifth century CE, during the era of Kilaab, who was the great-great-grandfather of the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).

The naming of these lunar months with the names that are known today is based on certain reasons and meanings from which the names of the months were derived. 

Muharram is so called because it is a sacred month. It was so called to affirm its sanctity, because the Arabs used to change it, making it not sacred one year and making it sacred the other. The plural form of Muharram is Muharramaat or Mahaarim or Mahaareem.

Safar is so called because their houses would be empty when they went out to fight or to travel, and it would be said “safira al-makaan (the place has become empty)” when people left. The plural form of Safar is Asfaar.

Rabiul-Awwal is so called because they did not travel during that month. The plural form is Arbi‘aa’. The same may be said concerning Rabiul-Aakhir as was said concerning Rabiul-Awwal.

Jumaada is so called because water froze during that month (jumood means freezing).

In their calculations, it is said that the months did not rotate through the seasons, although there is some doubt concerning that. The plural form of Jumaada is Jumaadiyyaat. The word may be either masculine or feminine, so one may say Jumaadaal Ula or al-Awwal, and Jumaadal Aakhir or Aakhirah.

The name Rajab comes from the word tarjeeb, which means veneration. The plural form is Arjaab or Rijaab or Rajabaat.