Muslim Events Celebrated 2026
Muslims follow many important religious days during the year. These days include festivals, fasting months, and moments of prayer and reflection. To know these days, Muslims use a special calendar called the Hijri calendar. The Islamic events 2026 calendar helps people know when each Islamic event arrives.
What Is the Hijri Calendar?
The Hijri calendar is the Islamic calendar. It started with the migration of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) and his followers. They travelled from Makkah to Madinah, and this event is called the Hijra.
The Hijri calendar is lunar. This means it follows the cycle of the moon. Each month begins when the new crescent moon is seen. Because the moon’s cycle is shorter than the sun’s cycle, the Hijri year is shorter than the Gregorian year.
A Hijri year has about 354 days, which is around 11 days shorter than a solar year. Because of this, Islamic months come earlier each year and do not stay in the same season. Each month has 29 or 30 days, depending on the moon.
Major Islamic Events and Festivals
Ramadan – 9th Month
The 9th month of the Hijri calendar, Ramadan is the month of fasting. Muslims start begin their fast before dawn and end it at sunset. This month teaches patience, discipline, and gratitude. Muslims increase their worship, avoid bad habits, give charity, and focus on self-improvement. Families have meals together before sunrise and gather in the evening for Iftar. At night, Muslims pray Taraweeh prayers, which are special to Ramadan.
Eid al-Fitr
Eid al-Fitr is celebrated on the 1st day of Shawwal, immediately after Ramadan ends. It is a day of happiness and thanksgiving. Muslims begin the day with a special prayer. Families wear their best clothes, visit loved ones, give charity to help the less fortunate, and share meals and gifts.
Hajj
Hajj is a major pilgrimage that takes place once a year in the month of Dhu al-Hijjah from the 8th to the 13th. Millions of Muslims travel to Makkah to perform it. It teaches unity, equality, and devotion to God.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha occurs on the 10th of Dhu al-Hijjah and lasts for three days. The day starts with a special congregational Eid prayer. Muslims remember the story of Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham), who was ready to sacrifice his son out of obedience to God. Muslims offer an animal sacrifice and share the meat with the poor, neighbors, and relatives.
Ashura
Ashura falls on the 10th day of Muharram. It marks the day when Prophet Moses and his people were saved from Pharaoh. Some Muslims fast on this day.
Ashura is also a day of mourning to remember the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), along with his family and companions in Karbala.