Islamic calendar 2027: key dates in Kenya

The short answer

The Islamic calendar has 12 lunar months of 29 or 30 days. In 2027, Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin on Monday 8 February, Eid al-Fitr on 9 or 10 March, Eid al-Adha on about 16 May, the Islamic New Year 1449 on about 6 June and Ashura on about 15 June. Moon sighting confirms each date.

What is the Islamic (Hijri) calendar?

The Islamic calendar, also called the Hijri calendar, is a calendar based on the moon. Its years are counted from the Hijrah, when the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) moved from Makkah to Madinah. Years are written with AH, which means “after Hijrah”.

Each month starts with the sighting of the new crescent moon. Because of this, a month has either 29 or 30 days. Muslims use the calendar to know when to fast, when to pay Zakat and when to celebrate the two Eids.

What are the 12 months of the Islamic calendar?

The 12 months are Muharram, Safar, Rabi al-Awwal, Rabi al-Thani, Jumada al-Awwal, Jumada al-Thani, Rajab, Shaban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul Qadah and Dhul Hijjah. Here is a short note on each.

The 12 months of the Islamic calendar
No.	Month	Short note
1	Muharram	The first month and a sacred month. The 10th day is Ashura.
2	Safar	An ordinary month with no special acts of worship set for it.
3	Rabi al-Awwal	The month of the Prophet’s (peace be upon him) birth. How people mark it differs, so ask your local scholar.
4	Rabi al-Thani	An ordinary month. Also called Rabi al-Akhir.
5	Jumada al-Awwal	An ordinary month, the fifth of the year.
6	Jumada al-Thani	An ordinary month. Also called Jumada al-Akhirah.
7	Rajab	A sacred month. Muslims increase their worship and prepare for Ramadan.
8	Shaban	The month before Ramadan. Many Muslims fast more often in it to get ready.
9	Ramadan	The month of fasting, Qur’an and giving. Laylat al-Qadr falls in its last ten nights.
10	Shawwal	Starts with Eid al-Fitr. Six extra voluntary fasts are encouraged in this month.
11	Dhul Qadah	A sacred month. The Hajj season is under way.
12	Dhul Hijjah	A sacred month and the month of Hajj. It holds the Day of Arafah and Eid al-Adha.

Spellings of the month names differ between books and websites. The months themselves are the same.

What are the key Islamic dates in 2027?

The main dates of 2027 are in the table below. They are expected dates from astronomical calculations. The real date is confirmed when the moon is sighted, so any date can move by one day.

Key Islamic dates in 2027 (all expected, subject to moon sighting)
Event	Expected date	Notes
Ramadan 1448 begins (first fast)	Monday, 8 February 2027	After the moon is sighted on 7 February
Start of the last ten nights of Ramadan	Saturday evening, 27 February 2027	Night of the 21st
Laylat al-Qadr, odd nights	27 Feb, 1 Mar, 3 Mar, 5 Mar and 7 Mar 2027	Each night begins at sunset
Eid al-Fitr	Tuesday 9 or Wednesday 10 March 2027	Depends on 29 or 30 days of Ramadan
First 10 days of Dhul Hijjah begin	About 7 May 2027	Depends on the moon
Day of Arafah	About 15 May 2027	Saturday
Eid al-Adha	About 16 May 2027	Sunday
Islamic New Year 1449 (1 Muharram)	About 6 June 2027	Depends on the moon
Ashura (10 Muharram)	About 15 June 2027	Depends on the moon

For more detail on the fasting month, see When is Ramadan 2027 in Kenya?

Why is the Islamic year shorter than the usual year?

An Islamic year has about 354 or 355 days. The usual (Gregorian) year has 365 or 366. So the Islamic year is about 10 to 11 days shorter.

This is why Ramadan moves earlier every year. Over about 33 years, Ramadan passes through every season. In 2027 it falls in February and March.

Which are the sacred months?

Four months are called sacred: Muharram, Rajab, Dhul Qadah and Dhul Hijjah. The Qur’an mentions four sacred months in chapter 9, verse 36. In these months fighting is forbidden and Muslims are encouraged to do more good and avoid wrongdoing.

How is the start of each month decided in Kenya?

On the 29th day of a month, people look for the new crescent after sunset. If it is seen, the new month begins. If not, the month is completed at 30 days.

In Kenya, Muslim leaders and moon-sighting committees make the announcement. Some communities follow an announcement made in another country, so mosques may sometimes start on different days. Scholars differ on which method is best, so follow your own mosque or imam.

How can I use these dates to plan my giving?

Many Muslims plan their giving around the calendar. Zakat is due once a year on wealth held for a full lunar year, and many people choose Ramadan as their Zakat month. Zakat al-Fitr (Fitrana) is paid before the Eid al-Fitr prayer. Qurbani is done after the Eid al-Adha prayer.

Before Ramadan: choose your Zakat date and make up missed fasts.
Last ten nights: give extra Sadaqah.
Before Eid al-Fitr prayer: pay Fitrana.
10 to 13 Dhul Hijjah: Qurbani.

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Frequently asked questions

How many months are in the Islamic calendar?

The Islamic calendar has 12 months: Muharram, Safar, Rabi al-Awwal, Rabi al-Thani, Jumada al-Awwal, Jumada al-Thani, Rajab, Shaban, Ramadan, Shawwal, Dhul Qadah and Dhul Hijjah. Each lasts 29 or 30 days.

When does Ramadan 2027 start?

Ramadan 2027 (1448 AH) is expected to start on Monday 8 February 2027, after the moon is sighted on the evening of 7 February. If the moon is not seen, the first fast is on Tuesday 9 February.

When is Eid al-Fitr 2027?

Eid al-Fitr 2027 is expected on Tuesday 9 March or Wednesday 10 March 2027, depending on whether Ramadan has 29 or 30 days. It is confirmed by the sighting of the Shawwal moon.

When is Eid al-Adha 2027?

Eid al-Adha 2027 is expected on about Sunday 16 May 2027, which is 10 Dhul Hijjah. The Day of Arafah is the day before, about 15 May. The exact date depends on the moon.

When is the Islamic New Year 2027?

The Islamic New Year 1449 (1 Muharram) is expected on about 6 June 2027. The date is confirmed by moon sighting and may move by one day.

When is Ashura in 2027?

Ashura is the 10th day of Muharram. In 2027 it is expected on about 15 June 2027. Many Muslims fast on this day. The date depends on when the Muharram moon is sighted.

Why does Ramadan move earlier each year?

The Islamic year follows the moon and is about 10 to 11 days shorter than the usual year of 365 days. Because of this, Ramadan and the other Islamic dates move about 10 to 11 days earlier each year.

Which months are sacred in Islam?

Four months are sacred: Muharram, Rajab, Dhul Qadah and Dhul Hijjah. The Qur’an refers to them in chapter 9, verse 36. Muslims are encouraged to do more good in these months.

Dates on this page are expected dates and will be updated when moon sightings are announced. Last reviewed 2 October 2026.