Month 8 of the Hijri calendar
Sha‘ban: the Month Before Ramadan
Sha‘ban is the eighth month of the Hijri year and the gateway to Ramadan. ‘A’ishah reported that she never saw the Prophet ﷺ fast more in any month, other than Ramadan, than in Sha‘ban (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim).
Why fast in Sha‘ban
Usamah ibn Zayd asked the Prophet ﷺ about his fasting in Sha‘ban, and he answered that it is a month people neglect between Rajab and Ramadan, and a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the worlds, “and I love that my deeds are raised while I am fasting” (al-Nasa’i, graded hasan). It is also the last chance to make up missed days of the previous Ramadan.
The change of the Qibla
Many historians place the change of the Qibla from Jerusalem to the Kaaba in Makkah in Sha‘ban of the year 2 AH, about sixteen or seventeen months after the Hijra (Qur’an 2:144). Others place it in Rajab.
The middle of Sha‘ban
The night of the 15th of Sha‘ban is honoured by many Muslims. Scholars differ on the authenticity of the reports about its virtue; those who accept them recommend individual prayer and du‘a that night without specific collective rituals.
When does Sha‘ban start?
| Hijri year | First day | Last day | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1446 AH | Friday 31 January 2025 | 28 February 2025 | 29 |
| 1447 AH | Tuesday 20 January 2026 | 17 February 2026 | 29 |
| 1448 AH | Saturday 9 January 2027 | 7 February 2027 | 30 |
| 1449 AH | Wednesday 29 December 2027 | 27 January 2028 | 30 |
| 1450 AH | Sunday 17 December 2028 | 15 January 2029 | 30 |
| 1451 AH | Friday 7 December 2029 | 4 January 2030 | 29 |
| 1452 AH | Wednesday 27 November 2030 | 25 December 2030 | 29 |
Dates follow the Umm al-Qura calendar. Countries that rely on sighting the crescent may begin a month one day later (or earlier).
Occasions in Sha‘ban
Sha‘ban: questions
When does Sha‘ban 1448 start?
On 9 January 2027; it ends on 7 February 2027 after 30 days, according to the Umm al-Qura calendar.
When does Sha‘ban 1449 start?
On 29 December 2027, and it lasts 30 days.
Is Sha‘ban a sacred month?
No. The four sacred months are Muharram, Rajab, Dhu al-Qa‘dah and Dhu al-Hijjah.
Which months come before and after Sha‘ban?
Rajab comes before it and Ramadan after it.