Sha`ban, the eighth hijri month of the Islamic calendar, is expected to start on Tuesday, February 21, according to astronomical calculations.

Anticipating the month before Ramadan, Muslims all over the world will be looking, on Monday, February 20, for the new moon of Sha`ban.

“The Astronomical New Moon (conjunction) is on February 20, 2023 (Monday) at 7:06 UT. On February 20, the moon may be seen with difficulty in Western parts of USA, but easily in Polynesian Islands,” Moonsighting.com reported.

📚 Read Also: Preparing for Ramadan: Intentions …

“On February 21, the moon can be seen in the whole world.” Accordingly, the month of Sha`ban is expected to start on Tuesday, February 21.

In the United Arab Emirate, the Emirates Astronomy Society announced that the  first day of Sha`ban will astronomically be observed on Tuesday, February 21.

Significant Month

Sha`ban holds great significance as it is a prelude to Ramadan. It is the month of “separation”, so-called because the pagan Arabs used to disperse in search of water.

The Hijri calendar is a lunar calendar, and months begin when the first crescent of a new moon is sighted. Since the Hijri lunar calendar year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the solar year, Sha`ban migrates throughout the seasons.

📚 Read Also: Rajab and Night Journey: The Ultimate Guide 

The month is very special for Muslims as it’s a prelude to Ramadan, the 9th Hijri month; “O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha’ban blessed for us, and let us reach the month of Ramadan (i.e. prolong our life up to Ramadan, so that we may benefit from its merits and blessings).”

A new Hijri month starts when the First Crescent appears before sunset by a time gap of a few minutes at a minimum.

As the faithful await the start of this special month, preparations are underway to observe the customs and rituals associated with Sha`ban and be ready for the arrival of Ramadan.

📚 Read Also:  Two Conditions for Forgiveness in Sha’ban