Anticipating the month before Ramadan, Muslims all over the world will be looking, on Saturday, February 10, for the new moon of Sha`ban.
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.
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 with 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.
