The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has officially declared Friday, January 31, 2025, as the first day of Sha’aban 1446AH after the Islamic crescent moon failed to be sighted across Nigeria.
The announcement, made public by the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, holds immense significance for the Muslim community as it ushers in the month that precedes Ramadan, the holiest period in the Islamic calendar. The Sultan’s declaration, which follows careful coordination with the National Moon Sighting Committee, marks an important moment in the spiritual preparation for the upcoming Ramadan.
No Crescent Moon Sighted: An Official Confirmation
In a press release signed by the Wazirin Sokoto, Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, the Advisory Committee confirmed that no reports of the sighting of the crescent moon had been received from any of the moon sighting committees spread across the country. As a result, the committee had declared Thursday, January 30, 2025, as the 30th and final day of Rajab 1446AH.
“This announcement confirms that the Islamic calendar will continue in a unified manner, offering clarity and uniformity for all Muslims in Nigeria,” said Professor Junaidu.
Muslims across Nigeria, and indeed the wider Islamic world, traditionally rely on the sighting of the crescent moon to determine the start of each new month in the Islamic lunar calendar. The failure to sight the moon, which signals the beginning of Sha’aban, means that the month of Rajab has officially ended, and Sha’aban has now begun.
Sha’aban: The Month Before Ramadan
Sha’aban is the eighth month of the Islamic calendar, and it is of great importance as it precedes the fasting month of Ramadan. For many Muslims, Sha’aban serves as a period of preparation, both physically and spiritually, in anticipation of the rigors and significance of Ramadan. The month also holds religious importance as it is the month in which the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is believed to have performed extra fasting and prayers.
In his official message, Sultan Abubakar urged Muslims to observe the coming month of Sha’aban with diligence and devotion, emphasizing the need for spiritual preparedness for Ramadan. “We must use Sha’aban as a time to reflect on our actions, strengthen our relationship with Allah, and prepare ourselves for the blessings of Ramadan,” the Sultan said.
National Unity in Observance
The Sultan’s announcement plays a crucial role in maintaining national unity among Nigeria’s Muslims, ensuring that all follow a single, unified Islamic calendar. With over 50% of Nigeria’s population identifying as Muslim, the Sultan’s guidance on Islamic dates provides clarity and harmony, particularly as Muslims throughout the country begin to mark the days leading up to Ramadan.
In the statement, the Sultanate Council advised Muslims to carefully observe all official announcements regarding Islamic dates and to adhere to the guidance provided by the moon sighting committees. This ensures that religious observances, such as fasting and prayers, are conducted with precision, reinforcing a sense of community among Muslims nationwide.
The importance of synchronized observances is particularly crucial during Ramadan, when fasting begins on the first day of the holy month and ends on the night of Eid al-Fitr, the festival marking the end of fasting. Consistent lunar observations across Nigeria allow for a unified start and conclusion of Ramadan, helping to prevent confusion and discrepancies in religious practices.
Spiritual and Social Preparations for Ramadan
As Nigeria gears up for Ramadan in the coming months, many Muslims are already preparing for the spiritual and social obligations that accompany this sacred period. Ramadan is a time for fasting, prayer, charity, and reflection, and it is observed with great reverence by millions of Muslims across the world.
For many, this period also holds significant social importance, as family and community gatherings during the pre-dawn and evening prayers, iftar (breaking of the fast), and suhoor (pre-dawn meal) strengthen bonds of solidarity and shared faith. Ramadan, however, is not without its challenges, as Muslims must endure long hours of fasting in some of the hottest months of the year, while also striving to maintain a heightened level of spiritual mindfulness.
“Ramadan is a time for charity, for sacrifice, and for self-improvement,” said a leading Islamic scholar in Sokoto. “It is important that we use the time in Sha’aban to refine our hearts and to prepare ourselves to make the most of this blessed month.”
The Role of the Sultanate and the Moon Sighting Committees
The Sultanate of Sokoto, which serves as the spiritual leader of Nigerian Muslims, plays a critical role in the coordination of Islamic observances across the country. The Sultan, in his capacity as the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), leads the Sultanate Council’s efforts to ensure religious accuracy and adherence to Islamic traditions.
The National Moon Sighting Committee, a collaborative body formed to monitor the sighting of the crescent moon, also plays a pivotal role in guiding the Muslim community. This committee, comprising representatives from various states, religious groups, and scholars, is tasked with ensuring that moon sightings are properly reported and verified.
In Nigeria, moon sighting has historically been a source of both unity and occasional disagreement, as different regions or groups sometimes report different sightings of the crescent. However, the Sultanate’s leadership in accepting and declaring the official sighting date ensures a level of consistency that promotes unity in religious practice.
Looking Ahead: Preparing for the Blessings of Ramadan
As the first day of Sha’aban begins, Muslims across Nigeria are called to reflect on their actions and to engage in acts of charity, prayer, and kindness. With Ramadan only a month away, the declaration of the start of Sha’aban signals the beginning of a crucial period of preparation for what will be one of the most spiritually significant months in the Islamic calendar.
