Sha'ban: The Eighth Islamic Month
Sha'ban is the eighth Hijri month, the month before Ramadan. Learn about its meaning, the 15th of Sha'ban and its dates this year.
- Position
- Month 8 of 12
- Meaning of the name
- To spread out, to disperse
- Sacred month
- No
- Length
- 30 days in 1448 AH
Sha'ban is the eighth month of the Hijri calendar and comes directly before Ramadan. The name is linked to a root meaning to branch out or disperse, said to describe the Arabs spreading out in search of water.
The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) fasted more in Sha'ban than in any month other than Ramadan. When asked why, he explained that it is a month people tend to neglect between Rajab and Ramadan, and one in which deeds are raised to Allah.
The night of the 15th, known as Laylat al-Bara'ah or Shab-e-Barat, is observed with extra prayer in many communities, especially in South Asia, Turkey and Central Asia. Scholars differ on how strong the reports about this night are. Sha'ban is also the last chance to make up fasts missed in the previous Ramadan.
Begins on
| Year | Starts | Ends | Days |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1448 AH | 30 | ||
| 1449 AH | 30 |
Gregorian dates are based on the Umm al-Qura calendar and may differ by a day where months are fixed by local moon sighting.
Notable days
- 15Mid-Sha'ban, known as Laylat al-Bara'ah or Shab-e-Barat.
Have a date in this month you need in the Gregorian calendar?
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- Hijri to GregorianEnter a Hijri date and get the matching Gregorian date and weekday straight away.
- Gregorian to HijriEnter a Gregorian date to see the matching Islamic date, month name and weekday.
- Hijri CalendarEvery month of the current and coming Islamic year with its Gregorian dates.
- Islamic EventsThe main occasions of the Islamic year and when they fall in the Gregorian calendar.
