The Green Islamic Foundation

The 15th of December, 2023 corresponded with the 1st of Jumada Al Akhir. The 12th of January, 2024 will correspond with the 29th of Jumada al Akhir. On this date, it is suggested to begin searching for the hilal of the sacred month of Rajab, 1445 AH. There are 12 months of the hijri year and four of them are sacred. The sacred months are the following: Muharram, Rajab, Dhul Q’adah and Dhul Hijjah. Three of the months, Dhul Qa’dah, Dhul Hijjah and Muharram are consecutive. Rajab, therefore, is called the lone sacred month. It is followed by Shaban, the month before the blessed month of Ramadan. It is important that when using the sightings of the hilal to determine the months, one pays special attention to the beginning and end of Rajab. It is even more important to be consistent in one’s methodology of determining the months during this time. If one uses a calculated calendar for the month of Rajab and Shaban, yet then sights the moon for Ramadan, one may end up looking for the hilal of Ramadan on the wrong day. This has the chance of causing Muslims to begin fasting on the day of doubt or even missing a day of fasting.