About Shaban
Shaban (شَعْبَان) is the eighth month of the Hijri calendar. Its name means “Scattered / dispersed.” The eighth month, immediately before Ramadan. Mid-Shaban is observed by some communities.
Like every Hijri month it has 29 or 30 days, determined in the Umm al-Qura calendar by the official tables and in the tabular calendar by a fixed arithmetic rule. Because the lunar month depends on the sighting of the new crescent, the exact first day can differ by a day from the calculated date. Our guide on Umm al-Qura, tabular and moon-sighting calendars sets out how far apart the three methods actually land.
Dates in Shaban
- Mid-Shaban - 15 Shaban. The night of 15 Shaban, observed by some communities ahead of Ramadan.
Frequently asked questions
What is Shaban?
Shaban (شَعْبَان) is the eighth month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar. Its name means "Scattered / dispersed". The eighth month, immediately before Ramadan. Mid-Shaban is observed by some communities.
How many days does Shaban have?
Like every Hijri month, Shaban has 29 or 30 days. In the Umm al-Qura calendar the length comes from the official published tables; in the tabular calendar it follows a fixed arithmetic rule.
When does Shaban begin?
Shaban begins on a different Gregorian date each year because the Hijri year is about eleven days shorter. In 1446 AH, 1 Shaban began on 31 January 2025 in the Umm al-Qura calendar. The exact first day can differ by a day from the local moon sighting.
Which Islamic dates fall in Shaban?
Mid-Shaban on 15 Shaban.