Sha'ban 1448 AH: Dates, the Start of Ramadan and a Plan to Prepare
Sha'ban is the month before Ramadan, so many people treat it as a time to prepare. In 1448 AH, Sha'ban begins according to the Umm al-Qura calendar on Saturday 9 January 2027 and lasts thirty days, until Sunday 7 February 2027; Ramadan then begins on Monday 8 February 2027.
What is reported about fasting in Sha'ban
Aishah reported: “I never saw the Messenger of God ﷺ fast a whole month except Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more in any month than in Sha'ban” (al-Bukhari and Muslim). On the other hand, the Prophet ﷺ said: “None of you should fast a day or two ahead of Ramadan, unless it is a man who used to fast on that day; let him fast it” (al-Bukhari and Muslim). We issue no ruling: for details, ask scholars in your country.
Key dates in Sha'ban 1448 AH
| Day | Date |
|---|---|
| 1 Sha'ban | Saturday 9 January 2027 |
| 13–15 Sha'ban (White Days) | Thursday 21 to Saturday 23 January 2027 |
| Last day of Sha'ban | Sunday 7 February 2027 |
| 1 Ramadan | Monday 8 February 2027 |
Remember that the month begins in your country according to its announcement, so 1 Ramadan may differ from this calculation by a day.
A practical four-week plan
- Week one (9–15 January): check whether you have days to make up from last Ramadan, and set them before the month arrives.
- Week two (16–22 January): cut down gradually on coffee and sugar, and fast a few separate days if you wish, such as the White Days.
- Week three (23–29 January): arrange work, study and sleep around fasting hours, and do your Ramadan shopping early to avoid the crowds.
- Final week (30 January–7 February): settle the reading and prayer routine you want to keep in Ramadan, and follow your country’s announcement for the crescent on the evening of the 29th.
A winter Ramadan
Ramadan 1448 AH falls in February and March, at the end of winter and the start of spring in the northern hemisphere, when days are shorter than in summer, so fasting hours are relatively short in countries such as Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Egypt. As the date moves about eleven days earlier each year, Ramadan 1449 AH begins on Friday 28 January 2028 according to Umm al-Qura.
Keep track of the date
See the days left in the Ramadan countdown, the details in When is Ramadan 1448? and the whole month in the Sha'ban 1448 AH calendar.
Sha'ban in 1449 AH
Looking further ahead: Sha'ban 1449 AH begins according to Umm al-Qura on Wednesday 29 December 2027 and has thirty days, ending on Thursday 27 January 2028, and Ramadan 1449 AH begins on Friday 28 January 2028.
Common questions
Does the night of mid-Sha'ban have a fixed Gregorian date?
No, it depends on the lunar month. In 1448 AH, 15 Sha'ban falls on Saturday 23 January 2027, and its night begins at sunset on Friday 22 January. As for its virtue and the practices linked to it, scholars have discussed them, so ask those in your country.
When is the Ramadan crescent sought?
Many countries look for it on the evening of 29 Sha'ban. If it is sighted, Ramadan begins the next day; if not, Sha'ban is completed at thirty days. That is why 1 Ramadan can differ by a day between countries.
Can I know the date of Ramadan in my country in advance?
It depends on your country’s method: some follow astronomical calculation and announce dates in advance, while most rely on moon sighting and announce the date on the evening of 29 Sha'ban. The date we show according to Umm al-Qura is for planning, with a margin of one day until the official announcement.
How can I prepare physically for fasting?
Take it step by step: cut down gradually on stimulants and sugar, adjust your sleep times and drink enough water. If you have a health condition, see your doctor well before Ramadan.
How many days until Ramadan?
The Ramadan countdown shows the days, hours and minutes left according to Umm al-Qura, and the “Adjust the day” option lets you follow your country’s announcement.