The Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has announced that Monday, December 22, 2025, will mark the beginning of Rajab 1447 AH.
The announcement was made in a statement issued on Saturday night and signed by the Wazirin Sokoto, Professor Sambo Junaidu.
According to the statement, the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs, working together with the National Moon Sighting Committee, did not receive any confirmed reports of the sighting of the new crescent moon for Rajab on Saturday, December 20, 2025, which corresponded to the 29th day of Jumada Al-Thani 1447 AH.
As a result, Sunday, December 21, 2025, was declared the 30th day of Jumada Al-Thani, making Monday, December 22, 2025, the first day of Rajab 1447 AH.
Rajab is the seventh month of the Islamic lunar calendar and comes before Sha‘ban and Ramadan. It is one of the four sacred months in Islam, during which fighting is forbidden and good deeds carry greater reward.
The month is also seen as a period of spiritual preparation for Ramadan, encouraging Muslims to increase acts of worship, seek forgiveness, and reflect on their faith ahead of the holy month.
