Sultan Declares Monday as the First Day of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447AH

The Sultan of Sokoto declares Monday, August 25, 2025, as the first day of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447AH after the moon was not sighted in Nigeria.

The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, has officially declared Monday, August 25, 2025, as the first day of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447AH. This announcement followed the non-sighting of the crescent moon across Nigeria on Saturday, August 23, 2025, marking the completion of 30 days in the month of Safar.

This declaration is of great importance to Muslims across the country, as Rabi’ul Awwal is a significant Islamic month closely associated with the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

How the Declaration Was Made

The announcement was contained in a statement released by Professor Sambo Junaidu, Wazirin Sokoto and Chairman of the Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs.

Key Highlights of the Declaration:

The moon sighting committees nationwide confirmed no crescent sighting on Saturday, August 23, 2025.
Sunday, August 24, became the 30th day of Safar 1447AH.
Monday, August 25, 2025, was therefore declared the first day of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447AH.

This announcement was accepted by the Sultan in his capacity as the President-General of the Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA).

The Role of Moon Sighting in the Islamic Calendar

The Islamic calendar (Hijri calendar) is lunar-based, and months begin with the sighting of the new crescent moon. When the crescent is not sighted on the 29th day, the month is completed with 30 days, and the new month begins the following day.

This process is supervised by:

The National Moon Sighting Committee
The Sultanate Council Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs
Local moon sighting committees across Nigeria

For more context on Islamic calendar rulings and their significance, you can read detailed insights from BBC Religion & Ethics.

Importance of Rabi’ul Awwal in Islam

Rabi’ul Awwal is the third month of the Islamic calendar and carries deep spiritual significance. It is widely recognized as the month of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

During this month, Muslims often engage in:

Special prayers and lectures about the Prophet’s life
Charity and community development initiatives
Islamic gatherings focused on spirituality and knowledge

National and Religious Unity in the Declaration

The Sultan’s declaration highlights the importance of unity among Muslims in Nigeria, as all imams and committees adhere to the same moon sighting reports. This ensures that Muslims across the nation observe important dates on the Islamic calendar uniformly.

The announcement that Monday, August 25, 2025, is the first day of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447AH brings clarity and unity to Muslims in Nigeria. The Sultan’s declaration, backed by the moon sighting committees and the NSCIA, underscores the value of tradition, discipline, and adherence to Islamic principles.

As Muslims prepare for the blessed month of Rabi’ul Awwal, they are reminded of its spiritual importance and encouraged to participate in community prayers, lectures, and acts of kindness.

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