When is Start of Rajab 2024?
What is Start of Rajab?
The first day of Rajab, one of the four sacred months of which Allah said: "of them, four are sacred." Rajab stands alone among them — falling singly between Jumada al-Akhirah and Shaʿban, while the other three run consecutively. Its arrival signals that Shaʿban, and then Ramadan, are drawing near.
The virtue of Start of Rajab
Allah honoured the sacred months in His Book and forbade wrongdoing in them: "so do not wrong yourselves therein." Good deeds in them carry greater reward and sins a heavier burden, as the exegetes noted — and Rajab opens the season of blessings that extends to Ramadan.
What is done on Start of Rajab?
No specific ritual is established for the first of Rajab, but many Muslims treat it as the start of their spiritual preparation for Ramadan — renewing voluntary fasting, Quran and istighfar. A well-known supplication is often repeated: "O Allah, bless us in Rajab and Shaʿban, and let us reach Ramadan."
How is the date determined?
Dates here are calculated astronomically per the Umm al-Qura standard used in Saudi Arabia. Some countries rely on direct moon sighting instead, so the actual date can differ by about one day between regions.
Frequently asked questions
When is Start of Rajab 2024?
Start of Rajab 2024 falls on Saturday, 13 January 2024, i.e. 1 Rajab 1445 AH (1 Rajab) per the Umm al-Qura calendar.
Does the date of Start of Rajab 2024 differ between countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Egypt?
The date shown is calculated using the Umm al-Qura calendar used in Saudi Arabia. Some countries such as Pakistan, Egypt and Morocco rely on direct moon sighting, so the actual day may shift by about one day.
What do Muslims do on Start of Rajab?
No specific ritual is established for the first of Rajab, but many Muslims treat it as the start of their spiritual preparation for Ramadan — renewing voluntary fasting, Quran and istighfar. A well-known supplication is often repeated: "O Allah, bless us in Rajab and Shaʿban, and let us reach Ramadan."
Start of Rajab dates by year
| Year | Gregorian date | Hijri date |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 13 January 2024 | 1 Rajab 1445 AH |
| 2025 | 1 January 2025 | 1 Rajab 1446 AH |
| 2026 | 10 December 2026 | 1 Rajab 1448 AH |
| 2027 | 29 November 2027 | 1 Rajab 1449 AH |
| 2028 | 18 November 2028 | 1 Rajab 1450 AH |
| 2029 | 8 November 2029 | 1 Rajab 1451 AH |
| 2030 | 28 October 2030 | 1 Rajab 1452 AH |
| 2031 | 18 October 2031 | 1 Rajab 1453 AH |
| 2032 | 6 October 2032 | 1 Rajab 1454 AH |
| 2033 | 25 September 2033 | 1 Rajab 1455 AH |
| 2034 | 14 September 2034 | 1 Rajab 1456 AH |
| 2035 | 3 September 2035 | 1 Rajab 1457 AH |