Prophet Muhammad’s Birth: Sultan Calls on Muslims to Look Out for New Moon, Discloses Date

Prophet Muhammad’s Birth: Sultan Calls on Muslims to Look Out for New Moon, Discloses Date

  • Saturday, August 23, 2025, which corresponds to the 29th of Safar 1447 AH, was declared as the date for the sighting of the new moon of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447 AH
  • Prof. Sambo Junaidu, chairman of the advisory committee on religious affairs of the Sultanate Council, announced this in a statement issued on Friday, August 22
  • The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar III, also issued a fresh directive to Muslims across the country

Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.

The Sultanate Council led by Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, has announced that Saturday, August 23, 2025, which corresponds to the 29th day of Safar 1447 AH, will be the day set aside for the sighting of the new moon of Rabi’ul Awwal 1447 AH.

Eid-El-Fitr 2025: Sultan tasks Muslim regarding new moon
Sultan of Sokoto releases the date Muslims should look out for moon sighting in the wake of Prophet Muhammad’s birth. Photo credit: The Sultanate Council
Source: UGC

Rabi'ul Awwal 2025: Moon sighting on Saturday

The chairman of the advisory committee on religious affairs of the Sultanate Council, Prof. Sambo Junaidu, who is also the Wazirin Sokoto, confirmed this in a statement issued on Friday, August 22.

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As reported by The Punch, he called on Muslims across the country to actively participate in the moon sighting exercise.

“Muslims are requested to look out for the new moon of Rabi’ul Awwal on Saturday and report its sighting to the nearest District or Village Head for onward communication to His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs,” the statement read.
Rabi' Al-Awwal 2025: Sultan tasks Muslims
Sultan tasks Muslims in the wake of Rabi' Al-Awwal, Prophet Muhammad’s birth month. Photo credit: PIUS UTOMI EKPEI/AFP via Getty Images
Source: Getty Images

The council further emphasized the importance of collective effort in fulfilling this religious duty, which determines the commencement of Rabi’ul Awwal, the third month of the Islamic calendar, widely revered as the month of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

Prof. Junaidu prayed for Allah’s guidance in the discharge of this religious responsibility, saying, “May Allah (SWT) help us in this duty.”

Rabi'ul Awwal: Prophet Muhammad’s birth

According to Islamic Relief UK, the blessed month of Rabi' Al-Awwal is an important month in the Islamic Calendar as it marks the birth of our beloved Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).

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Sultan announces 1st of Zul Hijjah 1446

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the leader of Muslims in Nigeria, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, declared Wednesday, May 28, the first day of Dhul-Hijja 1446 AH.

A statement by the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (SCIA) said the sighting of the crescent of the moon put the celebration of Eid-el-Kabir on Friday, June 6, 2025.

Dhul-Hijjah is considered a sacred month and a time of heightened devotion, reflection, and acts of worship.

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Sultan announces sighting of Shawwal Crescent

In another development, Legit.ng reported that the crescent moon was sighted on Saturday, March 29, 2025, indicating the end of the holy month of Ramadan.

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The Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, and leader of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA), announced on Saturday and declared Sunday as Eid-el-Fitr.

A member of the National Moonsighting Committee in Nigeria, Simwal, also confirmed the development hours after Saudi Arabia announced the sighting of a new moon.

Proofreading by Funmilayo Aremu, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng

Authors:
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Esther Odili (Politics and Current Affairs Editor) Esther Odili is a journalist and a Politics/Current Affairs Editor at Legit.ng with 6+ years of experience. She Holds OND and HND in Mass Communication from the Nigerian Institue of Journalism (NIJ), where she was recognized as the best student in print journalism in 2018. Before joining Legit.ng, Esther has worked with other reputable media houses, such as the New Telegraph newspaper and Galaxy Television. In 2024, Esther obtained a certificate in advanced digital reporting from the Google News Initiative. Email: esther.odili@corp.legit.ng.