When Is Shab e Meraj 2027?
When is Shab e Meraj 2027? The blessed night is expected on the 27th of Rajab 1448 AH, which most global calendars place on Tuesday, 5 January 2027. In India, Pakistan and Bangladesh, many calendars point to the night of Wednesday, 6 January 2027, because those countries follow local moon sighting.
This guide gives you the expected date for every major region, explains why it may shift by a day, and shows simple, authentic ways to spend the night. You will also find Quran and Hadith references, a quick calendar of nearby Islamic dates, and a detailed FAQ.
Hijri date: 27 Rajab 1448 AH
Global estimate: Tuesday, 5 January 2027
South Asia estimate: Wednesday, 6 January 2027 (after Maghrib)
Confirmation: depends on the Rajab 1448 moon sighting in December 2026
When Is Shab e Meraj 2027? Expected Date by Region
Shab e Meraj is observed on the night of 27 Rajab, the seventh month of the Hijri calendar. Because an Islamic day begins at sunset, the night itself starts at Maghrib and continues until Fajr. That detail causes most of the confusion, since people often see two Gregorian dates for one event.
When Is Shab e Meraj 2027 in Saudi Arabia and the Arab World?
Calendars based on the Umm al-Qura system list 27 Rajab 1448 as Tuesday, 5 January 2027. IslamicFinder likewise expects the observance on 5 January 2027 and notes that the exact date is subject to the sighting of the Rajab moon.
When Is Shab e Meraj 2027 in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan?
South Asian communities usually begin a month one day after Saudi Arabia, since local sighting committees must see the crescent themselves. For that reason, many regional sources expect Shab e Meraj on the night of Wednesday, 6 January 2027. If the crescent is delayed, some communities may observe it on 7 January.
| Region | Expected 27 Rajab 1448 | Night begins |
|---|---|---|
| Saudi Arabia and Gulf | Tuesday, 5 January 2027 | Sunset on 4 or 5 January |
| Bangladesh, India, Pakistan | Wednesday, 6 January 2027 (possibly 7 January) | Sunset on 6 January |
| UK, Europe, North America | Depends on the local mosque or council | After Maghrib |
Dates are estimates. Always confirm with your national moon sighting committee or a trusted local mosque.
What Is the Date of 27th Rajab in 2027?
The 27th of Rajab 1448 AH is expected on 5 January 2027 by calculation, and on 6 or 7 January 2027 where local sighting is followed. Rajab 1448 itself is expected to begin around 10 to 12 December 2026, depending on the country.
Here is something many readers miss. The Islamic year is about 11 days shorter than the solar year, so 27 Rajab appears twice in Gregorian 2027. The second one, 27 Rajab 1449 AH, is expected around Saturday, 25 December 2027. Rajab 1449 should begin near 29 November 2027, according to published Rajab date tables.
Simple example for counting the date
If 1 Rajab falls on 11 December 2026 in your country, add 26 days. The 27th of Rajab then lands on 6 January 2027, and the night of Shab e Meraj begins at sunset the evening before the 27th day or on that evening, according to the practice of your community. Your local announcement settles the exact night.
When Is Isra and Miraj 2027, and Why Can the Date Change?
When is Isra and Miraj 2027? It is the same event as Shab e Meraj, so the answer is 27 Rajab 1448 AH, around 5 to 6 January 2027. The terms simply come from different languages: Isra and Miraj is the Arabic name, and Shab e Meraj is the Persian and Urdu usage meaning the Night of Ascent.
Moon sighting explained
Each Hijri month begins when the new crescent is sighted after sunset. Some countries rely on local sighting, some accept sightings from other regions, and some follow astronomical calculation. A one day difference between countries is therefore normal and not a mistake.
How to confirm your local date
- Watch for the Rajab 1448 crescent announcement in December 2026.
- Count 29 or 30 days from your country's declared 1 Rajab.
- Check the announcement of your national committee or local masjid.
- Compare with the Shab e Meraj holiday page on timeanddate for a second reference.
Islamic Dates Around Shab e Meraj 2027
Shab e Meraj sits between the sacred month of Rajab and the run up to Ramadan. These estimates help you plan ahead. Learn more in our Islamic Holidays 2027 guide and our page on special Islamic days.
| Event | Hijri date | Estimated Gregorian date |
|---|---|---|
| Start of Rajab | 1 Rajab 1448 | 10 to 12 December 2026 |
| Shab e Meraj | 27 Rajab 1448 | 5 to 7 January 2027 |
| Start of Shaban | 1 Shaban 1448 | 9 to 10 January 2027 |
| Nisfu Shaban | 15 Shaban 1448 | 23 to 25 January 2027 |
| Start of Ramadan | 1 Ramadan 1448 | 8 to 10 February 2027 |
Read more about the sacred month in our guides to the month of Rajab and the month of Shaban. If you are already planning fasting, see when is the next Ramadan.
What Is Shab e Meraj? Meaning and Background
Shab e Meraj commemorates a miraculous night in which Allah took Prophet Muhammad ﷺ from Makkah to Jerusalem and then raised him through the heavens. It is a night of reflection, not a festival with fixed rituals.
Isra: the Night Journey
Isra is the journey from Masjid al Haram in Makkah to Masjid al Aqsa in Jerusalem. It came after a period of deep grief for the Prophet ﷺ, including the loss of his wife Khadijah (RA) and his uncle Abu Talib. The journey was a mercy and a sign of divine support. At Al Aqsa, he led earlier prophets in prayer.
Miraj: the Ascension
Miraj is the ascent through the heavens, where the Prophet ﷺ met earlier prophets and reached the Lote Tree of the Utmost Boundary. The greatest gift of this journey was the command of the five daily prayers. For a deeper history, read our Shab e Meraj history article.
Scholars have recorded different opinions about the exact date of the event. Many communities mark 27 Rajab by long tradition, while others hold that the date is not firmly established. Both views agree that the event itself is true and that its lessons matter more than the day.
Quran and Hadith About Isra and Miraj
From the Quran
The Quran also reminds us that the months have a sacred order. Surah At Tawbah 9:36 states that Allah made twelve months, four of them sacred, and Rajab is one of the four.
From the Hadith
The detailed account is recorded in the authentic collections. In Sahih Muslim, hadith 162 and Sahih al Bukhari (for example hadith 349), the Prophet ﷺ reported that fifty daily prayers were first prescribed. On the advice of Prophet Musa (AS), he returned to ask for ease until the number became five, and he was told that they are five in number and fifty in reward.
Another well known narration teaches that prayer is the first deed a servant will be asked about on the Day of Judgment. Together these texts show why the real center of this night is Salah. Explore it further in our guide to Salah.
How to Spend Shab e Meraj 2027 With Sincerity
There is no obligatory prayer or fixed ritual for this night. The best approach is sincere worship that follows the Sunnah. Our Shab e Meraj prayers guide covers duas and voluntary worship in more detail.
Practical ways to observe the night
- Protect your five daily prayers. Pray each one on time and with focus.
- Offer voluntary prayers. Pray what you can after Isha, such as two rakah of nafl.
- Recite and reflect. Read Surah Al Isra, or the opening verses, and study the meaning.
- Make dua and seek forgiveness. Speak to Allah in your own language.
- Learn the story. Share it with family in a calm, simple way.
A sample plan for a working person
Pray Maghrib and Isha in congregation if possible. After dinner, spend 15 minutes reading the translation of Surah Al Isra, then pray two rakah and make dua. Before sleep, set an intention to improve one prayer habit, such as praying Fajr on time. Small and consistent steps are better than one exhausting night.
Mistakes to avoid
- Believing a specific number of rakah is required for this night.
- Sharing unverified rewards for fasting or special prayers.
- Missing Fajr after staying awake late.
- Treating the night as a cultural event and forgetting the core lesson of Salah.
Teaching children about the Night Journey
Tell the story in short pieces. Explain that Allah honored the Prophet ﷺ with a special journey and gave us the gift of Salah. Ask your child to pick one prayer they will try to keep on time that week. You can reinforce learning with our Islamic quiz.
FAQ: Shab e Meraj 2027, Isra and Miraj and 27 Rajab
When is Shab e Meraj 2027?
It is expected on the night of 27 Rajab 1448 AH. Global calendars list Tuesday, 5 January 2027, while many South Asian sources expect the night of Wednesday, 6 January 2027. The final date depends on the Rajab moon sighting.
When is Isra and Miraj 2027?
Isra and Miraj 2027 falls on 27 Rajab 1448 AH, around 5 to 6 January 2027. A second 27 Rajab, for 1449 AH, falls around 25 December 2027.
What is the date of 27th Rajab in 2027?
The 27th of Rajab 1448 is expected on 5 January 2027 by calculation, or 6 to 7 January 2027 where local sighting is used. The 27th of Rajab 1449 is expected around 25 December 2027.
Does Shab e Meraj start at night or in the morning?
It begins after sunset at Maghrib and lasts until Fajr, because the Islamic day starts at sunset.
Is there a special prayer for Shab e Meraj?
No specially numbered prayer is established. You may offer regular voluntary prayers, make dua and recite the Quran.
Is fasting on 27 Rajab compulsory?
No. Narrations promising a special reward for fasting on this exact day are not firmly established according to many scholars, so any voluntary fast should be a general act of worship. Read more in our fasting guide.
Why does the date change every year?
The Islamic calendar is lunar and about 10 to 11 days shorter than the solar year, so events move earlier each Gregorian year and depend on moon sighting. See our Islamic calendar guide.
Conclusion: Plan Ahead for the Night of Ascent
So, when is Shab e Meraj 2027? Mark the night of 27 Rajab 1448, expected around 5 to 6 January 2027, and confirm it with your local moon sighting announcement in December 2026. Use the night to renew your connection with Salah, seek forgiveness and learn from the Prophet's ﷺ example. For more dates and reminders, visit Islamic Info Center and read our Shab e Meraj overview.
Sources and review: Dates compiled from IslamicFinder, Alhabib Islamic calendar and Wikipedia: Isra and Mi'raj. Estimates may change after official moon sighting. Please consult a qualified scholar for religious rulings.