Shab-e-Meraj 2027: Expected Date in Pakistan (27 Rajab 1448)
Shab-e-Meraj 2027, the 27th night of Rajab 1448 AH, is expected in Pakistan on the night of Monday, 4 January 2027 or Tuesday, 5 January 2027, beginning at maghrib (expected, subject to the Rajab moon sighting). By the Umm al-Qura calendar, 27 Rajab 1448 is Tuesday, 5 January 2027, so the night begins on the evening of Mon, 4 Jan 2027. Today is Sunday, 1 November 2026 (20 Jumada al-Awwal 1448 AH in Pakistan; see the Islamic date today).
Countdown to Shab-e-Meraj 2027
64 days
until maghrib on Mon, 4 Jan 2027 (Umm al-Qura); Pakistan may be one day later.
Shab-e-Meraj 2027 and Rajab 1448 dates
| Saudi Arabia (Umm al-Qura) | Pakistan (Ruet-e-Hilal, expected) | |
|---|---|---|
| Rajab moon-sighting evening (29 Jumada al-Thani) | Wed, 9 Dec 2026 | Wed, 9 Dec 2026 or Thu, 10 Dec 2026 |
| 1 Rajab 1448 | Thu, 10 Dec 2026 | Thu, 10 Dec 2026 or Fri, 11 Dec 2026 |
| Shab-e-Meraj night (starts at maghrib) | Mon, 4 Jan 2027 | Mon, 4 Jan 2027 or Tue, 5 Jan 2027 |
| 27 Rajab (day after the night) | Tue, 5 Jan 2027 | Tue, 5 Jan 2027 or Wed, 6 Jan 2027 |
| Sha'ban moon-sighting evening (29 Rajab) | Thu, 7 Jan 2027 | Thu, 7 Jan 2027 or Fri, 8 Jan 2027 |
Pakistan's months usually begin on the same day as Umm al-Qura or one day later. In 2026 Rajab began in Pakistan on 22 December 2025 and Shab-e-Meraj was on the night of 16 January. Every 2027 date here is an estimate until the moon is sighted; this page updates automatically once the Rajab 1448 announcement is recorded. Rajab 1448 starts about six weeks from now: first comes the rest of Jumada al-Awwal, then Jumada al-Thani (the next chand raat shows its moon-sighting evening).
Why the night comes before the date
An Islamic day starts at sunset, not midnight (when the Islamic date changes). The "27th night" of Rajab therefore begins at maghrib on the evening of 26 Rajab. That is why newspapers in 2026 wrote "Shab-e-Meraj on the night of 16 January" while the holiday list showed 27 Rajab on 17 January: both describe the same night. The same rule applies to Shab-e-Barat, Laylat al-Qadr and chand raat.
What is Shab-e-Meraj?
Shab-e-Meraj (Urdu/Persian for "night of the ascension"; Arabic al-Isra wal-Mi'raj) marks the night journey of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) from Masjid al-Haram in Makkah to Masjid al-Aqsa in Jerusalem (the Isra), and his ascension through the heavens (the Mi'raj). The journey is referred to in the Quran in Surah al-Isra (17:1) and Surah an-Najm (53:13–18), and the hadith collections report that the five daily prayers were made obligatory during it.
The Quran does not give the date, and early scholars reported different months for the journey. 27 Rajab is the date most widely observed today, including in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Turkey. Many Muslims spend the night in prayer, Quran recitation and dua, and some fast on 27 Rajab; scholars differ on which specific practices are recommended, so follow the guidance of your local scholars and mosque. Rajab itself is one of the four sacred months of the Islamic year.
Shab-e-Meraj in recent and coming years
| Year | Hijri | Night begins (Umm al-Qura) | Pakistan |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 27 Rajab 1447 | evening of Thu, 15 Jan 2026 | evening of Fri 16 Jan 2026 (Pakistan, confirmed; 27 Rajab = Sat 17 Jan) |
| January 2027 | 27 Rajab 1448 | evening of Mon, 4 Jan 2027 | evening of Mon, 4 Jan 2027 or Tue, 5 Jan 2027 (expected) |
| December 2027 | 27 Rajab 1449 | evening of Fri, 24 Dec 2027 | evening of Fri, 24 Dec 2027 or Sat, 25 Dec 2027 (expected) |
Because the Hijri year is 354 or 355 days long, Shab-e-Meraj moves about 11 days earlier each year; 27 Rajab 1449 is expected in late December 2027, so 2027 has two Shab-e-Meraj nights (January and December). About 18 days after Shab-e-Meraj comes Shab-e-Barat 2027 (expected around the evening of Fri, 22 Jan 2027, Umm al-Qura), and Ramadan 1448 is expected to begin on Mon, 8 Feb 2027 (see the Ramadan 2027 countdown). For every other 2027 date, see the Islamic calendar 2027, or convert any date with the Hijri date converter.
Updated: · Published · Sources: Umm al-Qura calendar; Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee / Ministry of Religious Affairs announcement (The Nation, 23 Dec 2025); Cabinet Division optional holidays 2026.
Frequently asked questions
When is Shab-e-Meraj 2027 in Pakistan?
Shab-e-Meraj 1448 (the 27th night of Rajab) is expected in Pakistan on the night of Monday, 4 January 2027 or Tuesday, 5 January 2027, beginning at maghrib, with 27 Rajab on Tuesday, 5 January 2027 or Wednesday, 6 January 2027. The exact night is fixed once the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announces the Rajab moon around Wed, 9 Dec 2026 or Thu, 10 Dec 2026.
What is the date of 27 Rajab 2027?
By the Umm al-Qura calendar, 27 Rajab 1448 is Tuesday, 5 January 2027. In Pakistan it is expected on Tuesday, 5 January 2027 or Wednesday, 6 January 2027.
When does Rajab 2027 (Rajab 1448) start?
Rajab 1448 is expected to begin on Thursday, 10 December 2026 by the Umm al-Qura calendar, and in Pakistan on Thursday, 10 December 2026 or Friday, 11 December 2026, depending on the moon sighting on the evening of 29 Jumada al-Thani.
Why is Shab-e-Meraj observed on the evening of 26 Rajab?
In the Islamic calendar a day begins at sunset. The 27th night of Rajab therefore starts at maghrib on the evening of the 26th, which is why Shab-e-Meraj falls on the Gregorian evening before the 27 Rajab date.
How many days are left until Shab-e-Meraj 2027?
As of Sunday, 1 November 2026, about 64 days remain until the evening of Mon, 4 Jan 2027 (Umm al-Qura). In Pakistan it may be one day later.
Is Shab-e-Meraj a holiday in Pakistan?
It is listed by the Cabinet Division as an optional holiday (in 2026: Saturday 17 January, 27 Rajab 1447), and some provinces close schools that day. Check the official 2027 notification, which depends on the moon.
When was Shab-e-Meraj 2026?
In Pakistan, the Rajab 1447 moon was sighted on 21 December 2025, so Rajab began on 22 December and Shab-e-Meraj was observed on the night of Friday 16 January 2026, with 27 Rajab on 17 January.
Is 27 Rajab the only date given for the Isra and Mi'raj?
No. The Isra and Mi'raj is mentioned in the Quran (Surah al-Isra 17:1 and Surah an-Najm), but the exact date is not fixed in the Quran, and early historians gave different months. 27 Rajab is the date most widely observed, including in Pakistan, India, Bangladesh and Turkey.