Zilqad 1446 Moon Sighted in Pakistan: Second Last Islamic Month Begins on April 29
April 29, 2025 – Islamabad: The moon marking the beginning of Zilqad 1446 AH has been sighted in various parts of Pakistan, heralding the start of the second last month of the Islamic lunar calendar. The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee officially announced the moon sighting after receiving credible testimonies from multiple locations, including Karachi, Lahore, and Peshawar. Consequently, Zilqad will commence on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, as per the Islamic tradition, which follows lunar sightings to determine the beginning of each month.
Zilqad, one of the four sacred months in Islam, holds significant spiritual importance. Alongside Dhul-Qa’dah (Zilqad), Dhul-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab, it is a period in which warfare is traditionally prohibited, and Muslims are encouraged to focus on worship, reflection, and maintaining peace. It is particularly significant as it directly precedes the month of Dhul-Hijjah, during which millions of Muslims from around the world gather in Saudi Arabia to perform Hajj, the annual Islamic pilgrimage.
While Zilqad itself does not host any obligatory rituals like Ramadan or Dhul-Hijjah, it serves as a spiritual preparation period. Many Muslims take this time to seek forgiveness, increase acts of worship, and prepare for the final sacred journey of the Islamic year. Scholars often encourage additional voluntary fasts, charitable giving, and regular Qur’an recitation during this time.
The Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, led by Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, confirmed the moon sighting after maghrib prayers. Addressing the media from Karachi, he said:
“We received multiple reliable testimonies from different regions, confirming the sighting of the moon. Hence, the 1st of Zilqad 1446 will fall on Wednesday, April 30.”
The committee also thanked local ulema and zonal members for their cooperation in ensuring an accurate and timely announcement.
In recent years, moon sighting has sparked debates across Pakistan, with differing opinions between traditional sighting methods and astronomical calculations. However, the majority continues to follow physical sighting as per prophetic tradition. The Ministry of Religious Affairs has made ongoing efforts to combine traditional methods with modern astronomy to reduce discrepancies and ensure unity.
The sighting of the Zilqad moon also brings a sense of anticipation, as it marks the countdown to Hajj and Eid al-Adha. With only one month remaining before Dhul-Hijjah, pilgrims from Pakistan are beginning their final preparations. The Ministry of Religious Affairs is expected to release an updated travel schedule and health guidelines for Hajj pilgrims in the coming days.
As the Islamic calendar nears its end, Zilqad offers Muslims a chance to reflect on the past year, seek forgiveness, and gear up spiritually for the final sacred events. From mosques to homes, the beginning of this blessed month will be observed with prayers, gratitude, and hope for a peaceful conclusion to the Islamic year 1446 AH.
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