Moon Phase & Hilal Tracker
Track the current lunar phase and understand its significance in the Islamic Hijri calendar and Hilal sighting.
The 8 Lunar Phases & Islamic Significance
New
Day 1
New Moon (Hilal) (الهلال)
The moon is not visible. In Islam, the sighting of the new crescent (Hilal) on this or the following day determines the start of a new Hijri month. Ramadan, Eid, and all Islamic months begin with the sighting of the Hilal.
Waxing
Days 2–6
Waxing Crescent (الهلال المتزايد)
A thin crescent is visible shortly after sunset on the western horizon. This is the Hilal — the crescent whose sighting begins Islamic months. The Prophet ﷺ taught a du'a upon seeing the crescent: 'Allahumma ahillahu alayna bil-yumni wal-iman.'
First
Day 7
First Quarter (التربيع الأول)
Half the moon is illuminated. This is the middle of the first half of the lunar month.
Waxing
Days 8–13
Waxing Gibbous (الأحدب المتزايد)
More than half the moon is illuminated and growing toward full. The moon rises before sunset and sets before sunrise.
Full
Day 14–15
Full Moon (Badr) (البدر)
The moon is fully illuminated and rises at sunset. In Arabic, the full moon is called 'Badr' — a word used in the Quran and Hadith, and also the name of the famous Battle of Badr. The 13th, 14th, and 15th of each Hijri month are called 'Ayyam al-Bid' (the White Days) — fasting on these days is Sunnah.
Waning
Days 16–21
Waning Gibbous (الأحدب المتناقص)
The moon starts to shrink from full illumination, rising after sunset and setting after sunrise.
Last
Day 22
Last Quarter (التربيع الأخير)
Half the moon is illuminated. The moon rises at midnight and sets at noon.
Waning
Days 23–29
Waning Crescent (الهلال المتناقص)
A thinning crescent visible before dawn. The lunar month ends as the moon disappears entirely before the new Hilal is sighted.
The Hilal (Crescent) in Islam
The crescent moon (Hilal — هلال) holds a central place in Islamic practice. Allah says in the Quran: "They ask you about the new crescents. Say: They are measurements of time for the people and for Hajj." (Al-Baqarah 2:189).
The Islamic Hijri calendar is a purely lunar calendar — each month begins with the sighting of the new crescent moon. This means the start of Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr (1 Shawwal), and Eid al-Adha (10 Dhu al-Hijjah) are all determined by Hilal sighting.
The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ taught Muslims to recite a specific du'a upon seeing the new crescent: "Allahumma ahillahu alayna bil-yumni wal-iman, was-salamati wal-islam, Rabbi wa rabbuka Allah" — "O Allah, let this crescent appear over us with blessedness, faith, safety, and Islam. My Lord and your Lord is Allah." (Tirmidhi)
Moon Sighting Methods
- Physical sighting (Ru'yah): The traditional method — waiting to see the crescent with the naked eye. Used by Saudi Arabia and many Muslim-majority countries.
- Astronomical calculation: Using precise mathematical calculations to predict when the crescent will be visible. Used by Turkey, Egypt, and many Western Muslim communities.
- Global sighting: Accepting moon sightings reported from anywhere in the world. Leads to uniform dates globally.