Sha’ban: A time of avoidance of heedlessness

SHA’BAN is the eight month of the Islamic lunar calendar; the month that precedes Ramadan. The literal meaning of the word “Shaban” is something that is successively developing or uninterruptedly increasing. This is a month in which the Prophet incessantly fasted.

Many are oblivious of the value of this month.

‘A’ishah, the wife of the Prophet (pbuh), said, “I never saw the Prophet fasting (voluntary) fast more in any other month than that of Sha’ban. He used to fast for most of the month.” [Al-Bukhāri] When the Prophet was asked why he fasted so much in Sha’ban, the Prophet replied, “There is a month between Rajab and Ramadan, of which many people are neglectful; it is the month in which deeds are raised (for evaluation) to the Lord of the universe, and I love to be in a state of fasting when my deeds are taken up for evaluation.” [an-Nisa’i]

From this hadith we learn that the Prophet fasted consistently in Sha’ban. The reason for that fast being that deeds are elevated for evaluation and the best condition to have one’s deeds evaluated in is a state of fasting.

Here we keep in mind the words of the Prophet pertaining to the special nature of the ‘ibadah of siyam/fasting; “Every deed of a human being is for himself except fasting; it is for me and I will personally reward that”. [al-Bukhari]

We are also made to realise the importance of recognising our accountability for our deeds. Each of us needs to reflect on the verse: “O You who proclaim Faith! Be sincerely dutiful to Allah, and carefully consider what you have sent forth for the morrow. Be sincerely conscious of Allah, for surely Allah is well-informed of all your deeds. [Qur’an 59:18]

One of the historical events pertaining to the month of Sha’ban is that the Qiblah or direction for salah was changed from masjid-ul Aqsa (in Jerusalem) to the Ka’bah at Masjid-ul Haram (in Makkah) two years after hijrah on the 15th of Sha’ban.

There are undoubtedly authentic ahadith that testify to the significance of Nisf Sha’ban. Let us reflect on one such authentic hadith and consider the lessons we learn from it.

The companion Mu’ath ibn Jabal narrated that the Prophet (pbuh) said: “On the night of mid-Sha’ban, Allah looks at His creation and forgives all of them except for the polytheist and the quarrelsome or hateful person.” [At-Tabrani] [classed as sahih by foremost Salafi hadith scholar, Shaykh Nasiruddin Albani, in his Silsilah Al-Sahihah]

We gather three things from authentic hadith regarding Nisf Sha’ban:

1. There is definitely a significance to the night as the Prophet particularly mentioned it. Little wonder that the many great scholars who have emphasised the significance of Nisf Sha’ban include Imam al-Shafi’, Imam al-Awza’i, Imam Suyuti, Imam ibn Taymiyah (in his Majmoo’ al-Fatawa ibn Taymiyah and Iqtida’ al-sirat al-mustaqim) and Imam Nawawi.
2. The second point to note is the forgiveness of Allah. We acknowledge the words of the Prophet, “All human beings commit wrong and the best of those who sin are those who repent. [Tirmidhi] We are thus reminded in the Qur’an… “Ask your Lord to forgive you your sins, and turn towards Him in repentance, for surely, my Lord is a Dispenser of Grace, Most Loving.” [Q 11:88-90]

Therefore, let us all heed the promise and the invitation of the Divine… “O my servants who have transgressed against their souls! Despair not of the Mercy of Allah, for Allah forgives all sins: for He is Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. [Q 39:53] Besides asking forgiveness, let us also be forgiving; “If you pardon, reconcile and forgive; surely Allah is Most Forgiving, Most Merciful.” [Qur’an 64:14]

3. The third point referred to in the hadith is the warning to neither be mushrik nor mushaHin.

Shirk

We are reminded in surah Luqma that “shirk is indeed a tremendous wrong” [Q 31:13] and we are further warned in surah an-Nisa’ that “Allah forgives all sins except shirk, for shirk is a most sinful forgery.” [Q 4:48]

There are basically two categories of shirk:

1. Shirk-ul-akbar/major shirk, which entails associating or equating anything in any way to Allah.
2. Shirk-ul-asghar /minor shirk. The Prophet (pbuh) said, “Of the fear I have the most fearful is that you will engage in shirk-ul-asghar.” He was asked what shirk-ul-asghar was. He replied, “doing things for show.” [Musnad Ahmed]

Ikhlas/sincerity is thus essential for any action. As the Prophet said, “Actions are judged by intentions.” Sincere intention thus supersedes any action, because there could be ostentation or ulterior motives in an outward action. The Prophet thus reminded us that, “Allah does not judge you by your physicality or your appearances; He rather looks at (the sincerity of) your heart and (the goodness of) your deeds. [Muslim] The Prophet also said; “Successful indeed are those who are sincere in faith, whose hearts are pure, whose tongues are truthful, who have inner contentment and whose character is upright.” [Musnad Ahmed]

MushaHin

We are also warned in the hadith not to be of the mushaHin; that is, those who are excessively argumentative and hateful. Allah says in the Qur’an, “Among people, there are those whose talks about affairs of the world may impress you, and they call Allah to witness what is in their hearts, yet they are severely argumentative. [Qur’an 2:204]. Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) thus warned, the most disliked of people in the estimation of Allah are those most argumentative. [Bukhari].

Reflect a culture of kind consideration

So, let us avoid argumentation, harbour no hate and rather be more loving. Wise ones have said, “Imbue yourselves with the qualities of Allah.” The qualities of the Divine and those characteristics pleasing to the Divine are indeed the best qualities to imbibe and to nurture. Allah is al-Wadud/Most Loving and a believer should imbibe these qualities and manifest it at a human level. It is in this spirit that our beloved Prophet (pbuh) advised: “The peak of reasoning after accepting faith in the Divine is being affectionate towards people, and doing good to others, irrespective of their being pious or sinful.” [Bayhaqi]

Take heed of the lessons of Sha’ban

Rajab has passed and Sha’ban has entered; successful are those who successfully prepared themselves with proximity to Allah in Rajab for Ramadan. But now that Sha’ban has entered, people are heedless/neglectful.

Let us acknowledge that the right thing to do is always the best thing to do. Let us do all forms of good with the best of intentions, and avoid any form of evil in all of its dimensions. Realise that our deeds are evaluated and that we will be held accountable. Let us not be argumentative and hateful, let us rather be loving and compassionate. In keeping with the name of Sha’ban, the ever increasing, May Allah increase us in goodness and heeding of the Prophetic advice (as documented by Tibrani): “Do not engage in any act unless it is good; do not say anything unless it is beneficial.”