IN the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
The Holy Qur’an, Muzammil 73:1-6 admonishes, “O thou folded in garments! Stand (to prayer) by night, but not all night; half of it or a little less, or a little more. And recite the Qur’an in slow, measured rhythmic tones. Soon shall We send down to thee a weighty Message. Truly the rising by night is most potent for governing (the soul), and most suitable for (framing) the word (of prayer and praise)”.
Also, fasting in the month of Sha’ban gives you a chance to start preparing for the month of Ramadan. For fasting, you will have to wake up early at fajr time and spending a day without eating and drinking will give you a clear idea of what it would take in order to successfully spend the blessed month of Ramadan. It is very good to observe Fast on Mondays and Thursdays, not only is it a Sunnah, but it will help prepare you for Ramadan.
If you have obligatory fasts you need to make up, use the month of Sha’ban to do so, as was the practice of Aisha (RA). Aisha (RA) said: “I used to have fasts that I still owed from Ramadan, and I could not make them up until Sha’ban, and that was because of the position of the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) [as a husband].” (Bukhari)
In fact, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) observed more days of fast in Sha’ban than any other month, apart from the compulsory fast in the full month of Ramadan. According to an authentic Hadith, “Sha’ban is a month where people tend to neglect, between the months of Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the worlds and I like my deeds to be raised while I am fasting.” (Sunan An-Nasa’i)
The virtues of fasting in the month of Sha’ban are numerous. Ibn Rajab (RA) said: “Fasting in Sha’ban is better than fasting in the sacred months and the best of voluntary fasts are those that are (observed in the months) closest to Ramadan, before or after.”
That means that the most rewarding time to perform a non-obligatory fast is in Sha’ban and Shawwal. Ibn Rajab adds: “The status of these fasts is like that of al-Sunan al-Rawatib (sunnah prayers) which are done before and after fard (prayers) and which make up for any shortfall in the number of obligatory prayers. The same applies to fasts observed before and after Ramadan. Just as al-Sunan al-Rawatib are better than other kinds of voluntary prayers, so fasts observed (in the months) before and after Ramadan are better than fasts at other times.”
But it is advisable to observe fast till the 15th of Sha’ban so as to conserve energy for the full month fast in Ramadan. The Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW) says in a Hadith prohibiting people from fasting after the 15 of Sha’ban. Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet said, “When half of the Sha’ban is over, do not fast.” (Nasai: 2351). The Prophet is also reported to have said, as narrated by Abu Huraira, that “none of you should fast during the last days of Sha’ban for one or two days except those who are habitual of fasting regularly” (Bukhari: Book of Fasting).
Moreover, the month of Sha’ban has the virtue of blessing when prayers are enjoined on Prophet Muhammad (SAW) by all, at all times. More so, it was in the month of Sha’ban that the verse for the regular prayers for Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
The Holy Qur’an, Al-Ahzab, 33:56, was revealed thus in Sha’ban: “Indeed Allah and His angels bestow their prayers upon the Prophet. O you who believe! Bestow prayers and peace upon him in abundance”.
Thus, Muslim scholars (Ijma) constantly remind us to further increase our prayers (salawat) and salutations for Prophet Muhammad (SAW) more in the month of Sha’ban, which is a blessed month for the faithful. The Prophet (SAW) said, “The person closest to me on the Day of Judgment is the one who sent the most blessings [salawat] upon me.” [Tirmidhi]
Meanwhile, the direction in which we pray (Qiblah) was changed from BaytilMakdis in Jerusalem to Ka’bah Mosque in Makkah on 15th of Sha’ban. This position was supported by Al-Imam Ibn Kathir in Al-Bidayah Wan-Nihayah, and mentioned that the majority of scholars are inclined to the view that the 15th of Sha’ban is also the date when the changing of the Qiblah (direction of prayer) took place. This was 18 months after the Hijrah, migration of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) from Makkah to Madinah.
The Holy Qur’an Al-Baqarah, 2: 144 says: “We have certainly seen the turning of your face [O Muhammad], toward the heaven, and We will surely turn you to a Qiblah with which you will be pleased. So, turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you [believers] are, turn your faces toward it [in prayer].”
All Muslims on Umrah and Hajj demonstrate this during prayers at the Masjid-l-Qiblatayn in the outskirts of Medina whenever they visit the mosque during their holy journey.
It is also the month in which the moon was split for the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). The Holy Qur’an, Qamar 54:1-5 confirms, “The Hour has come near, and the moon has split [in two]. But if they see a sign, they turn away, and say, ‘This is (but) transient magic’. They reject (the warning) and follow their (own) lusts but every matter has its appointed time. There have already come to them recitals wherein there is (enough) to check (them), mature wisdom but (the preaching of) warners profits them not. Therefore (O Prophet), turn away from them. The Day that the Caller will call (them) to a terrible affair, they will come forth, their eyes humbled from (their) graves, (torpid) like locusts scattered abroad, hastening with eyes transfixed towards the Caller! ‘Hard is this Day!’ the unbelievers will say”.
Also, Anas bin Malik (ra) narrated, “The people of Makkah asked Allah’s Messenger (SAW) to show them a miracle. So, he showed them the moon split in two halves between which they saw the Hira’ mountain [the Mountain of Light].” [Bukhari]
Moreover, it is in the month of Sha’ban that our deeds are raised up to Almighty Allah from the previous year. Our deeds are constantly being written down by our angels and Allah is already aware of all we do and say.
However, the Prophet (SAW) singled out specific times when our deeds would be raised to Allah to remind us to account ourselves for our actions and focus on our worship. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “Angels take turns among you by night and by day, and they all assemble at the dawn and afternoon prayers. Those (of the angels) who spend the night among you, then, ascend, and their Lord asks them, though He is the best informed about them, ‘How did you leave My servants?’ They say, ‘We left them while they were praying and we came to them while they were praying”’ [Muslim]. For example, our deeds are displayed to Allah on a daily basis after Fajr and Asr on a weekly basis on Mondays and Thursdays, and on a yearly basis during Sha’ban.
Also, it was in the month of Sha’ban that fasting was institutionalised in Islam, and when the verse of Command for the full month fast in Ramadan was revealed. The following ayah was revealed in Sha’ban:
“The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Qur’an was revealed as guidance for mankind, and as clear signs that show the right way and distinguish between right and wrong. So, whoever witnesses (the new moon of) the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey, then an equal number of other days (i.e., he must make up the missed fasts). Allah intends for you ease and does not intent for your hardship, and (He wants) you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that (to) which He has guided you, and perhaps you will be grateful”. [The Noble Qur’an, Baqarah, 2:185].
Alhamdulillah, we were commanded to observe fast for an entire month, allowing us to attain the immense rewards of fasting every single year! Every Ramadan increases us in Taqwa and gratitude, in sha’ Allah.
Thus, these virtues of the month of Sha’ban compels us to seek the blessings of Almighty Allah in the month of Sha’ban with more fasting, night prayers (Qiyamu Layl), acts of God’s remembrance (Zikr), prayers for Prophet Muhammad (Salawat), supplication (du’a n and alms to the poor (sadaqat).
Meanwhile, the blessings of God for our acts of worship in the eighth month of Sha’ban come in form of, one, being granted forgiveness from our sins; two, getting our prayers and sincere hopes answered; three, striving for closeness to Allah (SWT) and having faith in His mercy.
May Allah give us the utmost love for such a month that meant so much to our beloved Prophet (SAW). Ameen.
and then