Now that we are in Sha'ban
Sha’ban is the eight month of the Islamic calendar. Historically, the name of the month was derived from the word ‘Sha’ba’ which means to emerge (that is it appears between the months of Rajab and Ramadan), or it was also said to have been derived from the word ‘tasha’aba’ which means in search of water’.
Virtues of the month of Sha'aban
The month of Sha’ban is
a very significant one but is often overshadowed by the virtues of Ramadan. It is
one of the blessed months in which Allah has granted to His believing servants
to bless them and forgive their sins before the blessed month of Ramadan.
The Prophet sallah Llahu alayhi wa salam was asked about the virtues of this month and he was reported to have said
"That is a month to which people do not pay much
attention, between Rajab and Ramadan…"
There have been many narrations on the importance of this month. The Prophet sallah Llahu alayhi wa salam used to fast during this month. When Allah’s Messenger sallah Llahu alayhi wa salam was asked why he fasted so much in the month of Sha’aban, he replied that
“… it is a month in which deeds are lifted up and I like for my deeds to be lifted up while I am fasting”.
Aishah radiyyah Llahu anha said’ I never saw the Messenger of Allah sallah Llahu alayhi wa salam fasting for an entire month except in Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more than he did during the month of Sha’aban (al-Bukhari and Muslim).
Also, fasting during this month prepares one for fasting during the month of Ramadan.
However, it is
prohibited to fast on the last day of Sha’ban with intention of not missing the
first day of Ramadan, except for those who have the habit of fasting regularly and
the last day of Sha’ban coincides with a day the person habitually fasts, those
who are bound by vows or those making up some obligatory fasts.
The ruling of 15th of Sha’aban
With regards to the magnanimity of this month, some muslims have specified the night of 15th of Sha’ban(regarded to as Shabbe-Baraa’t) as a night to stay awake to worship Allah.
This is against the sunnah of the Prophet sallah Llahu alayhi wa salam. He said:
“Do not single out the (preceding) nights of Friday among the nights
for prayer and do not single out day of Friday among the days for fasting but
only when anyone among you is accustomed to fasts(on dates) which coincides with this day(Friday)”. Sahih Muslim(no 2546)
Other recommended acts during this month include:
Doing a lot of
istigfaar
Giving alms to the poor
Engaging in frequent
dhikrs
Recitation of the Holy
Qur’an
Sending blessings to
the Prophet sallah Llahu alayhi wa salam
Finally, if you still have missed fasts from last year Ramadan, this is the time to repay them. May Allah accept our ibaadah and spare us till Ramadan. Aameen.
References
The month of Shaban:
slideshare
The month of Sha’ban- A
spring of goodness
Kathrada Y(2018). The
Month of Sha’ban
The Virtues of the
Month of Sha’ban
Mufulihat Ibagbe
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