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September 2005
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Month of Shaban

Seek Solace in Shaban
By Mufti Taqi Usmani


Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) was asked, “Which fast is the most meritorious after the fasts of Ramadan?” He replied, “Fasts of Shaban.”


Shaban is one of the meritorious months for which we find some particular instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). It is reported in authentic hadiths that Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) used to fast most of the month in Sha’ban. These fasts were not obligatory on him, but Sha’ban is the month immediately preceding the month of Ramadan. Therefore, some preparatory measures are suggested by the Prophet (Pbuh).


• The blessed companion Anas, (RA) reports that Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) was asked, “Which fast is the most meritorious after the fasts of Ramadan?” He replied, “Fasts of Shaban in honour of Ramadan.”


• The blessed companion Usama ibn Zaid, (RA) reports that he asked Prophet Muhammad, (Pbuh), “Messenger of Allah, I have seen you fasting in the month of Sha’ban so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in any other month.” Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) replied: “That (Sha’ban) is a month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And it is a month in which an account of the deeds of human beings is presented before the Lord of the universe, so, I wish that my deeds be presented at a time when I am in a state of fasting.”

• In another tradition, Hazrath Ayesha (RA) says, “Prophet Muhammad, (Pbuh) would sometimes begin to fast continuously until we thought he would not stop fasting, and sometimes he used to stop fasting until we thought he would never fast. I never saw the Messenger of Allah, (Pbuh) fasting a complete month, except the month of Ramadan, and I have never seen him fasting in a month more frequently than he did in Sha’ban.”


These reports indicate that fasting in the month of Sha’ban, though not obligatory, is so meritorious that Prophet Muhammad, (Pbuh) did not like to miss it.


• The blessed Companion Abu Hurairah, (RA) reports Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) to have said, “Do not fast after the first half of the month of Sha’ban is gone.” The essence of the Hadith is that the Prophet (Pbuh) himself used to fast most of the month of Sha’ban, because he had no fear of developing weakness or weariness before the commencement of Ramadan. As for others, he ordered them not to fast after the 15th of Sha’ban for the fear that they would lose their strength and freshness before Ramadan starts, and would not be able to welcome the month of Ramadan with enthusiasm.