What are the virtues of the month of Sha’bān

Virtues of The Month of Sha’bān

Sha'bān is the eighth Islamic month that comes between Rajab and Ramadān. Sha’baan is an introduction to the month of Ramadān and just like Ramadān – fasting and recitation of the Qur'ān has been prescribed within it to meet Ramadān by having ourselves prepared in obedience to the Most Merciful and it is also the month in which people's deeds are taken up to ALLĀH ﷻ.

The Prophet (ﷺ) used to fast frequently during this month. The number of fasts he used to observe in this month was more than any other month except for the month of Ramadān.

In a narration by the mother of the believers, A'ishah (رضي الله عنها); “I never saw the Prophet (ﷺ) fasting in a month so profusely as he did in the month of Sha’bān. He used to fast in that month leaving only a few days, rather, he used to fast almost the whole of the month.” [Bukhari, 1833 & Muslim, 1956]

In another narration, Usama ibn Zaid reports that he asked the Prophet (ﷺ) “O Messenger of ALLĀH, I have seen you fasting in the month of Sha’bān so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in any other month.” The Prophet (ﷺ) replied: “That (Sha’bān) is a month between Rajab and Ramadān which is neglected by many people. And It is the month in which people’s deeds are taken up to the Lord of the Worlds, and I would like my deeds to be taken up whilst I am fasting.” [Sahih al-Targhib wal-Tarhib, page 425]

So it is clear from the above narrations that this is indeed a very special month and it is highly recommended to fast as much as possible.

It is also said that the previous month of Rajab is the month for planting seeds, the month of Sha’bān is the month in which you water the seeds, and the month of Ramadān is the month of harvest; wherein the seeds bear fruit. How can we expect the seeds to bear fruit in Ramadān if we do not plant any seeds in the previous months?

However, it should be noted that it is not obligatory to fast during this month. One should only fast during this month if he can do so without bringing any harm to oneself. If one fears that fasting during this month will cause him to lose his strength or freshness of mind for the month of Ramadān then one should refrain from doing so since the obligatory fasts of Ramadān are more important. But still, we should strive to fulfill this Prophetic Sunnah to the best of our abilities which will insha ALLĀH bring us closer to ALLĀH, and prepare us both physically and mentally for the blessed month of Ramadān.

#Prepare4Ramadaan

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