“Sha’baan (a Month That Precedes Ramazaan) Has Started.”

A Special Ibaadat of This Month”

Answering a question on the “Non-Ramazan” fasts of Rasulullaah, SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, his wife Sayyidatuna ‘Ayesha r.a. says:

“In some months, his frequent voluntary fasts would make us think that he would always fast. While, in other months, its frequency would drop a little. But the case of Sha’baan was different. For, I never saw him fast voluntarily in any month, more than he fasted in Sha’baan. Barring its few days, he would spend this entire month, while fasting voluntarily.”(1)

Answering the question on the reason for his frequent fasts, during the month of Sha`ban, the noble Prophet, SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, said:

“Sha’baan is a great month. But many people do not know its importance, especially the significance of observing voluntary fasts in it. It is the month in which the records of our deeds are taken up to the Lord of the Worlds. For this reason, I fast a lot in it, hoping that my record is taken up, and reported to Allaah, Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, at a time when I am fasting.(2)

The Explanation.

Today’s first Hadees Shareef clearly tells us about the noble Prophet’s “special” Ibaadat, which he used to do during Sha`baan; the current month. While the second Hadees Shareef explicitly mentions the significance of Sha`baan in our religion. Therefore, following these authentic Ahaadees, we must voluntarily fast in Sha’baan as many times as we can comfortably do. It will make us “mentally” prepared, for the month of Ramazaan. Otherwise our “ibaadath” in the first few days of Ramazaanul Mubaarak will get disturbed due to hunger pangs and intense thirst. Lastly, those who missed some of Ramazaan’s fast last year, and could not make up for them till now, should do so before Ramazaanul Mubaarak starts. May Allaah, Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala, guide us to follow this special Sunnat, related with Sha’baan, Aameen Yaa Rabbal ‘Aalameen!