Shaban is a blessed month by virtue of the Prophet (saw), who said, ‘Rajab is the month of Allah, Shaban is my month, and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah’. [Suyuti]
Unfortunately, its benefits are often overlooked because of the imminent arrival of Ramadan. However, Shaban has opportunities to maximise our good deeds and draw closer to the Prophet (saw). It is also the month our deeds are raised to Allah (swt).
The Prophet (saw) used to fast more during this month and would increase the time spent offering voluntary prayers and reciting the Quran to gain extra reward. This was also an example to us of following the Sunnah of the Prophet (saw) and establishing good habits in time for Ramadan.
It is an excellent time to cut back on our food consumption and keep voluntary fasts. Many of the early generations would pay their Zakat so that it could reach the poor during Ramadan.
Those who are terminally ill and unable to fast during Ramadan would pay their Fidya in Shaban so that it could be used to feed a poor fasting person from the start of Ramadan.
A night of forgiveness
In the middle of the Shaban is a vital night known as Laylat al-Bara’ah or Shab-e-Barat.
There is some debate among scholars about the significance of this night, but most scholars have accepted this night as authentic. Furthermore, the hadith is not being relied on to give Islamic rulings but rather to encourage good actions such as reciting the Quran, performing voluntary prayers, and fasting the next day.
The Prophet ﷺ said, ′Allah gazes at His creation on the fifteenth night of Shaban and then forgives all His slaves except for two types of people: those who attribute partners to Allah and those who have rancour for their fellow Muslims’. [Hadith – Ahmad]
This hadith speaks of the main blessing of this excellent night where mercy and forgiveness are poured over the whole Ummah, and it is for this reason that Muslims spend the night in prayer, remembering Allah ﷻ and asking for forgiveness.
The Prophet ﷺ said that on this night, from sunset until dawn, Allah asks His servants, ′Is there anyone seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone seeking provision from Me so I may provide for him? Is there anyone suffering so I may relieve his suffering? ′ [Hadith – Ibn Majah]
Keeping a voluntary fast on the 13th to the 15th of every month in the Islamic calendar is from the Sunnah, and there are numerous reasons and benefits for making this a habit. Practising this Sunnah in Shaban is beneficial because it helps to prepare for Ramadan.
Make the most of this blessed month by sending Salawat on the Prophet ﷺ, preparing yourself for Ramadan. Shaban is an important month, and we should seek to benefit from its blessings. It is a time when our actions are raised to Allah and where we should prepare for the blessed month of Ramadan.