Shaaban is the eighth month in the Islamic calendar that precedes the holy month of Ramadan. Many Muslims around the world fast during shaaban seeking Allah’s forgiveness and mercy.
Also, they prepare themselves for the prolonged period of fasting during Ramadan. And as the scholars said Rajab is the month of planting, shaaban is the month of cultivation, and Ramadan is the time of harvesting. For that reason, we should do our best during this month to get all the blessings.
What Is the Meaning of shaaban?
The word Sha’ban means “dispersion” or to separate something. As in the past Arab used to look for water and an oasis during this month preparing for the ultimate heat of Ramadan.
It was a hope for all Muslims to bear the heat that prevailed during Ramadan. But now sha’ban comes to be a month of preparation. Also for the long fasting days of Ramadan. Sha’ban 2023 will be on the 22nd of Feb and will end on the 22nd of March.
Importance of shaaban month
The prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H. used to fast in shaaban more than any other month except for the holy month of Ramadan. Although we see many Muslims now neglect this month without knowing its great virtues and benefits.
Prophet Mohammad PBUH used to fast in the month of shaaban more than in any other month. However, there are Hadiths that indicate that Muslims shouldn’t fast for the whole month and should leave fasting in the last days of this month to save their health and energy for Ramadan.
Regarding the issue of atonement fasts, which one observes to compensate for the missed obligatory fasts, the person is free to choose the days he or she intends to fast, except those days on which fasting is prohibited.
One has to perform these fasts in the same year in which they were missed. It means that these fasts can be performed in shaaban.
Fasting of shaaban
shaaban is a special month, as the prophet Muhammad P.B.U.H said “Rajab is the month of Allah, shaaban is my month, and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah”. So fasting this month is very recommended for all Muslims for the following reasons:
1- Our deeds will be raised in shaaban
In this month we encourage all Muslims to do all good deeds like fasting or doing Zakat as the prophet Muhammad used to do.
It is also the month in which all these good deeds are raised to Allah S.W.T. It is also the most neglected month among Muslims.
Interestingly, one of the meanings of shaaban is something that is placed between two significant objects so you lose sight of it.
Similarly, shaaban is placed between the sacred month of Rajab and the holy month of Ramadan, so we usually miss its benefits and virtues.
So this month is an opportunity for all Muslims to prepare themselves for the blessed month of Ramada. Also, it is a chance for all the believers and the elite to shine more while others are neglectful of its virtues.
2- The most favorite month of fasting for the prophet
The prophet Muhammad peace be upon him used to fast in this month more than any other Islamic month. Also, we mentioned before that the prophet Muhammad stated that shaaban was my month.
So we can consider our fasting in this month as a way to express our love to the Sunnah of the prophet, wishing to be one of his campaigns in the Hereafter.
3- Way to make up missed fasts of Ramadan
It is strongly recommended by scholars to make up for the missed days of the last Ramadan fasting before another Ramadan comes.
The mother of believers Aishah (May God be pleased with her) used to make up the missed fasts of Ramadan in the month of shaaban.
Also, the prophet Muhammad peace be upon him was a great supporter of his noble wives by also fasting with them. Besides he used to make voluntary nafl fasts in this month before Ramadan.
4- Following the Sunnah of the prophet and reviving it
All Muslims trying their best to follow the orders of the prophet Muhammad Peace be upon him by reviving the Sunnah of all its actions and worship.
So the prophet Muhammad predicted that many people will neglect this special month of shaaban. And it is our role now to revive this forgotten and beloved Sunnah by encouraging our family and friends to fast and gain great rewards.
5. Using Shaaban to prepare for Ramadan
Besides fasting, there are multiple ways to get yourself prepared for Ramadan in the month of shaaban. So you can set targets you want to achieve for your worship in shaaban and Ramadan, and here are some clear points to get you started:
- Before anything, make a pure intention that all your deeds are only for the sake of pleasing Allah S.W.t.
- Commit to a schedule to recite the Quran, or memorization schedule.
- Giving up all the bad habits you are used to, and seeking Allah’s forgiveness.
- Feed the poor and the Muslim family who need help whether through Zakat or by donating food or money for them.
- Get yourself used to praying Fajr prayer in time.
- Commit a schedule to pray Tahajjud, which will be a great help for you to do the night prayer in Ramadan.
So we can all agree that Rajab and shaaban are among the four great months mentioned in the Quran. This means to worship in these months is extremely rewarding. The Quran even forbids going to war in these months with self-defense being the exception. Therefore any form of worship is ok, especially fasting. Fast as much as you can.
Finally, the Prophet did not fast any other month to completion except Ramadan. There’s a good reason for this. Whatever the Prophet does becomes binding on us to do.
Therefore to make things easy for his Ummah, he did not fast any month to completion so as not to overburden us.
This is the wisdom that Allah bestowed on His messenger. Intensify worship in Rajab and shaaban and if you choose to fast, fast on specific alternating days and not all of it.
