Importance of the Month of Shaban in Islam

The Holy Month of Shaban is the 8th month of Islamic calendar and is one of the fourth sacred months for which we find particular instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Shaban is the 2nd month of worship in command to make arrangements for the blessed and magnificent month of Ramadan. The Muslims have come to know the month of Shaban as the month of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (SAW). Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said: “Shaban is my month, Rajab is Allah’s month and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah. Shaban is expiator, while Ramadan is the purifier.”

Muslims celebrate most of the Islamic events according to the lunar Islamic calendar. Shab e Barat is one of the most prominent Islamic rituals that Muslims celebrate in the month of Shaban. Muslims all over the world celebrate Shab e Barat with religious interest and make special preparations for this night in the form of standing up in prayers all night and keeping fast during the day.

Shab-e-Barat the 15th of Shaban is one of the most revered nights in which Muslims seek Allah’s forgiveness and blessings and repent over their sins. Hazrat Ali (RA) narrated that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “When it is the fifteenth of Shaban, then stand (in worship) at night and fast during the day. Because Allah descends in this night at sunset to the first heaven and says: ‘Is there any seeker of forgiveness, that I may forgive him? Is there any seeker of sustenance, that I may sustain him? Is there anyone in affliction, that I may remove his affliction? Is there anyone like this, like that (and so on)’. This continues until Fajr.” (Ibn Majah)

Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to fast repeatedly in the month of Shaban. Hazrat Aishah (RA) said: “I never saw the Messenger of Allah fast for a complete month except for Ramadan, and I never saw Him do more fasting in any month than He (SAW) did in the month of Shaban” (Al-Bukhari).

In another hadith Prophet (PBUH) aid related to the significance of the month of Shaban in these words: “People neglect this month which is between Rajab and Ramadan, in this month the actions of the people are presented to Allah; so, I like my deeds to be presented while I am fasting” (Abu Dawood).

Fasting in the month of Shaban gives you a chance to start preparing for the month of Ramadan. For fasting, you will have to wake up early on Fajr time, and spending a day without eating and drinking, will give you a clear idea of what it would take in order to successfully spend the blessed month of Ramadan.

May Almighty Allah give us the ability to fast abundantly in this month and committing good deeds to receive pardon and forgiveness. Ameen!

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