Fasting in the month of Shabaan

 

Fasting in Sha’abaan is loved by the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  The Hadith prohibit us against fasting on 29th or 30th of Sha’abaan for welcoming Ramadhan.  There is a Hadith in Jame’ Tirmidhi:

 

Translation: Don’t fast 1 or 2 days before Ramadhan, but if anybody fasts on a particular day and that day falls on these days, there is no harm.  (Jame’ Tirmidhi, Vol. 1, Hadith No: 620, Pg No: 167)

 

The author of Majma’ Ul Bihar writes about the wisdom behind this prohibition:

 

Translation: So as to have some comfort before Ramadhan and to make sure that vigor lasts in Ramadhan as well and it is also said to ensure that Nafl (optional) and Fardh (Obligatory) don’t get mixed up. 

 

When the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was asked about the most superior fasts, He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: The fasts of Sha’abaan for respect (preparation) of Ramadhan are the best.  (Ghuniya Lit Talibi Tariqil Haqqi, Vol. 1, Pg No: 187).

 

Hadhrat Ghawth ul A’adham (May Allah be well pleased with him) also says in his Ghuniya Lit Talibi Tariqil Haqqi Vol. 1, Pg No: 187:

 

Translation:  All the sins of that person are forgiven of that person who fasts on the last Monday of Sha’abaan.

 

Under this Hadith, Hadhrat Ghawth ul A’adham (May Allah be well pleased with him) writes in the same book on the same page:

 

Translation: This means the last Monday of Ramadhan, not the last day as welcoming Ramadhan by fasting on the last 1 or 2 days of Ramadhan is prohibited.

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would fast a lot in this month.  Ummul Momineen Hadhrat Aisha Siddiqa (May Allah be well pleased with her) says:

 

Translation:  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would fast so much in Sha’abaan that we would think, He would not have Iftaar (break the fast) at all.  Sometimes He would not fast so much that we would start thinking that He would not fast now.  I have never seen the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) fasting for the whole month except in Ramadhan and I have never seen the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) fasting so much in any other month as in Sha’abaan.

 

There is another Hadith:

 

Translation: It is narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Aisha Siddiqa (May Allah be well pleased with her) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would not fast more than Sha’abaan in any other month because in this month, the souls (Ruh) of the living are written among the dead.  So much so that a person marries even though his name has been written among those who will die and verily a man performs Haj although his name is among the dead.  (Ibn Mardawe, Ibn ‘Asaker, Durre Manthur-Surah Dukhan)

 

There is another Hadith:

 

Translation:  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) would fast for the whole of Sha’abaan.  When I asked Him, He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Allah Most High writes (the names of) all those who would die in this year in this night.  I desire that my time of passing away should be when I am fasting.  (Abu Ya’ala, Durre Manthur, Surah Dukhan)

 

There is a Hadith in Sunan Nasai and Musnad Imam Ahmad Bin Hambal:

 

Hadhrat Usama Bin Zaid (May Allah be well pleased with them) asked the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam):  O Prophet of Allah (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)!  I have never seen you fasting so much in other months as much as you fast in Shabaan. The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: This is that month between Rajab and Ramadhan, which people do not think about and this is the month in which deeds are presented before Allah Most High, so I want that I should be fasting when my deeds are presented before Allah Most High.  (Sunan Nasai, Vol. 1, Pg No: 321.   Hadith No: 2317, Musnad Imam Ahmed, Musnad Ul Ansaar, Hadith No: 20758)