Fasting in the month of Shabaan-2

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 (a’amaal) are presented before Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala), so I want that I should be fasting and My deeds should be presented before Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala).

 

(Sunan Nasai, Vol. 1, Pg No: 321.   Hadith No: 2317, Musnad Imam Ahmed, Musnad Ul Ansaar, Hadith No: 20758)

 

In one Hadith from the Ummul Momineen Aisha Siddiqa (May Allah be well pleased with her), she says:

 

Translation: O Prophet of Allah! (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), I see You fasting a lot in Ramadhan? He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: O Aisha! This is the month in which the angel of death writes the name of the person whose soul (Ruh) will be taken in the rest of the year.  I desire that My name should be written when I am fasting. 

 

We should remember that the words of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) are:” I desire that my name should be written when I am fasting,” are for the encouragement of the Ummah.  Writing the blessed name of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is an honor for the angel of death and it is a honor for the roll in which His blessed name is written. 

 

The fasting of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is to bless the fast itself.  The remaining hungry of non-Muslims cannot be called fasting.  Even when Muslims remain hungry without the intention of fasting, it cannot be called fasting.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said this because only the blessed actions of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) are called worship. 

 

The basic reason for fasting is to break and conquer desires.  The status of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is that even the devil, who is there with every human being and who incites every human being to commit sins became a follower of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  It is against our very faith to even relate the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) to desires. 

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) knows the day, month and date of His passing away into the presence of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) with complete certainty.  He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) does not have any fear of death as we do.  Saying this was only to prepare for meeting the Lord and teaching the Ummah. 

 

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) had already indicated to the Sahabah about His passing away.  There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari, Vol. 1, Pg No: 516:

 

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Sae'ed Khudri (May Allah Ta’ala be well pleased with him), he said that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) gave a sermon to the people.  He said that: Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) gave His worshipper a choice between this world (Dunya) and what Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) has (for Him), so that worshipper chose what is with Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala).  Hadhrat Abu Sae'ed Khudri (May Allah Ta’ala be well pleased with him) says: Hadhrat Abu Bakr (May Allah Ta’ala be well pleased with him) started crying.  We were surprised at his crying that the worshipper, with choice, about whom Hadhrat Muhammad (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was telling us was the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) Himself.