The Significance of Sha’bān
[Written by Shaykhul-Hadīth, Hadrat Mawlānā Muhammad Saleem Dhorat hafizahullāh]
Sha’bān, the eighth Islamic month is second only to Ramadān in virtue, blessings and greatness. It is due to this virtue and greatness that the Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam used to emphasise its importance not only verbally but practically too.
‘Ā’ishah radhiyallāhu ‘anhā narrates, “Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam used to fast till we would say that he would never stop fasting and he would abandon fasting till we would say that he would never fast. I never saw Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam fasting for a whole month except the month of Ramadān and did not see him fasting in any month more than in the month of Sha’bān.”(Bukhārī, Muslim, Abū Dāwūd, Nasa’ī)
‘Ā’ishah radhiyallāhu ‘anhā narrates, “Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam used to fast the (whole) month of Sha’bān except for a few days.” (Nasa’ī)
Usāmah radhiyallāhu ‘anhu asked, “O Rasūlullāh! I do not see you fasting in any month as much as in Sha’bān.” He replied, “It is a month people are negligent of between Rajab and Ramadān. It is a month in which deeds are raised towards the Lord of the worlds. Therefore, I like my deeds to be raised whilst I am fasting.”(Nasa’ī)
The Fast of the Fifteenth
The fast of the 15th of Sha’bān can only be derived from a hadīth that has a weak narrator in the chain of narration, due to which it cannot be relied upon in the matter of the injunctions of Sharī’ah. Thus, the fast of the 15th of Sha’bān cannot be termed as Sunnah or Mustahab in the strict sense of the term. Nevertheless the fast could be kept without taking it as a Sunnah or Mustahab considering other factors such as:
a) The fasts of the first half of Sha’bān have special merits as can be seen from the practice of the Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam;
b) The virtues of the fasts of Ayyām-al-Bīd (i.e. 13th, 14th and 15th of the Islamic month) have been mentioned in the ahādīth.
Recommended Deeds
The following practices are derived from the traditions of the Prophet sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam which have been mentioned above for Sha’bān and its virtuous 15th night.
(1) It is desirable that one fasts in the month of Sha’bān as much as one can. However, if fasting in Sha’bān is going to affect the fasting of Ramadān then one should refrain from it.
(2) Although salāh should be performed in Jamā’ah (congregation) everyday, on this auspicious night, one must participate with deep and solemn care in the Maghrib, ‘Ishā and Fajr Salāh.
(3) Spend as much time of the night as possible in worship individually. No specific du’ā or method of worship has been prescribed. One may engage in dhikr, recitation of the Qur’ān, salāh, learning and teaching or any other form of ‘ibādah. However, one must refrain from worldly talk and wasting of time. If ‘ibādah is not possible then at least avoid all sinful and useless acts and go to bed as soon as possible.
(4) In one Hadīth it has been mentioned that Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam visited the graveyard of Baqī’. However, one may not establish the practice to be Sunnah as there is no mention of Rasūlullāh sallallāhu ‘alayhi wasallam making it a general practice of this night. Hence, if one visits the graveyard once in a while it will be permissible.
One must refrain in particular from all those practices that are contrary to the Sunnah. Many of us deprive ourselves of the blessings of such auspicious moments and the Favours of Allāh ta’ālā by following those customary acts which have no basis in the Qur’ān and Sunnah.
May Allāh ta’ālā guide us all on the straight path and enlighten us with the blessings of this sacred month and its blessed night. Āmīn.
