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Sha`ban is one of the meritorious months for which we find particular
instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad . It is reported in
authentic ahadith that Prophet Muhammad , used to fast most of the
month in Sha`ban. These fasts are supererogatory (nafl) and well
deserving of reward, for Sha`ban is the month immediately preceding
the month of Ramadan. The Prophet mentioned in a hadith, "Rajab is
the month of Allah, Sha`ban is my month and Ramadan is the month of
the Nation".
instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad . It is reported in
authentic ahadith that Prophet Muhammad , used to fast most of the
month in Sha`ban. These fasts are supererogatory (nafl) and well
deserving of reward, for Sha`ban is the month immediately preceding
the month of Ramadan. The Prophet mentioned in a hadith, "Rajab is
the month of Allah, Sha`ban is my month and Ramadan is the month of
the Nation".
1. The blessed companion Anas , reports that Prophet Muhammad , was
asked, "Which fast is the most meritorious after the fasts of
Ramadan?" He replied, "Fasts of Sha`ban in honor of Ramadan."
asked, "Which fast is the most meritorious after the fasts of
Ramadan?" He replied, "Fasts of Sha`ban in honor of Ramadan."
2. The blessed companion Usama ibn Zaid , reports that he asked
Prophet Muhammad : "Messenger of Allah, I have seen you fasting in the
month of Sha`ban so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in
any other month." Prophet Muhammad , replied: "That (Sha`ban) is a
month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And
it is a month in which an account of the deeds (of human beings) is
presented before the Lord of the universe, so, I wish that my deeds be
presented at a time when I am in a state of fasting."
Prophet Muhammad : "Messenger of Allah, I have seen you fasting in the
month of Sha`ban so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in
any other month." Prophet Muhammad , replied: "That (Sha`ban) is a
month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And
it is a month in which an account of the deeds (of human beings) is
presented before the Lord of the universe, so, I wish that my deeds be
presented at a time when I am in a state of fasting."
3. Ummul Mu'mineen `Aishah (r), says, "Prophet Muhammad , used to fast
the whole of Sha`ban. I said to him, 'Messenger of Allah, is Sha`ban
your favorite month for fasting?' He said, 'In this month Allah
prescribes the list of the persons dying this year. Therefore, I like
that my death comes when I am in a state of fasting.'"
the whole of Sha`ban. I said to him, 'Messenger of Allah, is Sha`ban
your favorite month for fasting?' He said, 'In this month Allah
prescribes the list of the persons dying this year. Therefore, I like
that my death comes when I am in a state of fasting.'"
4. In another Tradition she says, "Prophet Muhammad , would sometimes
begin to fast continuously until we thought he would not stop fasting,
and sometimes he used to stop fasting until we thought he would never
fast. I never saw the Messenger of Allah fasting a complete month,
except the month of Ramadan, and I have never seen him fasting in a
month more frequently than he did in Sha`ban."
begin to fast continuously until we thought he would not stop fasting,
and sometimes he used to stop fasting until we thought he would never
fast. I never saw the Messenger of Allah fasting a complete month,
except the month of Ramadan, and I have never seen him fasting in a
month more frequently than he did in Sha`ban."
5. In another report she says, "I never saw the Messenger of Allah, ,
fasting in a month so profusely as he did in the month of Sha`ban. He
used to fast in that month leaving only a few days, rather, he used to
fast almost the whole of the month."
fasting in a month so profusely as he did in the month of Sha`ban. He
used to fast in that month leaving only a few days, rather, he used to
fast almost the whole of the month."
6. Ummul-Mu'mineen Umm Salamah (r), says: "I have never seen the
Messenger of Allah fasting for two months continuously except in the
months of Sha`ban and Ramadan."
Messenger of Allah fasting for two months continuously except in the
months of Sha`ban and Ramadan."
These reports indicate that fasting in the month of Sha`ban, though
not obligatory, is so meritorious that Prophet Muhammad did not like
to miss it.
not obligatory, is so meritorious that Prophet Muhammad did not like
to miss it.
The Night of Bara`ah (nisf Sha`ban)
Another significant feature of the month of Sha`ban is that it
consists of a night which is termed in Shari`ah as "Laylatul-
bara`ah" (The night of freedom from Fire).
consists of a night which is termed in Shari`ah as "Laylatul-
bara`ah" (The night of freedom from Fire).
This is the night occurring
between 14th and 15th day of Sha`ban. Traditions of Prophet Muhammad ,
prove that it is a meritorious night in which the people of the earth
are attended by special Divine Mercy. We will be posting much more
about this blessed night shortly.
between 14th and 15th day of Sha`ban. Traditions of Prophet Muhammad ,
prove that it is a meritorious night in which the people of the earth
are attended by special Divine Mercy. We will be posting much more
about this blessed night shortly.
What should be done in this night?
On the Holy Night of 15th Shaban, after Maghrib or Isha prayer it is
traditional practice to read
traditional practice to read
Surah Yasin three times, and after each
time, read a special du`a with the following intentions:
1st reading the niyyat (intention) for should be for Long Life.
time, read a special du`a with the following intentions:
1st reading the niyyat (intention) for should be for Long Life.
2nd reading the niyyat (intention) should be for Protection from
Calamities.
Calamities.
3rd Reading the niyyat (intention) should be for not being needy to
anyone except Allah.
anyone except Allah.
What to recite (PDF) [excerpted from Guidebook by Shaykh Muhammad
Hisham Kabbani]
Hisham Kabbani]
It is very necessary that just as others observe this night, you
observe it. To make an invitation to feed people on that night, to
remember Allah (swt) and to remember His Prophet , and to fast its day
and pray its night, will be rewarded for that night and for whoever
observes it.
observe it. To make an invitation to feed people on that night, to
remember Allah (swt) and to remember His Prophet , and to fast its day
and pray its night, will be rewarded for that night and for whoever
observes it.
In order to observe the Night of Bara`ah, one should remain awake on
this night as much as possible. If someone has the opportunity, he or
she should spend the whole night in worship and prayer. However, if
one cannot do so for one reason or another, he can select a
considerable portion of the night, preferably of the second half of it
for this purpose, and should perform the following acts of worship:
praying
Salat ul-Khair, which consists of 100 raka`ts, in each raka`t
reciting Sura al-Fatiha and 10 Surat al-Ikhlas. To complete the prayer
one recites 1000 Sura al-Ikhlas.
one recites 1000 Sura al-Ikhlas.
The Night of Bara`ah is a night in which special blessings are
directed towards the Muslims. Therefore, this night should be spent in
total submission to Allah Almighty, and one should refrain from all
those activities which may displease Allah.
Fast of the 15th Sha`ban
On the day immediately following the Night of Bara`ah, i.e. the 15th
of Sha`ban, it is mustahabb (advisable) to keep fast. Prophet
Muhammad is reported to have recommended this fast emphatically. A
large number of the predecessors (salaf) of the Ummah have been
observing the fast of the 15th of Sha`ban.
Therefore, it is advisable to fast the 15th of Sha`ban as an optional
(nafl) fast. One can also keep a fast of qada (make-up) on this day
and it is hoped that he can also benefit from the merits of this fast.
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