The Month of Sha‘ban: Prelude to Ramadan

Sha‘ban: Prelude to Ramadan

Sha‘ban is a month of good that introduces the great month of Ramadan. The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to fast voluntarily during this month more so than in any other month. One of the motivations for that, as we will mention below, is that Sha‘ban is the month during which the deeds performed by the servant ascend to God.

Usama ibn Zayd relates:

“The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) used to fast so many days in succession that we said, ‘He will never break his fast.’ At other times, he would go without fasting for so long until we said, ‘He will never again fast;’ except for two days, which he would fast even if they occurred during the times he was not fasting consecutive days.

Furthermore, he would not fast in any month as many days as he fasted during Sha‘ban. I said: ‘O Messenger of God! Sometimes, you fast so much it is as if you will never break your fast; at other times you leave fasting for such a long stint it is as if you will never again fast (voluntarily), except for two days that you always fast.’ He asked: ‘Which two days are those?’ I replied: ‘Monday and Thursday.’ The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: ‘Those are two days in which the deeds are presented to the Lord of the Worlds. I love that my deeds are presented while I am fasting.’ I said: ‘I do not see you fasting in any month like you fast during Sha’ban.’ The Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said: “That is a month occurring between Rajab and Ramadan that many people neglect. It is a month in which the deeds ascend to the Lord of the Worlds, be He Mighty and Majestic, and I love for my deeds to ascend while I am fasting.” [Ahmad; Nasa’i]

[Imam] Zaid Shakir

Below is Imam Zaid’s recent visit to SeekersGuidance; click below to watch.