Almost every one knows the merits and importance of the Month of Ramadan
but Shaaban is the Month between Rajab and Ramadan which is often
neglected by many people as reported by the Prophet in a Hadith .When
the Prophet sighted the moon of Rajab he used to pray in the following
words “O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Shaaban blessed for us and
let us reach the month of Ramadan.” In other words the Prophet (S.A.W)
used to supplicate to Allah to prolong our lives to see the blessed
Month of Ramadan so that we may take benefits from its merits and
blessings. Now before the commencement of Ramadan there are two months
preceding it i.e. the month of Rajab which came and gone and we are now
in the month of Shaaban the eighth Month in the Lunar Calendar which we
would like to discuss some of the neglected merits associated with this
Month. In a Hadith quoted in Bukhari and Muslim Ummil Mumeenin Aishah (Rahiallahu
Anha) was quoted as saying 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 Shaaban.
In Tirmizi She was quoted as saying “I never
saw the Messenger of Allah fasting in a month so profusely as he did in
the month of Shaaban. He used to fast in that month leaving only few
days, rather he used to fast almost the whole of the month. This should
be the practice but due to neglect unfortunately we neglect this Sunnah
of our Dear Prophet (S.A.W) fasting profusely in the Months of Shaaban.
Why did he used to fast in this Month more than any other Month a part
from Ramadan? The answer is it is the Month in which account of the
deeds of humanity is presented before the Lord of the Universe Allah (S.W.T)
therefore the Prophet added “” I wish that my deeds be presented at a
time when I’m in a state of fasting”. In this month of Shaaban Allah
prescribes the list and names of all the persons dying this year so the
Prophet wished that his death should come when he was in the state of
fasting. Fasting in the Month of Shaaban though not obligatory but
meritorious the Prophet did not like to miss it .It is said in Hadith
quoted by Abu Daud the Prophet (S.A.W) directed the Muslims not to fast
after the first half of Shaaban. Therefore some people used to fast
continuously up to the middle of Shaaban keeping in mind if one is
capable without causing any deficiency in the obligatory fasts of the
Month of Ramadan. If one fears that he/she may lose strength or
freshness for the fast of Ramadan after fasting Shaaban so is better not
to fast in the Month of Shaaban because it is an optional fast while
Ramadan is compulsory. That is why the Prophet himself has forbidden
Muslims from fasting one or two days immediately before the commencement
of Ramadan. According to Hadith quoted by Bukhari the Prophet (S.A.W)
has said “Do not precede the month of Ramadan with one or two fasts”. So
we learnt from the two Ahadith while he used to fast up to the end of
Shaaban if had no apprehension of weakness or weariness before Ramadan
some others he ordered them not to fast after the 15th of
Shaaban for the fear they may lose the strength and freshness to welcome
Ramadan with much enthusiasm expected of every Muslim. It is recommended
that at least a person should make intention to fast on the 15th
of Shaaban known as Nisfush -Shaaaban the half of Shaaban which is
mustahab advisable .So the first half of this Month has its special
merits although the Prophet used to fast most of the month of Shaaban
and a large number of Salaf of the Ummah have been keeping this
tradition of constantly fasting on the 15th of Shaaban which
is so meritorious. No one knows when he is going leave this World it is
on this night 15th Shaaban called Lailatul Mubaraka in Surah
Dukhan Allah refers the night in which He made distinct every affair of
wisdom .It is said in this night all things have been written all those
who are going to die those who are going get married and so on and so
forth. May be somebody is busy preparing for his wedding ceremony while
it is written that he/she is going to be among the dead written for the
year. Scholars have indicated that 15th of Shaaban is meant
while others were of the opinion it is Lailatul Qadr in Ramadan. Anyhow
Allah knows best but from the foregoing quotations the importance of
Shaaban has been stressed but due to neglect we forget the importance of
this Month myself included. I should have brought to the attention of
our readers the importance of the Month earlier to enable us take more
benefits, nonetheless its better too late than nothing. Despite our
worldly engagements which have distracted us away we should make effort
to try to fulfil the purpose of our lives which Allah has sent us and
the Prophet shown us the way before it is too late when we arrive in our
graves. While some people are busy day and night not knowing the timing
of their death is fast approaching, so the Month of Shaaban with all the
merits mentioned earlier would give us the opportunity to ponder at the
main purpose of our lives which unfortunately we all have forgotten.
Once our time finishes we would not be given another chance to repent
and rectify our lives so 15th Shaaban is the expected date of
Decree so we should make the best use of it amending our lives for the
better before it is too late. They say opportunity once lost can never
be regained. May Allah accept our ibadah and other good deeds that
would help prepare us to see the blessed Month of Ramadan commencing
after the exit of the neglected but equally meritorious Month of Shaaban.
So this is why the Prophet (S.A.W) was reported to have made special
Khutbah (Sermon) at the end of Shaaban extolling the virtues of Ramadan
which commenced immediately after Shaaban.
Wa Akhiri Daawana Anil Hamdu Lillahi Rabbil
Alameen
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