FASTING IN THE MONTH OF SHA’BAN: A RECOMMENDED DEED FOR MUSLIMS BY IMAM YUSUF DAGBO
Usamah ibn Zayd reported: I said, “O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting any month as much as you fast during Sha’ban.” The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “It is a month people neglect between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are raised to the Lord of the worlds, and I like for my deeds to be raised while I am fasting.”
Sunan al-Nasā’ī 2357
REMINDER & LESSONS OF HADITH
As we go about our businesses, let remained hygienic by washing our hands regularly, eat healthy food and stay in an healthy environment to strengthen our immunity and more importantly observe our daily prayers in the best manners
THE LESSONS AND JURISPRUDENCE OF THE HADITH ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. The Hadith encourages us to always emulate the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as much as we can for additional rewards, increased spirituality, breakthrough and refined personality
2. Hadith states the legality of fasting in the month of Sha’ban as Prophet Muhammad (SAW) did to the extent that his companions were asking whether he intends to complete the month, it is because he fasts more in the month than he does in other months. Though, he has never completed fasting in any month except in the month of Ramadhan
3. Hadith establishes how honoured is the month of Sha’ban for the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) whom Allah has forgiven his past and present misunderstandings to have fasted in it and encourages Muslims to do same because of the importance and benefits attached to it
4. Hadith relates how the companions were always observant of whatever the Prophet (SAW) does and ask questions to clear their doubt, so that they will know what exactly to tell others. These observations, comments and responses were what made of Hadith today for the generality of Muslims and it is the reason why Muslims should seek for the knowledge of Hadith as second primary source of Sharia’h in Islam
5. Hadith highlights that the month of Sha’ban is the month that comes between the sacred month of Rajab and honoured month of Ramadhan, which indicated that it is a blessed month and a preparatory month for the fasting in the month of Ramadhan
6. Hadith passes to us that there are instances where our account of deeds are reported back to Allah on daily, weekly, monthly and annually basis. While a good example of annual report occurs in the month of Sha’ban without indication of a particular day. It has been the usual encouragement for us in Islam for not specifying some things (day/days) as a way to encourage us to strive for the maximum rewards and increased spirituality. For instance; when Allah said that al-Qur’an was revealed completely from Sacred Slate to Heavenly Sky in the Laylatul-Qadr that falls in the month of Ramadhan and subsequent revelation in piecemeal and indeed in the last ten days of Ramadhan where Muslims are encouraged to look for the actual day of Laylatul-Qadr on our own, it is because Allah and His Prophet Muhammad (SAW) did not specified a particular day, but only guided us to it. It is the same application here in Sha’ban, so that we can strive in it to make sure our accounts are reported while we are in the state of purity (fasting).
7. Hadith reveals the reason while the Prophet (SAW) used to fast more in the month of Sha’ban unlike the other months, which is because our annual report of deeds are used to be reported back to Allah in the month of Sha’ban and the Prophet (SAW) loved to be in fasting in the month so that his report will be a breakthrough, full, rewarding and graciously accepted
8. Hadith encourages Muslims to fast more days in the month of Sha’ban for the reasons mentioned by the Prophet (SAW) as he did while alive.
9. Hadith enlightens us that the month of Sha’ban is not only a preparatory month to fasting in the month of Ramadhan, but also an avenue to repay back the missed days of last year Ramadhan.
10. Hadith serves as reminder to Muslims; especially sisters (mothers, aunts, nieces, daughters) who have a reason or the other to miss a day or more as well as brothers, who have missed too to pay back before this year Ramadhan starts. The month would not only serve as an opportunity to repay back the missed days of Ramadhan, but also earned one a reward of fasting in the month of Sha’ban.
PRAYER:
O Allah, as we observed 1st Jumu’ah in the month of Sha’ban 1446AH, a preparatory month to the Honoured month of Ramadhān, may Your favour, guidance, protection radiate our lives, loved ones, friends, colleagues and families, protect us from evil acts and preserve us to witness Ramadhan this year and beyond and I also pray to Allah to accept our Ibaadah in this Sha’ban and beyond. Amin.
O Allah! Direct our leaders aright to be kind and lenient with the ruled to take us away from languishing in hardship. O Allah! feed us, protect us from allowing His prohibition and deliver us safely to your care. O Allah, avert us the test of trials, protect us and members of our families from evils of Shaytan and governance, protect Muslims from all worrying lands, especially our brothers and sisters in Gaza and Hamas from the cruelty of Israelites. O Allah; pardon us and bestow paradise on us, save all Muslims from the calamities of our time and restore in the world and Nigeria in particular, back to normal from insecurity, hunger, banditry, kidnapping, war and other social evils rampaging the world. Amin
Jumu’ah Mubaarakah
جمعة مباركة
(C) Imam Yusuf Mashood Dagbo, Chief Imam, GGDSS, Okesuna Central Mosque & Director, YUMAD Consults, specializes in Marriage Counselling, Event Organization, Public Presentation etc. Contact us@ dagbomashood@gmail.com (08035215264)
(1st Sha’ban 1446AH/
31st January, 2025CE
About Author
