Virtues of Shabaan

In the name of Allah, the most Beneficent, the most Merciful.

Answer

Shabaan is the eighth Islamic month that comes between Rajab and Ramadhan. The word Shabaan means ‘consecutively escalating’.

Saaiduna Usama Radiallahu Anhu reports that the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam said “There is a month between Rajab and Ramadhan called Shabaan, people are very ignorant towards this month, even though the reward of each deed is greater within it and the deeds are presented to Allah”.

(Sunan Nasaai)

The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam used to increase his Ibadha (worship) in the month of Shabaan.

1. Saaidah Aaisha Radiallahu Anha narrates, “The Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam fasted for so long we thought that he would never break his fast.  Then he would do Iftaar (for so many days) we thought he will never fast.  I have never seen the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam fast for a whole month besides the month of Ramadhan and keep more fasts (outside of Ramadhan) than in the month of Shabaan.  (Sahih Bukhari p.264 v.1)
2. Saaidah Aaisha Radiallahu Anha narrates, “I never saw the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam fast in any month more that the month of Shabaan.  He would fast the whole month except for some days; in fact he used to fast the whole month (of Shabaan).  (Sunan Nisaai p.306 v.1)

Saaiduna Abu Hurairah RadiallahuAnhu relates that Saaidah Aaisha Radiallahu Anha narrated to them the hadith that the Blessed Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam fasted the whole month of Shabaan.  She said “I asked the Blessed Prophet: O Blessed Prophet Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam, is Shabaan your most favourite month to fast? He replied: Allah (SWA) assigns the year of death for each person (in the month of Shabaan) thus; I wish my death came when I am fasting.  (Musnad Abi Yala p.311 v.8)

From this we can deduce that the month of Shabaan is a very important month and we should increase our Ibadah in this month, in particular try to keep as many optional fasts as possible as the Prophet of Allah Sallallahu Alahi Wasalam used to fast most of the month of Shabaan.

Only Allah Knows Best

Mohammed Tosir Miah

Darul Ifta Birmingham