Sha’ban
New Muslims & non-Muslims ask, “What's Sha’ban?”
Sha’ban is an Islamic month, starting after the month of Rajab, and ending when the month of Ramadan, the month of fasting, starts.
The Muslim calendar, like the calendar of all the prophets, relies of the new moon to start each month, it will be different by 10 or 11 days every sun calendar year. Also, a day begins when the sun goes down, not at midnight like the sun calendar.
Here’s a quick list of things to do in Sha’ban ~ QUICK LIST — GOOD DEEDS TO DO IN SHA'BAN
- Keep Voluntary Fasts. Prophet, peace be upon him, used to fast most of the days of Sha'ban
- Recite Quran, practice for Quran in Ramadan
- Perform Voluntary Salat (’salat’ - is connection with Allah)
- Save charity money for Ramadan
- Pray for yourself, family, friends and for the everyone, to be guided by Allah.
Full story is on https://IslamNewsroom.com/news-we-need/2685
Significance, Virtues, Benefits, And Fasting
Fasting during Sha’ban is for those who desire forgiveness and want to praise Allah.
It is a month Muslims prepare for the blessed month of fasting in Ramadan. They eat nutritious food and pray long hours in the night.
Sha’ban is our bridge between the month of Rajab and Ramadan. Scholars say “Rajab is a month of planting, Sha’ban is cultivation, and Ramadan is for harvesting”.
Doing good deeds, especially charity, is “planting” (planned) in the month of Rajab, “cultivating” (worked on) in Sha’ban, and “harvesting” (given) in the month of Ramadan.
Virtues of Sha’ban
Sha’ban has many virtues, among them, fasting, because this makes become closer to Almighty Allah. Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, fasted more in the month of Sha’ban than any month, except Ramadan.
Muhammad, peace be upon him, said about Sha’ban, “It is a month where people tend to neglect, between the months of Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month when the deeds are raised to the Lord of the worlds, and I like my deeds to be raised while I am fasting.”
Muhammad, peace be upon him, learned in Surah Al Ahzab, (chapter 33) ayah (verse) 56 of the Quran (recitation) in the monty of Sha’ban. This surah reveals benefits and rewards for praying to Allah.
Muslims used face Qibla (direction) of Jerusalem (Place of Peace) same as all prophets, peace be upon them, did. Two years after Hijrah (moving to Madinah), Allah changed the direction of prayer from Jerusalem to Makkah in Sha’ban.
Sha’ban Fasting
Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him said, “This month people don’t pay much attention to, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month wherein deeds are taken up to The Lord of the Worlds, and I like my deeds to be taken up when I’m fasting.” (An-Nasa’i)
Sha’ban’s Blessings — Quran, Salat, Sadaqah & acceptance
Fasting in the month of Sha’ban we get blessings we can’t imagine. Along with fasting we should also increase our recitation of Quran (recitation), perform more “salat” (connection with Allah), and increase our “sadaqah” (charity). Especially ask Allah to be able to fast, and be accepted by Almighty Allah in Ramadan.
Sha’ban and Shawwal — Months before & after Ramadan.
Ramadan is the month of “Harvest” (good deeds), but Sha’ban is not the only month of increasing the “Harvest” of rewards, so is the month after Ramadan, called Shawwal.
Fasting in the month of Sha’ban gets blessings far and beyond our imagination. Along with Sha’ban fasting, Muslims should pray to Allah and recite the holy Quran for asking His permission to keep the fasts and be blessed in Ramadan.
~ Benefits of Sha’ban month 2024 ~
Performing good deeds and praying to Allah in Sha’ban is more rewarding than any month except Ramadan. However, we can enjoy so much in Sha’ban. Here’s some:
- We ask forgiveness from Allah, because he forgives whoever offers sincere dua (prayer) with remorse. He accepts all prayers with love. We must beg for Allah’s Mercy, and know He always forgives sincere prayers to Him.
- Allah answers the prayers in Sha’ban month. One of the Names of Allah is Salam (The Peace), “He is The Peace and from Him comes the Peace”. If we want real, lasting peace, we need to ask from the One who has All-Peace. So, our sincerity is the door, asking and repenting is the key for forgiveness.
- Angels keep records of our prayers and communicate them to Allah. Sha’ban increase rewards for our prayers. Allah always answers all prayers. Allah Knows what we really need to get to Jannah (Paradise).
Sha’ban strengthens our faith and bonds in our community
Sha’ban is important to help all our communities everywhere in the world.
Time for preparation, reflection, and unity for Muslims everywhere.
Let's all worship together, pray together ~ and enjoy together.