The 365 · Sunnah · Day 355 · Special Days
Fasting in Shaʿbān
The hadith
«ما رأيت النبيّ ﷺ استكمل صيام شهر إلّا رمضان، ولم أره في شهر أكثر صياماً منه في شعبان». وَسُئِلَ: لماذا? فَقَالَ: «ذلك شهر يغفل النّاس عنه بين رجب ورمضان، وهو شهر ترفع فيه الأعمال إلى ربّ العالمين».
ʿĀ'ishah said: 'I never saw the Prophet ﷺ complete a month of fasting except Ramadan; I never saw him fast more in any month than Shaʿbān.' When asked why, he said: 'It is a month people are heedless of, between Rajab and Ramadan; it is a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the Worlds.' (Nasā'ī 2356; Ahmad 21753)
Svenska: ʿĀ'ishah berättade att Profeten ﷺ fastade mer i Shaʿbān än någon annan månad utom Ramadan, eftersom det är en månad där handlingar lyfts till Allah och som människor försummar. (Nasā'ī 2356)
Nasai 2356; Abu Dawud 2431; Ahmad 21753
The story
The Sahaba would prepare for Ramadan by intensifying worship in Shaʿbān. They knew the secret: Ramadan rewards the prepared.
Why it's here
Shaʿbān is the year's annual presentation: deeds are raised. The Prophet ﷺ loved to be fasting when his year's deeds were presented. The month is also a preparation for Ramadan; the soul that fasts much in Shaʿbān enters Ramadan ready.
Try it today
Fast as much of Shaʿbān as you can. The Prophet ﷺ fasted most of it. Stop two or three days before Ramadan begins (so as not to confuse the start of Ramadan). The month prepares the soul.
In your day
Shaʿbān is often overlooked. Mark it. Fast Mondays and Thursdays at minimum; more if able. Treat the month as Ramadan's training camp.
A reflection to carry
When the year's deeds are raised, be among the fasting.
Read the longer reflection
Shaʿbān's secret is that it is the year's annual ledger-raising. The Prophet ﷺ wanted his deeds raised while he was fasting. The Sunnah's emphasis on Shaʿbān is a gift; many Muslims have never been taught it. Recover the month. May Allah make our Shaʿbāns full of fasting and our Ramadans full of acceptance.
Sources: Abu Dawud, Nasai, Ahmad. The Qur'an and its translation are verified; the scholarship is retold faithfully in our own words and credited to its sources, never reproduced verbatim.
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