Alhamdulillah’s we have reached Sha’ban, which is one month away from Ramadhan. The Shahabas used to look forward to Ramadhan 6 month prior and once it ended, they used to remember it and miss it for 6 months. The Prophet (saw) said, ‘Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha’ban is my month and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah’. [Suyuti]

Usamah ibn Zaid related the increased fasting in the month of Shaban by Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Prophet Muhammad said:

“That is a month to which people do not pay much attention, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are taken up to the Lord of the worlds, and I like that my deeds be taken up when I am fasting.” (An-Nasa’i)

Even to this day, we neglect it. We think Ramadhan soon, so let’s chill this month. But look at the sunnah and behaviour of the rasool. Sha’ban is yet another blessed month packed with opportunities to maximise our good deeds and draw closer to Allah.  

We mentioned in Rajab, how we should use it as a month to start turning towards increasing in good deeds, reading the Quran, and reading the Salawat. Shaban is the month in which we increase this even further, as we’re closer to Ramadhan, we should be planning what we will be doing in Ramadhan, building excitement. One of the ways we can do this is by fasting. Just a few fasts every few days to remind oneself of fasting, so when we beging the first of Ramadhan, we aren’t lethargic or have a headache.

The month of momentous events

Sha’ban is often overlooked by many Muslims because incredible miracles took place in Rajab (Al-Isra’ wal-Mi’raj) and Ramadan (the revelation of the Qur’an), so we forget that Sha’ban is also a month to commemorate! Here are a few significant events that took place in Sha’ban:

Splitting of the moon: 

Anas bin Malik (ra) narrated, ’The people of Makkah asked Allah’s Messenger (saw) to show them a miracle. So he showed them the moon split in two halves between which they saw the Hira’  mountain [the Mountain of Light]’. [Bukhari]

This incredible miracle took place in Sha’ban, and it is referred to in the Qur’an: ’The Hour has come near, and the moon has split [in two]’. [The Noble Qur’an, 54:1]

Changing of the Qiblah: 

The first Qiblah of the Muslims was Masjid Al-Aqsa Al-Mubarakah. However, while the Prophet (saw) was living in Madinah, the following ayah was revealed:

‘We have certainly seen the turning of your face, [O Prophet (saw)], toward the heaven, and We will surely turn you to a Qiblah with which you will be pleased. So turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram…’ [The Noble Qur’an, 2:144]

SubhanAllah, the Prophet (saw) kept wishing he could face the first House of Allah (swt) while he was praying, but it was impossible to face both the Ka’bah and Masjid Al-Aqsa while he was living in Madinah. So Allah changed the Qiblah for him and his Ummah.

Ayah commanding fasting in Ramadan:

The following ayah was revealed in Sha’ban:

’The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Qur’an was revealed as guidance for mankind, and as clear signs that show the right way and distinguish between right and wrong. So whoever witnesses (the new moon of) the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey, then an equal number of other days (i.e. he must make up the missed fasts). Allah intends for you ease and does not intent for your hardship, and (He wants) you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that (to) which He has guided you, and perhaps you will be grateful’. [The Noble Qur’an, 2:185]

Alhamdulillah, we were commanded to fast for an entire month, allowing us to attain the immense rewards of fasting every single year! Every Ramadan increases us in Taqwa and gratitude, in sha’ Allah.

Ayah commanding Salawat:

During Sha’ban, Muslims were also commanded to send Salawat upon the Prophet (saw). As mentioned before, Sha’ban is the month of the Prophet (saw) and we should take advantage of this opportunity to draw closer to him. The Prophet (saw) said, ‘The person closest to me on the Day of Judgement is the one who sent the most Blessings [Salawat] upon me’. [Tirmidhi]

Finally, the 15th night of Sha’ban, which we’ll dedicate a programme to. 

May Allah accept all our efforts during Sha’ban. May He bless us and help us increase our worship, and may He allow us to draw closer to Him and His Messenger (saw) during this time, Ameen.