Sha'baan: A Blessed Month that People Neglect - III

It was narrated on the authority of ‘Ikrimah  and other scholars of Tafseer (exegesis) that the verse in which Allaah The Exalted Says (what means): {On that night is made distinct every precise matter}[Quran 44:4] refers to the night of mid-Sha’baan. The correct interpretation is that it refers to the Night of Al-Qadr. It was narrated on the authority of Ibn Rajab  that ‘Ataa’  said, "When the night of mid-Sha’baan comes, a record is given to the Angel of Death. It is said: Take the souls of those listed in this record."

Ibn Abu Shaybah  narrated a Mursal (incompletely transmitted) narration on the authority of ‘Ataa’  that the Prophet, , did not fast in any month more than Sha’baan as the times of death are registered. 

An important point about fasting in Sha’baan

The Prophet, , said: "It is a month that people neglect, between Rajaband Ramadhaan." Ibn Rajab  said, "This indicates that it is favorable to fill one's time with worshipping and acts of obedience to Allaah and that this is liked by Allaah The Almighty. For example, some of the predecessors used to revive the time between sunset and sunrise with prayers. They used to say, ‘It is an hour of heedlessness.’"

This indicates the virtue of remembering Allaah The Almighty at times when people are heedless. Abu Saalih  said, "Allaah The Almighty marvels at the one who remembers Him in markets." That is because he remembers Allaah The Almighty in a place of heedlessness, among the people of heedlessness.

There are many benefits of reviving times of heedlessness with acts of obedience:

-      It is more hidden. Hiding voluntary acts of worship and performing them in secret is better, especially fasting.

-      It is more difficult for the soul. The best deeds are the most difficult for the souls because of the scarcity of those who can act as role models. This point was mentioned by the Prophet, , when he said:“The righteous among them will have the reward of fifty of you because you have supporters who help you to do good and they will not have.” The first part was narrated by At-Tirmithi and Abu Daawood.

-      The one obeying Allaah The Almighty among the people of disobedience and heedlessness may be a reason for the protection of all the people from trials. The Prophet, , said: "If it had not been for the humble, submissive youth, bowing elderly people, breastfed children and moving cattle, torment would have been sent over you." [At-Tabaraani, Al-Bazzaar, Al-Bayhaqi and Abu Ya‘la] [A slightly weak chain of narrators]

A narrated citation reads: "Allaah protects the family, children, descendants and surroundings of a righteous man."

Since Sha’baan is like a prelude to Ramadhaan, it is favorable to perform what is to be performed in Ramadhaan such as fasting and reciting the Quran in order to prepare yourself for Ramadhaan. Salamah ibn Kuhayl  stated that it was said, "The month of Sha’baan is the month of the readers of the Quran." In addition, Al-Hasan ibn Sahl  said, “Sha’baan said, ‘O Lord, You placed me between two great months, so what is for me?’ Allaah The Almighty said: ‘Reciting the Quran.’”

Fatwa:

Shaykh Muhammad Al-‘Uthaymeen  was asked, ‘What is the ruling on fasting in Sha’baan?’

He answered,

"Fasting in Sha’baan is a Sunnah (Prophetic tradition) and fasting a lot in it is also a Sunnah. ’Aa’ishah  said, "I never saw him (the Prophet ) fasting in any month more than Sha’baan." Therefore, one should fast a lot in the month of Sha’baan based on the previous Hadeeth. Scholars said, "Fasting of Sha’baan is similar to regular voluntary prayers to obligatory ones. That is why it is a Sunnah to fast in Sha’baan and six days of the month of Shawwaal just like regular voluntary prayers before and after the obligatory ones."

Fasting in Sha’baan has another benefit which is preparing oneself for fasting in Ramadhaan and to make it easy to observe it. [Fataawa Arkaan Al-Islaam]

Reflection:

The rewards and virtues of acts of worship increase if sufficient time is spent doing them, if they have a high position among other acts of worship, as well as if most people are heedless of their benefits.