Sha’ban is packed with opportunities to maximise our good deeds and draw closer to the Prophet (saw) by sending Salawat (blessings) upon him.
The month in which deeds are raised to Allah (swt)
Sha’ban is the eighth month of the Islamic (hijri) calendar. Nestled in between some of the most revered months of the Islamic (hijri) calendar, Sha’ban is an oft overlooked month of the year, but it is no less significant. While it doesn’t form one of the four sacred months, it was an incredibly important month to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) in terms of ibadah (worship) and offers some key dates for Muslims.
Why is Sha’ban important?
Sha’ban is a precious month for several reasons, namely because it is the month of the Prophet (SAW):
‘Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha’ban is my month and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah’. [Suyuti].
The Prophet (SAW) used to spend much of it fasting, and it is the month in which Allah (SWT) raises the deeds of his servants. The Prophet (SAW) indicated that he liked for his deeds to be liften up when he was fasting.
Another benefit of worship and fasting in Shaban is that it an opportunity to train oneself in preparation for Ramadan.
The month of the Prophet (saw)
The Prophet (saw) said, ‘Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha’ban is my month and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah’. [Suyuti]
This means that we should be making an effort to draw closer to the Prophet (saw) during this month. We can do this by learning more about his Seerah, and increasing our knowledge of topics like the du’as he loved, the foods he ate, and the people who were most beloved to him (so we can follow their example).
Another way to strengthen this connection is by following his Sunnah, such as supporting and caring for orphans, a cause particularly beloved to the Prophet (saw).
The 15th night of Sha’ban
This is one of the greatest nights of the year, and you definitely don’t want to miss out on its blessings! It is a night for seeking forgiveness from Allah and making du’a, and a night upon which He showers His mercy and generosity upon the world!
The main blessing of this night is that Allah pours His mercy and forgiveness upon earth from Maghrib until Fajr. The Prophet (saw) described the extent of His forgiveness in powerful language in numerous narrations:
The Prophet (saw) said, ′Allah gazes at His creation on the fifteenth night of Sha’ban and then forgives all His slavesexcept for two types of people: those who attribute partners to Allah and those who have rancour for their fellow Muslims’. [Ahmad]
Therefore, make du’a for forgiveness on the 15th night of Sha’ban. Increase your dhikr, and ask Allah particularly for forgiveness, mercy, relief from suffering and provision. Remember to forgive anyone who you have a grudge against and resolve your problems with them, especially if they are family members, so Allah will forgive you.
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.
“ When it is the night of the middle of Sha’ban, spend its night in prayer and observe a fast on that day. For Allah descends at sunset on that night to the lowest heaven and says: ‘Is there no one who will ask Me for forgiveness, that I may forgive him? Is there no one who will ask Me for provision so that I may provide for him? Is there no one who is afflicted by trouble, that I may relieve him?’ And so on, until dawn comes.’”
[Ibn Majah]
Time to Sow the Seeds
In a month, where Allah showers us with His mercy, we should show mercy to His creation. Show gratitude for what you have been blessed with, by helping others who are calling out for your help. Use this opportunity to give, whilst you can.
Yemen is the largest humanitarian crisis in the world, with more than 24 million people – some 80 per cent of the population – in need of humanitarian assistance, including more than 12 million children. The current level of hunger in Yemen is unprecedented and is causing severe hardship for millions of people. Despite ongoing humanitarian assistance, over 20 million Yemenis are food insecure, of which nearly 10 million are acutely food insecure, unfortunately.
Yemen is facing an emergency within an emergency. Sanitation and clean water are in short supply. Many health workers are receiving no salaries or incentives, and 10.2 million children don't have access to basic healthcare.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok
