Overview

Sha'ban is one of the meritorious months before ramadan, and the Holy Prophet (SAW) has suggested some preparatory measures verbally as well as by his practice.

Fasting in Sha'ban

  • Fasting in the month of Sha'ban entails great reward. (1)
  • The Prophet of Allah (SAW) used to fast most of the month.
  • The Holy Prophet (SAW) recommended to fast first half of Sha'ban to the Ummah. (2)
  • The Prophet (SAW) forbade to fast last one or two days of Sha'ban.
  • These fasts are non-obligatory fasts. (3)
  • It is Mustahabb (advisable) to fast on the 15th of Sha'ban. (4)

Laylatul-Baraa'ah

Laylatul-Baraa'ah (The night of freedom from Fire) is a night in which Allah (SWT) looks upon His slaves, forgives those who seek forgiveness and bestows His mercy upon those who ask for mercy.

  • Laylatul Bara'ah is a night of worship.
  • Allah (SWT) forgives a great number of people in this night
  • We should stay awake and worship in this night
  • It is better to offer our worship in seclusion

How to worship in this night?

  • Laylatul Bara'ah is a night of worship.
  • The best worship is performed in seclusion
  • It is advised to perform Salah during the night, not any specific amount but preferably not less than eight rakaat.
  • One should also recite the Holy Quran as much as he/she can during this night.
  • Dhikr is also a very beneficial form of ibaadat which can be performed at any time, such as, while walking, lying in bed, or while working or enjoying leisure time

Who is deprived in the night?

Following is a list compiled from different Traditions of the Prophet (SAW) mentionin the people who are actually deprived in this night:

a) Those who do not perform any form of ibaadat during this night.

b) It is advisable to not have any special programs or gatherings in this night. Programs can happen any night. Any gatherings will only result in neglecting of the true worship of this night.

c) Those who commit sins during this night.

More ...

Highlights

The Holy Prophet (SAW) used to fast most of the month of Shaban.


It is advised to worship as much as one can during Laylatul Bara'ah.


The Prophet (SAW) forbade fasting in the last one or two days preceding the month of Ramadan.

( وَأَن تَصُومُوا خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ إِن كُنتُمْ تَعْلَمُون ( ١٨٤:٢ And fasting is better for you, if you only knew. (2:184)
ا( عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتُْ كَانَ أَحَبَّ الشُّهُورِ إِلَى رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنْ يَصُومَهُ شَعْبَانُ بَلْ َ ( سنن ناساي Aishah (RAD) says "The month which the Messenger of Allah most liked to fast was Shaban; indeed he used to join it to Ramadan" (Sunan an-Nasa'i) (Tabrani)
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَعُوذُ بِعَفْوِكَ مِنْ عِقَابِكَ , وَأَعُوذُ بِرِضَاكَ مِنْ سَخَطِكَ , وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْكَ , لا أُحْصِي ثَنَاءً عَلَيْكَ أَنْتَ كَمَا أَثْنَيْتَ عَلَى نَفْسِك A dua that Prophet (SAW) made in Sajdah in this night:

Do's

  • Prepare for the month of Ramadan.
  • Fast as much as possible.
  • Be kind and generous to the people around you.
  • Fast on the 15th of Sha'ban.

Don'ts

  • Prepare a special meal before the night of Bara'ah.
  • Partake in gatherings to commemorate the night.
  • Perform the recommended nafl salah in the masjid with a Jamaah.

Notes

  1. Fasting of Sha'ban

    If one fears that after fasting in Sha'ban, he will lose strength or freshness for the fasts of Ramadan, he should not fast during this month or fast less, because the obligatory fasts of Ramadan are more important than optional fasts.
  2. Fasting 1st Half

    Holy Prophet (SAW) himself used to fast most of the Sha'ban, because he had no apprehension of weakness or weariness. As for others, he ordered "Do not fast after first half of the month of Sha'ban (Abu Dawood)" for the fear that they would lose their strength and freshness before Ramadan starts.
  3. Fast Qadha First

    If someone has remaining obligatory fasts, either Fardh from Ramadan or Wajib fast from another time that he missed, then he/she must fast the Qadha before observing any Nafil (non-obligatory) fasts.
  4. Fast of the 15th Sha'ban

    The Holy Prophet (SAW) is reported to have recommended this fast emphatically. Although the scholars of hadith have doubts in authenticity of this report, yet a large number of the elders (salaf) of the Ummah have been observing this fast, which indicates that they have accepted the relevant hadith. One can also fast this day as part of the fasts of Sha'ban which is more authentic.