FASTING IN THE MONTH OF SHAB'AAN

 

 

Fasting in shabaan

 

Fasting in the month of Sha'ban holds a special, recommended place in Islamic tradition, with specific guidelines and important exceptions.

 

Overall Status: Highly Recommended (Mustahabb)

 

The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) fasted more in Sha'ban than in any other month besides Ramadan. This shows its high virtue as a means of preparing spiritually and physically for Ramadan.

 

Primary Evidence

 

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported:

"I never saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) fast in a month more than he fasted in Sha'ban. He used to fast all of Sha'ban, he used to fast Sha'ban except a little." (Sahih al-Bukhari, Sahih Muslim)

 

Key Reasons and Wisdom for Fasting in Sha'ban

 

1. Spiritual Preparation for Ramadan: It acclimatizes the body and soul to fasting, making the transition to Ramadan's obligatory fasts smoother.

 

2. Elevating Deeds: Deeds are presented to Allah in Sha'ban, and the Prophet loved to be fasting when his deeds were raised.

 

3. Making Up for Missed Fasts: It was the Prophet's habit to make up any missed voluntary fasts from the previous year in Sha'ban before Ramadan arrived.

 

4. The "Forgotten Month": Sha'ban is a month of worship often neglected between Rajab and Ramadan, so fasting in it is particularly virtuous.

 

Important Rules and Exceptions

 

1. Fasting the Entire Month?

 

While the Prophet sometimes fasted most of Sha'ban, it is strongly disliked (Makruh) to fast the entire month of Sha'ban continuously. One should break the fast for at least a day or two. The wisdom is to avoid:

 

· Exhausting oneself before Ramadan.

 

· Making a supererogatory act resemble an obligatory one (like Ramadan).

 

· Following sects (like some pre-Islamic ones) that fasted entire months.

 

2. The Crucial Prohibition: Fasting After the 15th of Sha'ban

 

It is forbidden (Haram) to start a voluntary fast after the 15th of Sha'ban if one has not already been in the habit of fasting regularly in Sha'ban.

 

The Prophet (ﷺ) said:

"When Sha'ban is half over, do not fast." (Sunan Abi Dawud, classified as Sahih by many scholars)

 

"Do not precede Ramadan by fasting one or two days before it, except for a person who is in the habit of observing a particular fast; he may fast on that day." (Sahih al-Bukhari)

 

The Exception to this Rule:

 

· If a person has a consistent habit of fasting on specific days (e.g., every Monday and Thursday, or the White Days - 13th, 14th, 15th of each lunar month), they may continue that specific fast even after the 15th.

 

· If someone is making up obligatory (Fard) fasts missed from the previous Ramadan, they are permitted and indeed encouraged to do so even after the 15th of Sha'ban.

 

3. The Day of "Doubt" (Yaum al-Shakk) - 30th Sha'ban

 

It is forbidden to fast on the 30th of Sha'ban with the specific intention of "being on the safe side for Ramadan" if the new moon has not been sighted. This is called the "Day of Doubt." Fasting on this day with that intention contradicts the Prophetic command to tie Ramadan's start to the moon sighting.

 

Recommended Days to Fast in Sha'ban

 

· Mondays and Thursdays: The Prophet habitually fasted these days.

 

· The "White Days" (Ayyam al-Beedh): The 13th, 14th, and 15th of the lunar month.

 

· The first half of Sha'ban: Especially recommended.

 

Summary: Do's and Don'ts

 

· DO: Fast frequently in the first half of Sha'ban (e.g., Mondays, Thursdays, White Days).

 

· DO: Make up any missed obligatory Ramadan fasts from last year during Sha'ban.

 

· DON'T: Fast the entire month without a break.

 

· DON'T: Start a new voluntary fast after the 15th unless you have an existing fasting habit for that specific day.

 

· DON'T: Fast on the 30th of Sha'ban out of doubt for Ramadan.

 

In essence, fasting in Sha'ban is a beautiful Sunnah that primes a believer for Ramadan, but it must be done in accordance with the Prophetic guidance to preserve one's energy and follow the correct methodology. As always, for personal situations, consult a knowledgeable scholar.

 

AHMADTRINI