Sha’ban is one of the meritorious months for which we find some particular instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). Shaban is the 8th month in the Islamic calendar and is considered one of the meritorious months for which we find particular instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is reported that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to fast most of the month in Shaban except the last few days of the month. These fasts are supererogatory (nafl). Shaban is the month immediately preceding the month of Ramadan. The Prophet (PBUH)mentioned in a hadith,
“Rajab is the month of Allah, Shaban is my month and Ramadan is the month of the Nation”.
According to another report Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has said:
“Do not proceed the month of Ramadan with one or two fasts.”
Various Islamic scholars have recommended special worshiping during the night of 15th of Shaban. This is based on the saying (Hadith) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) the meaning of which is that during the night of 15th of Shaban, Allah will say;
“Is there any person repenting so that I forgive him, and any person seeking provision so that I provide for him, and any person with distress so that I relieve him, and so on until dawn.” reported by Ibn Majah.
This is the night occurring between 14th and 15th day of Shaban. Traditions of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) show that it is a meritorious night in which the people of the earth are attended by special Divine Mercy. On the Night of 15th Shaban, after Maghrib or Isha prayer it is traditional practice to read Surah Yasin and make special supplications for good health, protection from calamities and increased Iman.
