What to do in the Month of Shaban?
We have just come from the month of Rajab in which we sow our seeds and now we have entered the month of Shaban in which we water them in preparation for harvesting in Ramadan. Although there are great rewards and blessing in observing the merits of this month, it is commonly neglected.
Fasting
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ brought this to the attention of the Ummah, when he was asked why he was fasts so much in Sha’ban, he replied: “It is a month that people neglect, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which actions are raised to the Lord of the Worlds and I love for my actions to be raised while I am fasting.” – Narrated by Ahmad and al-Nasa’i.
The Ulema say that we should strive to fulfil good actions during the times when our actions are presented to Allah. Although Allah is constantly aware of our actions there are times of the year in which we should seek to increase our good actions as they are being displayed to Him such as during these Sacred Months. It is encouraged to fast on Mondays, Thursdays and the 3 white days (in the middle of the month).
It is recommended to ensure that any missed fasts of the previous Ramadan are made up before this coming Ramdan begins.
Sending abundant blessings upon The Prophet ﷺ
During the Month of Shaban, Allah revealed the Ayah:
إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلاَئِكَـتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِيِّ يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسْلِيماً
Allah and His angels bestow their prayers upon the Prophet. O you who believe, bestow prayers and peace upon him in abundance! Al-Ahzab, 33:56
Sending abundant blessings and prayers upon The Prophet ﷺ enables us to strengthen our connection with him in preparation for Ramadan to enable us to increase in imitation of his good deeds and noble actions.
Recite the Qur’an
The early Muslims would recite the Qur’an abundantly during Shaban. Along with fasting this is an excellent way to prepare oneself in good footing for Ramdan.
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا في رَجَبٍ وَ شَعْبَانَ وَ بَلِّغْنا رَمَضَانَ
“O Allah bless us in Rajab and Sha’ban and enable us to reach Ramadan!”
Give Sadaqah
As Sadaqah is the best of deeds, it is noble to give Sadaqah during this month to earn the Mercy of Allah as our actions are being presented to Him. Food distribution begins from the beginning of Ramadan, to ensure the impoverished of our Ummah are given sustenance from which to fast from the beginning of The Sacred Month. Could you imagine entering Ramadan with little or no food?
Donate a food parcel to the impoverished Muslims of Bosnia today, in order to ensure out closest European Muslim neighbours are not starving when Ramadan begins and they have sustenance for Suhoor and Iftar.
£42 provides Iftar and Suhoor in Bosnia for the Month of Ramadan – CLICK HERE to donate Sadaqah & Zakat Now
