Fasting Sha’aban as Ramadan approaches

Sha’aban, the 8th month in the Islamic calendar, immediately precedes the blessed month of Ramadan, which Muslims await in order that they may have piety. Speaking on the merits of Shaban, Ahmad Adam Kutubi (SP) Imam of the Police Mosque, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, said: “The fast of the month of Sha’aban is a highly […]

Sha’aban, the 8th month in the Islamic calendar, immediately precedes the blessed month of Ramadan, which Muslims await in order that they may have piety.
Speaking on the merits of Shaban, Ahmad Adam Kutubi (SP) Imam of the Police Mosque, Wuse Zone 6, Abuja, said: “The fast of the month of Sha’aban is a highly recommended supererogatory (nafl) fast. It is reported by Usama ibn Zaid, RA, that he asked the Prophet (PBUH): “Messenger of Allah, I have seen you fasting in the month of Shaban so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in any other month.” The Prophet (PBUH) , replied: “(Shaban) is a month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And it is a month in which an account of the deeds (of human beings) is presented before the Lord of the Universe, so, I wish that my deeds be presented at a time when I am in a state of fasting.”
SP Kutubi also said: “Similarly, Ummul Mumineen ‘Aishah (RA), says: “Prophet Muhammad used to fast for most of Shaban. I said to him, ‘Messenger of Allah, is Sha’aban your favorite month for fasting?’ He said: ‘In this month Allah prescribes the list of the persons dying this year. Therefore, I like that my death comes when I am in a state of fasting.’
“These show that fasting in the month of Sha’aban is very deserving and that the Prophet (PBUH) observed it a lot.”
He also said: “Usama bn Zayd also relates that: “The Prophet, PBUH, used to fast so many days in succession that we said, ‘He will never break his fast.’ At other times he would go without fasting for so long until we said, ‘He will never again fast;’ except for two days, which he would fast even if they occurred during the times he was not fasting consecutive days. “Furthermore, he would not fast in any month as many days as he fasted during Sha’aban. I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! Sometimes you fast so much it is as if you will never break your fast, at other times you leave fasting for such a long period it is as if you will never again fast (nafl); except for two days that you always fast.’ He asked: ‘Which two days are those?’ I replied: ‘Monday and Thursday.’ The Prophet, PBUH, said: ‘Those are two days in which the deeds are presented to the Lord of the Worlds. I love that my deeds are presented while I am fasting.’ I said: ‘I do not see you fasting in any month like you fast during Sha’aban.’ The Prophet, PBUH, said: “That is a month occurring between Rajab and Ramadan that many people neglect. It is a month in which the deeds ascend to the Lord of the Worlds, be He Mighty and Majestic, and I love for my deeds to ascend while I am fasting.” Related by Imam Ahmad and Imam Al-Nasa’i .”
He further explained: “There are many important points that this tradition narrated by Usama bn Zayd, AS, tell us. Among these is that the Prophet, PBUH, frequently fasted during Sha’aban, as is supported by a tradition by al-Bukhari and Muslim reported from A’isha, RA. She said: “I did not see the Messenger of Allah fast any month in its entirety except Ramadan, and I did not see him fast as frequently in any other month as he did during Shaban.
“Also serving as motivation for us to fast some days of the month of Sha’aban, is that it is the month in which the deeds of mankind through the year ascend to Allah (SWT).  You recall that the Prophet, PBUH, expressed desire for his deeds to ascend while he was fasting. Fasting cleanses us of the physical dirt that collects in our system and makes our spiritual faculties sharper.”
The Imam stressed: “We must note that the Prophet, PBUH, did not fast without limit, even though it would not have weakened him even if he did. This is an important lesson for us. We should balance between the days that we fast and the days that we do not fast. This is because, for many people, excessive fasting leads to a feeling of fatigue and weakness that in turn makes it difficult for them to carry out other very important religious duties like supplications.undertaking intense study, or even fasting Ramadan.”