Sha’aban 15th and its other days

Ummul-Mu’mineen A’isha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to fast until we thought he would never break his fast, and not fast until we thought he would never fast. I never saw the Messenger of Allah fasting for an entire month except in […]

Ummul-Mu’mineen A’isha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) used to fast until we thought he would never break his fast, and not fast until we thought he would never fast. I never saw the Messenger of Allah fasting for an entire month except in Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more than he did in Sha’aban.” (Bukhari and Muslim).
As Allah (SWT) wills it, we are today witnesses to the 13th day of Sha’aban, the 8th month of the Islamic calendar and one of the meritorious months. And we pray, “Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Sha’aban wa balighna Ramadan. ‘O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha’aban blessed for us and allow us to reach Ramadan.’”
Sha’aban, so called because it ‘branches out or emerges’ between the months of Rajab and Ramadan, serves as a preparatory stage for the month of Ramadan with which it shares some rewarding features: fasting, recitation of the Holy Qur’an, increase in alms giving and charity work.
It is reported that the companion, Usama ibn Zaid (RA), asked the Prophet (PBUH): “Messenger of Allah, I have seen you fasting in the month of Sha’aban so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in any other month.” The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), replied “…(Sha’aban) 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.” (al-Nasa’i).
The neglect of the month of Sha’aban, as pointed out by the Holy Prophet, starts with how people view the month vis-à-vis its juxtaposition between two sacred months – Rajab and Ramadan. Also, there are those who fast in Rajab and celebrate in Sha’aban. In parts of Nigeria these are known as the ‘Azumin Tsofoffi’ and ‘Sallar Tsofoffi’ – fasting and Sallah that are a preserve of the aged.
Many have realised, however, that those acts are not really worthy of recompense by Allah (SWT) for  in this month, we have specific guidance in the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
It is narrated by Abu Dawood that: “The most beloved of months for the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) to fast in was Sha’aban, and his fasting in Sha’aban was continuous with his fasting in Ramadan.” (Classed as saheeh by al-Albani).
Salamah ibn Suhayl said: “The month of Sha’aban is the month of reciters (of the Qur’an).” Habeeb ibn Abi Thabit also used to say, when Sha’aban came, “This is the month of reciters (of the Qur’an).” When Sha’aban came, ‘Amr ibn Qays al-Mala’i used to close his store and devote his time to reading the Qur’an.
Among the benefits of fasting in Sha’aban is that it is a training for those who find it difficult to fast when Ramadan starts, they now will be strong enough when Ramadan comes, insha Allah. 
Another significant, yet controvercial feature of the month is the “Laylatul-bara’ah” (the night of freedom from fire) which occurs between the 14th and 15th day. Beginning tomorrow, that is. During the night deserving people are beneficiaries of  special Divine mercy. 
No specific worship, however, has been authentically established for this night.
Imam Nawawi (in al-Majmu), Imam Buhuti (in Kashshaf al-Qina), Imam Shurunbulali (in al-Shurunbulaliyya) and others say that prayers such as the 100-rakat Salat al-Raghaib are blameworthy innovations.
Aishah (RA) narrated: “Once Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) asked me, ‘Do you know which night is this?’ I said, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ He said, ‘This is the night of the half of Sha’aban. Allah Almighty looks upon His slaves in this night and forgives those who seek forgiveness and bestows His mercy upon those who pray for mercy but keeps those who have malice (against a Muslim) as they were before, (and does not forgive them unless they relieve themselves from malice).’”
To observe the Night of Bara’ah, performing Salah, recitation of the Holy Qur’an (tilawa);  reciting the name of Allah (dikr); saying a lot of Salah (durood) on the Prophet  (PBUH) and supplications (du’a) are highly beneficial.
In the course of the night and the remaining nights and days of Sha’aban, therefore the foregoing blessed deeds should be sustained in order for us to be beneficiaries of Allah’s favour right up to blessed Ramadan, and beyond. Ameen.