The Beloved Nabi صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم then moved forward (all alone from Sidra-tul-Muntaha) and, travelling upwards, reached a place called Mustawa where he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم heard the sound of [the writing of] pens. (Bukhari, pp. 161, Hadees, 349) These were the pens used by the angels to write the daily Divine commandments. These angels also copy the incidents, which will take place in a year, from Lauh-e-Mahfooz into separate Sahifahs which are then handed over to other angels, on the 15th night of Sha’ban, so that they will carry out the Divine commands. (Mirat-ul-Manajeeh, vol. 8, pp. 155)

Special attachment to Sha’ban-ul-Mu’azzam

Dear Islamic brothers! As the “Book of deeds” is changed in the month of Shaban-ul-Mu’azzam, it is a very important month for this reason. The next Madani, i.e. lunar month is Shaban-ul-Mu’azzam. In addition to the fulfilment of Fard and Wajib acts, we should offer Nafl Salahs and observe Nafl Siyam in this month, to the best of our ability. Associating this sacred month with himself, the Nabi of Rahmah, the Intercessor of Ummah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has stated: شَعۡبَانُ شَهۡرِيۡ وَ رَمَضَانُ شَهۡرُ اللّٰهِ ‘i.e., Sha’ban is my month and Ramadan is the month of Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ.’ (Jami’-us-Sagheer, pp. 301, Hadees 4889)

Excellence of Siyam in Sha’ban

After the Fard Siyam of Ramadan, the next most preferable Siyam declared by our Beloved and Blessed Nabi صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم are those of Sha’ban. As the books of deeds of all people are conveyed to the Divine court in this month, he صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم himself observed Siyam in abundance in this month, motivating also his Ummah to observe Siyam in it. Let’s now have the privilege of listening to three sayings of Mustafa صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم about the excellence of Siyam in Sha’ban-ul-Mu’azzam.

1.         The Nabi of mankind, the Peace of our heart and mind, the most Generous and Kind صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was humbly asked: ‘Which Sawm is preferable after [i.e. excluding] Ramadan?’ He صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied,