Virtues the fasts of Sha’ban

Our Beloved Master صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم declared the voluntary fasts of Sha’ban Al-Mu’azzam as the greatest after the Fard fasts of Ramadan. In this month, people’s books of deeds are presented in the court of Allah Almighty and this is why he صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم kept fasts in abundance in this month in order to encourage the Ummah, Let us have the honour of listening to 3 statements of the Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم regarding the virtues of the fasts of Sha’ban:

1.   The Beloved Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم was asked: ‘Which is the most superior fast after Ramadan?’ He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied: ‘Keeping the fast of Sha’ban, in honour of Ramadan.’ (Shu’ab-ul-Iman, vol. 3, p. 377, Hadith 3819)

2.   The mother of the believers, Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah Siddeeqah رَضِیَ الـلّٰـهُ عَنْهَا states: ‘The most honourable Prophet صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would keep the fasts of the entire month of Sha’ban.’ I enquired: ‘Do you consider the fasts of Sha’ban most superior out of all months?’ He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied: ‘Yes! Allah Almighty writes every soul that will die this year, and I want to be in a state of fasting when my time of departure comes.’ (Musnad Abi Ya’la, Musnad ‘Aaishah, vol. 4, p. 277, Hadith 4890)

3.   He صَلَّى الـلّٰـهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم stated: ‘This month is in between Rajab and Sha’ban; people are negligent of it. The deeds of people are presented to Allah Almighty in it, and I want my deeds to be presented whilst I am in a state of fasting.’ (Shu’ab-ul-Iman, vol. 3, p. 377, Hadith 3820)

صَلُّوۡا عَلَى الۡحَبِيۡب                                  صَلَّى اللّٰهُ عَلٰى مُحَمَّد

Dear Islamic brothers! Ponder! The state of our merciful Prophet’s worship was such that he would carry out voluntary worship in in abundance in this month compared to other months. And then there’s us! Many months of Sha’ban have come and gone in our life while