Preparing for Ramadan - A Month of Great Blessing

As Ramadan approaches, all Muslims should prepare for Ramadan with the fasting of Sha'ban. It is a time to thank Allah for his mercy and blessings.

The month of Sha'ban is a month of fasting and great rewards from Islam's Creator, Allah. Sha'ban is a voluntary or suggested fast. The only required fasting days are in Ramadan; the other voluntary fasts are suggested and many participate, as Muslims believe they must follow the life and traditions of Prophet Mohammad.

According to Al-Islam.com, Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him*) would to fast the following days:

 smoke, eat or ingest any food whatsoever. It's said that a Muslim with a bad tongue is a Muslim whom Allah needs nothing from. Muslims must avoid major sins while fasting.
Six days of Shawwal (the month after Ramadan).

• The first ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, which would include the day of Arafat. Fast this month of Hajj if not participating in the pilgrimage.
• The day of ‘Ashura. Ashura is 10th day of Muharram (1st month of the Islamic calendar).
• Fasting during most of the month of Sha'ban (month before Ramadan).
• Fasting Mondays and Thursdays.
• Fasting on the 13th, 14th and 15th of each month.

Fasting in the Holy Month of Sha'ban

Muslims believe that fasting during the month of Sha'ban should always follow the standard fasting rules in Islam. For instance, Muslims should fast as much as possible, but fasting should not occur beyond the 15th of Sha'ban. It's believed that the last two weeks should be spent in worship, but also resting in preparation for Ramadan. When fasting during the first two weeks of Sha'ban, Muslims fast every other day. This follows the model set forth by David, who fasted every other day and never ran from the enemy.

Things that should be done during and after fasting are: zikr (praising Allah), nafl (voluntary) prayers, reading of the Quran, giving charity, doing more good deeds and remembering the obligatory actions during fasting.

 During fasting, a Muslim must not backbite, engage in intercourse,
'A'ishah said, "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'ban." (Narrated by al-Bukhari and Muslim).

Sha'ban - The Most Neglected MonthThe Prophet Mohammad would fast throughout most of the month prior to Ramadan, according to some scholars. Others believe that fasting during this time was performed by women, who made up any missed fasting days from the prior Ramadan; since the wives were fasting, Prophet Mohammad fasted as well.

Fasting is a time when the Muslim forms a connection with Allah; it's a very personal experiences that's not discussed with others. Many scholars have fasted for years without ever telling of this task, seeking only the reward from Allah. By preparing the fast on this month, the Muslim is able to fast during Ramadan with relative ease.

Usamah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased*) said, "I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting in any other month like you fast in Sha'ban.' He said, 'That is a month to which people do not pay attention, between Rajab and Ramadan, and it is a month in which deeds are lifted up to the Lord of the Worlds. I like for my deeds to be lifted up when I am fasting.'" (Narrated by al-Nasa'i).

According to Abu Dawood, "The most beloved of months for the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him*) to fast in was Sha'ban, and his fasting in Sha'ban was continuous with his fasting in Ramadan."

15 Sha'ban - A Day When Deeds Presented to Allah

The 15th of Sha'ban is also referred to as "Laylatul-bara'ah" (the night of freedom from fire). This pertains to the night of the 14th (beginning at sunset) through until sunrise on the 15th day of Shaban. It is a day of fasting and a night of continual prayers. During the day of fasting, the Muslim must perform good deeds as it's believed that on this day, Allah will decide what lies ahead for the following year. It's believed that Allah determines the Muslims' fate, deciding who will die, who will find wealth and prosperity.

According to hadith by Tirmidhi, "Allah forgives more people than the number of hair on the hides of the flocks and herds of sheep of the tribe of Kalb." Who are the people Allah will not forgive on this evening? According to Islamic tradition, the following individuals will not receive forgiveness:

• Habitual drinkers.
• Those who are habitual adulterous.
• Those disobedient to parents.
• Backbiters.
• Scandal mongerers.
• Makers of pictures.
• Those who lower their pants below the ankles in pride.
• Those who bear malice against another Muslim.

In Islam, it's believed that Allah will forgive the Muslim who sincerely repents of these sins and seeks mercy. On this night, all devout Muslims hope for the blessings of Allah. It should be noted that there is no hadith hasan (strong saying from Allah) on the practice of fasting on the 15th. The general consensus among scholars is that fasting is acceptable and not an innovation (bid'ah).

For Muslims, the month of Sha'ban is a glorious and very significant month, filled with worship, piety and fasting, which is performed by all who are not ill or traveling. In Islam, it's said that the month of Sha'ban is a time when many angels gather to return the deeds performed and spoken by all pious Muslims.

*Muslims invoke Allah's blessings on the Prophet Muhammad whenever this name is mentioned.

Resources:

• "The Virtues of the Month of Sha'ban," Mission Islam. Retrieved July 5, 2010.
• "Shaban: Merits, Do's, and Don'ts," Albalagh. Retrieved July 5, 2010.

Charity and Sadakah brings blessings to Muslims who follow the Sunnah of our Prophet


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15 Sha'ban - The Night When Allah Decides a Muslim's Destiny

The 15th of Sha'ban or "Laylatul-bara'ah" is a night when Allah, The Creator, will decide the destiny of Muslims. This includes death, health and wealth.

Mid Sha'ban or "Laylatul-bara'ah" as the Sunni Muslims call the night, is a time when Allah comes to the first heaven and asks, "Is there anyone seeking sustenance so that I may grant him? Is there anyone seeking forgiveness so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone in need so that I may fulfill that need?"

In Islam, this is a night when all Muslims should seek the forgiveness of Allah, The Almighty, and ask for what is needed. For Muslims, jannah (heaven) is the ultimate goal.

 

Acts of Worship to do on the 15th of Sha'ban

The acts of worship that are performed on this special evening are the same as those which are performed on special nights of merit, such as on the day of Arafat. These acts of worship may include voluntary prayers, praising Allah, reading the Quran, sending blessings on Prophet Mohammad and charity for the poor. Doing good deeds is especially meritorious.

It's believed that Allah will forgive sins on this evening except for those who do not follow his commands and those individuals who fall into these categories, according to Ummah.com:

• Backbiters and scandal mongerers
• Those who harbor enmity against other Muslims.
• Individuals who are alcoholics.
• Those who disobey their parents.
• Those who wear their trousers below their ankles.
• Those who commit adultery regularly.
• Those who sever family ties.

The Prophet Mohammad said, "This is a month that people usually forget about between Rajab and Ramadan, and it is a month in which people's deeds are presented to Allah, so I like that my deeds are presented while I am fasting." (An-Nasa'i)

 

What is a Weak Hadith?

Weak hadiths are ones not verified through a reliable source, such as Muslim, Bukhari or Dawood. Although many weak hadiths are correct and true, it is better to stick with a strong hadith when possible. Does this mean then that 15 Sha'ban is not the day Allah will decide the destiny of humanity? The scholars have stated that this day should be spent in worship and that it is not bid'ah to fast and worship.

"Almighty Allah descends to the lowest Heaven on the 15th night of Sha'ban and forgives such number of people that is more than the number of the hairs of the sheep of Banu Kalb (a tribe that has a great number of sheep)." (Al-Bukhari stated weak hadith)

 

What is Bid'ah?

Bid'ah is an innovation and something that Prophet Mohammad never practiced. In other words, it was not "sunnah" or a practice of the Prophet. Prophet Mohammad warned that future generations would practice bid'ah. Bid'ah is an innovation of belief or an innovation of action.

There are two types of bid'ah. Bid'ah of this world include innovations related to medicine and technology; the other type is bid'ah of religion. For Muslims, the former type of bid'ah are not haram (forbidden), but the latter — innovations of religion — are considered haram and thus, must be avoided.

Aisha reported that the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him*) said: "Whoever innovates into this affair of ours something that we have not commanded it is to be rejected." (Bukhari and Muslim)

According to Jaabir, the Prophet Mohammad (peace be upon him*) also said, "The best speech is the Book of Allah and the best guidance and example is that of Prophet Mohammad, and the worse of all things are the newly invented things (in the religion), for every innovation is a error and a misguidance." (Muslim) It's also said that "…Every innovation is a going astray and every going astray is in the fire." (Tirmidhi)

 

15 Sha'ban - Debate about the Night of Bounty and Forgiveness

There is much debate about whether worshiping on a supposed night of bounty and forgiveness is to be regarded as bid'ah. With the huge number of hadiths (narrations based on the deeds/words of the Prophet Mohammad) written about this special evening, most scholars believe that this night deserves worship and special merit.

It's believed that the Prophet Mohammad did fast during most of the month; this is documented by Al-Bukhari, but there is not a strong hadith to prove Prophet Mohammad fasted on the 15th of Sha'ban.
According to Moulana Abdur Rahman Mubarakpuri who writes in the commentary of Tirmidhi, "The sheer number of Ahaadith regarding this night serve as proof against those people who refute the excellence of this night."

*Muslims invoke Allah's blessings on the Prophet Muhammad whenever this name is mentioned.

Resources:
Islam Knowledge. Retrieved July 10, 2010.
Rasoulallah. Retrieved July 10, 2010.

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