Virtuous but Neglected
Shabaan is the eighth month of the Islamic calendar in between the sacred month of Rajab and the blessed month of Ramadhaan. Commending the excellence of the month, Muadh bn Jabal (RA) narrated that the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "Allah looks out at the whole of His creation in the night of the middle of Shabaan. He forgives the whole of His creation except the one who associates partners with him and the ones under feud. "(Ibn Hibbaan) Lots of Fasts ... Of all the months of the year, the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) had more supererogatory fasts in the month of Shabaan.
Aaisha (RA) narrated that, "The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) does not fast (supererogatory fasts) in any other month as he does in Shabaan, He used to fast (the whole of) it or most of it." (Nasaai) Conceming other narrations that mention the impermissibility of fasting in the month from after its first half, Imaam Muhammad Ali Ash-Shawkaanee said, "The narrations are clearly harmonized when we consider the impermissibility for those for whom those days do not fall into days they are used to fasting (e.g.Mondays and Thursdays etc)." This is based on the statement of the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam)" ...except it be one (a fast) one of you fasts." (Naylul Awtaar)
Why the fasts?
Usaamah bn Zayd narrated that, "I said, Oh Messenger of Allaah! I do not see you fast in any other month as you fast in the month of Shabaan? He said, That is the month in which people are heedless (of its virtues and blessings), in-between Rajab and Ramadhaan. It is a month in which deeds are taken up to the Lord of the worlds and I like that my deeds go up when I am (in a state) of fasting. "(Nasaai)
Fasting at the end of Shabaan
The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said: "Do not pre-empt Ramadaan by on or two days, except for those who have the habit of fasting regularly, in which case they may fast" (Bukhaari). Based upon this hadeeth, scholars have painted the following scenarios:
The first scenario: A person fasts at the end of Shabaan with the intention of being on the safe side and not missing the first day of Ramadaan. This is forbidden.
The second scenario: A person fasts with the intention of fulfilling a vow or of making up a day of Ramadaan that he missed or as an act of expiation (kafaarah), etc.
This is permissible according to the majority opinion. The third scenario: Fasting a regular voluntary fast. This is permissible. According to the majority of scholars, it is makrooh to observe a voluntary fast one or two days before Ramadaan for those who do not habitually fast on those days and who have not previously fasted until the end of Shabaan. Innovations Besides all these, it is common amongst the people nawaafil of 100 Rakah with the recitation of 10 Soorah al-ikhlas in each of the Rakah. This is followed with some feasting and celebration. These are usually organized at the middle of the month or at any other specially chosen day in the month. Some others even take to fasting specially on the 15" of Shabaan before performing a special six rakah prayer with the intention to repel evil with it, bring about the elongation of their lives and make them independent from people.
All such practices are innovations! None of it is established based on any authentic text from the Quraan, the Sunnah or the practices of our pious predecessors. The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "Allaah puts a barrier in front of the repentance for every companion of innovations until he leaves his innovations" (Tabarani).
Shabaan events
The campaign against Banu Mustaliq took place in Shabaan 5 A.H. They had been planning to invade Madinah but the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) took the fight to them and defeated them. Juwayriyyah. The daughter of the commander of the enemy forces was captured. She was freed and married by the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam).
The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) also married Hafsah bint Umar (in Shaaban, thirty months after Hijrah) after the death of her husband Khunais bin Hudhaifa As-Sahmi who was one of the companions of Allaahs Messenger (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) who fought in the battle of Badr and died in Medina. A second child was born by the beloved daughter of the Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam), Fatimah (RA) to her husband Ali bn Abee Taalib (RA) in the month of Shabaan 4AH. The boy was named Husayn.
Umm Kulthum, the daughter of the Messenger of Allaah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) died also in Shaaban and her corpse was bathe by Umm Atiyyah. Mugheerah ibn Shubah, one of the companions of the Prophet also died in Shaaban 5OAH. Other Deaths in Shaaban: Zaynab bint Jahsh, Saeed bn Jubayr 95AH; AI Layth bn Sad 175AH; Ishaaq bn Ibrahim bn Raahwayh 238AH, Usayd ibn Hudayr (radiyalaahu anhum)
This article was culled from the publications of Deen Communication Limited