THE HOLY MONTH OF SHA'BAN

After Rajab, Sha'ban is the second month of 'Ibadah (worship) in order to make preparations for the grand and majestic month of Holy Ramadhan - the month of Allah (SWT).

The Holy Prophet (saw) has said: "Sha'ban is my month".

This is the month of asking for forgiveness of sins, giving alms & charity and fasting. The Holy Prophet (saw) used to observe fasts during the whole month. Imam Ali ibn al-Hussein (as) has said: "Whosever is in love with prophet, wishes to seek nearness to Allah (SWT) and receive His bounties, favours and rewards in this world and in the hereafter, must connect Sha'ban with Holy Ramadhan in the matter of fasting and special prayers".

It is also reported from the Holy Prophet (saw), "Whosoever observes nine fasts in the whole month of Sha'ban should not fear the interrogation of Munkar & Nakeer. Whosoever observes twelve fasts in the month of Sha'ban, 70,000 angels will descend over his/her grave on the first night of his burrial, the night of wahshah, to remove his/her fear & loneliness".

RECOMMENDED FASTS:

1st, 2nd and 3rd of Sha'ban. 1st Thursday, Mid-Wednesday and last Thursday of Sha'ban. 13th, 14th and 15th of Sha'ban.

Any Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Sha'ban. The last three days of Sha'ban to connect with the holy month of Ramadhan.

OTHER A'MAAL:

Recite everyday 70 times: Astaghfirullaha wa as-aluhut Tawbah ( I seek forgiveness from Allah and beseech Him repentant)

Recite everyday 70 times: Astaghfirullahal Ladhee Laa ilaaha illa Huwar-Rahmanur-Raheemul-Hayyul-Qayyoomu wa Atoobu ilaihi ( I seek forgiveness of Allah who is "There is no god save He", the Beneficent, the Merciful, the Ever-living, the Eternal and I turn repentant to Him)

Give as much Sadaqah (alms) as possible

Recite salawaat as many times as possible on the Holy Prophet (saw)

Recite 1000 times the following Dhikr within the month i.e. divide it throughout the month of Sha'ban:

Laa ilaaha illallahu walaa Na'budu illa iyyaahu Mukhliseena Lahud-deen walau karihal-mushrikoon (There is no god save Allah, we do not worship save Him, making religion pure for Him only, however much the disbelievers be averse)

OCCASSIONS IN SHA'BAN:

Fasting of Ramadhan was prescribed on muslims on 2nd Sha'ban 2 AH

Birth of Imam al-Hussein bin Ali (as) on 3rd Sha'ban 4 AH

Birth of Abul-Fadhlil Abbas bin Ali (as) on 4th Sha'ban 26 AH

Birth of Imam Ali bin al-Hussein (as) on 5th Sha'ban 38 AH

Lessor Ghaybah (occultation) of Imam al-Mahdi (AJ) on 8th Sha'ban

Birth of Ali Akbar bin al-Hussein (as) on 11th Sha'ban 33 AH

Birth of Imam al-Hujjah (AJ) on 15th Sha'ban 255 AH

Many other a'maal are also recommended in this holy month. For more, refer Almanac, Mafatihul-Jinaan and A'maal for Rajab & Sha'ban by Tayyeba Publications.

Mulla Mujaheedali Sheriff

mulla@almahdi.org.uk