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This article is regarding the fasting of Rasoolullah (ﷺ) in the month of Shaban and his instructions for us to do so.
A’isha Radi Allahu Anha narrates, about the fasting of the Rasoolullah (ﷺ) and She said: Rasoolullah (ﷺ) used to observe fast (at times) so continuously that we said: He has fasted. And (at times) he did not observe fast (for days) and we began to say: He has abandoned fasting, and we did not see him fasting in any month more than in the month of Sha’ban. He fasted the whole of Shaban (or) He fasted Shaban except a few days. [1]
Aisha Radi Allahu Anha narrates that Rasoolullah (ﷺ) used to fast till one would say that he would never stop fasting, and he (ﷺ) would abandon fasting till one would say that he would never fast. I never saw Rasoolullah (ﷺ) fasting for a whole month except the month of Ramadan, and did not see him fasting in any month more than in the month of Sha’ban. [2]
Narrated `Aisha Radi Allahu Anha: Rasoolullah (ﷺ) never fasted in any month more than in the month of Sha’ban, for he (ﷺ) used to fast the whole of Shaban. He used to say, “Do those deeds which you can do easily, as Allah will not get tired (of giving rewards) till you get bored and tired (of performing religious deeds).” The most beloved prayer to Rasoolullah (ﷺ) was the one that was done regularly (throughout the life) even if it were little. And whenever Rasoolullah (ﷺ) offered a prayer he used to offer it regularly. [3]
Narrated Aisha Radi Allahu Anha: If one of us was to break the fast in the time of the Rasoolullah (ﷺ), you could not plan to complete it with Rasoolullah (ﷺ) until Shaaban came. Rasoolullah (ﷺ) did not fast in any other month more than Shaban, he (ﷺ) used to fast in the month of Sha’baan, except a few days or he fasted the whole month of Shaban. [4]
So whoever has missed their fasts in Ramadan can complete them in Shaban, as it was the practice of Rasoolullah (ﷺ) and his instruction for others to do so.
It is interesting to note that the Sahaba Radi Allahu Anhum have questioned Rasoolullah (ﷺ) on many issues and hence they have also asked him why he (ﷺ) would fast so much in the month of Shaban, the following ahadith makes this point clear:
Narrated Aisha Radi Allahu Anha that Rasoolullah (ﷺ) used to fast the whole of Shaban, I said, O Rasoolullah (ﷺ), you love to fast in the month of Shaban, he (ﷺ) said: Certainly, Allah writes the death of persons that year, I like that the term of my life is decided when I am fasting. [5]
Narrated Aisha Radi Allahu Ahna that most of the fasts of Rasoolullah (ﷺ) were in the month of Shaban (other than the month of Ramadan), so I said: I see you fasting a lot in Shaban, he Salla Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam said: Certainly, in this month the angel of death is made to record (the names of persons) Allah Subhanahu wa Taala will cause to die, so I do not like my name be written down except when I am fasting. [6]
So we now know why Rasoolullah (ﷺ) liked to fast in Shaban, but what is his instruction for us, are we supposed to fast the whole month of Shaban? The following Hadith provides the answer to this question:
Abu Hurairah Radi Allahu Anhu narrated when middle of Shaban arrives then there is no fasting till Ramadan arrives or he (ﷺ) said till you sight the moon of Ramadan. [7]
There are many ahadith prohibiting the fasting in Shaban after mid of shaban.
We pray to Allah Subhanahu wa Taala that he gives us the courage, the stamina, and the endurance to do these good deeds and revive the Sunnah of our beloved prophet (ﷺ) and to abide by his instructions, which in my opinion we have forgotten today.
And Allah knows best.
References:
[1] Muslim Hadith # 1156, Nasai 2178, Ibn Majah 1398
[2] Sahih al-Bukhari 1969
[3] Sahih al-Bukhari 1970, Nasai 2179, Abu Dawood 2336, Muslim 782, Targheeb 1025, Ibn Majah 1345
[4] Sahih Ibn Hibban 3516, Bukhari 1950, Abu Dawood 2399, Ibn Majah 1362, Nasai 2318, Muslim 1146, Tirmidhi 783
[5] At-Targheeb Wat-Tarheeb and Al Munziri Graded it as Hasan
[6] Lataif Al Ma’arif 256 and Ibn Rajab has Graded it as Mursal Sahih
[7] Ibn Hibban, by Ibn Hajar in Mishkat Al Masabih, Abu Dawood, Tirmidhi