All praises are due to Allah the Exalted who has blessed us to be on the doorstep of Ramadan. Many of the pious predecessors used to spend months preparing for the efforts they were going to exert in the holy month of Ramadan.
It is admitted fact that every moment, second, minute, hour, day or night that is spent in the submission of Allah Almighty and His Beloved Prophet (SAW) is exceedingly meaningful and precious. But there are some days, nights and months which have their own weight and Allah, the Most Compassionate, lays immense stress upon them to unveil their importance to his rationale creatures. Among those months, those hold much importance is Sha’ban and the holy month of Ramadan.
The holy month of Sha’ban is one of the blessed months that holds much too for us from the mercy, compassion and kindness of Allah Almighty. Sha’ban is the name of the (eight) month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and it is so called because in this month the Arabs used to disperse (tasha’aba) in search of water or it was said it is so called because it sha’aba (branches out or emerge) i.e., it appears between the months of Rajab and Ramadan. It acts as a bridge between the two blessed and sacred months and despite this, the importance of Sha’ban is often neglected and ignored.
Once, when the Prophet Muhammad SAW was asked why he fasts so much during this month. The Prophet Muhammad SAW replied,
“It is a month that people neglect, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which actions are raised to the Lord of the Worlds and I love for my actions to be raised while I am fasting.”
What is meant by actions being raised?
The scholars say it is a symbolic displaying of our actions to Allah. Of course Allah is All-Seeing, All-Knowing and does not need for our actions to be displayed to Him as He is constantly aware of them.
However, if the slave is not aware of Allah’s constant vigilance, then he should at least strive to do good actions at times when his actions are displayed to Allah. If he is able to gain Allah’s pleasure at these times, then he hopes that Allah will overlook his wrongdoings and shortcomings at other times.
For Muslims, this means that the month of Sha’ban is special because during this month Allah keeps a special tab on the actions of His believers. Also, if you worship Allah, pray regularly, read Quran and straighten out your deeds during this month, it is possible that Allah forgives all your previous wrongdoings.
It is said that Sha’ban is important to prepare for Ramadan. All Muslims are recommended to start preparing for Ramadan during Sha’ban. Muslims should use this month to prepare for fasting, praying and worshipping Allah. It is not recommended to begin fasting during the month of Ramadan without preparation. From a biological point of view as well it is important to be prepared before Ramadan begins. If Muslims prepare themselves for Ramadan beforehand, they will not feel tired and irritable from the lack of food and water during the day. It will allow them to adjust to the new routine very easily. Also, for all those Muslims who have developed and acquired bad habits during the year, such as waking up late in the morning, it is essential to start quitting those habits. It will be useful when you try to wake up early in the morning to fast and pray to Allah Almighty.
Hazrat Aisyah, the wife of the Prophet (PBUH) said,
“I did not see him fasting in any month more than Sha`ban.”
She also said,
“The month which he loved to fast the most was Sha`ban.”
Upon being asked questions about this month, she said,
“In this month those who are destined to die are recorded for the Angel of Death. I love for my name to be recorded when I am fasting.”
Repentance & Fasting
It is highly recommended to repent frequently (tawbah) and increase in acts of worship, especially fasting. Whosoever prepares themselves with acts of worship and repentance in Sha‘ban will reap the benefits of those acts in Ramadan.
Usama ibn Zayd, May Allah be pleased with him, asked the Prophet Muhammad SAW,
“I have never seen you offer fast in a month as you do in Sha‘bān.”
The Prophet said, “It is a month people disregard that is between Rajab and Ramadān. In that month deeds are presented to the Lord of the Worlds, so I like my deeds to be presented while I am fasting.” [Nasa'i].
Salutations upon the Prophet (peace be upon him)
Sha‘ban is the month of the Prophet Muhammad SAW, for he said,
“Sha‘ban is my month.”
It was in this month that the famous verse regarding sending blessing and peace on the Prophet was revealed:
{ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلاَئِكَـتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِيِّ يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسْلِيماً }
Allah and His Angels send their blessings upon the Prophet, O you who believe send blessings upon him and salutations of peace (33:56)
For that reason, it is highly encouraged to increase in sending one’s salutations upon the Prophet Muhammad SAW. Scholars have said,
“Rajab is the month of repentance, Sha‘bān is the month of sending salutations upon the Prophet, peace and mercy of Allah be upon him, and Ramadān is the month of the Qur’an.”
Conclusion
Therefore, earning rewards is the duty of Muslims themselves. It is best if they realize their duty and grab every opportunity that comes their way to earn rewards. Therefore, it is your duty to pray and fast and worship Allah during the month of Shaban. It is also your duty to learn Quran and understand its teachings and principles to be a good and true Muslim.
http://darvish.wordpress.com/2011/07/02/the-blessed-month-of-shaban-2011/
http://australianmuslim.blogspot.com/2011/06/welcoming-blessings-month-of-shaban.html
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