Shaban is the 8th month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, and it comes right before the blessed month of Ramadan. It is a special month of preparation, increased worship, extra voluntary fasting, and seeking forgiveness from Allah Almighty. Holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has emphasised and highlighted the significance of this month for Muslims, through his words and his actions.
It is reported in Sahih Bukhari, Hadith 1969, and Sahih Muslim, Hadith 1156 that Sayyidah Murshidah Aisha Siddiqah (RA), the blessed wife of holy Prophet ﷺ, said:
مَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ اسْتَكْمَلَ صِيَامَ شَهْرٍ قَطُّ إِلَّا رَمَضَانَ، وَمَا رَأَيْتُهُ فِي شَهْرٍ أَكْثَرَ صِيَامًا مِنْهُ فِي شَعْبَانَ
“I never saw the Messenger of Allah Almighty ﷺ fast in any month more than he fasted in Shaban.”
This sets an example for Muslims to follow in the blessed footsteps of holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ and increase in their own voluntary fasting in Shaban, a recommended Sunnah, in this month. The wisdom behind these increased good deeds includes preparing oneself physically, psychologically and spiritually for Ramadan.
It is reported in Sunan Nisai, Hadith 2357 and Musnad Ahmad, Hadith 21753 that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
ذَاكَ شَهْرٌ يَغْفُلُ النَّاسُ عَنْهُ بَيْنَ رَجَبٍ وَرَمَضَانَ، وَهُوَ شَهْرٌ تُرْفَعُ فِيهِ الْأَعْمَالُ إِلَى رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ، فَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يُرْفَعَ عَمَلِي وَأَنَا صَائِمٌ
“It is a month between Rajab and Ramadan that people neglect. It is a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the worlds, and I love that my deeds be raised while I am fasting.”
Allah Almighty has Absolute Knowledge and Power over destiny and Divine Decree (Qadr). As part of this, He has created Qadr Mubram (unchangeable fate) and Qadr Mu’allaq (changeable fate). Scholars identify that changeable or conditional decree can be affected by sincere Dua, good deeds and the mercy of Allah Almighty.
While Divine and Ultimate Knowledge and Power over fate never changes, the mercy of Allah Almighty allows for some aspects of our destiny to be altered favourably when He is pleased with us.
This is a decree that is linked to actions, like positive actions such as Dua and good deeds as well as negative actions such as sins.
Allah Almighty may change what is written for a person based on what they do, such as giving charity, keeping family ties, fasting and making Dua.
It is reported in Jami TIrmidhi, Hadith 2139 that holy Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said:
“Nothing repels decree except Dua, and nothing increases lifespan except righteousness.”
From this we can learn that if we do good deeds and make sincere Dua, then Allah Almighty may change our future for the better by forgiving us of our sins, averting harm and increasing us in blessings.
Allah Almighty knows everything, but He loves when we ask from Him, pray, and do good because those actions improve life for us as individuals and mankind as a whole community, bringing better outcomes into all of our lives.
In Shaban, when Allah Almighty is especially looking at our deeds, we have the perfect opportunity to ask for His forgiveness and help for ourselves, our loved ones and those who have passed away.
Many scholars mention that Allah Almighty’s mercy is granted even more abundantly on this ‘night of forgiveness’ in Shaban, and encourage increased supplication, especially Dua for the 15th of Shaban (Dua of Nisf Shaban) and the year ahead, and seeking forgiveness.
