Sha’baan is the name of the eighth month in the Islamic calendar. The month of Sha'baan in the Islamic calendar begins on July 13, 2010 on the Gregorian calendar.
Prophet Muhammad sal Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallamhas on Sha'baan
“That is a month to which people do not pay attention, between Rajab and Ramadan, and it is a month in which deeds are lifted up to the Lord of the Worlds. I like for my deeds to be lifted up when I am fasting.”
It is narrated in Abi Dawud that Sha’baan was the month the Prophet loved to fast in the most, outside of the obligatory fasting during the month of Ramadan.
The Prophet sal Allahu ‘alayhi wa sallam (SAW) told us to avoid fasting the last one or two days of Sha’bān. This comes to us from a Hadith reported in Bukhari and Muslim. Some say this is to kind of prepare for the month ahead of 30 days of straight fasting.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) had said that during the night of 15th Shaaban the Almighty Allah (SWT) takes decisions in the matters of sustenance, life and death and welfare of the people.
Next to the "Night of Qadr" the night of 15th Shaban, Lailatul Barat is the most auspicious night (also known as Shab-e-Barat or Night of Baraat). According to Imam Muhammad bin Ali Al-Baqir (as) and Imam Ja'far bin Muhammad As Sadiq (as), the Almighty Allah (SWT) has promised to fulfill every legitimate desire put forward to Him tonight.
Night of Bara'ah or Lailatul Barat is a night in which special blessings are directed towards the Muslims as mentioned earlier. Therefore, this night should be spent in total submission to Almighty Allah (SWT), and one should refrain from all those activities, which may displease Allah (SWT).
In order to observe the Night of Bara'ah or Shab-e-Barat, one should remain awakened in this night as much as he can. If someone has better opportunities, he should spend the whole night in worship and prayer. However, if one cannot do so for one reason or another, he can select a considerable portion of the night, preferably of the second half of it for this purpose.
Recommended Fasts for the Islamic Lunar month of Sha'ban
1st, 2nd and 3rd of Sha'baan: 13 July, 14 July and 15 July 2010
and/or
1st Thursday, Mid-Wednesday and last Thursday of Sha'baan: 15 July, 28 July, 5 August 2010
and/or
13th, 14th and 15th of Shabaan: 25, 26 and 27 July 2010
or
Any Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Shaban
or
The last three days of Shaban to connect with the Holy month of Ramadan
Islamic Calendar 2010
Recommended: Articles on Preparing for Ramadan
Basic Facts on Ramadan
Setting Goals and Planning
The Importance of the Month of Shaban
Video Series: Preparing for Ramadan
