Fasting in Shabaan

Fasting in Shabaan
compiled by Imran Ayub


1.1 It is Mustahabb (recommended) to fast a great deal in the month of Shabaan


Narrated Aaishah (may Allah be pleased with her): "Allahs Apostle (peace be upon him) used to fast till one would say that he would never stop fasting, and he would abandon fasting till one would say that he would never fast. I never saw Allah's Apostle 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 Shabaan."[1]

 
1.2 The Reason for Fasting so much in Shabaan

Narrated Usaamah ibn Zayd (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: "I said, O Messenger of Allaah (peace be upon him), I do not see you fasting in any month more than in Shabaan.

He said, That is a month concerning which many people are heedless, between Rajab and Ramadaan. It is the month is which peoples deeds are taken up to the Lord of the Worlds, and I would like my deeds to be taken up whilst I am fasting.'"[2]


1.3 After the Half of Shabaan

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "When Shabaan is half over, do not fast."[3]


Sheikh  Ibn 'Uthaymeen (may Allaah have mercy on him) said: "Even if the hadeeth is Saheeh, the prohibition in it does not mean that this is Haraam, rather it is simply makrooh (disliked), as some of the scholars have understood it to mean. But whoever has the habit of fasting regularly should fast, even if it is after halfway through Sha'baan."[4]


1.4 Fasting the day of doubt

Narrated Aboo Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him): The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, "None of you should fast a day or two before the month of Ramadan unless he has the habit of fasting (Nawafil) (and if his fasting coincides with that day) then he can fast that day."