Sha' baan is the eight month of the Islamic calendar. Sha' baan means to spread and distribute. During this month blessings descend and the provisions and sustenance of man is distributed.

Upon the arrival of the Sha' baan moon

It is the beginning of ennumerous blessings being showered upon us. Just as the start of rainfall beings with 'pitter patter', and ends in a mighty down pour, such blessings descend and the provisions and sustenance of man is distributed.

Beginning of Sha'baan

Blessings are initiated and progressively escalate so that by mid Sha'baan and blessings have reached a considerable amount and finally these blessings reach their peak by the end of Ramadhan.

What is Sha'baan?

Sha'baan is the month that comes between Rajab and Ramadhan. There are many virtuous days with which Allah Ta'ala has blessed his Nabi's (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) Ummah. He has promised as great reward for each and every virtuous deed, even if it is as small as removing something from a pathway that may trouble others.

Yet, look at the ignorance of the Muslims. We let things slip through our fingers not realising that time is lost forever! Each breath of a man is a step nearer to his death, nearer to the time of reckoning before His Creator, on the Day of Resurrection (QIYYAMAH).

Everyday Allah Ta'ala through his love and mercy has allocated a specific time in which those who call onto him are answered. He has set aside certain days in which mercy has no limits, to those who plead for it.

For amongst the special times and days is the month of Sha'baan, in which each deed acted upon, is rewarded more generously by Allah Ta'ala than compared to any other day.

Why is Sha'baan important?

In a Hadeeth Sayyidina Usaama (radhiyallahu anhu) reports, that Rasoolullah (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said, "There is a month between Rajab and Ramadhan called Sha'baan, people are VERY IGNORANT towards this month, even though the reward of each deed is greater within it, and the deeds are presented to Allah Ta'ala"
(Imaam Bayhaqi reports this Hadeeth in his Shuab-ul- Iman)

It has been narrated by Sayyidina Anas (radhiyallahu anhu) that upon the arrival of Rajab,Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) used to recite:

"Allahumma barik fee rajaba wa sha'baana wa ballighnaa ilaa ramadhan"
"O Allah   Bless us abundantly in Rajab and Sha'baan and deliver us safely unto Ramadhan."


It has also been stated in the Kitaab 'Daylami' that Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) proclaimed , "Sha'baan is my month ". In another Hadeeth Sayyidina Ayesha (radhiyallahu anha) narrates that Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) preferred to observe the fasts of Sha'baan thus uniting them with the fasts of Ramadhan. From the above Ahadeeth we learn the significance of Sha'baan and Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam's) attachment to this blessed month.

This month should be spent preparing for Ramadhan, not in the heart of the city centre shopping but by doing acts, so that in Ramadhan we undertake even more virtuous deeds. By then hopefully our religious duties would become habitual.

Events of Sha'baan

  • 'Laila-tul-Baraa'at' (Night of forgiveness) the fifteenth night of Sha'baan.
  • 'Qibla', the direction to face in Salaat, was once again reverted to the Ka'bah in Makkah (after facing Bait-ul-Muqaddas in Jerusalem for a short period of time). This took place two years after Hijrah on the 15th of Sha'baan.
  • Fasting in the blessed month of Ramadhan was made compulsory two years after Hijrah on the 25th of Sha'baan.

What to do on Laylatul Bara'ah (15th night of Sha'baan)?

As much time as possible should be spent in nafil salah and reciting of the Qur'aan. It is reported that Rasoolullah (sallahu alayhi wa sallam) said to Sayyidina Ayesha (radhiyallahu anha),"On this night read this dua and teach it to others too, for Jibra'eel (Alayhis Salaam) has taught this dua to me"

Duaa: Allahumma innee a'auzu be afwika min iqaabika wa a'auzu be rezhaka min sakhatika wa a'auzu bika minka subhaanaka laa uhsee thana'an alayka anta kama athnait ala nafsik.
Translation: I seek protection on your forgiveness from you wrath, and I seek shelter in your pleasure from your displeasure, and I seek safety with you from you. I cannot fully praise you, as you have praised your self.

Virtue of 15th night of Sha'baan

Allah Ta'ala descends to the lower heaven and turns with special mercy and forgiveness towards those who repent and seek forgiveness. Unlike any other night, on the 15th night of Sha'baan, Allah Ta'ala descends to the lower heaven from sunset onwards.

Authenticity

Allamah ibn Taymiyyah, a prominent scholar dedicated to refute innovations, states "So many Ahadeeth and reports exist regarding the excellence of the fifteenth night of Sha'baan, that one is compelled to accept that this night does posses some virtue".

Unfortunate People

It is understood from the Ahadeeth that even on this night, some servants of Allah Ta'ala are deprived of his forgiveness.
They are as follows:

  • Idolators
  • Consumer of alcohol
  • Those who disobey their parents
  • Those who commit adultery and murders
  • Those who sever family ties
  • Those who harbour enmity against others
  • Those who wear their trousers, kurtas, lungis etc below their ankles

We can thus gauge the severity of these sins and the need to abstain from them as they are so grave that even on an occasion when Allah Ta'ala's mercy comes to the fore, they still poise an obstacle to our forgiveness.