By Imam Murtadha Gusau
Tuesday, Sha’aban 1st, 1447 AH (January 20, 2026)
In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful
Praise is due to Allah, Lord of the worlds, may the blessings and peace be upon our beloved master Muhammad, the last of Prophets, on his family, and all his companions.
Dear brothers and sisters! The sighting of the Crescent of Sha’aban signals the good news of Ramadan’s imminent arrival. A sincere Muslim believer grows in anticipation with the passing of each day. Days like these, are what a Muslim believer “lives for.”
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) would increase his optional (nafilah) fast in this month.
Aisha (RA) reports that:
“I never saw Prophet (Peace be upon him) fasting in any other month as much as he did in Sha’aban.” [Bukhari and Muslim]
In one narration, Aisha (RA) states she would choose Sha’aban to complete her Qada fasts for the previous Ramadan (that were missed through menses). [Bukhari and Muslim]
In light of the above, and other Hadiths, some Islamic scholars state that Sha’aban is the best month for nafilah fasts, especially if it is done with the motive of preparing for Ramadan. [See Lata’iful Ma’arif, page 248-249. Also see Sunan Tirmidhi, Ma’arifus Sunan, volume 5, page 274 and Musannaf of Ibn Abi Shaibah]
And one should avoid fasting after the 15th of Sha’aban, so that strength may be preserved for Ramadan. [Sunan Nasa’i]
In addition to it being the most virtuous month -outside Ramadan- to fast, another reason [among others] for Prophet (Peace be upon him) increasing his optional fast in Sha’aban was to prepare for Ramadan as well as to respectfully welcome Ramadan. [Lata’iful Ma’arif and Fathul Bari]
This illustrates how the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him) would spiritually prepare himself in advance for the most auspicious month of the year; Ramadan.
It is like the Sunnah prayer (Salah) we offer before and after the Fard prayer. For the Fard fast of Ramadan, we are taught to offer nafilah fasts before and after (viz. in Sha’aban and Shawwal). [Lata’iful Ma’arif, page 249]
Similarly, the Sahabah (RA) and Tabi’un (rahimahumullah) would also engage in what we would understand as ‘spiritual preparation’ for Ramadan.
Anas (RA) says:
“When Sha’aban would commence, the Muslims (Sahabah and Tabi’un) would dedicate themselves to the recital of the Qur’an.”
Some are reported to have discharged their Zakah too, in Sha’aban. [See Lata’iful Ma’arif, page 258]
Hafiz Ibn Rajab Al-Hambali (rahimahullah) writes:
“Since Sha’aban is a prelude to Ramadan, Islam encourages certain deeds in this month, that are usually done in Ramadan. Like fasting and Qur’an recital. This prepares the soul to welcome Ramadan, when it arrives, with open arms.” [Lata’iful Ma’arif, page 258]
These are glaring lessons on the spiritual preparation for Ramadan. It’s a month in which we can rehearse these additional nafilah deeds (viz, optional fasts up to the 15th, Qur’an recital, Charity etc).
In addition to the above deeds and their like, there is another form of preparation that is absolutely essential. That is to settle our disputes and cleanse the hearts from jealousy, rancour, hatred, enmity and Ill-feelings.
People who hold onto old grudges, and do not settle their disputes, nor cleanse their hearts are usually deprived of Allah’s mercy, even on blessed occasions. Therefore it is imperative for a Muslim believer, as part of his preparation for Ramadan, to sort out such issues ahead of time.
The beginning of Sha’aban is a time for us to reset our minds hearts and routines for Ramadan.
Barely two weeks into the month, will bring the occasion of the fifteenth night of Sha’aban. This night is labelled as the second most auspicious night of the year, by some Scholars, although it’s weak understanding. [See Lata’iful Ma’arif, page 264]
Allah Ta’ala, through His wisdom granted the Ummah this auspicious night as a prelude to Ramadan.
On that night too, those who harbour ill-feelings are deprived of Allah’s Mercy and Forgiveness.
The best time for change, is now! Never delay in making a reformed decision.
Therefore, one should understand that today is an ideal time to reflect on the above and to make efforts to implement them too. Let’s increase our nafilah Ibadah (worship) from today, so that when Ramadan does arrive, we are well rehearsed and ready to maximise our benefit therefrom.
Usamah Ibn Zaid, the beloved of the Messenger of Allah and the son of the beloved of the Messenger of Allah (Peace be upon him), said:
“O Messenger of Allah! I have not seen you fast a month from among the months the way you fast in Shaʿaban!” He (Peace be upon him) said:
“That is a month which people are heedless of, between Rajab and Ramadan, and it is a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the worlds, so I love that my deed be raised while I am fasting.” [Declared Hasan by al-Albani in Sahih al-Nasaʾi, no. 2356]
Our beloved Shaikh Sulaiman Ar-Ruhaili, may Allah preserve him, said:
“The recommendation of fasting Shaʿaban is emphasised by three tremendous matters: The first: because Shaʿaban is a month of heedlessness, since it falls between Rajab and Ramadan, and worship during times of heedlessness and places of heedlessness is greatly virtuous. The second: because it is a month in which the deeds of the servants are raised, and from the Sunnah and goodness for the servant is that his deed be raised to his Lord, the Most High, while he is fasting. The third: because it was the action of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him), for he used to fast in Shaʿaban in a manner that he did not fast in other than it.” [See Sharh Dalil al-Talib]
“شهر شعبان شهر القراء.”
“The month of Sha’aban is the month of the Qur’an reciters i.e., The month to recite the Qur’an in abundance.”
Hafiz Ibn Rajab Al Hambali (rahimahullah) has cited this as the statement of Habib Ibn Abi Thabit (rahimahullah), a Tabi’i. He has also cited this on the authority of Salamah Ibn Kuhail (rahimahullah) who said, “It used to be said that the month of Sha’aban is the month of the Qur’an reciters.” [Lata’iful Ma’arif, page 242]
The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) would fast more in Sha’aban than in other months. Among the reasons given for this as mentioned above are the following:
- It is the best month to fast outside Ramadan.
- Since Sha’aban is sandwiched between Rajab and Ramadan, and their virtues are well known. It is therefore, a month in which people are not as particular. Hence, Prophet (Peace be upon him) would display its importance in this manner.
- It is a month in which the deeds of mankind are presented to Allah Ta’ala [for special consideration/forgiveness].
- Just as there are nafilah/Sunnah prayers before and after the Fard prayers, similarly, there are optional fasts before Ramadan and after. (in Sha’aban and the 6 fasts of Shawwal).
- Another reason for Prophet (Peace be upon him) increasing his optional fast in Sha’aban was to prepare for Ramadan.
- To respectfully welcome Ramadan.
- To make it easier for his wives to fast their Qada fasts from the previous Ramadan.
[See Lata’iful Ma’arif, page 249-258 and Fathul Bari, Hadith no: 1969]
May Allah Ta’ala guide and inspire us all, amin.
All praise is due to Allah, the Lord of the worlds. Prayers, peace and mercy are upon our beloved master, Muhammad, the son of Abdullah (Peace be upon him), his family and Companions.
Murtadha Muhammad Gusau is the Chief Imam of Nagazi-Uvete Jumu’ah and the late Alhaji Abdur-Rahman Okene’s Mosques, Okene, Kogi State, Nigeria. He can be reached via: gusauimam@gmail.com or +2348038289761 or +2348024192217.