The month of Rajab may indeed be more special than the month of Sha’ban. This is because the month is included in the four sacred months favored by Allah SWT. However, this does not mean that we as Muslims neglect the month of Sha’ban. In this month, the Messenger of Allah (SAW) actually worshiped more, fasted, and begged Allah for forgiveness. He even set an example through the various customs he practiced.
These things were certainly not done without reason. The Prophet wanted his followers to follow what he did, because there was good intention behind it. In addition, there were also prohibitions from the Prophet for Muslims that should not be done in the month of Sha’ban. What were the habits and prohibitions of the Prophet in the days leading up to Ramadan?
Habits of the Prophet in the Month of Sha’ban
“Aisyah ra said: ‘I have never seen the Prophet fast a whole month, except in the month of Ramadan and I have never seen him fast (sunnah) in a month more than he fasted in the month of Sha’ban.
(Narrated by Bukhari & Muslim)
The custom of the Prophet in the month of Shaban was to fast. Siti Aisyah, the Prophet’s wife, revealed that the Prophet performed more voluntary fasts in the month of Shaban than in other months. In another Muslim account, Aisyah ra added that the Prophet fasted most days in the month of Shaban, and only on a few days did he not fast. This act of the Prophet clearly shows the virtue of the month of Shaban, and fasting in this month is the Prophet’s sunnah which is recommended for his followers.
This is also reinforced by the statement of the Prophet when Usamah bin Zaid ra said to him, “I have never seen you fast (as a sunnah) in any month as much as you fast in the month of Shaban”. The Prophet then said: “The month of (Shaban) is a month that many people neglect (the virtue) when it is between the months of Rajab and Ramadan. And it is the month in which deeds are reported to the Lord of the Universe (Allah). Therefore, I like it when my deeds are reported while I am fasting.” (Nasa’i & Ahmad)
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There are at least three important things shown by this hadith. First, the Prophet (peace be upon him) reminds us that many people neglect the virtue of the month of Sha’ban because it comes between the more well-known months of Rajab and Ramadan. So, the observances performed in the month of Sha’ban are more difficult to carry out and require more patience, as in the following parable in the hadith:
“To worship in an age of trial (al-harj) is like emigrating to me.”
(HR. Muslim)
The meaning of “age of trial” from the hadith above is an age of widespread temptation or temptation in which many people follow their lusts and do not adhere to religion. Thus, their situation is similar to that of the Jahiliyyah. It can be said that this hadith is relevant to the present day where technology is developing rapidly and false news and slander are easily spread. So, the month of Sha’ban is likened to the days of ignorance, when people were neglectful of their worship. However, if there are people who are able to remain obedient and carry out their worship diligently, then these people are like those who have converted to the Prophet.
Second, the Prophet Muhammad emphasized that the virtue of the month of Sha’ban is that it is the month when the deeds of human beings for a year are reported to Allah. As for the deeds of the week, they are reported by angels to Allah on Mondays and Thursdays.
“The deeds are reported on Mondays and Thursdays, so I like it when my deeds are reported while I am fasting.”
(Narrated by Tirmidhi)
Third, the Messenger of Allah showed sincerity in increasing obedience to Allah at a time when many people neglected to obey Him and at a time when the deeds of human beings were reported to Him. Both times are in the month of Sha’ban, so that the worship performed on it has virtue. This is the secret of why the Messenger of Allah increased the number of voluntary fasts in the month of Sha’ban.
Fasting on the Day of Nisfu Syaban is Not Sunnah
It should be noted that the Prophet increased the number of voluntary fasts on most days of the month of Sha’ban without giving special treatment to the 15th day or the middle of the month, commonly known as Nisfu Syaban. Even so, observing a voluntary fast on the day of Nisfu Syaban is a good act of worship and in accordance with the Prophet’s tradition if the intention is to follow the tradition of fasting ayyamul bidh on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of each month.
So, whether or not observing a voluntary fast on Nisfu Syaban is good and whether or not the fast is in accordance with the tradition of the Prophet is highly determined by the intention of the person performing it.
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The prohibition of the Prophet in the month of Sha’ban
Another thing that friends also need to know about the month of Sha’ban is the prohibition of the Prophet Muhammad. Prophet Muhammad forbade his followers from fasting absolutely on one or two days at the end of the month of Sha’ban, before entering the month of Ramadan.
“Do not precede Ramadan by fasting one or two days (before), except for someone who is accustomed to fasting, then (it is okay) to fast on that day.”
(Narrated by Bukhari & Muslim)
In the book Fath al-Baarii, Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani explains that there are three people who are exempt from the prohibition of fasting at the end of the month of Sha’ban. First, people who have the habit of fasting voluntarily, such as fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, which coincides with one or two days before Ramadan 1. Second, people who intend to make up for missed fasts or to repay debts from Ramadan fasts. Third, people who intend to fast to fulfill a vow to Allah. Allah knows best … (RQA)