Sha'ban

The Word Sha’ban

Sayyiduna Imam Muhammad Ghazali Rahmatullahi Alaih says, “Sha’ban comes from the word Shu’b, and Shu’b means a way through the mountains and this is the way towards good. A lot of good comes from Sha’ban.” (Makashifatul Quloob p 681)

In another place the meaning of Sha’ban is said to be to divide, because in this Month a lot of good is divided among the people. Also, in this month a person’s blessings and rewards are given to him. (Fazail ul Ayyam wa Shuhoor p 404)

Huzoor Ghaus e Azam Radi Allahu Anhu states that the word Sha’ban in Arabic has five letters,

1.      Sheen

2.      Ain

3.      Baa

4.      Alif

5.      Noon

Therefore “Sheen” is for sharf (honor), and “Ain” is for Alluw (elevation), and “Baa” is for Bhalai (goodness), and “Alif” is for Ulfat (familiarity), and “Noon” is for noor (light). If a person respects this month he will acquire everything that the five letters in Sha’ban are representing.

Shab e Barat

حٰمۤ o وَ الْکِتٰبِ الْمُبِیْنِ o اِنَّا اَنْزَلْنٰہُ فِیْ لَیْلَۃٍ مُّبٰرَکَۃٍ اِنَّا کُنَّا مُنْذِرِیْنَ o فِیْھَا یُفْرَقُ کُلُّ اَمْرٍ حَکِیْمٍo اَمْرًا مِّنْ عِنْدِنَا ط اِنَّا کُنَّا مُرْسِلِیْنَo (سورہ دخان، آیت ١ تا ٥)

By oath of this clear Book we have indeed sent it down in a blessed night – indeed it is we who warn. During it are distributed all the works of wisdom, by a command from us – indeed it is who we send.

Hazrat Abu Umama Bahili Radi Allahu Anhu narrates, The Prophet Sallal lahu alaihi wasallam said,

“There are 5 nights in which every prayer is accepted, and no dua is left unaccepted,

1)      The first night of Rajab

2)      The 15th of Sha’ban

3)      The night before Friday

4)      The night of Eid ul Fitr

5)      The night of Eid ul Adha

The Prophet Sallal lahu alaihi wasallam prayed for his the forgiveness of his ummat on the 13th night of Sha’ban, and he was given the forgiveness of 1/3 of his ummat. Then the Prophet did this again on the 14th night of Sha’ban, and he got the forgiveness of 1/3 of his ummat. Finally when the Prophet asked the same thing for his ummat on the 15th night of Sha’ban, he got the forgiveness of the entire ummat, except for the people that were disobedient.

(Makashifatul Quloob)

What we can do in Sha’ban

Sayyidna Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jilani Radi Allahu Anhu says,

“In this month we should send durood on the Prophet Sallal lahu aliahi wasallam in large amounts, because this month is the Prophet Sallal lahu alaihi wasallam’s month. Ask for the closeness of Allah because of this month and Durood Shareef.” (Guniyat ut Talibeen)

When Sha’ban arrived the Prophet Sallal lahu alaihi wasallam would say, in this month cleanse your soul, and fix your intentions.

In this month make yourself aware of the Sunnat’s you are leaving, and try to follow as many sunnats of the Prophet Sallal lahu alaihi wasallam as you can as this the month of the Prophet.

The Prophet Sallal lahu alaihi wasallam has stated in Mishkawt, “the person that revives my sunnat they will get the reward of 100 shaheed.”

Fasting in the month of Sha’ban

The person that keeps a fast on the 13th, 14th, and 15th, of Sha’ban he will receive a higher level of Ieman, and firmness on his beliefs.

In Nisai Shareef, Hazrat Usama Radi Allahu Anhu narrates, that he said to the Prophet, “Ya Rasool Allah, I haven’t seen you fast in any other month, besides Sha’ban.” The Prophet Sallal lahu alaihi wasallam replied, “This is the month between Rajab and Ramadan in which people choose ignorance even though this is the month when deeds are presented to Allah, and when my deeds are presented I want to be fasting.”