Significance of the Month of Shaban

Month of Shaban is the 8th month in the Islamic calendar and is considered one of the meritorious months for which we find particular instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The Arabic word Sha`ban is derived from the word �tash`aba�, which means "to go in different directions." It is said that Sha`ban takes such a name because the Arabs used to go in different directions fighting their enemies.

It is reported that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), used to fast most of the month in Shaban except the last few days of the month. These fasts are supererogatory (nafl). Shaban is the month immediately preceding the month of Ramadan.

1. The blessed companion Usama ibn Zaid , reports that he asked Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) : "Messenger of Allah, I have seen you fasting in the month of Shaban so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in any other month." Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him), replied: "That (Shaban) is a month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And it is a month in which an account of the deeds (of human beings) is presented before the Lord of the universe, so, I wish that my deeds be presented at a time when I am in a state of fasting."

2. Ummul Mu'mineen 'Aishah (r), says, "Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) ,used to fast for most of Shaban. I said to him, 'Messenger of Allah, is Shaban your favorite month for fasting?' He said, 'In this month Allah prescribes the list of the persons dying this year. Therefore, I like that my death comes when I am in a state of fasting.' "

These reports indicate that fasting in the month of Shaban, though not obligatory but is very deserving and that Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) did not like to miss it.

In Islamic calendar, Shaban is the eighth month which precedes the Holy month of Ramadan. It is one of the most revered months for Muslims and Muslims all over the world give value to this month and have special affiliation with it. Literally, the word Shaban means branch. It can be said that Shaban branches off and leads to other good things. Shaban acts as a connection between the two blessed and sacred months of Rajab and Ramadan. Despite this, the importance of Shaban is often neglected and ignored. The lines below discuss the element of fasting in the month of Shaban under the light of different hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

Fasting in Shaban

One of the major acts that Muslims across the world do in the month of Shaban is fasting. Although Ramadan is the Holy month in which fasting is mandatory upon every Muslim, however, Muslims also fast in different days of Shaban to fulfill the Sunnah of Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).

It is narrated from Hazrat Usama ibn Zayd (RA) that he asked Prophet Muhammad (PBUH):

�I have never seen you offer fast in a month as you do in Shaban.�

To which, Prophet (PBUH) replied:

�It is a month people disregard that is between Rajab and Ramadan. In that month deeds are presented to the Lord of the Worlds, so I like my deeds to be presented while I am fasting.� (Nasai)

This hadith of Prophet (PBUH) gives the importance of fasting in the month of Shaban. Although Ramadan is the month of fasting and it is compulsory for people to fast, however, Shaban is another month, which people must also consider for fasting. It is in this month that the deeds of a person are presented in front of Allah Almighty, therefore, it becomes more than helpful if the deeds are presented at such a time when a person is in the condition of fast.

At another place Allah Almighty says:

�When the Middle Night of Shaban arrives, you should stand (Praying) in the night and should fast in the day following it.� (Ibn Majah)

There are Muslims who only go for staying up at night and praying in front of Allah Almighty on the fifteenth of Shaban, however, they hesitate to fast and some of them do not fast. Although it is totally fine if they do not fast on the day that follows, however, if this hadith be analyzed properly, then one can observe that in this hadith both fasting and praying at night get equal mention and equal emphasis. Therefore, if one is to pray at night, then he or she must also try keeping a fast during the day to fulfill the whole hadith and gain countless blessings from Allah Almighty.

Getting Ready for Ramadan in Shaban

Though fasting is made obligatory in the month of Ramadan, but fasting in the month of Shaban is beneficial in numbers of other ways. Here is how fasting in the month of Shaban is considered an important:

Fasting in Shaban gives you a chance to start preparing for the month of Ramadan. For fasting, you will have to wake up early on Fajr time, and spending day without eating and drinking, will give you a clear idea of what it would take in order to successfully spend the blessed month of Ramadan.

In the month of Shaban, many Muslim scholars and others used to consistently recite and Read the Holy Quran along with fasting, which also helps in getting ready for fasting in the coming month of Ramadan. The famous religious scholar Imam Abu Bakr al-Warraq said: �In Rajab you sow the seeds, in Sha`ban you irrigate them and in Ramadan you reap the harvest.�

Thus, a practicing Muslim must value the month of Shaban as it is proven from the hadiths of Prophet (PBUH) that this month is a special month and committing good deeds in this month carry special value and can help a Muslim gain countless blessings from Allah Almighty in addition to receiving pardon and forgiveness.

Allah's beloved prophet Hadrat MUHAMMAD{peace be upon him}said:

"Sha'ban is my month,Rajab is Allah's month and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah[Community] 

 Sha'ban is expiator,while Ramadan is the prufier."

Sha'ban is a month between Rajab and Ramadan.People tend to neglcet it,but that is when the deeds of His servants ascend to  the Lord of all the Worlds,so I would rather mine rose up while i am fasting." 

" The excellence of Rajab over other months is like the excellence of the Quran over all  other books, while the excellence of Sha'ban over other months is like my excellence over the rest of the prophets,and the  excellence of Ramadan over other months is like the excellence of Allah[Exalted is He]over all His creatures.

FASTING OF HADRAT MUHAMMAD{peace be upon him}IN THE MONTH OF SHA'BAN   
Hadrat Aisha,the wife of  our prophet hadrat MUHAMMAD{peace be upon him}is reported,having said: "Allah's Messenger{peace be upon him}used to fast until we would say he was never going to stop fasting,  and he would go so long without fasting thet we would say he was never going to fast,but i never saw  Allah's Messenger{peace be upon him}continue a fast from the begning to the end of any month except  the month of Ramadan and i never saw do more fasting in any month than he did in Sha'ban.

So i a sked him    "how is it i always see you fasting in Sha'ban?" and he{peace be upon him}said:  "O' Aisha,it is the month in which the angel of death has to note down the name of anyone whose soul he must take before the year is out,so i would rather he did not record my name except while i am fasting." Hadrat Aisha{may Allah be pleased with her}said:  " The dearest of months to our Prophet hadrat MUHAMMAD{peace be upon him} was Sha'ban,  which he would link to  Ramadan."

LAST MONDAY OF SHA'BAN. 

Allah's beloved hadrat MUHAMMAD{peace be upon him}said:   "Anyone who fasts on the last monday of Sha'ban will be granted forgiveness."

LAILAT-UL-BARA'T{THE NIGHT OF ABSOLUTION},ITS SPECIAL MERCY, GRACE AND MERITS.

Allah almighty said:"Ha-Mim.By this luminous Book. Undoubtedly we sent it down in a blessed night,verily We are to warn.Therein every affair of wisdom is divided."[44:1-3]  Hadrat Ibn-e- Abbas{may Allah be pleased with him}said,"Ha-Mim means that Allah has predetermined everything in existance till the day of  Resurrection. Book means AL-QURAN,which is a mercy from Allah and provid guidance and was revealed in "blessed night".The 'blessed night' is the night of mid-Sha'ban  in which every wise and important work is decided and is made distinct.Mid of Sha'ban is the nightof  absolution." 
THE SPECIAL [IBADA] WORSHIP OF OUR PROPHET HADRAT  MUHAMMAD{peace be upon him}IN THIS BLESSED NIGHT.

Hadrat Aisha{may Allah be pleased with her}said,once Allah's Messenger{peace be upon him}asked me, "O Aisha,what night is this?"She replied, "Allah and His Messenger know best."Then he said: This is the night of the middle of Sha'ban,during which worldly actions and the deeds of mankind are carried aloft.In this night as numerous as the wool of the flocks of the tribe of Kalb,are the slaves of Allah, emancipated from the fire  of hell.  So will you excuse me tonight?"  She said :" I said yes,So he performed his prayer like this : He held the upright position only briefly,and recited AL-Hamd and a short Sura then he stayed in prostration till middle of night .then he stood upto begin the second rak'at[cycle] with a recitation similar to the first,and then his prostration lasted untill dawn." 

OUR PROPHET{peace be upon him} WENT TO JANNA-TUL-BAQQI   [the blessed cemetry of  the city of Madinah-tul-Munwwara].

Hadrat Aisha{may Allah be pleased with her}once said:" I could not find Allah's Messenger{peace be upon him}one night,So i went outside there he was in Jannat-ul-baqqi{the blessed cemetry},his hand turned up toward the sky.Then he said to me: 'Were you  afraid that Allah and His Messenger would treat you unfairly?' I replied: 'O Messenger of Allah, I thought  that you had gone to one of your[other] wives.'He{peace be upon him}said:'On the night of mid-Sha'ban,Allah{Exalted is He}descends to the lowest heaven and forgives more than the number of woolly hairs on the   flocks and herds of [the tribe of Kalb]."

Hadrat Ibn-e-Abbas{may Allah be pleased with him and his father}said: "In the night of mid Sha'ban,Allah[Exalted is He] arranges the affairs of the year.He transfers[some of]  the living to the list of dead,and records those who will make pilgrimage to the house of Allah,neither adding one too many nor leaving a single one of them out."

THREE HUNDRED GATES OF MERCY ARE OPENED IN THE NIGHT OF MID SHA'BAN: 
Hadrat Abu Huraira{may Allah be pleased with him}reported that Rasullullah{salallahu alaihi wassallam}said:  "Gabriel{peace be upon him}came to me on the night of mid Sha'ban and said to me:"Ya RasulAllah,raise your   head heavenwards!" I asked him: "What night is this?"and he replied: "This is night when Allah{Glorified is He}opens three hundred of the gates of mercy, forgiving all who do not make anything His partner. The only  exceptions are those who practice sorcery or divination, are addicted to wine, or persist in usuary  and illict sex; these He does not forgive untill they repent." At a quarter of the night, Gabriel {peace be upon him}came down and said: Ya RasulAllah, raise your head!" So i looked up, to behold the gates of Paradise wide open. 

At the first gate an angel was calling: "Good news for those who bow in worship this night!" At the second gate an angel was calling: Good news for those who prostrate themselves in worship this night!" At the third gate an angel was calling: "Good news for those who offer supplication this night!" At the fourth gate an angel was calling: "Good news for those who make remembrance this night!" At the fifth gate an angel was calling: "Good news for those who weep this night from the fear of Allah!" At the sixth gate an angel was calling:" Good news for those who submit this night!" At the seventh gate an angel was calling: "Will anyone ask, hat his request may be granted?" At the eight gate an angel  was calling:" Will anyone seeks forgiveness, that he may be forgiven?"   Rasullullah{salsllahu alaihi wassallam}said: "O Gabriel,how long will these gates remain open?"  He replied: From the beginning of the night until the break of dawn." Then he said: "YarasulAllah,  tonight Allah has as many slaves emancipated from the fire of hell as the number of wooly hairs on the flocks  and herds of tribe Kalb."              

Sha'ban is one of the meritorious months for which we find some particular instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. It is reported in the authentic ahadith that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to fast most of the month in Sha'ban. These fasts were not obligatory on him but Sha'ban is the month immediately preceding the month of Ramadan. Therefore, some preparatory measures are suggested by Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. Some of these are given below:

1. The blessed companion Anas, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, was asked, "Which fast is the most meritorious after the fasts of Ramadan?" He replied, "Fasts of Shaban in honor of Ramadan."

2. The blessed companion Usama ibn Zaid, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports that he asked Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam: "Messenger of Allah, I have seen you fasting in the month of Sha'ban so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in any other month." Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, replied: "That (Sha'ban) is a month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And it is a month in which an account of the deeds (of human beings) is presented before the Lord of the universe, so, I wish that my deeds be presented at a time when I am in a state of fasting."

3. Ummul Mu'mineen 'Aishah, Radi-Allahu anha, says, "Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to fast the whole of Sha'ban. I said to him, 'Messenger of Allah, is Sha'ban your most favorite month for fasting?' He said, 'In this month Allah prescribes the list of the persons dying this year. Therefore, I like that my death comes when I am in a state of fasting."

4. In another Tradition she says, "Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, would sometimes begin to fast continuously until we thought he would not stop fasting, and sometimes he used to stop fasting until we thought he would never fast. I never saw the Messenger of Allah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, fasting a complete month, except the month of Ramadan, and I have never seen him fasting in a month more frequently than he did in Sha'ban."

5. In another report she says, "I never saw the Messenger of Allah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, fasting in a month so profusely as he did in the month of Sha'ban. He used to fast in that month leaving only a few days, rather, he used to fast almost the whole of the month."

6. Ummul-Mu'mineen Umm Salamah, Radi-Allahu anha, says: "I have never seen the Messenger of Allah fasting for two months continuously except in the months of Sha'ban and Ramadan."

These reports indicate that fasting in the month of Sha'ban, though not obligatory, is so meritorious that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, did not like to miss it.

But it should be kept in mind that the fasts of Sha'ban are for those persons only who are capable of keeping them without causing deficiency in the obligatory fasts of Ramadan. Therefore, if one fears that after fasting in Sha'ban, he will lose strength or freshness for the fasts of Ramadan and will not be able to fast in it with freshness, he should not fast in Sha'ban, because the fasts of Ramadan, being obligatory, are more important than the optional fasts of Sha'ban. That is why Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, himself has forbidden the Muslims from fasting one or two days immediately before the commencement of Ramadan. The blessed Companion Abu Hurairah, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, to have said, "Do not fast after the first half of the month of Sha'ban is gone."

According to another report Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam has said: "Do not precede the month of Ramadan with one or two fasts."

The essence of the above-quoted ahadith is that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, himself used to fast most of the month of Sha'ban, because he had no fear of developing weakness or weariness before the commencement of Ramadan. As for others, he ordered them not to fast after the 15th of Sha'ban for the fear that they would lose their strength and freshness before Ramadan starts, and would not be able to welcome the month of Ramadan with enthusiasm.

The Night of Bara'ah

Another significant feature of the month of Sha'ban is that it consists of a night which is termed in Shariah as "Laylatul-bara'ah" (The night of freedom from Fire). This is the night occurring between 14th and 15th day of Sha'ban. There are certain traditions of Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, to prove that it is a meritorious night in which the people of the earth are attended by special Divine mercy. Some of these traditions are quoted as follows:

1. Ummul-Mu'mineen 'Aishah, Radi-Allahu anha, is reported to have said, "Once Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, performed the Salah of the night (Tahajjud) and made a very long Sajdah until I feared that he had passed away. When I saw this, I rose (from my bed) and moved his thumb (to ascertain whether he is alive). The thumb moved, and I returned (to my place). Then I heard him saying in Sajdah: 'I seek refuge of Your forgiveness from Your punishment, and I seek refuge of Your pleasure from Your annoyance, and I seek Your refuge from Yourself. I cannot praise You as fully as You deserve. You are exactly as You have defined Yourself.' 

Thereafter, when he raised his head from Sajdah and finished his salah, he said to me: 'Aishah, did you think that the Prophet has betrayed you?' I said, 'No, O Prophet of Allah, but I was afraid that your soul has been taken away because your Sajdah was very long.' He asked me, 'Do you know which night is this?' I said, 'Allah and His Messenger know best.' He said, 'This is the night of the half of Sha'ban. Allah Almighty looks upon His slaves in this night and forgives those who seek forgiveness and bestows His mercy upon those who pray for mercy but keeps those who have malice (against a Muslim) as they were before, (and does not forgive them unless they relieve themselves from malice).'"

2. In another Tradition Sayyidah' Aishah, Radi-Allahu anha, has reported that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, has said, "Allah Almighty descends (in a manner He best knows it) in the night occurring in the middle of Sha'ban and forgives a large number of people more than the number of the fibers on the sheep of the tribe, Kalb."

Kalb was a big tribe the members of which had a very large number of sheep. Therefore, the last sentence of the hadith indicates the big number of the people who are forgiven in this night by Allah Almighty.

3. In yet another Tradition, she has reported Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, to have said, "This is the middle Night of Sha'ban. Allah frees in it a large number of the people from Fire, more than the number of the hair growing on the sheep of the tribe, Kalb. But He does not even look at a person who associates partners with Allah, or at a person who nourishes malice in his heart (against someone), or at a person who cuts off the ties of kinship, or at a man who leaves his clothes extending beyond his ankles (as a sign of pride), or at a person who disobeys his parents, or at a person who has a habit of drinking wine."

4. Sayyidna Mu'adh ibn Jabal, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, has said: "Allah Almighty looks upon all those created by Him in the middle Night of Sha'ban and forgives all those created by Him, except the one who associates partners with Him or the one who has malice in his heart (against a Muslim)".

Although the chain of narrators of some of these traditions suffers with some minor technical defects, yet when all these traditions are combined together, it becomes clear that this night has some well founded merits, and observing this night as a sacred night is not a baseless concoction as envisaged by some modern scholars who, on the basis of these minor defects, have totally rejected to give any special importance to this night. In fact, some of these traditions have been held by some scholars of hadith as authentic and the defects in the chain of some others have been treated by them as minor technical defects which, according to the science of hadith, are curable by the variety of their ways of narration. That is why the elders of the ummah have constantly been observing this night as a night of special merits and have been spending it in worship and prayers.

What Should be Done in this Night?

In order to observe the Night of Bara'ah, one should remain awakened in this night as much as he can. If someone has better opportunities, he should spend the whole night in worship and prayer. However, if one cannot do so for one reason or another, he can select a considerable portion of the night, preferably of the second half of it for this purpose, and should perform the following acts of worship:

(a) Salah. Salah is the most preferable act to be performed in this night. There is no particular number of Rak'at but preferably it should not be less than eight. It is also advisable that each part of the Salah like qiyam, rukoo' and sajdah should be longer than normal. The longest surahs of the Holy Qur'an one remembers by heart should be recited in the Salah of this night. If someone does not remember the long surahs, he can also recite several short surahs in one rak'ah.

(b) Tilawa. The recitation of the Holy Qur'an is another form of worship, very beneficent in this night. After performing Salah, or at any other time, one should recite as much of the Holy Qur'an as he can.

(c) Dhikr. One should also perform dhikr (recitation of the name of Allah) in this night. Particularly the following dhikr is very useful:

One should recite Salah (durood) on Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, as many times as he can. The dhikr can also be recited while walking, lying on bed and during other hours of work or leisure.

(d) Dua. The best benefit one can draw from the blessings of this night is prayers and supplications. It is hoped that all the prayers in this night will be accepted by our Lord, insha-Allah. Prayer itself is an 'Ibadah, and Allah Almighty gives reward on each prayer along with the fulfillment of the supplicator's need. Even if the purpose prayed for is not achieved, one cannot be deprived of the reward of the prayer which is sometimes more precious than the mundane benefits one strives for. The prayers and supplications also strengthen one's relation with Allah Almighty, which is the main purpose of all kinds and forms of worship.

One can pray for whatever purpose he wishes. But the best supplications are the ones made by Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. These are so comprehensive and all-encompassing prayers that all the human needs, of this world and the Hereafter, are fully covered in the eloquent expressions used in them. Actually, most of the prophetic prayers are so profound that human imagination can hardly match their greatness.

Several books in various languages are available which provide these prophetic prayers, and one should pray to Allah Almighty in accordance with them, whether by reciting their original Arabic text or by rendering their sense in one's own language.

(e) There are some people who cannot perform any additional Salah or recitations for any reason, like illness or weakness or being engaged in some other necessary activities. Such people also should not deprive themselves completely of the blessings of this night. They should observe the following acts:

(i) To perform the Salah of Maghrib, 'Isha' and Fajr with Jama'ah in the mosque, or in their homes in case of their being sick.

(ii) They should keep reciting the dhikr, particularly the one mentioned in para (c) above, in whatever condition they are until they sleep.

(iii) They should pray to Allah for their forgiveness and for their other objectives. One can do so even when he is in his bed.

(f) The women during their periods cannot perform salah, nor can they recite the Qur'an, but they can recite any dhikr, tasbeeh, durood sharif and can pray to Allah for whatever purpose they like in whatever language they wish. They can also recite the Arabic prayers mentioned in the Qur'an or in the hadith with the intention of supplication (and not with the intention of recitation).

(g) According to a hadith, which is relatively less authentic, Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, went in this night to the graveyard of Baqi' where he prayed for the Muslims buried there. On this basis, some of the fuqaha hold it as mustahabb (advisable) in this night to go to the graveyard of the Muslims and recite Fatihah or any other part of the Qur'an, and pray for the dead. But this act is neither obligatory nor should it be performed as regularly as an obligatory act.

What Should Not be Done in This Night

1. As mentioned earlier, the Night of Bara'ah is a night in which special blessings are directed towards the Muslims. Therefore, this night should be spent in total submission to Allah Almighty, and one should refrain from all those activities, which may displease Allah. Although it is always incumbent upon every Muslim to abstain from sins, yet this abstinence becomes all the more necessary in such nights, because committing sins in this night will amount to responding to divine blessings with disobedience and felony. Such an arrogant attitude can invite nothing but the wrath of Allah. Therefore, one should strictly abstain from all the sins, particularly from those mentioned in the Hadith No. 3 quoted earlier in this article, because these sins make one devoid of the blessings of this night.

2. In this night some people indulge in some activities which they regard as necessary for the celebration of the Night of Bara'ah, like cooking some special type of meal, or illuminating houses or mosques, or improvised structures. All such activities are not only baseless and innovated in the later days by ignorant people, but in some cases they are pure imitation of some rituals performed by non-Muslim communities. Such imitation in itself is a sin; performing it in a blessed night like the Night of Bara'ah makes it worse. Muslims should strictly abstain from all such activities.

3. Some people spend this night in holding religious meetings and delivering long speeches. Such activities are also not advisable, because these acts can easily be performed in other nights. This night requires one to devote himself for the pure acts of worship only.

4. The acts of worship like Salah, recitation of the Qur'an and dhikr should be performed in this night individually, not collectively. The Nafl Salah should not be performed in Jama'ah, nor should the Muslims arrange gatherings in the mosques in order to celebrate the night in a collective manner.

On the contrary, this night is meant for worshipping Allah in solitude. It is the time to enjoy the direct contact with the Lord of the Universe, and to devote one's attention to Him and Him alone. These are the precious hours of the night in which nobody should intervene between one and his Lord, and one should turn to Allah with total concentration, not disturbed or intermitted by any one else.

That is why Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, observed the acts of worship in this night in total seclusion, not accompanied by anyone, not even by his favorite life companion Sayyidah 'Aishah, Radi-Allahu anha, and that is why all forms of the optional worship (Nafl Ibadah), are advised by him to be done in individual, not in collective manner.

Fast of the 15th Sha'ban

On the day immediately following the Night of Bara'ah, i.e. the 15th of Sha'ban, it is mustahabb (advisable) to keep fast. Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is reported to have recommended this fast emphatically. Although the scholars of hadith have some doubts in the authenticity of this report, yet it is mentioned earlier that the fasts of the first half of Sha'ban have special merits and Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to fast most of the days in Sha'ban. Moreover, a large number of the elders (salaf) of the Ummah have been observing the fast of the 15th of Sha'ban. This constant practice indicates that they have accepted the relevant hadith as authentic.

Therefore, it is advisable to fast the 15th of Sha'ban as an optional (nafl) fast. One can also keep a fast of qada on this day and it is hoped that he can also benefit from the merits of this fast.