Fasting during the Holy month of Shaban

Anas (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates:

They asked our Prophet (pbuh):

“O Messenger of Allah! What month is the most meritorious other than Ramadan in terms of fasting?”

Our Prophet (pbuh) replied:

“It is the fasting in Shaban in order to show respect to Ramadan.” (Tirmizi, Zakat: 28)

According to the statements of the companions of the Prophet, primarily Hazrat Aisha, our mother, the Prophet sometimes fasted in the whole month of Shaban and he often fasted on most days of Shaban.

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates:

“The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) fasted so much in some months. We even thought he did not break his fast in that month. In some months, he broke his fast so much that we would say he did not fast on any days in this month.”

“I did not see the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) fast in the whole month except Ramadan. I never saw him fast in any month more than he did in Shaban.” (Bukhari, Sawm: 51, Abu Dawud, Sawm: 59)

In another narration, Hazrat Aisha says the following regarding the issue:

“The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) never fasted in any month more than he did in Shaban. And he said the following:

“Do the deeds that you can afford. Unless you get tired of them, Allah will not regard you as you have got tired. The best deed in the presence of Allah is the deed that a person constantly does even if it is little.” (Muslim, Siyam: 177)

In another narration in Ibn Majah, Hazrat Aisha said, “He (the Messenger of Allah) fasted in the whole month of Shaban and connected it with Ramadan.” stating that he fasted more in that month. (Ibn Majah, Sawm: 4)

From both narrations, the judgment that it is permissible to fast in the whole month of Shaban or to fast on some days of Shaban is reached.

Usama ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with him) asks the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) this question:

“Oh Messenger of Allah! I never saw you fast in any other month as much as you did in Shaban.”

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) stated the following:

“This month is between Rajab and Ramadan; People are ignorant of this month, which is between Rajab and Ramadan. It is the month in which the deeds are presented to the Lord of the Worlds. I want my deeds to be presented to Allah when I am fasting.” (Nasai, Sawm: 70)

Besides, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) worshipped more in Shaban in comparioson to the other months. He exalted the value of the month of Shaban by saying;

“Shaban is my month.”, “Shaban is the cleaner of the sins.” (Kashfu’l-Khafa, 2:9)