In Shaban, our deeds are raised to Allah
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to fast more in Shaban than in any other month. When Usama ibn Zaid (RA) asked him about it, he ﷺ replied [speaking of Shaban]: ‘That is a month people neglect between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the worlds, and I love that my deeds be raised while I am fasting.’”
(Reported by al-Nasa’i)
The raising of deeds
Shaban is a great month, bookended by to holy months meaning that it often gets neglected. But it’s a moment Allah has given for us to prepare our hearts, routines and intentions. It is the month when our deeds are raised to Allah. What state do we want to be in when Allah receives these – one of continuing obedience and supplication, or a state of laziness, putting off deeds until Ramadan?
Sunnah of Shaban fasting
Shaban is always a month of opportunity to train for the Holy Month, but this year in particular we have the added mercy of winter. The days are short and cold, meaning abstaining from food and water is much easier, and we get to break our fasts early in the day.
Follow the sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ and fast at least one day a week, and let Allah be pleased with your state as he raises your deeds.
Shaban as training
As we gear up for Ramadan, let’s use Shaban to put into effect small changes that will help us to make giant changes when Ramadan comes around. In addition to increasing your fasting, find places to fit adhkar into your day, increase your reading of the Quran, give freely to charity.
Now is also the time to refrain from any bad deeds that have been weighing on your soul, and pray that Allah makes it easy for you to continue avoiding these sins after Ramadan.
What do I do now?
Get ready for Ramadan by preparing in Shaban. Here’s a few things we suggest doing:
- Fast at least once per week – preferably Mondays and Thursdays
- Drop at least one sin or bad habit. Try to drop one sin or bad habit per week
- Carry a sibha prayer counter and count at least 100 istighfar each day
- Pray witr, and any additional sunnah prayers.
- Work to pray every prayer on time
- Read at least half a page of the Quran a day
Implement these slowly but surely throughout Shaban for a Ramadan that maximises your blessings and increases your forgiveness by The All Forgiving.
