Calendar

The Second of the Three Blessed Months: Shaban

Shaban al-Sharif 

The word Shaban comes from the word “shiab,” which means “mountainous path.” This month is called “Shaban” because it provides us with the opportunity to accomplish many good deeds and attain numerous blessings. So, we can say that Shaban means the way of charity.

The month of Shaban is the second of the three holy months and contains many blessings belonging to Ramadan. Regarding this particular property of the month of Shaban, Islamic scholars have stated, “The reason why Shaban is given this name is that it has many auspicious properties of the month of Ramadan in it that spreads across time.”

In another hadith, he explains the importance of this month as follows:

"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."

Mid-Shaban and the Night of Barat

The 15th night of Shaban is significant. It is considered a "blessed night" because its rewards are bountiful. That night has been given many names. It is called "the night of salvation" due to the increased forgiveness and purification of sins in its duration, as well as "the night of mercy" due to the abundant blessings bestowed upon the servants of Allah on this holy night.

There is a great reward for spending this night with worship and obedience. Our Beloved Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) spent the night in worship to Allah Almighty and prayed to Him:

“O Allah, I seek refuge in Your pleasure from Your anger and in Your forgiveness from Your punishment, and I seek refuge in You from You. I cannot fully praise You, for You are as You have praised Yourself.”

The Prophet (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) said to Aishah (radiyallahu anha): 

“Allah forgives more than the number of hairs on the sheep of Banu Kalb (an Arab tribe renowned for their great flocks of sheep). But except those who associate partners with Him, harbor grudges and enmity against Muslims, cut off their relations with their relatives, are arrogant, rebel against their parents, and continue to get alcohol.”

Anas bin Malik (radiyallahu anh) narrates: 

“The companions of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) would dedicate themselves to reading the Qur’an when they sighted the crescent of the month of Shaban. Believers would calculate the zakat of their wealth in this month and give them to the poor and needy to help those who would fast in Ramadan. Judges and governors would summon the prisoners in jails, and curtail their punishments or pardon them. Merchants would pay their debts and receive their dues. They would enter into itiqaf when they saw the crescent of the month of Ramadan.”