FRIDAY’S WISDOM
حكمة الجمعة
Legality of Fasting in Sha’ban
أُسَامَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ، قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ لَمْ أَرَكَ تَصُومُ شَهْرًا مِنَ الشُّهُورِ مَا تَصُومُ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ . قَالَ “ ذَلِكَ شَهْرٌ يَغْفُلُ النَّاسُ عَنْهُ بَيْنَ رَجَبٍ وَرَمَضَانَ وَهُوَ شَهْرٌ تُرْفَعُ فِيهِ الأَعْمَالُ إِلَى رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ فَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يُرْفَعَ عَمَلِي وَأَنَا صَائِمٌ ” .
سنن النساءي ٢٣٥٧
Meaning:
Usāmah bin Zayd said:
“I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I do not see you fasting any month as much as Sha’ban.’ He said: ‘That is a month to which people do not pay much attention, between Rajab and Ramadhan. It is a month in which the deeds are taken up to the Lord of the worlds, and I like that my deeds be taken up when I am fasting.”‘
Sunan an-Nasa’i 2357
LESSONS AND JURISPRUDENCE OF THE HADITH
The lessons and Jurisprudential implications of the Hadith are as follows:
- The Hadith establishes the legality and permission to engage in fasting in the 8th lunar month of Sha’ban
- Hadith reveals the mutual rapport between the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and his companions for Usamah son of Sayd to have asked him questions regarding his fasting in the month of Sha’ban more than the other months, except Ramadhan.
- Hadith presents the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) as a democratic leader who likes to be questioned, while he explains that many people neglected the month of Sha’ban, a month between Rajab and Ramadhan, whereas it is a significant month for accountability.
- Hadith describes the fasting in the month of Sha’ban as significant and rewarding to make our yearly record in the Divine Slate (Lawhul-Mahfuzh) favourable before Allah (SWT).
- Hadith refers to fasting in the month of Sha’ban as the most applaudable act before Allah as well as other acts, like; recitation of al-Qur’an, strengthening family ties, seeking knowledge, observing Nawaafil (superogatory prayers), among others.
- Hadith presents fasting in the month of Sha’ban as recommended not compulsory. Even, fasting all the days of the month is not recommended, but only to fast its first 15 days, in order to prepare the body and soul for the fasting in the month of Ramadhan.
- Hadith reveals that the month of Sha’ban is for the preparation of soul and body for Ramadhan, as well as the month to wet the good deeds to be harvested in the month of Ramadhan and makes the Muslims totally absorbed of their sins before Ramadhan
Prayers:
Please, O Allah! As we witnessed the first Jumua’h in the month of Sha’ban, 1447 AH, may He bless us with blessings He bestowed the Day and Month, relieve our worries, sustain us with Your provision and accept our prayers and requests and preserve us to witness the coming month of Ramadhan in good health, wealth and faith.
O Allah! We confessed our sins before You and hardship we are going through, please forgive us and cushion the effect of the hardship by Your Mighty and guide our leaders right and alleviate our abject poverty, save us from bad governance, protect Muslims from all worrying lands, save all Muslims from the calamities of our time and restore the world and Nigeria in particular, back to normal from pandemic, insecurity, hunger, banditry, kidnapping, war and other social evils rampaging the world with the blessings you accorded this month. Amin
Good Evening & Jumu’ah Mubaarakah
مساء السعيد وجمعة مباركة
@ Imam Yusuf Mashood Dagbo, Chief Imam, GGDSS Central Mosque, Okesuna, Ilorin,Kwara State & Director, YUMAD Consults, specializes in educational consultancy, Cultural Orientation, Marriage Counselling, Event Organization, Pub inlic Presentation, Columnist, etc. Contact: dagbomashood@gmail.com (08035215264) (4th Sha’ban, 1447AH/23rd January, 2026CE)