Status of Sha’aban in Uplifting Spiritual Life
This importance is due to the capacity this month has for elevating the spiritual life of the faithful.
Some times and some days in the year have been given special attention and have special importance in divine faiths. The month of Sha’aban is one of them to which Islam attaches great significance and in which special measures have been recommended for the spiritual growth of the faithful.
Muslims perform special rituals in Sha’aban, which is the eighth month in the lunar Hijri calendar.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) has said, “Rajab is the month of God, Sha’aban is my month and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah”.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has also said, “Sha’aban is my month. May God bestow His mercy upon he who aids me in my month.”
But what does it mean to aid the Holy Prophet (PBUH) in the month of Sha’aban?
Safwan Jammal says: “Imam Sadiq (AS) told me, ‘Make those around you to fast in the month of Sha’aban. I asked whether there is a virtue in it. Imam (AS) said, ‘Yes. Indeed whenever the Holy Prophet (PBUH) saw the crescent moon of Sha’aban, he would order the town crier to announce in Medina ‘I have been sent to you from God. Be aware that Sha’aban is my month. May God bestow His mercy upon he who aids me in my month, namely fast.’”
Fasting means abstaining from foods and drinks from sunrise to sunset. But it is not the highest level of fasting. In its perfect meaning, fasting is abstaining from any sin and immoral act that troubles others or breaches divine laws.
The Holy Prophet (PBUH) has said, “Sha’aban is a month in which people’s deeds move upward while they are neglecting them.”
Ramadan is known as the month of fasting, and it is compulsory for Muslim capable of doing it to fast all days in Ramadan. But why is there an emphasis on fasting in Sha’aban? The Holy Prophet (PBUH) has said, “Sha’aban is my month and anyone who fast one day in this month, paradise will be assured to him.” Fast for the sake of the love for your prophet and for getting closer to God. In some Hadiths, Sha’aban has been described as the best of the months.
In Ramadan, the majority of Muslims fast as a religious duty, but in order to enhance spiritual bond with God, there is need for going through some preliminary arrangements and preparations and this can be made possible via measures recommended to be performed in Sha’aban.
It is for this status that people have been urged to do Istighfar (repentance) in this month. Istighfar has two dimensions: in words and in deeds (true Istighfar). In the first one, we express our regret for having done wrong deeds and in the second, which is true Istighfar, we take measures to make up for what we did wrong and compensate for others’ rights that we trampled upon.
