Teach Your Child About the Month of Sha'ban
The month of Sha'ban is the 8th month of the Islamic calendar and holds special significance because it is the month before the holy month of Ramadan. In Sha'ban, Allah SWT showers much forgiveness on us, and our beloved Prophet PBUH referred to Sha'ban as “my month”. During this month, there is a special night known as the Night of Salvation or Lailatul Ba’raah in Arabic.
The scholars say that the linguistic root of the word Sha`ban is a branch, because the month of Sha`ban “branches off” and leads on to many good things. It acts as a bridge between the two blessed months of Rajab and Ramaḍan. In spite of this, it is often neglected (source: Muwasala).
It is Highly Recommended to Fast in Sha’ban
The Prophet SAW used to fast a lot in Sha`ban and explained why by saying,
“It is a month that people neglect, between Rajab and Ramaḍan. It is a month in which actions are raised to the Lord of the Worlds and I love for my actions to be raised while I am fasting.” (Ahmad)
One of the greatest acts we can perform in Sha`ban is to offer voluntary fasts, as this is what the Prophet SAW loved to do on Mondays and Thursdays, and especially during the month of Sha`ban. The Prophet’s SAW wife, Sayyidah Aishah said,
“I did not see him fasting in any month more than Sha`ban.” (Bukhari)
She also said:
“The month which he loved to fast the most was Sha`ban.” (Nasa’i)
The Prophet SAW also said,
“In this month those who are destined to die are recorded for the Angel of Death. I love for my name to be recorded when I am fasting.” (al-Haythami)
Even if we fast on the “White Days” or any three days in Sha’ban or other months, this would be a great reward, as any action, big or small, that causes us to be raised to Allah SWT is immense.
What Else Should We Do in Sha’ban?
Other than fasting, it is recommended to bestow blessings and peace upon our beloved Prophet SAW. Allah SWT revealed this verse in the month of Sha’ban:
﴿إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلاَئِكَـتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِيِّ يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُواْتَسْلِيماً﴾
“Allah and His angels bestow their blessings upon the Prophet. O you who believe bestow blessings and peace upon him in abundance!” (Sura Al-Ahzab 33:56)
Perhaps this is why the Prophet SAW said,
“Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha`ban is my month, and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah.” (al-Suyuti)
Sending blessings upon our Prophet SAW is one of the best ways of attaining closeness to him in this life and the next, as he said:
“The closest people to me on the Day of Rising will be those who bestow the most blessings upon me.” (Tirmidhi)
The early Muslims made it a habit to recite the Qur’an in abundance during Sha`ban. This, along with fasting, is the best way for us to prepare for the next blessed month of Ramaḍan. As humans beings, we tend to fall into bad habits, so training ourselves in Sha’ban is good idea to get our souls ready and our nafs under control for the sacrifice ahead. If we are already accustomed to eating less and worshiping more in Sha’ban, then when Ramadan begins, it will not be as difficult. Imam Abu Bakr al-Warraq said it beautifully:
“In Rajab you sow the seeds, in Sha`ban you irrigate them and in Ramadan you reap the harvest.”
Momentous Events in Sha’ban
The scholars of Sīrah say that it was the month in which the moon was split in half for the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace). It was also the month in which the Qiblah (direction of prayer) was changed from Bayt al-Maqdis in Jerusalem to the Ka`bah in Makkah (source: Muwasala).
A momentous event that comes around every year, is the Fifteenth Night of Sha`ban, one of the greatest nights of the year! Some commentators on the Qur’an were of the opinion that the verse in Surah al-Dukhan is the fifteenth night of Sha`ban. Allah Say:
“In it every decreed affair becomes distinct.” (Al-Dukhan, 44:4)
According to this opinion, it is the night in which everything that Allah has decreed for His slaves for the ensuing year becomes manifest. Their provision is allotted, and those who are destined to die are named. Ata’ bin Yasar said that on this night the Angel of Death receives a scroll on which are written the names of all those who are destined to die in the coming year. He said:
“A man may plant crops, get married and build buildings while his name has already been recorded amongst the dead. The Angel of Death is only waiting for the order to take his soul.”
Thus many of the pious would ask Allah on this night to be recorded among the felicitous, just as they would ask for plentiful provision (source: Muwasala).
Let’s Pray and Make Dua
It is the practice of many of the pious people of the ummah to recite Surah Ya Sin three times on the 15th night of Sha`ban and to recite this prayer after each recitation of Surah Ya Sin. (See the prayer and source at Muwasala)
I hope your kids enjoy learning about the blessed month of Sha’ban. Take a look at our ebooks for kids below! May Allah reward the writers at Muwasala for sharing this lesson with us, ameen.
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا في رَجَبٍ وَ شَعْبَانَ وَ بَلِّغْنا رَمَضَانَ
“O Allah bless us in Rajab and Sha`ban and enable us to reach Ramadan!” (Ahmad)
Want to Teach Your Child More About Shaban?
Book 1: “Let’s Learn About Sha’ban” book will help your child know the details about this blessed month in the Islamic year. Enjoy an exclusive 18-page digital download ebook for your children or students.
Book 2: Enjoy another exclusive ebook "Mid Sha’ban - The Night of Salvation", a 19-page digital download of educational content for children to learn about this special night.
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Salam, I’m Zakeeya!
I believe being a wife, a mother, and making our homes a sanctuary for our families brings us tremendous blessings, fulfillment, and improves society. Since 2011, I've been committed to helping Muslimas find tranquility in their roles, take better care of themselves, and attain contentment within. Our journey is not an easy one, but I pray the resources and mentoring I offer, will assist in navigating you through your everyday challenges with mindfulness and gratitude, inshallah. Join me as I share wifehood, motherhood, homemaking, and lifestyle solutions that make life more fulfilling for you as a woman! READ MORE
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