The Prophet (saws) Used to Fast in Sha'ban

Ummul Mu'mineen 'Aishah, Radi-Allahu anha says,"I never saw the Messenger of Allah, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, fasting a complete month, except the month of Ramadan, and I have never seen him fasting in a month more frequently than he did in Sha'ban."

[Sahih Muslim]

Explanation: Sha'baan is the eight month of the Islamic calendar. It falls between two sacred months, Rajab and Ramadaan. Sha’ban is one of the meritorious months for which we find some particular instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (saws). It is reported in the authentic ahadith that Prophet Muhammad (saws) used to fast most of the month in Sha’ban.

Fasting in Sha'baan serves as training before Ramadaan. However, fasting the whole month of Shabaan is Makrooh (disliked) and against the Sunnah of Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam). Ibn Abbas (radhi allahu anhu) said: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wa-sallam) did not fast any entire month apart from Ramadaan.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee]

But it should be kept in mind that the fasts of Sha'ban are for those persons only who are capable of keeping them without causing deficiency in the obligatory fasts of Ramadan. Therefore, if one fears that after fasting in Sha'ban, he will lose strength or freshness for the fasts of Ramadan and will not be able to fast in it with freshness, he should not fast in Sha'ban, because the fasts of Ramadan, being obligatory, are more important than the optional fasts of Sha'ban.

That is why Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, himself has forbidden the Muslims from fasting one or two days immediately before the commencement of Ramadan. The blessed Companion Abu Hurairah, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, to have said, "Do not fast after the first half of the month of Sha'ban is gone."

According to another report Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam has said: "Do not precede the month of Ramadan with one or two fasts."

The essence of the above-quoted ahadith is that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, himself used to fast most of the month of Sha'ban, because he had no fear of developing weakness or weariness before the commencement of Ramadan. As for others, he ordered them not to fast after the 15th of Sha'ban for the fear that they would lose their strength and freshness before Ramadan starts, and would not be able to welcome the month of Ramadan with enthusiasm.