With all the conveniences that the internet and modern life provide us, we’ve become a fairly impatient society. Everyone’s keen on cutting to the chase and getting something immediately. But, as every teacher loves to tell their pupils in the months before exams, “failing to prepare is preparing to fail.”
Everyone knows about Ramadan, but not so many people are aware of Sha’ban. If we’re all hoping to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet (PBUH), we should all pay just as much attention to Sha’ban as we do to Ramadan – and we have a few tips on how to do just that.
What Is Sha’ban?
Although much of the world follows the Gregorian calendar, the Islamic faith follows the Hijri lunar calendar. Instead of January to December, the Islamic calendar run from Muharram to Dhul-Hijjah.
Sha’ban is the eighth month of the Islamic calendar, falling between Rajab and Ramadan. It can be translated into English as the ‘Month of Separation,’ but since it comes just before Ramadan and is therefore relatively forgotten, many simply refer to it as the neglected month.
It’s a time to prepare our minds, bodies and souls to succeed in Ramadan, although too many people overlook its importance – however, there was one who didn’t.
How Did the Prophet (PBUH) Mark Sha’ban?
“The Prophet (PBUH) used to fast until we thought he would never break his fast, and not fast until we thought he would never fast. I never saw the Messenger of Allah fasting for an entire month except in Ramadan, and I never saw him fasting more than he did in Sha’ban. He used to fast all of Sha’ban, and he used to fast most of it.” [Al-Bukhari]
As reported by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), the Prophet (PBUH) took part in more voluntary fasts throughout Sha’ban than any other month of the year.
This hadith and the Prophet’s (PBUH) example are a reminder to Muslims of the importance of the month and how it’s a crucial period to prepare for Ramadan, whether you make voluntary fasts or give sadaqah.
How Should I Make the Most of Sha’ban?
If we want our Ramadan to be a success, we should take the month of Sha’ban to prepare our minds, bodies and souls.
Fasting
The most obvious way to make the most of Sha’ban is to follow in the footsteps of the Prophet (PBUH) and observe voluntary fasts throughout the month. Not only will this get your body ready for the prolonged fast of Ramadan, but it will purify your heart and allow you to empathise with those less fortunate.
Increasing prayers
Perhaps you could get used to making other voluntary prayers throughout the day and waking up for Tahajjud; although it’s a voluntary prayer, it becomes particularly important for Ramadan, so getting in the habit of waking up for it is a great idea.
Asking for forgivingness
Sha’ban is a perfect opportunity to enter the sacred month of Ramadan with a purified heart. It’s a time to seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT) and give forgiveness for others around you.
Donating charity
Sadaqah can be as simple as a smile or a prayer for someone. But if you’re doing voluntary fasts and empathising with those who rarely have enough to eat, the most potent way of purifying your heart through sadaqah is by donating to charity.
And conveniently, you can give sadaqah and donate to change the lives of children right now. All you have to do is click the button below…
