30 Mar Sha’ban
Sha’ban is the 8th month in the Islamic calendar and is considered one of the virtuous months of the year. The Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) used to emphasise its importance, as the month in which we prepare for Ramadan.
The month in which deeds are raised to Allah (swt)
The Prophet singled out specific times when our deeds would be raised to Allah to remind us to account ourselves for our actions and focus on our worship – Sha’ban is one of those times.
The blessed companion Usama ibn Zaid , reports that he asked Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) :
“Messenger of Allah, I have seen you fasting in the month of Shaban so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in any other month.” Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh), replied: “That (Shaban) is a month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And it is a month in which an account of the deeds (of human beings) is presented before the Lord of the universe, so, I wish that my deeds be presented at a time when I am in a state of fasting.”
It is reported that Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh), used to fast most of the month in Sha’ban except the last few days of the month.
Kickstart your Ramadan
There are multiple ways you can prepare for Ramadan during Sha’ban. Set yourself targets for what you want to achieve in your worship for Sha’ban and Ramadan – remember, making the intention to do something good is rewardable too!
Here are a few ideas to get you started:
-Make up missed fasts
-Fast Mondays and Thursdays and the 3 white days of the month
-Make reading the Quran a regular habit
-Pray on time
-Pray the sunnah prayers
-Wake up for tahajjud
-Do the morning and evening adkhar
-Read Surah Kahf every Friday
-Send salawat on the Prophet
-Give in charity regularly
Plan where you be spending your zakat and sadaqah, Ramadan should be a month when you spend less on food, so it’s the perfect time to spend on your akhirah.
The month of the Prophet (Pbuh)
The Prophet (Pbuh) said, ‘Rajab is the month of Allah, Sha’ban is my month and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah’.
Sha’ban is packed with opportunities to maximise our good deeds and draw closer to the Prophet. We can try to draw closer to him by learning more about his life and following his example.
We can do the deeds that pleased him. These include practices such as the building and the facilitating of mosques. Building mosques and thus seeking the pleasure of Allah so that people’s collective worship is facilitated, is one of the most desirable and so rewarding activities.
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) is reported to have said: “He who builds a mosque for Allah, Allah will build for him likewise in Paradise.”(Sahih Muslim)
Donate towards our new mosque and community centre and be among the people beloved to Allah and His Messenger (Pbuh).
If you found this useful, please consider making a donation to Noor Ul Islam. We rely on our community to fund our progress. Now is as important as ever for you to continue supporting your Masjid.
The Prophet (Pbuh) has taught us the best of deeds are those that done consistently, even if they are small.