On the importance of the month of Sha’aban

Brethren, the month of Rajab 1447 A.H came to an end four days ago. Indeed, today is the fourth of Sha’aban. Indeed, with the passage of Rajab, a month had passed away in my and your earthly heritage. Indeed, the passage of nights and days in our earthly life is not an end. Rather, they are metaphors; they are signifiers, the signified being the temporality and ephemerality of our sojourn here on earth. Each time it is dawn, remember the day you would witness no dusk anymore; whenever it is dusk, recall the countless number of your friends and associates whose ‘dusk’ bore no dawn, and suddenly too!

Now, the month of Sha’aban is full of spiritual patrimonies for the believer. It is one that reshaped worship and practices in Islamic weltanschauung. For example, fasting in the month of Ramadan was legislated in this month. This marked a significant turning point in how Muslims conceive and worship the Almighty.

It was equally during this month that the Qiblah – Muslims’ direction of worship – was changed from Jerusalem to Makkah. That change of Qiblah to Makkah was, however, not happenstance. It had been conceived in the womb of time that Makkah would be the Qiblah. There and in the Kaaba, the world had the first house ever built for humankind. There in the Kaaba lies the preferred choice of direction by He whose sole purpose of and in creation is worship. This reading enjoys credence in the following ayat: We have certainly seen the turning of your face, (O Muhammad), toward the heavens, and We will surely turn you to a qiblah with which you will be pleased. So, turn your face toward al-Masjid al-Haram. And wherever you (believers) are, turn your faces toward it (in prayer).” (Quran 2: 144).

In order to underscore its importance further, the Prophet gave special attention to fasting in this month more than in any other month besides Ramadan. What made it so important? Shaa’ban is the month when deeds are raised to the Almighty (May His name be exalted). “It is a month that people tend to neglect.   Between the months of Rajab and Ramadan, there is a month in which the deeds are raised to the Lord of the worlds, and I like my deeds to be raised while I am fasting.” Thus, the Prophet used to increase his acts of worship by fasting more during this month when compared to others (other than Ramadan).

It has also been suggested that it was during the month of Sha’aban that the verse commanding the dedication of salutations to the soul of the Prophet was revealed.

This is the opinion of Imam Al-Qastallani and Abu Dhu ar Al-Harawi.  According to them, it is in the month of Sha’ban that verse 56 of chapter 36, which contains this injunction, was sent to the Prophet. Scholars, therefore, constantly remind us to further increase sending supplicatory salutations (Salawat) upon the soul of our Prophet in compliance with this injunction. The ayah reads-Indeed, Allah and His angels bestow their prayers upon the Prophet. O you who believe, bestow prayers and peace upon him in abundance.” (Surah Al-Ahzab, 33:56)

On the 15th of Sha’ban, wake up and observe the tahajjud in the night and fast during the day. It is reported that on this night, the Almighty usually descends to the nearest heavens from dusk to ask: Is there anyone seeking forgiveness so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone seeking provisions so that I may provide him? Is there anyone facing tribulations so that I may protect him? (and it goes on)…” May your moments of penitence find favour in His presence, Aamin.

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