The month of Sha’aban

The month of Ramadan is about to begin, the month during which Muslims fast and purify themselves physically and spiritually speaking. We are currently in the preceding month, Sha’aban, which also has a symbolic importance in the Islamic tradition, since it is the month during which Muslims prepare themselves spiritually for the holy month of Ramadan. These are some hadiths, or sayings of the Prophet Muhammad, related to this month:

The Prophet – prayer and peace upon him – has said: ‘On the middle of Sha’aban, spend the night in prayer and fast during the day. Allah descends to the nearest heaven and says: ‘Is there anyone asking forgiveness from Me that I may forgive him? Is there anyone asking sustenance from Me that I might sustain him? Is there any sick person that I may heal him? – and so forth until sunrises come’ (Ibn Majah).

According to Mu’adh ibn Jabal, the Prophet – prayer and peace upon him – has said: ‘Allah turns towards His servants on the middle of Sha’ban, He forgives all of them except the idolatrous and those who bent on hatred (Imâm Ahmad, Musnad 2/176).