❖ Introduction
Sha‘ban is the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, coming right before the blessed month of Ramadan. It holds significance because the Prophet ﷺ observed numerous voluntary fasts during this month and mentioned various associated wisdoms. However, among the general public, several weak or fabricated narrations related to the 15th of Sha‘ban have become popular, giving rise to multiple innovations. This article seeks to clarify the authentic rulings of Sha‘ban in light of the Qur'an and Sunnah to ensure correct practice.
❖ Origin of the Word “Sha‘ban”
The word “Sha‘ban” is derived from the Arabic root “شَعْبٌ”, meaning “to disperse”. Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar al-‘Asqalani رحمه الله writes:
"وَسُمِّيَ شَعْبَانُ لِتَشَعُّبِهِمْ فِيْ طَلَبِ الْمِيَاهِ، أَوْ فِي الْغَارَاتِ بَعْدَ أَنْ يَخْرُجَ شَهْرُ رَجَبٍ الْحَرَامُ"
(Fatḥ al-Bārī, vol. 4, p. 213)
Translation: The month was named Sha‘ban because Arabs used to scatter in search of water during it, or due to them heading out for battles and expeditions after the sacred month of Rajab had ended.
❖ Importance and General Virtues of Sha‘ban
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ referred to Sha‘ban as “a month between Rajab and Ramadan in which people are generally negligent.” One clear virtue is that the Prophet ﷺ used to fast frequently during this month and mentioned that annual deeds are presented before Allah during Sha‘ban.
❖ Practices of the Prophet ﷺ in Sha‘ban
④① Frequent Fasting
Narrated by Umm al-Mu’minin ʿĀ’ishah رضي الله عنها:
"لَمْ أَرَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ اسْتَكْمَلَ صِيَامَ شَهْرٍ قَطُّ إِلَّا رَمَضَانَ..."
(Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī, 1969)
Translation: “I never saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ complete fasting in any month other than Ramadan, and I never saw him fasting in a month more than he did in Sha‘ban.”
In another narration:
"كَانَ يَصُومُ شَعْبَانَ كُلَّهُ..."
(Sunan Ibn Mājah, 1710)
Translation: “He ﷺ used to fast almost the entire month of Sha‘ban, except for a few days.”
④② Consecutive Fasting of Two Months
Umm Salamah رضي الله عنها narrates:
"مَا رَأَيْتُ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ يَصُومُ شَهْرَيْنِ مُتَتَابِعَيْنِ إِلَّا شَعْبَانَ وَرَمَضَانَ"
(Sunan al-Tirmidhī, 736 – Authentic)
Translation: “I never saw the Prophet ﷺ fast two consecutive months except Sha‘ban and Ramadan.”
These narrations highlight the Prophet’s ﷺ great devotion to fasting in Sha‘ban, surpassing any other month aside from Ramadan.
❖ Wisdom Behind Fasting in Sha‘ban
Usamah ibn Zayd رضي الله عنه asked the Prophet ﷺ:
"ذَلِكَ شَهْرٌ يَغْفُلُ النَّاسُ عَنْهُ... وَهُوَ شَهْرٌ تُرْفَعُ فِيهِ الْأَعْمَالُ..."
(Sunan al-Nasāʾī, 2356 – Ḥasan)
Translation: “It is a month between Rajab and Ramadan that people neglect. It is a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the worlds, and I love that my deeds are raised while I am fasting.”
From this Hadith, we understand two key wisdoms:
① A Time of Negligence: People are heedless of this month, so worship during it is of special value.
② Annual Presentation of Deeds: Deeds are presented before Allah, and the Prophet ﷺ desired to be fasting at that moment.
❖ Evaluation of Narrations About the 15th of Sha‘ban
Despite general virtues of Sha‘ban, many narrations about the 15th night (commonly known as Shab-e-Barā’at) are unauthentic. Here are a few commonly quoted Ahadith and their scholarly evaluation:
⑥① “Pray at night, fast during the day” narration
"إِذَا كَانَتْ لَيْلَةُ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ..."
(Reported in Ibn Mājah and others)
This narration is considered extremely weak or fabricated. The narrator Abu Bakr ibn Muhammad is accused of fabricating Hadith. Thus, it is not permissible to use this narration as evidence.
⑥② “Allah descends to the lowest heaven on the 15th night” narration
Such narrations state that Allah descends and forgives more people than the hair of the sheep of Banu Kalb (e.g., Ibn Mājah, 262 – weak).
This narration has disconnected chains and weak narrators. Renowned scholars such as Imam Daraqutni, Abu Ḥātim al-Rāzī, and others have rejected it as unauthentic.
It is important to note that authentic narrations confirm Allah's nightly descent during the last third of every night, not specifically on the 15th of Sha‘ban.❖ Common Practices on the 15th Night and Their Rulings
⑦① Special Night Prayers like Ṣalāh al-Alfiyyah
Acts such as praying 1000 rak‘ahs (Ṣalāh al-Alfiyyah), or 100, 14, or 12 rak‘ahs in a specific manner, have no authentic basis. The Prophet ﷺ never practiced these, nor did the Companions. These are bid‘ah (innovations).
⑦② Gatherings for Collective Dhikr or Duʿā
In some areas, people gather in mosques for group worship on this night. These special assemblies, supplications, or litanies have no Shariah basis and are considered innovative practices.
❖ Fasting on the Day of the 15th of Sha‘ban
While the Prophet ﷺ did fast abundantly during Sha‘ban, there is no authentic evidence that he specifically fasted on the 15th day. Reports supporting this are severely weak.
✔ However, if one happens to fast on Mondays, Thursdays, or the White Days (13th–15th) out of regular practice, and the 15th falls on such a day, then the fast is valid, but not due to the 15th itself.
❖ Visiting the Graveyard and Offering Fātiḥah
Some narrations mention the Prophet ﷺ visiting the graveyard of Baqī‘ during a certain night. People often associate this with the 15th night of Sha‘ban, but the exact date is not confirmed, and the narrations themselves are weak.
Visiting graves is permissible and recommended at all times, without assigning a specific night or engaging in lighting candles, decorating graves, or large public gatherings, which are baseless and un-Islamic practices.
❖ Innovations and Superstitions Linked to the 15th of Sha‘ban
✘ Special Sweets like Halwa: Believing that preparing halwa or similar dishes and offering Fātiḥah benefits the deceased is a baseless belief not supported by Qur’an or Hadith.
✘ Fireworks and Firecrackers: Wasting money and endangering the environment and lives is not only prohibited but a sinful act.
✘ Graveyard Festivals: Cleaning, painting graves, and mixed-gender crowds on this night are not sanctioned by Islamic teachings.
❖ Scholarly Views on the Weakness of Related Narrations
Famous Hadith scholars such as Imam Abu Ḥātim al-Rāzī, Imam Daraqutni, Imam al-Bayhaqī, Imam Ibn al-Mahdī, Imam Ahmad ibn Ḥanbal, Imam Ibn Ma‘īn, Imam Abū Zur‘ah al-Rāzī, Ibn al-Rajab, and others rejected narrations about the 15th night as unreliable.
Ibn Rajab رحمه الله mentions that some Syrian Tabi‘īn, like Khalid ibn Ma‘dān and Makhul, adopted practices based on Isrā’īlī (Judeo-Christian) traditions, while scholars of Hijaz and elsewhere opposed such practices and labeled them innovations. (Laṭā’if al-Maʿārif, p. 263)
❖ Summary of Sunnah Practices in Sha‘ban
❀ Abundant Voluntary Fasting: Most of the month was spent fasting by the Prophet ﷺ.
❀ Night Prayers: Encouragement to perform Tahajjud as part of general night worship.
❀ Recitation of the Qur’an: Early generations increased their Qur’an recitation significantly in this month.
❀ Istighfār and Tawbah: A time to spiritually prepare for Ramadan through repentance.
❀ Charity and Giving: Charity is always recommended, and Sha‘ban is a great time to give generously.
❖ Concluding Supplication and Advice
Sha‘ban serves as a spiritual preparation for the blessed month of Ramadan. The core message is to increase voluntary worship and fasts, not to indulge in innovations or baseless rituals.
May Allah ﷻ grant us the correct understanding and enable us to avoid prevalent innovations. Let us embrace the guidance of the Qur’an and Sunnah, preparing ourselves to receive Ramadan in its true spirit.
رَبَّنَا تَقَبَّلْ مِنَّا إِنَّکَ أَنْتَ السَّمِیْعُ الْعَلِیْمُ
(Al-Baqarah: 127)
Translation: “Our Lord! Accept [our deeds] from us. Indeed, You are the All-Hearing, the All-Knowing.”
Wa ṣallallāhu ʿalā nabiyyinā Muḥammad wa ʿalā ālihi wa ṣaḥbihi ajmaʿīn. Wa al-ḥamdu lillāhi rabbil-ʿālamīn.
