This excerpt is taken from Sheikh Abu Hamza Abdul Khaliq Siddiqi's book Sahi Fazail Amaal.
Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
إذا بقي نصف من شعبان فلا تصوموا .
"When half of Sha'ban has passed, do not fast."
Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi, Book of Fasting, Chapter on the Dislike of Fasting in the Second Half, Hadith No: 738
Al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) declared it authentic.Benefit:
The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, has described the great virtue of fasting in the month of Sha'ban, but in this regard, he also stated that one should not fast after the middle of Sha'ban. However, if someone already fasts, for example, on Mondays and Thursdays, or fasts three days in the month, then he may continue to do so; otherwise, no. And Allah knows best.
Sayyida Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, says:
ما رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم استكمل صيام شهر إلا رمضان، وما رأيته فى شهر أكثر منه صياما فى شعبان .
"I have not seen the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, fast the entire month except Ramadan, nor have I seen him fast frequently in any month other than Sha'ban."
Reference: Sahih Bukhari, Book of Fasting, Chapter on Fasting Sha'ban, No: 1969 - Sahih Muslim, Book of Fasting, Chapter on the Prophet's Fasting Outside Ramadan, No: 1156/175.
