Sha'ban (Translated by Sidi Amjad in Tarim)

SHA`BAN

1. Repentance & Fasting:
It is highly recommended to repent frequently (make tawbah) and increase in acts of worship, especially fasting. Whoever prepares themselves with acts of worship and repentance in Sha‘bān will reap the benefits of those acts in Ramadān.

2. Salutations Upon the Prophet e:
Sha‘bān is the month of the Prophet e , for he said, “Sha‘bān is my month.”
It was in this month that the famous verse regarding sending blessing and peace on the Prophet was revealed:
﴿ إِنَّ ٱللَّهَ وَمَلاَئِكَـتَهُ يُصَلُّونَ عَلَى ٱلنَّبِيِّ يٰأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ آمَنُواْ صَلُّواْ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلِّمُواْ تَسْلِيماً ﴾
﴾ Allah and His Angels send their blessings upon the Prophet, O you who believe send blessings upon him and salutations of peace ﴿
(33:56)
Therefore, it is highly encouraged to increase in sending one’s salutations upon him.

3. The 15th Night of Sha‘bān:
‘Atā’ ibn Yasār narrates: “On the 15th night of Sha‘bān the Angel of Death copies down the names of all those who will die from that Sha‘bān to the next Sha‘bān...and there is no night after Laylat Al-Qadr better than the 15th night of Sha‘bān.”
Other hadiths also describe the 15th night as being the night in which Allah decrees everyone’s provision, even after-worldly provisions (Paradise, Hell), therefore it is important to bring that night to life through prayer, reciting the Qur’an, and repentance.
Ibn ‘Umar narrates that the Prophet e , said: “There are five nights on which du‘ā’ is not rejected: Thursday night, the first night of Rajab, the 15th night of Sha‘bān, Laylat Al-Qadr, and on the eve of the two ‘Eids.” [Al-Suyuti in his Al-Jami']
It is also recommended to say the du‘ā’:
اللّهُمَ إنَّكَ عفوٌ كريمٌ تُحِبَّ العَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَني، اللّهُمَّ إنّي أسْألُكَ العَفْوَ والعَافية والمُعَافَاةَ الدَّائِمة في الدِّين والدُّنيا والأخِرَة
Allahumma innaka ‘Afūwun Karīmun tuhib ul ‘afwa fa‘afu ‘annī, Allahumma innī as’aluka al-‘afū, wa al-‘āfīyah wa al-mu‘āfāt ad-da’imah fī ad-dīni wa ad-dunyā wa al-ākhirah.
O Allah, You are Pardoning and Generous and You love to pardon, so pardon me. O Allah, I ask You for Your pardon, and constant well-being in this life, and in the hereafter.

It is also highly recommended to read Surah Yā-Sīn three times on that night, each time with a specific intention:
1. The first time with the intention of Allah increasing the length of your life in worship and good deeds.
2. The second time with the intention of Allah protecting you from tribulations.
3. Lastly, with the intention of Allah not making you reliant on other people.

Clarification: “Giving life to the night” is said to be staying up most of the night in worship, although other scholars have said just one hour. Others have said just be determined to pray ‘Ishā in congregation and Fajr in congregation and that will fulfill “giving life to the night.”

May Allah bless us all and the whole Ummah throughout this month and bless us even more in Ramadān.
والحمد لله رب العالمين