Ruling on Fasting the Month of Sha’ban with Evidence and Reliable Jurisprudential Sources

By: Dr. Huseyn Zakaria

Introduction:
This write up is going to discuss deeply and widely on the common confusion amongst people regarding the fasting of the month of Sha’ban. This confusion has been lingering from time immemorial. In fact,  as a 65 years old, I can vividly remember that even at that time the quagmire was very potent. And till now, many people can glaringly notice the same confusion and disagreement about fasting the month of Sha’ban as whether it is Sunnah or Bid’ah. Majority of people still consider fasting Rajab to be superior and more virtuous, viewing it as the preferred month of fasting for the pious elderly and clever youth. While they downplay the importance of fasting the Sha’ban or regard it as less significant. There are also who fast the month of Sha’ban, but remain uncertain: Should they fast the entire month? Should they stop at its midpoint? Or should they continue until Ramadan? Is there a prohibition or not on fasting after the middle of the month?

What you are about to read, is the truth about the authentic Sunnah which clarifies the matter clearly, removes this confusion completely, and shows that fasting in the month of Sha’ban has a special virtue and great status in the ecosystem of the Sunnah of our beloved Messenger, peace and blessings be upon him. Abundant fasting in it is highly recommended, and all the prohibition mentioned in some narrations is not absolute but restricted. Below is a clear explanation of the authentic Sunnah with solid evidence so that everyone may benefit from it and the disagreement may be resolved through sound Shar‘i proof.

Firstly: The Legitimacy of Fasting Sha’ban and Its Evidence from the Authentic Sunnah:

It is authentically established in the Sunnah that the Prophet ﷺ used to fast abundantly in Sha’ban more than in any other month besides Ramadan, and that he would fast the entire month in some years, and most of it in some others, and he even permitted connecting it to Ramadan. Here are the clear and authentic hadiths:

1. Hadith of ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her),   She said: “I never saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ complete the fast of any month except Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more in any month than he did in Sha’ban.”  (Narrated by al-Bukhari 1969 and Muslim 1156).

In another narration: “He used to fast all of Sha’ban, or he used to fast Sha’ban except a little.”  (Narrated by Muslim 1156).

Explanation: This proves that Sha’ban was the month in which the Prophet ﷺ fasted the most, and he would fast most or all of it in some instances. This, therefore, establishes the strong recommendation to increase one’s fasting in it for more rewards.

2. Hadith of Umm Salamah (may Allah be pleased with her), She said: “I never saw the Prophet ﷺ fast an entire month completely except Sha’ban, and then he would connect it to Ramadan.” (Narrated by Abu Dawud 2336, at-Tirmidhi 736, and classed as sahih by al-Albani).

Explanation: This confirms that the Prophet would fast Sha’ban completely in some years and connect it to Ramadan, still indicating the virtue of continuity in fasting.

3. Hadith of Usamah ibn Zayd (may Allah be pleased with them both),  He said: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, I have not seen you fast in any month as much as you fast in Sha’ban.’ He said: ‘That is a month which people are heedless of, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the worlds, so I love that my deeds be raised while I am fasting.’”  (Narrated by an-Nasa’i in al-Sunan al-Kubra 2820, and classed as sahih by al-Albani in Sahih at-Targhib 1022).

Explanation: This Hadith explains the great wisdom: Sha’ban is a month of heedlessness by many people, and yet, it is the month in which annual deeds are raised to Allah, so increasing fasting in it is recommended so that one’s deeds may be raised while fasting.

4. General Hadith from ‘Aishah: Mu‘adhah al-‘Adawiyyah asked ‘Aishah: “Did the Prophet ﷺ fast any part of Sha’ban?” She replied: “Yes.”  (Narrated by at-Tirmidhi 737, and classed as sahih by al-Albani).

Explanation: Another clear affirmation of the Prophet’s fasting in Sha’ban.

Secondly: The Prohibition of Fasting After the Midpoint and Its Grading:

There is a hadith it was said: “When Sha’ban reaches its midpoint, do not fast.”  (Narrated by Abu Dawud 2337, at-Tirmidhi 738, and Ibn Majah 1651).

However, the majority of Hadith scholars graded it weak, including Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Yahya ibn Ma‘in, and al-Albani who said in Irwa’ al-Ghalil (4/159): “Munkar (denounced), not sahih.”

Notwithstanding, there are  those who graded it authentic amongst scholars such as Ibn Baz. He interpreted it as a prohibition against those starting voluntary fasting after the 15th of Sha’ban for one who has no prior habit of fasting, but it is not an absolute prohibition on continuing. Thus, if one began fasting from the beginning of the month or has a regular habit such as Mondays and Thursdays, 13th. 14th and 15th,  to them there is no dislike in continuing until Ramadan.

Thirdly: The Views of the Four Schools of Jurisprudence:

a. Hanafi: It is permissible to fast the entire month of Sha’ban with no dislike. (Ibn ‘Abidin in Radd al-Muhtar 2/400).

b. Maliki: It is disliked to fast the whole month alone unless one has a prior habit or connects it to previous fasting. (al-Kharashi 2/456, and Ibn ‘Abd al-Barr in at-Tamhid 12/156).

c. Shafi‘i: It is permissible to fast the whole month, but it is better to leave one or two days before Ramadan to distinguish the obligatory fast. (an-Nawawi in al-Majmu‘ 6/399).

d. Hanbali: It is permissible to fast the whole month with no dislike, and the prohibition is weak. (Ibn Qudamah in al-Mughni 3/172).

Fourthly: The Views of Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyyah and Ibn al-Qayyim:

– Ibn Taymiyyah: Though he was a Hanbali by Madhhab, he has independent opinion different from the main Madhhab. He said, “The prohibition of fasting the second half is only for one who did not fast the first part. As for one who fasted most of the month or has a regular habit, there is no dislike.” (Majmu‘ al-Fatawa 25/240).

– Ibn al-Qayyim: Similarly,  his student had an independent fatwa from both his main Madhhab and his teacher.  He said, “The Prophet used to fast Sha’ban except a little, which indicates the recommendation of abundant fasting in it, and there is no dislike.” (Zad al-Ma‘ad 2/75-76).

Fifthly: Detailed Rulings:

– Making up missed Ramadan fasts, vows, and expiations: These are obligatory at any time in Sha’ban, even after the midpoint.

– The Day of Doubt (29th of Sha’ban if the crescent is not sighted): It is strictly disliked to fast it voluntarily unless it coincides with one’s regular habit.

– Voluntary fasting after the midpoint for one without a prior habit: It is mildly Ramadan disliked due to fear of weakness before , but permissible if one began from the start of the month or has a regular habit.

– It is recommended to break the fast one or two days before Ramadan to distinguish the obligatory fast from the voluntary.

Sixthly: Warning Against the Innovation of the Night of Mid-Sha’ban:

In the Sunnah,  it Bid’ah designating the night or day of the 15th of Sha’ban with special prayer or fasting for it has no any authentic evidence. Ibn Taymiyyah said: “No authentic report has come about venerating the night of mid-Sha’ban with any specific or special prayer or fasting.” Ibn Rajab said: “No authentic hadith has been narrated about its virtue.”

Conclusion and Call to Follow the Authentic Sunnah:

The authentic Sunnah is clear: Increasing the number of fasting in Sha’ban is highly recommended, and it is superior to fasting Rajab according to the established practice of the Prophet ﷺ. There is also no fixed number of days; one should fast as much as one is able (such as Mondays and Thursdays or more). There is no absolute prohibition on fasting the second half, but only a mild dislike for one who did not start from the beginning or has no regular habit.

Finally, let the servants fear Allah and follow the Prophet ﷺ by increasing fasting in Sha’ban, making it a preparation for Ramadan, and leaving aside confusion and disagreement. Let us adhere to the authentic Sunnah in which there is no doubt. May Allah grant us the respite in good health and economically viable to reach Ramadan while we are fit in obedience to Him.

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