Muslims eagerly await Ramadan the holy month. The Quran was revealed good deeds are rewarded and fasting is mandated during the month of Ramadan. It is mentioned in Surah Al-Baqarah verse 184:
[Fasting for] a limited number of days. So whoever among you is ill or on a journey [during them] – then an equal number of days [are to be made up]. And upon those who are able [to fast, but with hardship] – a ransom [as substitute] of feeding a poor person [each day]. And whoever volunteers excess – it is better for him. But to fast is best for you, if you only knew.
However before we can start Ramadan we must first finish Syaban. The month of Syaban can be viewed as a time to prepare for Ramadan. It is possible to prepare for the month of Ramadan during the month of Syaban by fasting. During Syaban the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him increased the intensity of his fasting as part of his Sunnah. This article looks at the benefits and supporting evidence for this sunnah in order to prepare for the month of Ramadan when people fast.
Also read:Essence Hablumminnallah and Hablumminnas During Ramadhan
Dalil of the Fast of Syaban
It is confirmed by the following hadith from Aisha may Allah be pleased with her that the Prophet Muhammad peace be upon him increased fasting during the month of Syaban:
“He used to fast until we thought that he would always fast, then he would not fast until we thought that he would always not fast, but I never saw him fast in any month more than he fasted in Sha’ban. He used to fast all of Sha’ban, and he used to fast all of Sha’ban apart from a few days (Narrated by Muslim(1156)).”
The aforementioned hadith claims that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) fasted more during Syaban than any other month after Ramadan. The reason why the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him himself relished fasting during Ramadan is explained in the hadith that follows:
“That is a month concerning which many people are heedless, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is the month is which people’s deeds are taken up to the Lord of the Worlds, and I would like my deeds to be taken up whilst I am fasting.’” (Classed as hasan by al-Albani in Sahih al-Nasai, 2221)”
As a result the Messenger of Allah peace be upon him claimed that he liked fasting during the month of Syaban because it is when deeds are offered up to Allah the Exalted and he liked the state in which his deeds were offered up there.
Also read:Sunnah of Fasting Shawwal, What Are The Advantages?
The Benefits of Syaban Fasting
The benefits of fasting during the month of Syaban include the following:
1.Preparing for Ramadan. Increased fasting during Syaban the month closest to Ramadan prepares the body and mind for the fasting period. This allows a servant to fully participate in worship from the first day of the month unlike someone who has to adjust during the first few days of Ramadan.
2. following the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). We increase fasting during the month of Syaban in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) in order to perform acts of worship. Imitating the Sunnah acts of devotion performed by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) is highly prized in Islam.
3. Worshiping in days of heedless
The month of Syaban particularly at the end is used by most people to maximize their consumption of food and drink and other activities before the start of the worship-focused month of Ramadan. Therefore in their attempts to maximize those activities Muslims usually forget about the month of Syaban. By maximizing worship during the month of Syaban while fasting a servant can increase the wonderful benefits of worship during a time when it is occasionally disregarded. In summary.
During the month of Sya’ban Muslims can prepare for and maximize the month of Ramadan. During the month of Syaban increasing fasting is one way to prepare for Ramadan. Hopefully we can follow The Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) examples of maximizing fasting in Sya’ban.
Also read:Is Istighfar Related to Sustenance and Blessings from Allah ﷻ ?
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References
Principles of Fiqh. (2025). Islam Question & Answer. Islamqa.info. https://islamqa.info/en/answers/13729/is-fasting-most-of-shaban-recommended
Sahih al-Bukhari 1969 – Fasting – كتاب الصوم – Sunnah.com – Sayings and Teachings of Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه و سلم). (2025). Sunnah.com. https://sunnah.com/bukhari:1969
Surah Al-Baqarah Ayat 184 (2:184 Quran) With Tafsir. (n.d.). My Islam. https://myislam.org/surah-baqarah/ayat-184/