As Ramadan approaches, we can easily forget the significance of the month we leave behind. Sha’ban, also known as ‘the Prophet’s (upon him be peace) month’ holds great benefit and goodness.
The following advice for the month of Sha’ban is an excerpt partially taken from the book Kanz al-najah wal sur'r (The Treasures of Success & Happiness) by the erudite scholar and spiritual educator Shaykh Abd al-Majid ibn Shaykh Muhammad Ali Quds.
This book is used specifically in the ancient city of Tarim and around the Muslim
World for gaining insight on the blessings, special qualities and du’?’s specific for
each Islamic calendar month. May Allah benefit us by it, amen!
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Know that Sha'b?n is from amongst the greatest of months, a month whose blessings are
well known and its goodness readily present. Repentance in it is from amongst the best
reaping for a believer, and worship in it is most profitable.
It is the month of the Prophet, upon him be peace, as mentioned in the hadith "Rajab is
the month of Allah, Sha'ban is my month, and Ramad?n is the month of the Qu'ran". It is
the month in which he split the moon, and the verse "Verily Allah and His Angels send
blessings upon the Prophet. Oh you who believe! Send your prayers and blessings upon
him and salute him well!” {Ahzab:56} was revealed, hence it is the month of sending
salaw?t upon the Prophet, so send your blessings upon him profusely!
It is also the month of the middle night of Sha'ban, the night in which the provisions of
created beings are allotted. It is mentioned in the book Tuhfat al-Ikhwan, narrated from
Ata' ibn Yasir, may Allah be pleased with him, that "….there is no night better after the
night of Qadr than the 15th night of Sha'ban".
Note that after the decree of Allah is made apparent to the Angels there is no changing it,
however before that, it is in the Tablet (Lawh), where Allah can take from or add to it as He
so wills, glory be to Him. Many ahhadith narrate that it is the night in which Allah
decrees all good works and provisions to those who seek it. The apparent wisdom behind
this is of awakening desire and warning. Awakening desire to attain towards good works
through obedience and action so felicity may be written for him, and warning of sin in that
night out of fear that one may be considered amongst the dead heartened and that it be
written for them like that for the remainder of the year.
It is reported in the book Tuhfat al-Ikhwan that the Messenger of Allah, upon him be
peace, said "Verily Allah forgives all of the believers on this night, except the fornicator, the
one who drinks alcohol and the one disobedient to his/her parents". From other ahhadith it
can be gathered that this list be expanded to the one who associates partners with Allah
(mushrik), the one who breaks family ties of kinship amongst others.
It is said that the first ten days of Rajab were preferred over other months due to the 1st
night of Rajab, and the second ten days of Sha'ban were preferred over other months due
to the 15th night, and that the last ten days of Ramadan were preferred over others due to
the night of power (Qadr).
Note that the recommendation of praying 100 raka's of voluntary prayer (nafl), or anything
similar, is an innovation and has no basis. It is more preferable to engage in salat al-tasbih
as was taught by the Prophet to his uncle ‘Abbas.
Selected ad’iyah (du’a’s - prayers)
Al-Alusi mentions in his tafs?r of a hadith related from ibn Abi Shayba, in his
Collection, ‘the Musanaf’ that Abdullah ibn Mas'ud said "Never did a servant invoke
Allah with this invocation except that Allah will widen for him his living".
That invocation is mentioned below.
It was the practice of scholarly communities to recite Ya-Sin in congregation three times with three different intentions, and reciting the following du’a at the end of each completion of the Shrah.
The du’a can be read together or by one person leading.
The first intention is for a long (and blessed) life, the second for repelling tribulations and the third is for being completely free from the need of people.
Du’a’:
In the name of Allah, most Merciful, most Compassionate. Prayers and blessings upon our
master Muhammad, and his family and companions
O Allah, Tireless Owner of Bounty. O Owner of Sublimity, Honor, Power, and Blessings.
There is no Allah except You,
the Support of refugees and Neighbour of those who seek nearness,
Guardian of the fearful.
O Allah, if you have written in Your Book that I be
abject, deprived, banished, and tight-fisted,
then erase O Allah, through Your bounty,
my misery, deprivation, banishment, and stinginess
and establish me with You as happy, provided with
blessings, for surely You have said—and Your Word
is True—in Your Revealed Book on the tongue of
Your Messenger,
“Allah blots out or confirms what He
pleases, and with Him is the Mother of Books.” (13:39)
My God, by the Great Manifestation of the Night of the
middle of the Noble Month of Sha`b?n
“in which every affair of wisdom is made distinct and
authorized,“(44:4) remove from us calamities—those
we know and those we do not know, and Thou
knowest best—for surely You are the Most Mighty, the Most Generous.
May Allah bless Muhammad and his Family and
Companions.
Du’a’:
The following du’a is attributed to the great Shaykh Abdul Qadir al-Jilani, which he
composed specifically for the blessed night of the 15th:
Oh Allah, if you manifest Yourself to Your
creation on the mid-night of Sha'ban
Then bring unto us your relenting and
protection
And decree for us, by your bounty, abundant
provision
And let us be counted from amongst those who
uphold your right in this night
Oh Allah, whosoever you ordained for them
death, then ordain with that your mercy for
them
And whosoever you ordained for them a long
life, then grant them Your favour with that
And realise for us what our hopes cannot
Oh Greatest before whom feet have stood, oh
Lord of the worlds
Your mercy! Oh most Merciful of those who
show mercy
And prayers of God, most High, be upon our
master Muhammad, the best of His creation,
and upon his family and companions.
And finally, below is a formula for sending blessings (salaw?t) upon the Messenger of Allah, upon him be peace. It is mentioned in many books specialising in the unique qualities of
salawat that the absolute minimum number to be read in one day should be 300.
Oh Allah may you send your blessings (prayers) upon our master Muhammad, your
servant and messenger, the unlettered Prophet, and upon his family and companions