The fast of the month of Shaban

Fast the 15 days of Shaban before the start of Ramadan

Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Madia (radiallahu 'anhum) reported according to Abu Hurayra (radiallahu' anhu)< / span> that the prophet (sallallahu 'alayhi wa sallam) said:" Stop fasting in mid-Shaban. » [declared authentic by Al Albani in Sahihi at-Tirmidhi]

This hadith means that it is forbidden to fast after half of the month of Shaban. That said, other hadiths complement this one. Indeed, al Boukhari and Muslim reported according to Abu Hurayra (radiallahu 'anhu) that the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu' alayhi wa sallam) said," Do not fast a day or two just before the start of Ramadan. But if any of you are used to it, you can keep it . ”

The meaning of this hadith is that he who is used to fasting, for example every other day or even Monday and Thursday, can fast even the second part of the month of Shaban. Al Boukhari and Muslim also report that according to Aisha (radiallahu 'anha), the prophet (sallallahu' alayhi wa sallam) fasted the whole month of Shaban except a few days.

An-Nawawi (rahimahullah) gives us an explanation on this hadith, he says:"His word: “He fasted all month; he fasted it except a few days (few) ”the second sentence explains the first. In other words, it is allowed to fast the second half of Shaban if it is to continue a fast that one has already started in the first half.

The majority of the ulama consider the hadith to prohibit fasting after the second half of the month of Shaban weak and that it is therefore not frowned upon to fast during this period. In addition, Ibn Qoudama reports in al Moughni, that Imam Ahmad (rahimahullah) said about this hadith:"He is not retained. We asked Abd Rahman ibn Mahdi about it, he did not recognize it authentic and did not transmit it to us. Al Alaa is a safe man and only the present hadith has been challenged. ” Al Alaa ibn Abd Rahman said he brought back this hadith from his father who got it from Abu Hourayra (radiallahu 'anhu).

But Ibn al Qayyim (rahimahullah) gives an answer to detractors of the hadith:"This hadith is authentic according to the criteria adopted by Muslim. The fact that only Al Alaa reported it is not a cause of weakness since Al Alaa is a safe man. Muslim cited in his Sahih several hadiths that Al Alaa reported according to his father who got it from Abu Hurayra. ” He also adds:"As for believing that it is contradicted by the hadiths which allow Shaban's fast, it does not stand up. These hadiths apply to the case of fasting the second half of the month after having fasted the first and to the case of one who used to fast during the second half of Shaban. The Hadith of Al Alaa prohibits the initiation of an isolated and unusual fast after mid-Shaban.

Asked about this, Sheikh ibn Baz (rahimahullah) said:"The hadith is authentic as the brother said, Sheikh Nassir ad-Dine Al Albani. It applies to the initiation of fasting after mid-Shaban. As for the one who fasts most of the month, he conforms to the Sunna."Cheikh ibn Outhaymine adds in charh Riadh as-Salihine:"Supposing that the hadith is authentic, the prohibition does not imply prohibition but reprobation, in accordance with the opinion of certain ulama. But it does not apply to one who pursues a usual fast. The latter retains its habit even after mid-Shaban.

The answer on fasting in the second half of Shaban can be summed up as follows: the prohibition on fasting the second part of Shaban implies either prohibition or prohibition. Anyway, it does not concern the one who is in the habit of fasting (Monday / Thursday ...) and the one who fasts all the month of Shaban.

Fasting and Ramadan Briefs

• Ramadan prayer times

Before Ramadan

• Shaban month
• Fasting just before the start of Ramadan
• Who to follow for the start of Ramadan
• New moon and Ramadan

Introduction to Ramadan

• The arrival of Ramadan
• Welcome the month of Ramadan
• Ramadan month goals

The importance of the month of Ramadan

• The month of Quran
• The last 10 nights of Ramadan