Dear Muminin,

Salamun alaykum, 

Meaning of Sha’baan:

The literal meaning of the word Sha’baan is branch or separation. The month of Sha’baan acts as a connection in between Ash-hurul hurum- the sacred months- of Rajab and Shahru Ramadhan. 

On the first of Sha’baan Amiral Muminin Imam Ali a.s. passed by a group of people engaged in discussions. He addressed them, “….Our Lord has called the month Sha’baan, because his favours /bounties are abundantly scattered /disbursed all over during this month.” 

This eve we will InshAllah be commencing the month of Sha’baan, the second of the 3 months of a ‘spiritual training camp’. Let us take advantage of being blessed with life to once again be present in this auspicious month of Sha’baan more so during this challenging time of pandemic. 

Sha’baan the 8th Month: Action plan:

To develop our self towards closeness to Allah SWT, here below I would like to highlight 8-point action plan for Sha’baan, the 8th month, selected from the teachings of AhlulBayt a.s.

Action plan (1): Sadaqah – Charity 

Excellence of sadaqah in Sha’baan: 

“If a person gives sadaqah during Sha’baan, Allah nourishes it as humans nourish the baby camel. The deed of sadaqah- will meet the Donor on day of Judgment in a state in which it would have grown to the size of the mountain of Uhud.” Imam J’afar As Sadiq a.s.

Its emphasis: “Offer sadaqa in this month (Sha’baan), even if it is half a date, so that Allah forbids fire of hell to touch their body.” Imam J’afar As Sadiq a.s.

Is sadaqah done only by finance? Sadqa/ deed of kindness is not in the common understanding of just in financial form. Rather it can be performed in other forms of kindness such as offering time, service, spiritual, physical kindheartedness.

Action plan (2): Istighfar:  

Its excellence: “One who seeks forgiveness and pardon seventy times during this month is like one seeking forgiveness seventy thousand times in other months.”

2 recitals recommended daily seventy times:

• اسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللَّهَ وَاسْالُهُ ٱلتَّوْبَة 

• ‘ASTAGHFIRULLAAHA WA AS-ALUHUT TAWBA.’

I seek forgiveness of Allah, and, repentant, beseech Him. 

• اسْتَغْفِرُ ٱللَّهَ ٱلَّذِي لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ ٱلرَحْمٰنُ ٱلرَّحِيمُ ٱلْحَيُّ   ٱلْقَيُّوْمُ  وَاتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ

• ASTAGHFIRULLAAHALLAD’EE LAA ILAAHA ILLA HUWAR RAHMANO RAH’EEMUL H’AYYUL QAYYOOMU WA ATOOBU ILAYHI

I seek forgiveness of Allah who is “There is no God save He”, the Beneficent, the Merciful; the Ever living, the Eternal, and I turn repentant to Him

What is the best deed in Sha’baan?

In response to what is the best deed to be performed in Sha’baan, the Noble Prophet stated: Sadaqah (charity) and Istighfar (seeking forgiveness). 

Action plan (3): Sawm: Fasting:

“Sha’baan is my month. One who fasts for a day in my month is assured of Jannah.” 

“Whoever fasts on Mondays and Thursdays of Sha’baan, Allah will fulfill twenty of his needs of the world and twenty of his desires of the hereafter.” 

Noble Prophet

Keeping fast on Thursdays of the month of Sha’baan also has great significance. It has been reported that the heavens are decorated each Thursday in the month of Sha’baan and the angels pray to Allah SWT to forgive all those who fast on that day and accept their prayers.

Action plan (4): Salawat:

There is emphasis to increase recitation of salawat.

“Increase in sending salutations upon your Prophet in Sha’baan. Verily Sha’baan is known as the month of intercession. …..Certainly your Messenger(of Allah) intercedes on behalf one who sends salutations upon him in this month.” Imam J’afar As Sadiq a.s. 

Another benefit:

“One who is unable to perform expiation for his sins then he should recite salawat upon Muhammad and Aali Muhammad. Surely that significantly destroys sins.” Imam Ali bin Musa Ar Ridha a.s. 

“A person who says salawat ending with ‘wa ajjil farajahum’ after his salatul fajr and Dhuhr will not die until he sees al Qaaim from the family of Muhammad (saww).” Imam J’afar as Sadiq a.s. 

[IE book 10 40 ahadith: The awaited savior of humanity]

Recite Salawat Sha’baaniyah: A truly profound salawat recitation prescribed by our fourth Imam Ali Zaynul Abidin a.s. to be recited daily at Dhuhr and eve of 15th Sh’aban. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BH8lbzf-bGY

http://mp3.duas.org/Shaban_amal/salawat_Shaban.mp3 

http://www.duas.org/shaban1.htm

Action Plans 5 – 8 in my next message, InshAllah. 

Humble Request: As we observe the various devotions of Sha’baan please make special dua to Allah SWT, with the wasīla of the Prophet and his Ahlul Bayt, invoking the name of our Imam al Asr Sahibaz Zaman (a.f.), for yourself, your loved ones, the community, the medical services, key workers and all humanity. 

Please keep making duas to Allah SWT to give comfort to those who are struggling due to the epidemic and for the cure of all who are unwell.

Pray especially for those unable to protect themselves in any way: all in Refugee Camps, conflict zones and homeless /inadequate housing wherever they may be.

May you and your loved ones be granted safety from all calamities.    

O Allah, the One whose name is remedy (for all ills), and whose remembrance is cure (for all ailments). O Allah, by the wasila of Noble Prophet Muhammad SAWW and his Ahlul Bayt, we pray to you for safety from plague and epidemics. Grant us good health.”

Request for recital of Sura al fatiha for shifa -cure- of the ill. 

Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah

With salaams and duas