THE SHA’ABAN LETTER

Alhamdulilah, Allah has blessed us to be on the doorstep of Ramadan. Many of the pious predecessors used to spend months preparing for the efforts they were going to exert in the holy month of Ramadan. These are excerpts from the book, "Kanz An-Najah wa As-Suroor" (The Treasures of Success and Happiness) regarding the greatness of Sha’aban and some of the recommended things to do during this month.

1. It is highly recommended to repent frequently (tawbah) and increase in acts of worship, especially fasting. Whosoever prepares themselves with acts of worship and repentance in Sha’aban will reap the benefits of those acts in Ramadan.

2. Sha’aban is the month of the Prophet, peace be upon him, for he said, "Sha’aban is my month." "?????? ????"
It was in this month that the famous verse regarding sending blessing and peace on the Prophet was revealed:
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{Allah and His Angels send their blessings upon the Prophet, O you who believe send blessings upon him and salutations of peace}
Therefore, it is highly encouraged to increase sending one’s salutations upon the Prophet, peace be upon him. Scholars have said, "Rajab is the month of repentance, Sha’aban is the month of sending salutations upon the Prophet, and Ramadan is the month of the Qur’an."

3. The 15th Night of Sha’aban (Which coincides with the 16th of August after Maghrib):
On the relation of ‘Ata’ ibn Yasar, may Allah be pleased with him, who said, "On the 15th night of Sha’aban the Angel of Death, peace be upon him, copies down the names of all those who will die from that Sha’aban to the next Sha’aban…and there is no night after Laylat Al-Qadr better than the 15th night of Sha’aban."

Other hadiths also describe the 15th night as being the night in which Allah decrees everyone’s provisions, even afterworldly provisions (Paradise, Hell), therefore it is important to bring that night to life through Prayer, reading Quran, and repentance.

Related by Ibn Umar, may Allah be pleased with them both, the Prophet, peace be upon him, said, "There are five nights on which dua is not turned back: the night before Friday, the first night of Rajab, the 15th night of Sha’aban, Laylat Al-Qadr, and the nights before both Eids."

It is also recommended to say the dua:
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Allahuma innaka ‘Afuwun Karimun tuhib al ‘afu fa’afu ‘ani, Allahuma inni as’aluka al-’afu, wa al-’afiyah, wa al-mu’afat al-da’ima, fi al-din wa al-dunya wa al-akhirah.

It is also highly recommended to read Surah Ya-Sin 3 times that night, each time with a specific intention:
1. The first time with the intention of Allah increasing the length of your life in worship and good deeds.
2. The second time with the intention of Allah protecting you from tribulations.
3. Lastly, with the intention of Allah not making you reliant on other people.

Clarification: Giving life to the night is said to be staying up most of the night in worship, although other scholars have said just one hour. Others have said just be determined to pray Isha in congregation and Fajr in congregation and that will fulfill "giving life to the night."

May Allah bless us all and the whole Ummah throughout this whole month and bless us even more in Ramadan.
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Notes provided by Sidi Amjad Tarsin, a dear friend and beloved brother. Originally shared on Facebook.

Sidi Amjad also provided this: Month of Rajab: Virtues and Acts of Worship