The commencement on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 of Sha’baan, the 8th month of lunar calendar, has given a definite countdown to Ramadan 1447AH. Ordinarily, Sha’baan derives its significance from being sandwiched between the sacred month of Rajab (7th month) and the honoured month of Ramadan (9th month) in which one-month obligatory fasting is ordained for Muslims globally.

The blessing in these three months is further established with the prayer recommended by the Holy Prophet to be offered once the crescent of Rajab appears: Allahumo barkilana fii Rajab wa Sha’baan, wa Ballighina Ramadan! Meaning: “Oh Allah! Grant us Your blessing in Rajab and Sha’baan, and spare our lives to witness Ramadan .”

Specifically, Sha’baan is known to be a great month in which the blessings of Allah (SWT) flow, and His gifts manifest. The Holy Prophet enjoins seizing the opportunities in this month and draws Muslims’ attention to it by saying: “That (Sha’abaan) is a month to which people do not pay much attention, between Rajab and Ramadan.”

Through this Hadith, the holy Prophet underscores the importance of vigilance in our
lives and the necessity of making good use of the sacredness of our time in a manner that will ultimately benefit us. Thus, Muslims are encouraged to maximise the blessings of this month and be eager to make the best use of its moments.

It is important to note that the description of Sha’baan as the moments of gentle breeze from the mercy of Allah by the Prophet (SAW) is for us to maximize the benefits.

Among the virtues of Sha’baan is that it is the month in which your deeds are presented to your Lord and Creator. The Messenger of Allah (SAW) was asked why he fasted extensively in Sha’baan, and he responded: “It is a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the Worlds, and I love that my deeds are raised while I am fasting.”

Mother of the faithful, Nana Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “I never saw the Messenger of Allah (SAW) complete a full month of fasting except Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more in any month than in Sha’baan (Bukhari and Muslim).

Thus, beneficial deeds in Sha’baan (which is day 4 today) will include increase in fasting, especially on Mondays and Thursdays, helping humanity generally in obedience to the Most Merciful and as preparation for Ramadan, following the example of the Prophet.

It should be reiterated that this is a month in which sins are forgiven, misdeeds are erased, and records are filled with good deeds. In it is a blessed night—the night of the middle of Sha’abaan—where Allah looks upon His servants, checking the purity of their hearts and the sincerity of their souls, then showers them with His mercy and grants them vast forgiveness.

The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said: “Indeed, Allah looks upon His creation on the night of the middle of Sha’abaan and forgives all of them, except the idolater and the one who harbours hatred. (Ibn Majah).

The consensus among the scholars is that every meritorious deed done by Muslims during Sha’baan will prepare them physically, spiritually and financially to get the most out of Ramadan.

As people of pure hearts, Muslims are enjoined to hasten to remove resentment and enmity, avoid jealousy and hatred, for they create a barrier between you and Allah’s pardon.

And to everyone who has disobeyed their parents, cut ties with their siblings, taken others’ rights unjustly, or wronged anyone in society: Rush to mend relations, return rights, and seek reconciliation. O people, forgive one another, set aside your disputes, maintain kinship ties, and treat your family, neighbours, and friends with kindness.

It is important to approach Ramadan with pure hearts, sound and compassionate mind and willingness to be upright in all our dealings with one another.