Shaban (or Sha’ban, Shaaban), is the eighth month in the Islamic calendar. Coming before the ninth month, Ramadan, it is a bridge to the blessings the holy month brings.

Thus, we explore, “What is Shaban?”, as a time to prepare for the important month ahead, and one we must not neglect.

When is Shaban 2025?

Shaban, this year, begins on the evening of Thursday, January 30, 2025, according to the new moon’s sighting. This makes the first day of Shaban, Friday, January 31, 2025.

This Islamic month may end on the evening of Friday, February 28, 2025, depending on the moon’s sighting for the start of Ramadan.

What is the Significance of Shaban?

Imam Abu Bakr al-Warraq al-Balkhi (RA), the uncle of Imam Tirmidhi (RA), said: 
“The month of Rajab is the month of planting (your seeds), Sha‘ban is the month of irrigating / watering (them), and Ramadan is the month of harvesting the crop.”

Lataiful Ma’arif

Shaban, being the month just before Ramadan, is a perfect time to prepare for the blessed month. But it too, holds great importance on its own. Here are key reasons why:

More Fasting Than Any Other Month (Except Ramadan)

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) would fast in Shaban more than any other month except Ramadan. Aisha (RA) said:

“I never saw the Messenger of Allah ﷺ fasting for an entire month except in Ramadan, and I never saw him fasting more than he did in Sha’ban.”

Sahih Al-Bukhari

He (ﷺ) also loved to fast in this month. So much so, that it was recorded in hadith. In Sunan Abu Dawud, it states, “The most beloved of months for the Messenger of Allah ﷺ to fast in was Sha’ban, and his fasting in Sha’ban was continuous with his fasting in Ramadan.”

More Opportunity for Rewards

Many scholars of the past (Salaf) also believed that fasting in Shaban was better than fasting in other months, even the sacred ones.

Ibn Rajab (RA) said, “Fasting in Sha’ban is better than fasting in the Sacred Months, and the best of voluntary fasts are those that are (observed in the months) closest to Ramadan, before or after.”

A hadith in Silsilat ul-Ahadith-as Sahiha also states, “Allah forgives all the believers in general; except the polytheists and the jealous people on the middle night of Sha’ban.” Some Muslims refer to this night as a Shab-e-Barat, however no Quranic verses specifically mention it.

Good Deeds to Do on Sha’ban

There are a lot of good deeds you can perform in the month of Shaban to make the most of it. Here are some simple acts of worship (ibadah) to add to your daily routine to earn good deeds AND prepare for Ramadan.

1. Do Voluntary Fasts

Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to fast most of the days of Shaban. Thus, we should follow his Sunnah (actions and way of living) and keep as many voluntary fasts as we can in Shaban too. If it is hard to fast most of the month, try to fast on the 13th, 14th, and 15th as they are the White Days (Al-Ayyam al-Bid) of the Islamic month.  

However, there are also exceptions to fasting in Shaban. Abu Hurayrah (RA) mentioned that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Do not anticipate Ramadan by fasting one or two days before it begins, but if a man habitually fasts, then let him fast.” (Sahih Muslim)
He also reported that the Prophet (ﷺ) said to not fast if Sha’ban is half over. (Tirmidhi)

The exception to this would be someone who fasted regularly, such as the Prophet (ﷺ) and many of his companions. Thus, if you are someone who regularly observes the sunnah fast, then you may still observe them in the second half of Sha’ban. It is also permissible to make up a Ramadan fast at this time, if necessary, as Aisha (RA), one of the wives of the Prophet (ﷺ), herself said she would make up fasts in Shaban.

2. Recite the Quran

Ramadan is the month of revelation of the Quran. Naturally, it is the month when we recite it the most. Thus, to help us get ready and see the best results in Ramadan, we should start the habit of reciting it more, starting from Shaban. 

3. Make Lots of Duas

Apart from obligatory prayers and observing fasting in Shaban, reciting different duas, tasbeeh, and staying engaged in remembrance of Allah (SWT) is also a good way of making the most of this month.

Here are some duas you can say to seek forgiveness and blessings from Allah (SWT).

“O Allah (SWT), I seek refuge in Your pleasure from Your anger and in Your forgiveness from Your punishment. I seek refuge in You from You. I cannot praise You enough. You are as You have praised Yourself.”

(Sahih Muslim)

Rabbanā lā tuākhidh’nā in nasīnā aw akh ta’na

رَبَّنَا لاَ تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا

“Our Lord! Take us not to task if we forget or fall into error”

Qur’an 2:286

4. Perform Voluntary Prayers

To make it easier to do more voluntary prayers in Ramadan, start the practice of praying Tahajjud from Shaban. It will help you get used to the Ramadan schedule quicker and also bring you many rewards. 

5. Start Preparing Money for Ramadan

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) was the most generous in giving charity (Zakat and Sadaqah) during Ramadan. To prepare for giving in Ramadan, we should start getting ready in Shaban, including finding Zakat calculations.

Like other forms of Ibadah, charity in Shaban is also an act of worship as you show kindness to others. For every good deed, specifically charity during Shaban, you can gain blessings in abundance.

Shaban: A Pathway to Blessings and Rewards

The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said, “(Shaban) is a month to which people do not pay much attention, between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which the deeds are taken up to the Lord of the worlds, and I like that my deeds be taken up when I am fasting.” (An-Nasa’i).

With this in mind, it is important not to neglect this blessed time. To make the most of it by increasing worshipping, observing fasting, reciting Quran and duas, and engaging in charitable activities.

Thus, it will be a month that not only strengthens your bond with Allah (SWT), but also help you prepare for the sacred month of Ramadan.