Alhamdulilah, we are gradually moving to the Glorious month of Shaaban.

By our brother calculation here on nairaland, brother AbuUbayy1, today is 29th of Rajab. By implication, Saturday or Sunday is the first day of Sha'aban and thus it is imperative the virtue of the month.

What is Shaaban?

Sha’bān is the eight month of the Islamic lunar calendar; the month that precedes Ramadan. The literal meaning of the word Shaban is something that is successively developing or uninterruptedly increasing. This is a month in which the Prophet incessantly fasted.

‘A’ishah, the wife of the Prophet (pbuh) said, “I never saw the Prophet fasting (voluntary) fast more in any other month than that of Shaban. He used to fast throughout the month.” [Al-Bukhāri]When the Prophet was asked why fasted so much in Sha’bān; the Prophet replied; “There is a month between Rajab and Ramadān of which many people are neglectful; it is the month in which deeds are raised (for evaluation) to the Lord of the universe, and I love to be in a state of fasting when my deeds are taken up for evaluation.” [an-Nisā’i]

From this hadith we learn that …

the Prophet fasted consistently in Shaban. The reason for that fast being that deeds are elevated for evaluation,
and the best condition to have one’s deeds evaluated in in a state of fasting.
Here we keep in mind the words of the Prophet pertaining to the special nature of the ‘ibādah of siyām/fasting; “Every deed of a human being is for himself except fasting; it is for me and I will personally reward that”. [al-Bukhāri]

Importantly, this month, let us avoid argumentation, harbor no hate and rather be more loving. Wise ones have said; “imbue yourselves with the qualities of Allah”. The qualities of the Divine and those characteristics pleasing to the Divine are indeed the best qualities to imbibe and to nurture. Allah is al-Wadūd /Most Loving and a believer should imbibe these qualities and manifest it at a human level. It is in this spirit that our beloved Prophet (pbuh) advised; The Prophet said, The peak of reasoning after accepting faith in the Divine is being affectionate towards people, and doing good to others, irrespective of their being pious or sinful. [Bayhaqi]



Finally,

Take heed of the lessons of Shaban
Our learned admonish us;

قد مضى شهر رجب، ودخل شعبان، وفاز من فاز بالتقرب والاستعداد في رجب لرمضان، ودخل شعبان والناس عنه غافلة

Rajab has passed and Shaban has entered; successful are those who successfully prepared themselves with proximity to Allah in Rajab for Ramadān; but now that Shaban has entered, people are heedless/neglectful.

On the night of Nisf Shaban, leading to the special month of Ramadan; let us acknowledge that the right thing to do is always the best thing to do. Let us do all forms of good with the best of intentions; and avoid any form of evil in all of its dimensions. Realize that our deeds are evaluated and that we will be held accountable. Let us not be argumentative and hateful, let us rather be loving and compassionate. In keeping with the name of Shaban, the ever increasing, May Allah increase us in goodness and heed the Prophetic advice (as documented by Tibrani); “Do not engage in any act unless it is good; do not say anything unless it is beneficial.”

As extracted from:
http://www.islamicity.org/10209/shaban-time-avoidance-headlessness/


May Allah make us witness many Sha'aban and make righteousness in the month easier for us (Ameen)

Lukgaf:
Alhamdulilah, we are gradually moving to the Glorious month of Shaaban.

By our brother calculation here on nairaland, brother AbuUbayy1, today is 29th of Rajab. By implication, Saturday or Sunday is the first day of Sha'aban and thus it is imperative the virtue of the month.

What is Shaaban?

Sha’bān is the eight month of the Islamic lunar calendar; the month that precedes Ramadan. The literal meaning of the word Shaban is something that is successively developing or uninterruptedly increasing. This is a month in which the Prophet incessantly fasted.

‘A’ishah, the wife of the Prophet (pbuh) said, “I never saw the Prophet fasting (voluntary) fast more in any other month than that of Shaban. He used to fast throughout the month.” [Al-Bukhāri]When the Prophet was asked why fasted so much in Sha’bān; the Prophet replied; “There is a month between Rajab and Ramadān of which many people are neglectful; it is the month in which deeds are raised (for evaluation) to the Lord of the universe, and I love to be in a state of fasting when my deeds are taken up for evaluation.” [an-Nisā’i]

From this hadith we learn that …

the Prophet fasted consistently in Shaban. The reason for that fast being that deeds are elevated for evaluation,
and the best condition to have one’s deeds evaluated in in a state of fasting.
Here we keep in mind the words of the Prophet pertaining to the special nature of the ‘ibādah of siyām/fasting; “Every deed of a human being is for himself except fasting; it is for me and I will personally reward that”. [al-Bukhāri]

Importantly, this month, let us avoid argumentation, harbor no hate and rather be more loving. Wise ones have said; “imbue yourselves with the qualities of Allah”. The qualities of the Divine and those characteristics pleasing to the Divine are indeed the best qualities to imbibe and to nurture. Allah is al-Wadūd /Most Loving and a believer should imbibe these qualities and manifest it at a human level. It is in this spirit that our beloved Prophet (pbuh) advised; The Prophet said, The peak of reasoning after accepting faith in the Divine is being affectionate towards people, and doing good to others, irrespective of their being pious or sinful. [Bayhaqi]



Finally,

Take heed of the lessons of Shaban
Our learned admonish us;

قد مضى شهر رجب، ودخل شعبان، وفاز من فاز بالتقرب والاستعداد في رجب لرمضان، ودخل شعبان والناس عنه غافلة

Rajab has passed and Shaban has entered; successful are those who successfully prepared themselves with proximity to Allah in Rajab for Ramadān; but now that Shaban has entered, people are heedless/neglectful.

On the night of Nisf Shaban, leading to the special month of Ramadan; let us acknowledge that the right thing to do is always the best thing to do. Let us do all forms of good with the best of intentions; and avoid any form of evil in all of its dimensions. Realize that our deeds are evaluated and that we will be held accountable. Let us not be argumentative and hateful, let us rather be loving and compassionate. In keeping with the name of Shaban, the ever increasing, May Allah increase us in goodness and heed the Prophetic advice (as documented by Tibrani); “Do not engage in any act unless it is good; do not say anything unless it is beneficial.”

As extracted from:
http://www.islamicity.org/10209/shaban-time-avoidance-headlessness/


May Allah make us witness many Sha'aban and make righteousness in the month easier for us (Ameen)

.
Smiles, BarakaLlaahu feekum sir; it's actually not my counting sir, it's the counting of the leaders of the Muslims in Nigeria - The Sultan of Sokoto--which is based on the sighting of the crescent as deeply established in islaam.
May Allaah let is reach Ramadan in good Eeman, health and wealth. Aameen

Aameen
Jazakumullahu Khayran Op

Simple Question:

Why do Muslims fast in the month of Ramadan? Is it that your Imam tells you to fast during that time?

Answer:

Fasting during the month of Ramadan is a command from Allah to the believers.

Allah said:

O you who believe! Fasting is prescribed to you as it was prescribed to those before you, that you many learn piety and righteousness" (Q 2:183)

The Messenger of Allah (saw) said, "When the month of Ramadan starts, the gates of the heaven are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained." (Imam Bukhari) ...

Narrated Abu Huraira(r.a): The Messenger of Allah (saw) said:"... whoever fasts during Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards, then all his past sins will be forgiven." (Imam Bukhari).

The Messenger of Allah (saw) addressed his companions on the last day of Sha`ban, saying, "Oh people! A great month has come over you; a blessed month; a month in which is a night better than a thousand months; month in which Allah has made it compulsory upon you to fast by day, and voluntary to pray by night. Whoever draws nearer (to Allah) by performing any of the (optional) good deeds in (this month) shall receive the same reward as performing an obligatory deed at any other time, and whoever discharges an obligatory deed in (this month) shall receive the reward of performing seventy obligations at any other time. It is the month of patience, and the reward of patience is Heaven. It is the month of charity, and a month in which a believer's sustenance is increased. Whoever gives food to a fasting person to break his fast, shall have his sins forgiven, and he will be saved from the Fire of Hell, and he shall have the same reward as the fasting person, without his reward being diminished at all." [Narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah]

Islam is Peace. May Allah accept all our 'Ibaadah and grant us Jannah without stress. Aamin

Aamen

Allahumo Amin

May Allah give us the will to fast and do more Ibadah during the month and all other months of the year.

Jazakallah khair for the reminder .we need to tighten our belts in preparation of the holy month of ramadan

Jazakumullahu-Khaeran. Thanks4the-remembrance

Aameena Yaa Allah. Jazakallahu khair.