How did the Prophet Muhammad prepare for Ramadan during the crucial weeks leading up to the holy month? While many focus solely on the arrival of the fast, the Prophet’s ﷺ profound wisdom was most evident in his spiritual preparation during the preceding month of Sha’ban. By examining the Sunnah of Ramadan preparation, we can learn how to balance our physical and spiritual needs to ensure we enter the month of fasting with strength, focus, and sincere intention.
The Secret of Sha’ban: A Month of Neglect
Many people focus on the sacred month of Rajab or the fasting of Ramadan, but they often overlook the month in between. The Prophet ﷺ identified this as a strategic time for worship.
On the authority of Usama bin Zaid (RA), the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“That is a month which people neglect, between Rajab and Ramadan, and it is a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the worlds, and I like that my work is raised while I am fasting.” (Narrated by An-Nasa’i)
Why Worship During “Times of Neglect” is Superior
The Prophet’s ﷺ choice to increase his worship in Sha’ban highlights two psychological and spiritual masterstrokes:
- Sincerity (Ikhlas): Worship performed when others are distracted is more likely to be hidden and sincere, away from the eyes of people.
- Spiritual Discipline: Engaging in Ibadah (worship) when it is “tough for the soul”—meaning when no one else is doing it—yields a greater reward. The Prophet ﷺ compared worship during times of trial or neglect to emigration (Hijrah) to him.
The Prophet’s Fasting Habits in Sha’ban
Aisha (RA) reported that she never saw the Messenger of God ﷺ fast more in any month than he did in Sha’ban. Some narrations suggest he fasted almost the entire month, leaving only a few days.
Rulings and Objectives Behind His Fasting:
Scholars like Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali have noted several reasons for this frequent fasting:
- Making Up Fasts: The Prophet ﷺ would use Sha’ban to complete any voluntary fasts he missed during the year due to travel or illness.
- Supporting Family: His wives often made up their missed Ramadan fasts during Sha’ban, and he would fast alongside them.
- The “Sunnah” of Fasting: Just as obligatory prayers have Sunnah prayers before and after them, fasting Sha’ban acts as the “Rawatib” (associated Sunnah) for the obligatory fast of Ramadan.
4 Ways the Prophet Prepared for Ramadan in Shaban
Why did the Prophet ﷺ emphasize preparation so heavily? The goals were both practical and spiritual.
1. Physical and Mental Conditioning
Fasting in Sha’ban is like a “pre-season” training. It allows the body to bypass the initial fatigue and headaches often felt in the first few days of Ramadan. By starting early, you enter the holy month with strength and vigor, ready to worship from the first night.
2. The Month of the Reciters (Quran)
The Salaf (early generations) called Sha’ban the “Month of the Reciters.” * Amr bin Qais al-Mula’i would close his business in Sha’ban to devote himself to the Quran.
- Others emphasized that Sha’ban is the time to “reform the self” so the heart is a fertile ground for the blessings of Ramadan.
3. Concealing Voluntary Deeds
Fasting is a secret between the servant and the Lord. The Prophet ﷺ encouraged concealing voluntary acts. It was even said by Ibn Masoud (RA) that if you fast a voluntary day, you should “cream yourself” (groom yourself) so people do not see the signs of hunger on your face.
4. Completing the Lapses
Voluntary fasts before and after Ramadan complement any lapses or shortcomings in our obligatory fasts, just as Sunnah prayers complement the Fard prayers.
Conclusion: Reform Before Ramadan
Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali summarizes it beautifully: fasting in Sha’ban is better than fasting in the other sacred months because of its proximity to Ramadan.
“Blessed is he who reformed himself before Ramadan.” Let us follow the Prophetic model by utilizing these days of Sha’ban to increase our Quranic recitation, charity, and fasting.
