|
|
The
Chishti Nizami Habibi Soofie
Pietermaritzburg
South Africa
786/92
SHABAAN
The
revered wives of our beloved Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and mothers
of the believers (Ummahaat al-Muminuun,),
Aisha (radiallahu anha) and Umm Salama (radiallahu anha) have reported numerous
traditions (ahadith) on the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) fasting
more than any other month, besides Ramadaan, in Shabaan. He (sallallahu alaihi
wa sallam) said it is the month in which the Angel of death records the names of
souls to be taken before the year is out and he would rather be fasting if his
name is recorded. Hazrat Anas bin Malik reports that The Holy Prophet
(sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said,
" It is called Shabaan because it is put side by side (yansha
ibu)
to Ramadan, containing many blessings, while Ramadan
is so called because it scorches (yurmidu) sins.”.
In
Sura al-Qasas 28: Verse 68 Allah has said:
|
|
Thus Allah has selected four of each kind of thing, and then He has chosen one. Of the months he has selected Rajab, Shabaan, Ramadaan and Muharram. Of these He chose the month of Shabaan and made it the Prophet's own. So just as the Prophet is the most excellent of Prophets, his month is the most excellent of months. It is the month when ones deeds ascend to Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He)
Anas
bin Malik (Radiallahu anhu) said "At the start of Shabaan, the Companions
would immerse themselves in the recitation of the Holy Qur’aan. They assess
and pay their Zakaat, thereby enabling the poor and weak to prepare for Ramadan.
Businessmen would pay their debts and collect their dues. Then when Ramadaan
started they would devote themselves to worship."
The
word Shabaan is spelt with five letters. The shin
stands for sharaf (nobility), the ain
for uluww (sublimity), the ba
for birr (piety), the alif
for ulfa (harmonious intimacy), and the nun for nur (radiant
light). These are the gifts from Allah to His servants in this month. Therefore
every conscientious believer is obliged to exert himself in preparation for
Ramadaan. Keeping clear of sins and repenting for those committed in the past.
Sheik Abdul Qadir Jilani (Rahmatullah-alai) says one should appeal to Allah
through the owner of the month, Muhammad (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) until the
corruption of ones heart is corrected, and the sickness of one's inner being is
cured. This must be done without delay and not put off until tomorrow, for the
days are three: yesterday which is a date in history; today, which is a time for
action; and tomorrow which is hopeful expectation, for whether you will get
their is beyond your knowledge. Thus yesterday is a caution, today is an
opportunity, and tomorrow is a risk. Likewise Rajab is past and gone; Ramadaan
is in the future; you may not live to see it, so seize the opportunity for
worshipful devotion in Shabaan. The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)
sternly advised one of the Companions,"
Make the most of five before five: youth before old age; health before sickness; wealth before poverty; ease before business, and life before death."
Irshad Soofi
1
Shabaan 1424
28
September 2003
