Question:

What do the experts and scholars of shari’ah say regarding the month of Sha’ban? What is meant by deeds being raised to Allah ﷻ in this month? Is this different to deeds being raised on Mondays and Thursdays?

Answer:

Our deeds are raised and presented to Allah ﷻ in the month of Sha’ban, as well as every Monday and Thursday. The scholars have mentioned that in Sha’ban a summary of our deeds are presented annually, whereas on Mondays and Thursdays a detailed record of our deeds are presented.

Both have been mentioned in the ahadith of the Prophet ﷺ. Sayyiduna Usama ibn Zayd narrated that he asked the Prophet ﷺ, “O Messenger of Allah, I have not seen you fast in any other month that way I see you fast in the month of Sha’ban.” The Prophet ﷺ replied, “This is a month between Rajab and Ramadan, and is neglected by many people. It is a month in which the deeds are presented to the Lord of the worlds. I wish that my deeds are presented whilst I am fasting.”

Sayyiduna Abu Hurayra narrated that the Prophet ﷺ said, “Deeds are presented on Mondays and Thursdays, I wish that my deeds are presented whilst I am fasting.” It has been mentioned in Mirqat al-Mafatih that the statement ‘deeds are presented’ refers to deeds being presented to Allah ﷻ every Monday and Thursday and the Prophet’s ﷺ desire to be in a state of fasting at this time was for a further increase in proximity to Allah ﷻ. Imam Ibn Hajar mentions that deeds being raised on Monday and Thursday is not a contradiction to them being raised in Sha’ban as deeds are presented in detail on Monday and Thursday, however in Sha’ban they are presented as a summary.

And Allah ﷻ  knows the best

This Fatwa is written by Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Munir Al-Azhari

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