Issue No: 125
22nd June 2012
1st Shabaan 1433 A.H.
Salamun alaykum,
Will you support The Holy prophet?
On sighting the crescent of month of Sh’aban, it was the practice of the holy prophet to arrange for an announcement to be done in Madina. The town crier would proclaim:
“O people of Yathrib! I am the bearer of news from the Messenger of Allah. Know that Sh’abaan is my month. May Allah have mercy upon one who supports me in this month.”
By this announcement, the holy Prophet wished the people to be aware that the month of Sha’ban was a month dedicated to him and that his prayers are for Divine Mercy to be bestowed on one who extends support to the prophet. A question arises: How can one support the holy prophet?
Imam J’afar Sadiq reported that since hearing the announcement, Amirul Muminin Imam Ali bin Abi Talib never missed any fast during the month of Sh’aban.
Do you love the Holy Prophet?
On commencement of month of Sh’aban, the fourth Imam Ali Zaynul Abidin would gather his companions and address them saying, “O my companions, do you know which month this is? It is the month of Sha'ban about which the prophet used to say,”Sh’abaan is my month. So keep fasts during this month for the love of your Prophet and to attain closeness to your Creator.” By Allah in whose hands is my soul, I have heard from my father, Husayn bin Ali, that he had heard from Amirul Muminin, that whoever keeps fast during Sha’ban for the love of the Holy Prophet and to attain closeness to Allah SWT, will be loved by Allah and on the Day of Judgment will be close to generosity of Allah and Paradise will be assured to him.”
Excellence of fasting in Sh’abaan:
“Whoever fasts on Mondays and Thursdays of Sh’aban, Allah will fulfill twenty of his worldly wishes and twenty of his wishes of the Hereafter”
Holy prophet s.a.w.w.
Keeping fast on Thursdays of the month of Sh’aban also carries great significance. It has been reported that the heavens are decorated each Thursday in the month of Sh’aban and the angels pray to Allah SWT to forgive all those who fast on that day and their prayers are accepted.
Let us prepare:
After Rajab, Sha'ban is the second month of 'Ibadah (worship) in order for us to make preparations for responding to invitation to the Divine banquet in the grand and majestic month of Holy Ramadhan – Shahrullah- the month of Allah (SWT). Let us take advantage of being blessed with life to be present in this auspicious month of Sh’abaan. Why not grab the opportunity to act on the recommendation for fasting?
What is your answer to the question?
Will you support the Holy Prophet? How will you support?
In addition to fasting, what are the other ways in which you can respond to the Sh’abaan announcement of the holy prophet and extend support to him?
Wa ma tawfiqi illa billah
Fazle Abbas Datoo
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Resident Alim
Wessex Shia Ithna Asheri Jamaat