| Reconciling the Hadith: “When the first half of Sha`ban is over, do not fast” with the Hadith: "The most beloved of months for him (peace be upon him) to fast in was Sha`ban, which he used to join with fasting in Ramadan" Q: I read in Sahih Al-Jami` Hadith no. 397 | | (Part No. 15; Page No. 385) | |
verified by Al-Albany and reported by Al-Suyuty no. 398, which he ranked as Sahih (authentic) on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:  When the first half of Sha`ban is over, do not fast until the advent of Ramadan. There is also another Hadith reported by Al-Suyuty no. 8757, ranked as Sahih and verified by Al-Albany in Sahih Al-Jami` no. 4638, on the authority of ‘A'ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: The most beloved of months for him (peace be upon him) to fast in was Sha`ban, which he used to join with fasting in Ramadan.How can we reconcile the two Hadiths?  A: In the Name of Allah, and all praise be to Allah. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to fast the whole of Sha`ban except for a few days, as authentically reported from the Hadith of ‘A'ishah and Um Salamah. As for the Hadith that prohibits fasting after the middle of Sha`ban, it is Sahih, as ranked by the knowledgeable brother, Shaykh Nasir Al-Din Al-Albany. What is meant is that it is not permissible to start fasting the first half of Sha`ban is over. If a person fasts most or all of the month, they will be acting upon the Sunnah (acts, sayings or approvals of the Prophet). May Allah grant us success. |
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