Shaban is a month of high excellence and is dedicated to Allah’s Prophet (PBUH). He used to fast during this month and continued fasting into the month of Ramadan.

He used to say, “Shaban is a month dedicated to me. Whoever keeps fast during my month will definitely go to heaven”.

It has been reported from Imam Ja’far Sadiq (AS) that on the commencement of this month, Imam Zainul Abideen (AS) would gather his companions and address them, “O my companions, do you know which month this is? It is the month of Shaban about which the Holy Messenger (PBUH) used to say that it is dedicated to him. So go on fasts during this month in love of your Holy Prophet (PBUH) in order to attain closeness to your Creator. By Allah in whose hands is my soul, I have heard from my father, Hussein ibn Ali (AS), that he had heard from Commander of the Faithful (AS), that whoever keeps fast during Shaban in love of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) and to attain closeness to Allah will become a friend of Allah and on the Day of Judgment will be close to Allah by His grace and Paradise will be assured to him.”

Sheikh Tusi has reported from Safwane Jammal that Imam Ja’far Sadiq (AS) asked him to encourage his neighbors and friends to fast in the month of Shaban. He asked the Imam if there was any special significance for it, and he replied that when the month commenced, the Holy Messenger (PBUH) would command his announcer to proclaim in Medina that the Holy Messenger (PBUH) wished them to be aware that Shaban was a month dedicated to him and  that Allah bestows mercy on whoever associates with him in this month by fasting. Imam Ja’far Sadiq (AS) proceeded to report from Commander of Faithful (as) that since hearing the announcement, he never missed any fast during the month of Shaban  and, God willing, hoped not to miss any during the remainder of his life. He added that fasting in the months of Shaban and Ramadan is a means for expressing repentance and seeking pardon from Allah.

Keeping fast on every Thursday of the month also carries great significance. It has been reported that the heaven is decorated each Thursday in the month of Shaban and the angels pray to Allah to forgive all those who fast on that day and their prayers are accepted.

It is stated in narrations by the Holy Prophet (PBUH) that whoever fasts on Mondays and Thursdays of this month, Allah will fulfill twenty of his worldly wishes and twenty of his wishes for the hereafter.It is recommended to give alms in this month even if it is as small as a half date. Almsgiving in this month brings about rescue from hellfire. In this respect, it has been narrated that when Imam al-Sadiq (AS) was asked about the merits of observing fasting in Rajab, he answered, “Why do you not ask about the merits of observing fasting in Shaban?” “What is then the reward of him who observes fasting on one day in Shaban, Son of Allah’s Messenger?” asked the narrator.

The Imam (AS) answered, “The reward will be Paradise. I swear it by Allah.” The narrator then asked again, “What are the best deeds that should be done in Shaban?” The Imam (AS) answered, “Almsgiving and seeking forgiveness are the best deeds in Shaban. Verily, if any one of you gives alms in Shaban , Almighty Allah will breed that alms in the very same way as you breed your small camels. Hence, these alms will be as huge as Mount Uhud on the Day of Resurrection.