Islamic Verdicts - Volume III

The Book Of fasting

Voluntary fasting

The middle Night of Sha'ban should not be singled out for worship

Q: I read in one of the books that fasting the middle night of Sha'ban is one of the innovations and I read in another source that from the days that are recommended to fast is the middle night of Sha'ban. What is the correct ruling concerning this?

A: No authentic report traced to the Prophet (Salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) has been confirmed regarding the virtue of the middle night of Sha'ban that may be acted upon, even in the collections of virtuous acts. Rather, some reports have been related concerning it from some of the Successors of the Companions that are discontinued (i.e., not traced back beyond them), and numerous Hadiths which the most authentic of them are fabricated or extremely weak. These narrations have become very popular in many of the lands that have become filled with ignorance, such narrations as: the life spans are written in them and entire lives are wiped away, and so forth. Based upon this, it is not legislated to be vigilant (in worship) during this night nor to fast its day. It also should not be singled out for specific worship. No consideration should be given to the numerous amount of ignorant people who do this. And Allah knows best.

Ash-Shaykh Ibn Jibreen

The ruling on seeking the Night of 'Ashura'

Q: Many of the Muslims fast the day of 'Ashura' and they place much importance in fasting it due to what they hear from the Islamic propagators of stressing and encouraging it. So, why are the people not directed to seek the new moon of Muharram so that the Muslims will know that along with its announcement or publicizing in the media?

A: Fasting the day of 'Ashura' is Sunnah and it is recommended to fast it. The Prophet (Salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) fasted it, the Companions fasted it and Musa (Moses) fasted it before that as thanks to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. This is also because it is the day in which Allah saved Musa and his people, and He destroyed Fir'awn (Pharaoh) and his people. Therefore, Musa and the Children of Israel fasted it as thanks to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic. Then, the Prophet (Salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) fasted it as thanks to Allah, the Mighty and Majestic, and following the Prophet of Allah, Musa. The people of the days of pre-Islamic ignorance used to fast it also, and the Prophet (Salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam) stressed it upon the Ummah. Then, when Allah made Ramadhan obligatory, he (the Prophet (Salallahou 'aleyhi wa salam)) said: "Whoever wishes, he may fast it; and whoever wishes, he may leave it" (Al-Bukhari no. 2001).

He also informed that due to a person's fasting it, Allah will expiate (his sins during) the year before it. It is better that a day be fasted before it or after it, in order to contradict the Jews. This is due to the Prophet's statement: "Fast a day before it or a day after it" (Ahmad no. 1: 241, Al-Bayhaqi 4: 287 and Ibn Khuzaymah no. 2095).

In another wording he said: "Fast a day before it and a day after it" (Ahmad no. 1: 241, Al-Bayhaqi 4: 287 and Ibn Khuzaymah no. 2095).

So, if the person fasts a day before it or a day after it, or he fasts the day before it and the day after it, meaning he fasts 3 days, then all of that is good. It also contains an opposition to the enemies of Allah, the Jews.

In reference to seeking the night of 'Ashura', this is a matter that is not necessary, because it is voluntary and not obligatory. Therefore, it is not necessary to make a call to seek the new moon, because even if the believer errors concerning it and he fasts a day after it and a day before it, that does not harm him, and he will receive a great reward. For this reason, it is not obligatory to place great concern on the entry of the month for this purpose, because it is only voluntary.

Ash-Shaykh Ibn Baz