Question Summary:
Clarification on fasting on the 15th of Sha’bān

Question Detail:

Pleae answer urgently as 15 Shabaan will inshallah arrive soon upon us. I note your two answers below:
http://www.askimam.org/public/question_detail/21318
http://www.askimam.org/public/question_detail/25842
In one you say that fasting the 15th of Shabaan is not a proven sunnah with weak narrations, however in the other link you have the following hadith.
Translation: Imran bin Husain (ra) reported Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) having said to him or to someone else: Did you fast in the “Middle of Sha’ban?” He said: No. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: If you did not observe fast, then you should observe fast for two days. [Muslim, Chapter 6, Number 2607]
Could you kindly clarify as soon as possible so that inshallah we know what to do. I am now confused as to whether I should fast or not. I am assuming the brother that asked the recent question will be confused too.

Answer :

In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
As-salāmu ‘alaykum wa-rahmatullāhi wa-barakātuh.
It is permissible to fast on the 15^th of Sha’bān just as it is permissible to fast any other day of the year (except the days which are prohibited such as the days of the two Eids). There are no special virtues associated with fasting specifically on the 15^th of Sha’bān. The narrations that have been mentioned in this regards are extremely weak and unreliable. Hence, it cannot be regarded as a Sunnah. It will be regarded as any other Nafl (non-obligatory) fast.
However, fasting in the month of Sha’bān on a general basis without specifying any day is virtuous and proven through Hadīth. The Hadīth is as follows:
وَمَا رَأَيْتُهُ أَكْثَرَ صِيَامًا مِنْهُ فِي شَعْبَانَ (صحيح البخارى، بَابُ صَوْمِ شَعْبَانَ)                                                                  
Aishah Radhiyallāhu Anhā states, “I have never seen Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam fasting in any other month (besides Ramadhān) more than his fasting in Sha’bān. (Sahīh al-Bukhārī)
Hence, one should endeavor to fast excessively throughout the month of Sha’bān.
The Hadīth stated in Fatwā 21318 is as follows:
عَنْ عِمْرَانَ بْنِ حُصَيْنٍ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُمَا، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، قَالَ لَهُ - أَوْ لِآخَرَ -: «أَصُمْتَ مِنْ سُرَرِ شَعْبَانَ؟» قَالَ: لَا، قَالَ: «فَإِذَا أَفْطَرْتَ، فَصُمْ يَوْمَيْنِ» (صحيح مسلم، بَابُ صَوْمِ سُرَرِ شَعْبَانَ)
Imrān bin Husain Radhiayallāh Anhu narrates that Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam asked, “Did you fast the Sarar of Sha’bān? He replied, “No”. Hence Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam said, “If you have not fasted, then fast two days.” (Sahīh Muslim)
In this Hadīth, Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam mentioned the word Sarar. According to the vast majority of Muhaddithīn (Hadīth experts), the word Sarar in the context of this Hadīth refers to the last portion of Sha’bān and not the middle portion of Sha’bān.[1]
However, there are some Muhaddithīn who have stated that the word Sarar in the context of this Hadīth means the middle of Sha’bān. Even in the case this view is accepted, the middle of Sha’bān in this Hadīth refers to the 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th of Sha’bān and does not refer only to the 15^th of Sha’bān.[2]
Hence, one may fast the 13^th, 14^th, and 15^th of Sha’bān as this is a Sunnah act. However, it should be borne in mind that this is a Sunnah for every month and not specific to only Sha’bān. This is clear from the following Hadīth:
 
عَنْ ابْنِ مِلْحَانَ الْقَيْسِيِّ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، قَالَ: كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَأْمُرُنَا أَنْ نَصُومَ الْبِيضَ ثَلَاثَ عَشْرَةَ، وَأَرْبَعَ عَشْرَةَ، وَخَمْسَ عَشْرَةَ، قَالَ: وَقَالَ «هُنَّ كَهَيْئَةِ الدَّهْرِ» (سنن ابى داود، بَابٌ فِي صَوْمِ الثَّلَاثِ مِنْ كُلِّ شَهْرٍ)
Milhān Radhiyallāhu Anhu states, Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam used to order us to fast the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth (of every month). He used to say, “These fasts are like fasting the entire year (in reward). (Sunan Abī Dāwūd)
 
The 15^th night of Sha’bān is a meritorious night. Allāh Ta‘ālā forgives the sins of many servants on this night.  Also, Allāh’s special Mercy and Forgiveness descends from the beginning of the night till dawn[3] and prayers are accepted on this night. Consider the following Ahādīth:

 
It is reported from Hamat Muā’dh bin Jabal Radhiyallāhu Anhu that Rasulullah (S.A.W.)
said: "On the fifteenth  night of Sha’bān, Allah bestows His special attention to His entire creation. He then pardons His entire creation except an idolater and one who harbors enmity.
(Sahīh Ibn Hibbān, Mu’jam at-Tabrānī)
 

 
It is narrated from Hadhrat Abdullah bin Amr Radhiyallāh Anhū that Rasūlullāh Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam said: “Allah bestows His special attention to His creation on the fifteenth night of Sha'bān and forgives all His servants except two categories of people: the person who harbors enmity and a murderer."
(Musnad Ahmad)
 

 
It is reported from Hadhrat Uthmān bin Abil Aas Radhiyallāhu Anhu that RasuIullah Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam said, “On the fifteenth night of Sha'bān, a call is made, “Is there anyone who seeks forgiveness so that I may  forgive him? Is there anyone who desires anything so that I may grant his wishes? Allah thus fulfills the requests of all except the adulteress and idolater.
(Baihaqī)                                                                      
 

 
Hadhrat A‘isha Radhiyallāhu Anhā says, “I woke up one night and did not find Rasulullah Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam.  I went outside and found him in Baqī’. He said to me, "Did you fear that Allah and His Messenger would oppress you?”. I replied, "0 Rasulullah Sallallāhu Alaihi Wa Sallam, I thought that you had gone to meet the other wives." He then said to me, “Allah does Nuzūl to the nearest sky on the fifteenth night of Sha‘bān and He forgives more people than the number of hair on the goats of the Banu Kalb tribe.
(Sunan at-Tirmidhī)
 
Hence, one should spend this night in the worship of Allāh Ta‘ālā. However, one should bear in mind that there is no specific form of worship or Salāh that is specific to this night.
And Allah Ta’āla Knows Best
Abdul Azīm bin Abdur Rahman,
Student Darul Iftaa
U.S.A.
Checked and Approved by,
Mufti Husain Kadodia.