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Ruling on Observing Fast during Sha`baan

Answered as per Shafi'i Fiqh by Darul Iftaa Jordan
Is it permissible to observe fast during Sha`baan and which of its days shouldn`t be fasted?

Answer:
All perfect praise be to Allah; and may His blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Mohammad and upon all his Family and Companions. Observing fast during Sha`baan or part of it is permissible in Sharia. 'Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: “The Prophet (PBUH) did not observe voluntary Saum (fasting) so frequently during any other month as he did during Sha'ban. He observed Saum throughout the month of Sha'ban.”{Bukhari&Muslim}. However, fasting the second half of Sha`baan, in particular, is excluded since it is considered forbidden as indicated by the following Hadeeth: Abu Hurairah (May Allah be pleased with him) reported: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said, "When there comes the middle of Sha'ban, don't observe Saum (fasting)."{At-Tirmithi graded it as Hasan Sahih}. Fasting the second half of Sha`baan is permissible in the following situations: First: The person who is used to observing fast regularly-Mondays, Thursdays and The White Days-is allowed to continue doing so during the last half of Sha`baan. Second: The person who has started observing fast from the beginning of Sha`baan, such as fasting some days in the first half and other ones in the second half. Third: The person who has made the intention to make up for obligatory fast, vow fast, or expiatory fast. And Allah knows best.

This answer was collected from the official government Iftaa Department of Jordan.

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