A mu’min should constantly strive to attain closeness to his Rabb through giving sadaqah, keeping (nāfilah) fast, Tahajjud Salāh and many other forms of ibādah (acts of worship). They should make more efforts especially during the Three Blessed Months (Rajab, Sha‘bān and Ramaḍān).
Abū Bakr al Warraq (rahmatullāhi ‘alayhi), a walī (friend) of Allāh said:
“Every good deed in Rajab Sharīf is recorded as ten good deeds, in Sha‘bān Sharīf, as seventy, and in the Ramaḍān as one thousand.”
Abū Umamah al-Bāhilī (raḍiyallāhu ‘anhu) reported that Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever revers Sha‘bān, fears Allāh, observes obedience (to divine commands) and refrains from disobedience to Him, Allāh Subḥānahū will forgive his sins. Allāh will protect him from evil, unpleasant situations, misfortune and diseases.”
When Sha‘bān Sharīf began, Rasūlullāh (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) used to say: “Prepare for Ramaḍān Sharīf, purifying your nafs (by abstaining from sins) and rectify your niyyahs (intentions). The superiority of Sha‘bān Sharīf over other months is like my superiority over you.”
“Sha‘bān Sharīf is a shield against Jahannam. Whoever wishes to meet me in Jannah, should fast in this month – even for three days.”
SALAWĀT (DURŪD) SHARĪFAH
We have been ordered to send salawāt sharīfah (peace and blessing) upon our Prophet (sallallāhu ‘alayhi wa sallam) as an ibādah (act of worship) so that we earn rewards.
The shortest salawāt sharīfah reads: “Allāhumma ṣalli ‘ala sayyidinā Muḥammadin wa ‘alā āli sayyidina Muḥammad.” There are several other forms of salawāt sharīfah reported, each of which has different virtues.
The phrase “Ṣalli ‘alā Muḥammad” means “exalt his name by strengthening his religion in this world and raise his status in the ākhirah (hereafter), enabling him to intercede for his ummah.”
