Fasting after the 15th of Sha’baan
Question
I would like to know whether keeping Nafl fast or Qadha after the 15th of Sha’baan is permissible. I was told that the Hadith prohibits fasting in the second half of Sha’baan.
Answer
The Ahadith that discourages fasting after the 15th of Sha’baan is due to consideration for fasting in Ramadaan as one can gather strength and remain enthusiastic for the month of Ramadaan.
Therefore, if one is certain that this will not cause him to become weak and lose enthusiasm for fasting in Ramadaan, one is allowed to fast.
In the case of keeping Nafl fasts a person should avoid doing so closer to Ramadaan especially in the last one or two days before Ramadaan unless a person has a habit of keeping certain Nafl Fasts, in which case he may keep those fasts.
Rasulullah (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) said: “None of you should fast a day or two before the month of Ramadaan unless he has the habit of regularly fasting on that day, in which case he can fast that day.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
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