Last Night of Sha‘ban — The One Short Prayer You Shouldn’t Skip Before Ramadan

The month of Sha‘ban — the month of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) — is filled with virtue and blessing. During it, God’s servants prepare themselves by supplication and devotion for the coming holy month of Ramadan. The final night of Sha‘ban is a precious opportunity to bid farewell to this blessed month and to ask Almighty God for forgiveness.

The night of farewell to Sha‘ban; how to say goodbye to the month of Sha‘ban

As a blessed and sacred month, Sha‘ban has always occupied a special place in the hearts of Muslims. Saying goodbye to this month is a chance to review one’s deeds and intentions and to strengthen one’s connection with God. In this text we introduce prayers that can help us on this path and prepare our spirit for entering Ramadan.

Farewell supplication for the month of Sha‘ban

In various narrations there are many supplications prescribed to bid farewell to Sha‘ban. One such supplication, reported from Imam Ja‘far al-Sadiq (peace be upon him), is the following:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّ هَذَا شَهْرُ شَعْبَانَ قَدِ انْقَضَى،
وَ قَدْ کُنْتُ فِیهِ ضَیْفاً عَلَیْکَ، فَأَکْرِمْ ضِیَافَتِی،
وَ اجْعَلْنِی فِیهِ مِنْ عُتَقَائِکَ مِنَ النَّارِ، وَ بَلِّغْنِی شَهْرَ رَمَضَانَ،
وَ أَعِنِّی عَلَى صِیَامِهِ وَ قِیَامِهِ،
وَ اجْعَلْهُ شَهْراً مُبَارَکاً عَلَیَّ،
وَ تَقَبَّلْ مِنِّی فِیهِ صَالِحَ الْأَعْمَالِ.

Translation:
“O God, this month of Sha‘ban has come to an end, and I was Your guest in it — so honor my hospitality. Make me among those You free from the Fire in this month, and allow me to reach the month of Ramadan; grant me help to fast it and to stand in prayer during it. Make it a blessed month for me, and accept from me my righteous deeds in it.”

Additional narration / recommended fasting

It is narrated from Imam Ridha (peace be upon him) that whoever fasts the last three days of Sha‘ban and links them to the month of Ramadan, God will record for them the reward of fasting for two consecutive months.

Recommended acts for the last night of Sha‘ban

In addition to reciting the farewell supplication, the following acts are recommended on the last night of Sha‘ban:

• Ghusl (ritual bath): Performing ghusl on this night purifies both body and spirit.

• Prayer: Performing recommended (nafl) prayers, particularly night prayers, carries great merit.

• Seeking forgiveness (istighfar): Asking God for forgiveness is one of the best deeds for this night.

• Qur’an recitation: Reading the Qur’an, especially Sūrat Yā-Sīn, is highly encouraged on this night.

• Charity: Giving charity to those in need brings blessing and increases provision.

• Supplication for the reappearance of the Imam of the Age (du‘ā for Faraj): Praying for the hastening of the reappearance of Imam al-Mahdi (may God hasten his return) is among the important acts of this night.

Tips for a better farewell

• On this night, review your deeds from the month of Sha‘ban and feel sincere regret for any shortcomings.

• With a pure heart and sincere intention, ask Almighty God for forgiveness.

• Prepare yourself through supplication and devotion to enter Ramadan in a state of readiness.

• Ask God to assist you through Ramadan so you may take full advantage of the blessings of the month.

May our performance of these acts and prayers allow us to benefit from the virtues and blessings of Sha‘ban and to welcome the holy month of Ramadan in full preparedness.