Strengthen the Taqwa you have for Allah and have complete...

Strengthen the Taqwa you have for Allah and have complete reliance upon Him while in private and while you are in the public: “And whoever puts his trust in Allah, He will suffice him. Indeed, Allah carries through His commands. Certainly, Allah has ordained a measure [and extent] for everything.

If you have not forgiven us (our sins) in that which has passed of this (month of) Shaban, then forgive us (our sins) in the period that is remaining (of the month of Shaban).” This command from the Imam (peace be upon him) was a practical directive to his own family, those around him at his time and of course, to people of all time. Therefore, we too must defend and keep this commandment alive and consider it as something valuable and thus, act upon it.

It is also highly recommended to fast the last three days of the month of Shaban for that person who was not able to fast this entire month, and it is not befitting for the one who is trying to get closer to Allah (Glory and Greatness be to Him) to miss these fasts.

Shaykh Saduq (may Allah shower him with mercy) relates from Imam `Ali ibn Musa al-Ridha (peace be upon him) that: من صام ثلاثة أيّام من أخر شعبان و وصلها بشهر رمضان كتب الله تعالى له صيام شهرين متتابعين “ Whoever fasts the last three days of the month of Sha’ban and joins these fasts with that of the month of Ramadan, Allah will write (in his book of deeds) as if he has fasted two months straight [2] .” The devotional acts that should be performed at the end of every month to correct and rectify the actions that were missed during that month are other than the actions that we have listed here, just as how for all the other months we have mentioned some of the actions that can be performed [3] .

Of the most important acts of the month of Ramadan which should be done on the last night of the month of Shaban is the supplication that is mentioned in the book Iqbal which has been narrated and should be read tonight (the last night of the month of Sha’ban) and on the first night of the month of Ramadan and thus, those who must fast during the month of Ramadan must get themselves prepared to enter this month and to be the guests of Allah the Most High which they will understand how to do by reciting this supplication [4] .