Fasting in the Second Half of Sha'ban

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Fasting in the second half of the month of Shaʿbān is permissible. RasūlAllāh ﷺ himself would fast for almost the entire month of Shaʿbān, as reported in Sahīh al-Bukhārī. In another narration, fasting in Shaʿbān is described as the most virtuous after Ramadān.

The hadīth found in Abū Dāwūd, Tirmidhī, and Ibn Mājah, which states that one should not fast after the middle of Shaʿbān, applies to those who fear becoming weak from fasting too close to Ramadān, potentially affecting their ability to fast during Ramadān. This hadīth does not impose an absolute prohibition but instead serves as a compassionate recommendation, ensuring that people do not struggle with maintaining their energy while fasting in Ramadān.

As for those who are accustomed to fasting regularly in other months or those who do not fear weakness, there is no issue for them in fasting after the middle of Shaʿbān.

(Sharh Maʿānī al-Āthār; Mirqāt al-Mafātīh; Nuzhah al-Qārī; ʿUmdah al-Qārī).