Question: What is Islamic status with regards to the fast of 15th of Shabaan?

Answer:It stated in a Hadith
عن عَلِيِّ بن أبي طَالِبٍ قال، قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: «إذا كانت لَيْلَةُُ النِّصْفِ من شَعْبَانَ فَقُومُوا لَيْلَهَا وَصُومُوا نَهَارَهَا - رواه ابن ماجه
It is reported from Sayyiduna Ali Radiyallahu Anhun who narrates that the Messenger Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam said: “When it is the 15th of Shabaan then stand in worship during the night and observe fast during the day.” Ibn Majah

Although the scholars of hadith have some doubts in the authenticity of this report, yet we know that the fasts of the first half of Sha'ban have special merits. Nabi Sallallahu Alaihi Wasallam used to fast most of the days in Sha'ban. Added to that, a large number of the elders (salaf) of the Ummah have been observing the fast of the 15th of Sha'ban.

Therefore, it is advisable to fast the 15th of Sha'ban as an optional (nafl) fast. One can also keep a fast of qada on this day and it is hoped that he can also benefit from the merits of this fast.

And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best

Yusuf Moosagie