Praise
be to Allaah.
Abu Dawood (3237), al-Tirmidhi
(738) and Ibn Naajah (1651) narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased
with him) that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
said: “When Sha’baan is half over, do not fast.” Classed as saheeh by
al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi, 590.
This hadeeth indicates that it is
not allowed to fast after halfway through Sha’baan, i.e., starting from the
sixteenth day of the month.
But there are reports that
indicate that it is permissible to fast at this time. For example:
Al-Bukhaari (1914) and Muslim
(1082) narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: The
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Do not
anticipate Ramadaan by fasting one or two days before it begins, but if a man
habitually fasts, then let him fast.”