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• 2 Sha'ban 1446

The representative of the supreme authority in Europe congratulates the Islamic world on the advent of the holy month of Sha'ban and says:
- The month of Sha'ban is a good opportunity for us to purify our souls and prepare them to receive the month of Ramadan, the most significant month of Allah.
-  The noble texts mentioned in the virtues of this month have alerted us to the special connection between this month and the Prophet (p) and the Household (p).

His Eminence's remarks came on the occasion of the advent of the holy month of Sha'ban and the anniversary of the birth of the infallible Imams in Sha'ban month, the text of which is:
“O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, the tree of prophecy, the place of the message, the place of the angels, the mine of knowledge, and the family of the revelation; O Allah, bless Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, whoever boards them is safe, and whoever abandons them is drowned, whoever goes ahead of them is a heretic, whoever lags behind them is lost, and whoever adheres to them will catch up”.
Respected believers, with the Grace of Allah that blessed to revive the month of Rajab, supplication and communion, He has honored us with a month that is one of the most incredible months in the sight of Allah, namely the “Great month of Sha'ban”. It has been mentioned in some narrations that it is the most blessed month after the month of Ramadan.
In Sha’ban, there is a new opportunity to purify our souls, in which the breezes of divine mercy blow, good deeds are multiplied, and the one who strives for worship is given a great reward. In fact, we are in dire need of this to purify our souls from the filth of sins that no human being is free from. It is also another step in preparation for the greatest month of Allah, the blessed month of Ramadan, which we can consider the pinnacle of divine generosity and the zenith of divine giving.
Since Allah has made fasting the month of Ramadan obligatory upon His servants, He has urged them to fast the months of Rajab and Sha'ban and explained to them through the tongues of His saints (peace be upon them) what He has prepared for those who fast in this month of great reward and great recompense and its worldly and otherworldly blessings. It was narrated from Imam al-Sadiq (p) that he said: “Fasting the month of Ramadan is a provision for the servant on the Day of Judgment, and there is no servant who fasts a lot in Shaban except that Allah will improve his livelihood and suffice him from the evil of his enemy.
The least that can happen to someone who fasts a day in Shaban is that Paradise is obligatory for him”.
Furthermore, seeking forgiveness and giving charity is also necessary, as they have an advantage this month. It was narrated from Imam al-Ridha (p) that he said: “Whoever seeks forgiveness from Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, in Sha’ban seventy times, Allah will forgive his sins even if they were as numerous as the stars”.
Additionally, Dawud Al-Ruqqi said: I asked Abu Abdullah Ja'far bin Muhammad al-Sadiq (p) about fasting Rajab, so he said: “Are you aware of the virtue of fasting in Sha’ban?” So I told him: O son of the Messenger of Allah, what is the reward of someone who fasts a day in Sha’ban? He said: “Paradise! by Allah”. I said: what is the best thing to do in it? He said: “Charity and seeking forgiveness, and whoever gives charity in Sha'ban, Allah will raise him as one of you raises his young camel until he reaches the Day of Resurrection and he has become like Mount Uhud”.
On the other hand, it seems that this month has a special connection to the Prophet (p) and his progeny (p), and this can be learned from observing the following matters:
- Among them: What was mentioned in several narrations about the Prophet (p) attributing this month to himself and that whoever fasts it to draw closer to Allah and out of love for his Prophet, Allah will make Paradise obligatory for him.
- Among them: It was mentioned that the night of the middle of Sha'ban was made for the family of the Prophet (p) just as the Night of Destiny was made for the Messenger of Allah (p).
- Among them: What was mentioned to us about the urging to increase prayers upon the Prophet (p) and his family in this month, especially what was mentioned about the special prayers that are said at noon and are called the Sha'ban prayers in relation to this noble month.
- Among them: What we notice about this blessed month is the birth of several infallible Imams (p) and some of the masters of the Household (p). It includes the birth of the Master of Martyrs, Imam Hussein (p), his son Imam Ali Zain Al-Abidin (p), and his grandson, the awaited Imam Mahdi (may God hasten his reappearance). It also includes the birth of Abu al-Fadl al-Abbas, son of the Commander of the Faithful, and the birth of Ali al-Akbar (may God’s prayers and peace be upon them all). After comprehensive contemplation of these matters, it is appropriate for us to pay special attention to this month and strive to obey it in order to preserve its status and position with God Almighty and the unique feature it has for the Household (peace be upon them), who are our means to God Almighty. No doubt, strengthening the connection with them by adhering to the remembrances and supplications mentioned in this month - especially praying for them - and visiting them has an essential effect in elevating ourselves spiritually and morally and in order for us to be the focus of their care and attention, especially our Master Imam Mahdi, may God Almighty hasten his honorable reappearance. We ask the Almighty God to grant us success in reviving the Sunnah of His Prophet (p) in this month of ours by fasting and standing in prayer during its nights and days “O God, help us to follow his Sunnah in it and to attain intercession with Him. O God, make him an intercessor for me whose intercession is accepted and an easy path to You, and make me follow him until I meet You on the Day of Resurrection, pleased with me and angry with my sins. You have made mercy and pleasure obligatory for me from You and have placed me in the abode of permanence and the place of the good” by Your mercy, O Most Merciful of the merciful, and may God’s prayers be upon Muhammad and his purified family.