That moment when you finish Rajab and suddenly get to know that Ramadan is only a short way off, do you get that feeling too? It was to me last week when my daughter said, "Mama, how do we prepare for Ramadan?"
And honestly, I'm so glad she asked. Because Shaban—this beautiful month we're waiting for—is exactly that preparation time. It's like Allah gave us this gentle runway before the intensity of Ramadan hits.
But here's the thing that kept bothering me: every year, my WhatsApp groups blow up with forwards about "special Shaban duas" and specific prayers we absolutely
must do. Some of them sound amazing, but are they actually authentic? Will I be teaching my kids something the Prophet ﷺ never actually said?
So I did what any worried parent would do—I went digging through authentic sources. And what I found was actually really reassuring. This guide shares authentic duas for the Shaban month that you can confidently teach your children, based on what we actually know from hadith about the month of Shaban.
No guesswork. No guilt. Just genuine preparation.
Why Shaban is Special: What the Prophet ﷺ Taught Us
To be honest, Shaban disappeared last year, and I barely realized it. I was so busy googling "easy Ramadan recipes" and worrying about whether our Quran memorization was sufficient.
Then I read this hadith about the month of Shabaan and felt like the Prophet ﷺ was gently calling me out:
"That is a month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And it is a month in which actions are raised to Allah, so I like that my deeds be raised while I am fasting." (Sunan an-Nasa'i)
"ذَلِكَ شَهْرٌ يَغْفُلُ النَّاسُ عَنْهُ بَيْنَ رَجَبٍ وَرَمَضَانَ، وَهُوَ شَهْرٌ تُرْفَعُ فِيهِ الأَعْمَالُ إِلَى رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ"
"Neglected by many people." Ouch. That was me.
But here's what changed everything: our deeds get presented to Allah during Shaban. Not filed away—actually shown to Him. The Prophet ﷺ wanted his record to look good, so he fasted constantly.
My daughter asked what that meant. I said, "Remember practicing your spelling test over and over? Shaban is practicing for Ramadan."
She got it instantly.
Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) confirmed this—she never saw him fast more in any month except Ramadan than in Shaban. (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)
So Shaban isn't just the countdown to Ramadan. It's our warm-up. Our chance to build habits before the main event.
Which made me wonder: what should we actually be saying during this month? Is there a special dua?
Is There a Specific Dua for the Month of Shaban?
Alright, here's where I'm gonna be super straight with you because I wish someone had told me this years ago.
There isn't a specific dua that the Prophet ﷺ exclusively taught for Shaban.
I know, I know. Your WhatsApp groups probably have like fifteen different "THE Shaban Dua" posts with fancy calligraphy and glowing backgrounds. I've probably saved about twenty of them myself.
Anyway, that's not the point. Here's what really matters, and this part made me feel so good:
Allah doesn't need us to use magic words. There's no secret password to get Him to listen during Shaban.
What we have are two types of duas:
- Fixed Sunnah duas refer to the particular words that the Prophet ﷺ demonstrated for us to use at specific instances—like before having a meal or when going to the bathroom.
- General duas: Anything sincere you say to Allah, whenever you say it, in whatever language comes out of your heart.
For Shaban? We've got the second type. Which honestly takes so much pressure off.
The blessing of Shaban isn't about memorizing some perfect Arabic phrase. It's about the timing—catching those moments when your deeds are being raised to Allah and just... talking to Him.
I told my daughter it this way: "Imagine you asking me for help with your homework in English or Arabic, or when you're happy, or even when you're crying, and I still help you, right? That's Allah. He doesn't need fancy words. He just wants to hear from you." She looked relieved. "So I can just say what I'm thinking?" Yes. Exactly yes.
Your broken Arabic? Good enough. Your middle-of-the-night English whispers? He hears them. Your duas while you're stuck in traffic, trying not to lose your mind? Those count too.
So if there's no special Shaban dua, what about that really famous one everyone keeps sharing?
The Famous Dua for Shaban month: What Scholars Say
اللَّهُمَّ بَارِكْ لَنَا فِي رَجَبَ وَشَعْبَانَ وَبَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَانَ
"Allahumma barik lana fi Rajab wa Shaban wa ballighna Ramadan"
"O Allah, bless us in Rajab and Shaban and allow us to reach Ramadan."
I've seen this dua everywhere. My mom sends it to me every year. My kids' Islamic school posted it last week. It's beautiful, honestly.
So what's the deal with it?
Here's the thing: scholars looked at where this dua came from, and they found the chain of narration is weak. In hadith terms, that's called da'if.
Which basically means we can't confirm the Prophet ﷺ actually said these exact words. Don't get worried; it doesn't mean that you went wrong if you've been saying that.
Allow me to elaborate on what I have learned: the difference between something being forbidden and something only not being confirmed by the Prophet ﷺ is significant.
This dua? It's not haram. The words themselves are completely fine—you're literally just asking Allah for blessings and to let you reach Ramadan. Nothing wrong with that intention at all.
But it's also not Sunnah. It's not something the Prophet ﷺ specifically taught us.
So where does that leave us?
You can still say it if the words bring your heart closer to Allah. Nobody is going to say that it is wrong for you to ask Allah for blessings. But just know it's a general dua you're choosing to make, not a required practice from the Prophet ﷺ.
My husband put it perfectly the other day: "The dua itself isn't the problem. The problem is when people think it's required or that you're missing out on huge blessings if you skip it." Exactly.
So if you love this dua and it helps you feel connected during these months, say it. Just don't stress if you forget. And definitely don't forward it to everyone claiming it's from the Prophet ﷺ when we're not sure about that.
There are plenty of other authentic duas we can use instead—and honestly, that's what I'd rather teach my kids.
Authentic Duas for the month of Shaban
Alright, so what should we be saying during Shaban?
Good news—the Prophet ﷺ taught us tons of duas that fit perfectly. I have been doing these three with my children, and they are so easy that my youngest literally learned them quicker than her times tables.
Dua 1: For Forgiveness
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللهَ الْعَظِيمَ الَّذِي لاَ إِلَهَ إِلاَّ هُوَ الْحَيُّ الْقَيُّومُ وَأَتُوبُ إِلَيْهِ
"Astaghfirullah al-'Azeem alladhi la ilaha illa Huwa al-Hayy al-Qayyum wa atubu ilayh"
"I seek forgiveness from Allah the Almighty, there is no deity except Him, the Ever-Living, the Sustainer, and I repent to Him."
If Shaban's our warm-up for Ramadan, the first thing we need is a fresh start. All those moments we lost it with the kids? Scrolled past prayer time? Said something mean we can't take back? Time to clear that out.
The Prophet ﷺ asked forgiveness constantly, like over a hundred times daily. And he didn't even have sins to forgive. Makes you think.
How we use it: We all say this after each prayer. My son gave it the nickname "the reset button," and now that's exactly what we call it at our house.
Dua 2: For Well-Being
اللَّهُمَّ إِنِّي أَسْأَلُكَ الْعَافِيَةَ
"Allahumma inni as'aluka al-'afiyah"
"O Allah, I ask You for well-being."
Seems super short, right? But al-'afiyah covers literally everything—health, safety, peace, protection, good vibes, all of it in one shot.
The Prophet ﷺ loved this dua. Said it morning, evening, didn't matter when. Just all the time.
How we use it: Right before breakfast, while everyone's still half-awake. My daughter straight up refuses to touch her food until we've said it. I'm not arguing with that logic.
Dua 3: For Reaching Ramadan
اللَّهُمَّ بَلِّغْنَا رَمَضَانَ
"Allahumma ballighna Ramadan."
"O Allah, allow us to reach Ramadan."
That's it. Literally four words in Arabic.
And honestly? It hits different when you realize what you're actually asking—please let me live long enough to see another Ramadan. Because none of us is guaranteed that. We just assume we'll be here, but that's not how it works.
How we use it: Every dinner during Shaban. Then the kids add whatever they want after. Last week, my son threw in, "And please no exams during fasting." My daughter went with, "And can Grandma be healthy enough to fast with us?"
You say the main dua, then just keep talking to Allah about whatever's on your mind. He wants to hear it all.
Best Times to Make Dua During Shaban
Okay, so here's something I learned way too late—when you make dua, matters just as much as what you say.
There are these golden windows during the day when duas are basically answered, express delivery. And if you can catch even one or two of them during Shaban? Game changer.
1. While You're Fasting (Especially Right Before Iftar)
The Prophet ﷺ said the fasting person's dua doesn't get rejected. Those last ten minutes before iftar, when you are so hungry and tired? That's your moment.
I used to waste that time setting the table. Now I sit down with my kids for like five minutes, and we just make dua. They ask for the randomest stuff sometimes, but hey, Allah's listening.
2. Last Third of the Night (Before Fajr)
This is the big one. Allah descends to the lowest heaven and literally asks, "Is anyone asking Me so I can give to them? Is anyone seeking forgiveness so I can forgive them?" (Sahih Bukhari and Muslim)
I'm not gonna lie, it's hard that early wake up. But I set my alarm to 4 am a few times a week, do wudu, and just stay there talking to Allah.
3. Between Adhan and Iqamah
That small gap between the call to prayer ending and the prayer actually beginning? Don't waste it scrolling on Instagram.
Literally just whisper whatever's on your heart right then. It takes thirty seconds.
4. During Sujood (When You're Prostrating)
The Prophet ﷺ said, "The closest a servant comes to his Lord is when he is prostrating, so make abundant dua." (Sahih Muslim)
You're already down there. Your forehead's on the ground. Just add a quick dua after you say "Subhana Rabbiyal A'la" three times. Ask for whatever you need.
5. Literally Any Moment You Feel It
Sometimes the best duas happen when life smacks you, and you just break down asking Allah for help. Don't wait for "perfect" timing.
Stuck in traffic, losing your patience? Make dua. Kid having a meltdown in the grocery store? Make dua. Can't sleep because you're worried about something? Make dua.
Allah hears you at 2 pm just as much as He hears you at 2 am. But those special times I mentioned? They've got an extra blessing attached to them, so might as well use them when you can.
Simple Practices for Families in Shaban
Alright, so we know Shaban's important, and we've got the duas down. But like... what do we actually do with our kids during this month?
Here's what's been working in our house—nothing crazy, just small stuff that builds up:
1. Start a Family Dua Routine
After dinner, one by one, we tell each other what the one thing is that we are asking Allah for. It can be a big thing ("please help Grandpa get well") or a small thing ("please don't let it rain during recess tomorrow").
Then we all say one of the Shaban duas together.
My kids love this because they get to talk, and honestly? I learn so much about what's actually stressing them out just by listening to their duas.
2. Try Some Voluntary Fasting
The Prophet ﷺ fasted most of Shaban, so we're trying to do the same. Even if it's only Mondays and Thursdays or a couple of days here and there.
My older kids fast the full day. My six-year-old does "half fasting"—she fasts until Dhuhr, then eats lunch. She calls herself "a fasting champion," and I'm not about to correct that confidence.
It's not about being perfect. It's about getting everyone used to the feeling before Ramadan hits, and suddenly we're all fasting for thirty days straight.
3. Pick One New Dua to Learn Together
We've been working on one dua per week as a family. I'll write it on a sticky note and put it on the bathroom mirror, so we see it constantly.
By the end of the week, even my youngest has it memorized just from reading it every time she brushes her teeth. Repetition works.
4. Make it Fun, Not Stressful
Listen, some days we nail all of this. Some days, we barely remember to make dua at all because someone had a soccer game and homework took forever, and we're all just trying to survive until bedtime.
And that's fine.
Shaban's about building habits, not being perfect. If your kid fasts one day and is so proud of themselves, celebrate that. If you remember to make dua twice this week instead of zero times last week, that's progress.
Allah sees the effort. He's not up there with a clipboard marking you down for every missed day. He just wants to see you trying.
So whatever you can manage with your family—even if it's just one small thing—that's enough. That's your Shaban training, and honestly? That's beautiful.
What About Special Shaban Nights?
Look, we need to talk about the 15th night because I guarantee someone in your extended family is already planning something big.
Laylat al-Bara'ah. Shab-e-Baraat. Night of Forgiveness. Whatever name you grew up hearing, you know what I'm talking about—the special sweets, everyone staying up praying, maybe going to the cemetery. It's a whole production in some families.
So... is it legit or what?
Straight up: scholars don't agree.
There's a hadith about Allah being extra forgiving this night—everyone gets forgiven except people holding grudges or doing shirk. (Ibn Majah has it, but scholars argue about whether it's strong enough to rely on)
The problem is, we can't find solid proof that the Prophet ﷺ did anything special for this night specifically.
So you've got:
- Some scholars: "Yeah, it's blessed, pray extra if you want, can't hurt."
- Other scholars: "Maybe blessed, but these big rituals everyone does? That's not from him ﷺ."
Nobody's saying praying that night is wrong. They just disagree on whether it's actually special.
What do I do? If I'm up and remember, cool, I'll make dua. But I'm not setting alarms or doing a whole thing because we genuinely don't know if the Prophet ﷺ did that.
My honest take: don't stress like it's required, but don't side-eye families who celebrate it.
Your aunt makes those amazing cookies every 15th of Shaban, and everyone comes over to pray together, and it genuinely brings your family closer to Allah. That's sweet. Keep doing it. Just don't panic if you slept through it or think you missed some once-a-year miracle blessing.
Real talk—any night you talk to Allah matters. The 15th? Sure. Random Tuesday at 2 am when life's got you stressed? Counts just as much.
Stop overthinking which night is "worthy" and just have the conversation with Allah. He's been waiting to hear from you anyway.
Conclusion
Look, after years of stressing about Shaban, I finally get it: this month isn't a test. It's a gift.
Allah gave us Shaban as a quiet practice space before Ramadan hits. A chance to shake off the spiritual dust, remember what it feels like to make dua regularly, to actually talk to Him instead of just thinking about talking to Him.
Some days? You're gonna crush it. Fast all day, make all the authentic duas, wake up for tahajjud feeling like the most spiritually on-point version of yourself.
Other days? You'll be lucky if you remember to say one istighfar between rushing the kids to school, dealing with work, and collapsing into bed, wondering where the day went. Guess what? Both days matter to Allah.
The Prophet ﷺ used Shaban to get ready for Ramadan, and we're out here doing our best to follow that example with our chaotic, messy, beautiful lives. And honestly? That effort is enough.
So if you're starting Shaban on day one, awesome. If you're reading this on day 20, thinking you've already blown it, stop that right now. You haven't. Start today. This moment. Make dua in whatever language falls out of your mouth. Fast tomorrow if you're able. Say istighfar after one prayer.
Baby steps count. Actually, they count more than you think.
May Allah accept whatever we manage to do, forgive everything we mess up, and please, please let us all make it to Ramadan with hearts that are actually ready this time.
Want to make Shaban (and the rest of your Islamic journey) easier? Subscribe to Islamic Galaxy for authentic Islamic content that actually makes sense for real life—no guilt trips, no overwhelming you with impossible standards, just practical guidance you can actually use. We're building a community of Muslims who are trying their best, and we'd love to have you with us. May Allah bless you and your family this Shaban and always.
FAQs
Q: Is there a special dua only for Shaban?
No. There's no specific dua the Prophet ﷺ taught exclusively for Shaban, and honestly? That's kinda nice. You're not stuck memorizing some complicated thing you've never heard before. Just use any authentic dua you already know, or talk to Allah in plain words.
The special part is the month itself, not the exact Arabic you need to say.
Q: Can I make dua in English during Shaban?
Of course! Allah literally invented all languages. He's not sitting there going, "Sorry, only accepting Arabic requests this month."
If you're lying awake at 3 a.m., stressing about bills or your teenager or whatever's eating at you, just talk to Him. English, Arabic, Urdu, broken mix of everything—He understands all of it.
My eight-year-old asked me this once, and I was like, "Sweetie, Allah made English. He speaks it better than we do."
Q: Should children fast in Shaban?
The Prophet ﷺ fasted most of Shaban as Ramadan prep, you can prepare your kid for Ramadan by fasting one or two days in Shaban, However, I wouldn't recommend to fast too much in Shaban because they are still kids and should act like kids even the Prophet recommended that, also you don't want them to get drained or tired before Ramadan.
