The Ruling on Celebrating the Month of Sha'ban and Singling It Out for Fasting

The questioner:
He says: May Allah bless you. Some people have the habit of celebrating in the month of Sha'ban, either on the fifteenth night or the twenty-seventh night of the month of Sha'ban. What is the ruling on that?

The Shaykh:
This is incorrect and has no basis; it is a bid'ah (religious innovation). It is not permissible to single out the night of the middle of Sha'ban for standing in prayer, nor the day of the middle of Sha'ban for fasting. This is not permissible. Rather, Sha'ban is like the other months. Yes.

The questioner:
Are there any virtues in this month for fasting in Sha'ban?

The Shaykh:
The month of Sha'ban has no special virtues, except for one who has a regular habit of fasting in other months; it is permissible for him to fast his usual fasts in Sha'ban. However, if he starts fasting in Sha'ban that is not his habit and singles out Sha'ban for it, that is a bid'ah. Yes.