Question:
What is the significance of month of Shabaan and can we fast on 15th Shabaan?
Fatwa:
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad is His slave and Messenger. We ask Allaah to exalt his mention as well as that of his family and all his companions.
The actions of people are presented to Allaah in the month of Shabaan so the Prophet (Salla Allahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) used to fast repeatedly in this month. Aishah (May Allaah be pleased with her) said: "I never saw the Messenger of Allaah fast for a complete month except for Ramadhaan, and I never saw him do more fasting in any month than he did in Shabaan". [Reported by al-Bukhaari and Muslim]
Usaamah bin Zaid reported "I said to the Prophet, O Messenger of Allaah! I did not see you fasting in any month as you do in the month of Shabaan". The Prophet said: "People neglect this month which is between Rajab and Ramadhaan, in this month the actions of the people are presented to Allaah; so I like my deeds to be presented while I am fasting". [Abu Dawood, an-Nasaaie]
As for fasting particularly the fifteenth of Shabaan this is not proved through any sound evidence.There are some sayings of the companions of the Prophet and their successors, which indicate the virtue of this night. But this does not mean that there is any special significance to the day or that night. So, there is no evidence proving that fasting such a day is Sunnah nor is there any evidence proving that there are some specific prayers to be performed at the fifteenth night of Shabaan.
Allaah knows best.