We are told by Ai’shah, the mother of the believers and the beloved wife of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that “the Prophet (peace be upon him)  used to fast most of the days of Shaban, but he stopped fasting when he got close to the month of Ramadan.”

 

Based on this, it is considered highly recommended to fast in the early part of Sha’ban and stop fasting the last few days of the month.

 

The Prophet wanted to teach us an important wisdom that we should not join Shaban and Ramadan in fasting, rather we should keep the Ramadan fast totally separate from that of Sha’ban. Shaban fasting is only for preparation and warming up for the fasting in Ramadan, so we should not confuse the two fasts.

 

Almighty Allah knows best.