Shaban is the eighth month of the Islamic Calendar. This is the month of "separation", so called because the pagan Arabs used to scatter in search of water.The fifteenth night of this month is known as the Night of Records or Laylat al-Baraat. However, observance of this day is disputed. Shaban is the last lunar month before Ramadan, and so Muslims determine in it when the first day of Ramadan's fasting will be.
Shabaan is one of the most important months in Islam. Holy Prophet (p.b.u.h) said "Sha’ban is my month, Rajab is Allah’s month and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah [Community]. Sha’ban is expiator, while Ramadan is the purifier.”
On another occasion Hazrat Bibi Ayesha (R.A) is reported to have said: "Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to fast until we would say he was never going to stop fasting, and he would go so long without fasting that we would say he was never going to fast, but I never saw Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) continue a fast from the beginning to the end of any month except the month of Ramadan and I never saw him fast more than in any month other than he did in Sha’ban. So I asked him: “How is it that I always see you fasting in Sha’ban?” and he, Prophet Muhammad (S.A.W) said: “O’ Aisha, it is the month in which the angel of death has to note down the name of anyone whose soul he must take before the year is out, so I would rather he did not record my name except while I am fasting.” Hazrat Aisha (R.A) said: “The dearest of months to Hazrat Muhammad (S.A.W) was Sha’ban, which he would link to Ramadan.”