[Article] Reconciliation of two Hadiths on fasting after Sha‘ban is halfway over

Reconciling the Hadith: “When Sha‘ban is half over, do not fast” with the Hadith stating that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to join the Sawm of Sha‘ban with Ramadan

Q: I read in "Sahih Al-Jami‘" Hadith no. 397 

(Part No. 15; Page No. 385)

verified by Al-Albany and reported by Al-Suyuty no. 398, which he ranked as Sahih (authentic), on the authority of Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: When Sha‘ban is half over, do not fast until the advent of Ramadan. There is also another Hadith reported by Al-Suyuty no. 8757, ranked as Sahih and verified by Al-Albany in "Sahih Al-Jami‘" no. 4638 on the authority of `Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that she said: The most beloved of months for him (peace be upon him) to fast in was Sha‘ban which was continuous with his Sawm (Fasting) in Ramadan. How can we reconcile the two Hadiths?

A: Bismillah [In the Name of Allah], and all praise be to Allah, to proceed; the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to fast the whole of Sha‘ban except for a few days, as authentically reported from the Hadith of `Aishah and Um Salamah. As for the Hadith that prohibits observing Sawm after the middle of Sha‘ban, it is Sahih as mentioned by the knowledgeable brother, Shaykh Nasir Al-Din Al-Albany. What is meant is that it is not permissible to start fasting after halfway through the month of Sha‘ban, but if a person fasts most of or all of the month, they will be acting upon the Sunnah (whatever is reported from the Prophet). Allah is the Grantor of success!

Source:  Fatwas of Ibn Baz