Sha'ban is the name of the (eighth) month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and it is so called because in this month the Arabs used to disperse (tasha'aba) in search of water, or it was said that it is so called because it sha'aba (branches out or emerges) i.e., it appears between the months of Rajab and Ramadan.
"Lord had called it Sha’ban because His favours and bounties were scattered (sha’aba) all over during it. Allah presents His great bounties in this month which are easy to achieve, and inexpensive," said Imam Ali (A). This could mean that the doing of ‘ibadah (acts of worship), performing other good deeds and abstaining from evils will carry manifold benefits.
Sha’ban is the second month of ‘Ibadah in order to make preparations for the grand and majestic month of Holy Ramadhan – the month of Allah (SWT). The Holy Prophet (saw) has said, “Sha’ban is my month”. This is the month of asking for forgiveness of sins, giving alms & charity and fasting. The Holy Prophet (saw) used to observe fast during the whole month of Sha’ban.
Imam Zaynul-Aabideen (A) has said, “Whosoever, in love of the Prophet, wishes to seek nearness to Allah and receive His bounties, favours and rewards in this world and in the hereafter, must connect Sha’ban with Ramadhan in the matter of fasting and special prayers”.
RECOMMENDED FASTS
1st, 2nd and 3rd of Sha’ban.
1st Thursday, Mid-Wednesday of the month and last Thursday.
13th, 14th and 15th of Sha’ban.
Any Thursday, Friday and Saturday of Sha’ban.
The last three days (continuously) of Sha’ban to join with Ramadhan.
This being the second month of Maghfirah (seeking forgiveness), one should do the following:
Recite everyday 70 times ASTAGHFIRULLAHA WA AS-ALUHUT TAWBAH.
Recite everyday 70 times ASTAGHFIRULLAHAL-LADHEE LAA ILAAHA ILLA HUWAR-RAHMAANUR RAHEEMUL HAYYUL QAYYOOMU WA ATOOBU ILAIHI.
Give as much Sadaqah (alms) as possible.
Recite Swalawaat as many times as possible on the Holy prophet (saw).
Recite 1000 times the following dhikr within the month i.e. divide it throughout the month of Sha’ban;
LAA ILAAHA ILLALLAHU WALAA NA’BUDU ILLA IYYAAHU MUKHLISEENA LAHUD-DEEN WALAU KARIHAL MUSHRIKOON
The Night of Bara`ah (nisf Sha`ban)
Another significant feature of the month of Sha`ban is that it consists of a night which is termed in Shari`ah as "Laylatul-bara`ah" (The night of freedom from Fire). This is the night occurring between 14th and 15th day of Sha`ban. Traditions of Prophet Muhammad (saw), prove that it is a meritorious night in which the people of the earth are attended by special Divine Mercy.
What should be done in this night?
On the Holy Night of 15th Shaban, after Maghrib or Isha' prayer it is traditional practice to read Surah Yasin three times and reciting of the Holy Quran.
It is very necessary that just as others observe this night, you observe it. To make an invitation to feed people on that night, to remember Allah (swt) and to remember His Prophet (saw), and to fast its day and pray its night, will be rewarded for that night and for whoever observes it.
In order to observe the Night of Bara`ah, one should remain awake on this night as much as possible. If someone has the opportunity, he or she should spend the whole night in worship and prayer.
However, if one cannot do so for one reason or another, he can select a considerable portion of the night, preferably of the second half of it for this purpose, and should perform the following acts of worship:
praying Salat ul-Khair, which consists of 100 raka`ts, in each raka`t reciting Sura al-Fatiha and 10 Surat al-Ikhlas. To complete the prayer one recites 1000 Sura al-Ikhlas.
The Night of Bara`ah is a night in which special blessings are directed towards the Muslims. Therefore, this night should be spent in total submission to Allah Almighty, and one should refrain from all those activities which may displease Allah.
A Reminder in Shabaan
If you still have to make up any missed obligatory fasts of last Ramadan, then hasten to make up them before the next Ramadan arrives. It is not permissible to delay missed fasts until after the following Ramadan, except in cases of necessity (such as a valid excuse that continues between the two Ramadan).
Anybody who is able to make up the missed fasts before the (second) Ramadan and does not do so has to make them up after the (second) Ramadan and in addition, he should repent and feed one poor person for each day that was missed. [This is the view of Malik, al-Shafi'ee and Ahmad]
credits and sources:
www.hujjat.org
www.albalagh.net
www.ummah.com
www.missionislam.com
Books: Hebatnya Bulan-bulan Islam-Karangkraf 
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