As-salaam wa-alaykum brothers and sisters.
Every year, when Ramadan approaches, I think that it may be my last Ramadan who knows, only Allah knows the Unseen. I used to remember some brothers and sisters who were among us in the last Ramadan, but they died before the coming Ramadan.
We should never forget this fact: Only Allah knows when we will die. Don’t rely on the fact that you are still young, child, or even a baby. We see many young persons die before aged ones. No one knows when he will die.
Given the above, prepare yourself for the coming Ramadan as it would be your last Ramadan. Don’t miss Allah’s forgiveness, mercy, and blessings. Be keen to be close to Allah and His Messenger. Compete with your good friends to attain the higher degrees in Paradise, and to get the closest place to the Prophet (peace be on him) and his Companions Abu Bakr, Umar, Uthman, Ali, etc.
Sha’aban, therefore, is our gateway to Ramadan. We should never wait until Ramadan, but we have to prepare ourselves in Sha’aban for the “may-be” last chance.
May this Ramadan be the most auspicious and blessed for all of us.. inshaAllah! Ameen!