Welcoming the month of Shaban

Imam Ali (A.S) once saw some Muslims arguing among themselves on the topic of fate and destiny, on the first day of Shaban. He discouraged them from their preoccupation and instead drew their attention to the merits of this month.
He said that the Lord had called it Shaban because His favors and bounties were scattered (shaban) all over during it. Allah presents His great bounties in this month which are easy to achieve, and inexpensive, said Imam Ali (A.S). This could mean that the acts of worship, performing other good deeds and abstaining from evils will carry manifold benefits.
The Imam (A.S) then enumerated some of the good actions which should not be overlooked in this month. These include prayer, paying zakat (charity), enjoining of good, forbidding of evil, goodness to parents, Relatives, neighbors, mutual reconciliation and giving charity to the poor and the destitute.
Shaban is the second month of worship in order to make preparations for the grand and majestic month of Holy Ramadhan the month of Allah (S.W.T). The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) has said, Shaban is my month. This is the month of asking for forgiveness of sins, giving alms & charity and fasting. The Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) used to observe fast during the whole month of Shaban. Imam Sajjad (A.S) has said: whosoever, in love of the Prophet, wishes to seek nearness to Allah and receive His bounties, favors and rewards in this world and in the hereafter, must connect Shaban with Ramadhan in the matter of fasting and special prayers.
It is also reported from the Holy Prophet (P.B.U.H&H.P) that whosoever observes nine fasts in the whole month of Shaban should not fear the interrogation of Munkar & Nakeer. Whosoever observes twelve fasts in the month of Shaban, 70,000 angels will descend over his/her grave on the first night of his burial, to remove his/her fear & loneliness.
Therefore, one must observe at least twelve fasts to gain both the favors.