“Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said: ‘When it is the night of the middle of Sha’ban, spend its night in prayer and observe a fast on that day. For Allah descends at sunset on that night to the lowest heaven and says: ‘Is there no one who will ask Me for forgiveness, that I may forgive him? Is there no one who will ask Me for provision so that I may provide for him? Is there no one who is afflicted by trouble, that I may relieve him?’ And so on, until dawn comes.’” – Sunan Ibn Majah
Shaban is a precious month for several reasons – specifically, it is an opportunity to prepare for Ramadan, and due to the fact that it has been narrated that on Shab-e-Barat (15th Shaban) in particular, Allah (SWT) raises the deeds of his servants. Therefore, it is a revered day for many Muslims, who are encouraged to perform extra acts of sincere worship. In Sha’ban, Allah (SWT) descends to the lowest heaven for one night (Shab-e-Barat), answers duas, and grants forgiveness to those repenting. Sha’ban falls in between Rajab and Ramadan, two important months, and it is good to continue good deeds during this month as well. Sha’ban translates to ‘scattered’ or ‘dispersed’. Our deeds, which are written by angels on our shoulders, are presented to Allah (SWT) daily after Fajr and Asr Salah, weekly on Mondays and Thursdays, but also annually in Sha’ban. This should be an incentive to do all we can to worship Allah (SWT) to please Him when our deeds are presented to Him. One way of worshipping Allah (SWT) in this month is by fasting. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to fast during this month: “I never saw the Messenger of Allah fasting for an entire month except in Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more than he did in Sha’ban.” (Al-Bukhari). Many scholars consider Shab-e-Barat (15th Shaban), also referred to as mid-Shaban, to be a significant day of worship. However, other scholars do not believe that this particular month or day has any sort of significance from an Islamic perspective. Many south-Asian communities refer to the night of 15th Shaban as Shab-e-Barat. In English, it translates to night of forgiveness or night of salvation. Likewise, other communities also refer to the night of the 15th Shaban (Shab-e-Barat) as Laylat al-Bara’at or Laylat an-Nisf. It is considered by many, that one of the greatest nights of the year for ibaadah (worship) is on the Shab-e-Barat (15th Shaban). Most importantly, the significance of Shab-e-Barat (15th Shaban) rests in the belief that Allah (SWT) raises the deeds of his servants on this day. Shab-e-barat (15th Sha’ban) is also an opportunity for seeking Allah’s mercy and being forgiven for past and future sins, as well as one’s needs being fulfilled if we turn to Allah. The Prophet (PBUH) said, on the 15th of Shaban, from sunset until dawn, Allah asks His servants, ′Is there anyone seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone seeking provision from Me so I may provide for him? Is there anyone suffering so I may relieve his suffering? ′ [Ibn Majah]. The Prophet (PBUH) said, ′Allah gazes at His creation on the fifteenth night of Sha’ban and then forgives all His slaves except for two types of people: those who attribute partners to Allah and those who have rancour for their fellow Muslims’. [Ahmad]. Many Muslims also believe that on the night of Shab-e-Barat (15th Sha’ban), Allah brings down people’s destiny from the heavens for the year ahead. We should aim to spend the night in the most virtuous way possible due to the Shab e-Barat (15th Sha’ban) importance in Islam. The believer on this night should busy himself in the Remembrance of Allah, the Exalted, calling on Him, asking for forgiveness of his sins, for his faults to be hidden, for his difficulties to be lifted, and above all, to make tawbah (repentance). When it is the night of the middle of Sha’ban, spend its night in prayer and observe a fast on that day. For Allah descends at sunset on that night to the lowest heaven and says: ‘Is there no one who will ask Me for forgiveness, that I may forgive him? Is there no one who will ask Me for provision so that I may provide for him? Is there no one who is afflicted by trouble, that I may relieve him?’ And so on, until dawn comes.’ Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), Ibn Majah. Many Muslims celebrate the night of Shab-e-Barat (15th Shaban), regarding it as a night of great Divine blessings, mercy and hope. Many spend the night in worship, either individually in their homes or collectively in the mosques in night prayers- ‘Qiyam-ul-Layl’. As it is believed that all sins will be forgiven except those who have grudges or hatred in their hearts towards other Muslims. Therefore the night of 15th Sha’ban is a good opportunity for communities to come together, ask forgiveness from one another and strengthen the ties of kinship. Many Muslims give gifts and sweets to one another as a way of building bridges and strengthening relationships. As the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Give presents to one another for this would increase your mutual love.” (Muslim). It is important to note that there is a difference of opinion on the authenticity of these Hadith, which is why a number of scholars mention that there is no confirmed benefit on this night. One of the most virtuous acts of worship on Shab-e-Barat (15th Sha’ban) is to help our Muslim brothers and sisters who are in need across the world.
“For the proof of the merit of the Night of Bara’ah, we do not need too many authentic Hadiths. Still, only a Sahih Hadith is sufficient for the virtue and significant evidence of the Night of Bara’ah. The best acts of worship on this night are to ask Allah and your friends and family for forgiveness for any wrongdoings, to offer optional (naffal) prayers, engage in the remembrance of Allah and contemplation (dhikr), to read Qur’an and send salutations (salawat) upon the Prophet (PBUH). It’s also a great opportunity to help our brothers and sisters in need around the world by remembering them in our prayers and giving sadaqah in order to please Allah and gaining the blessings of the night. “
Ibn `Umar RA reported: Messenger of Allah (PBUH)) said, “ If anyone fulfils his brother’s needs, Allah will fulfil his needs; if one relieves a Muslim of his troubles, Allah will relieve his troubles on the Day of Resurrection”. (Bukhari and Muslim). It is important to note that there is a difference of opinion on the authenticity of these Hadith, which is why a number of scholars mention that there is no confirmed benefit on this night.The Prophet (PBUH) recommended to fast on the 15th Sha’ban, as narrated in the following hadith: “When it is the night of the middle of Sha’ban then spend the night in [Salah/’ibadah] and fast the [next] day.” (Sunan Ibn Majah). Shab-e-baraat 2024 fasting is one of the most virtuous forms of worship, and is therefore recommended to gain Allah’s pleasure on this significant day. Furthermore, Shaban is the month in which the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) used to fast his voluntary fasts the most and Sha’ban fasting is therefore very important to Muslims, and can help purify oneself and prepare for Ramadan. There’s no better way than following the example of our Prophet (SAW) and fasting in Sha’ban: “And whoever loves my Sunnah has loved me; and whoever loves me will be with me in Paradise.” [Tirmidhi]. It is important to note that there is a difference of opinion on the authenticity of these Hadith, which is why a number of scholars mention that there is no confirmed benefit on this night. The night of 15th Sha’ban is an opportunity for us to gain closeness to Allah and to purify ourselves in order to reap the great rewards of Ramadan. Some modern scholars said there is no special importance to give to this night. Many Hadiths are unanimously Sahih and Hasan and prove that there is merit in the Night of Bara’ah. Here we have to remember that Hasan Hadith is also Sahih and reliable because it is the type of Sahih Hadith. And if the weak Hadith is mentioned in several sources, it becomes so powerful and elevated to the level of Sahih Hadith. Besides, if a weak Hadith is not too weak and there is no Sahih Hadith against weak Hadith, it is accepted as proof of purity. Therefore, there is no chance to neglect any weak Hadith as Daif or weak. Most importantly, for the proof of the merit of the Night of Bara’ah, we do not need too many authentic Hadiths. Still, only a Sahih Hadith is sufficient for the virtue and significant evidence of the Night of Bara’ah. The best acts of worship on this night are to ask Allah and your friends and family for forgiveness for any wrongdoings, to offer optional (naffal) prayers, engage in the remembrance of Allah and contemplation (dhikr), to read Qur’an and send salutations (salawat) upon the Prophet (PBUH). It’s also a great opportunity to help our brothers and sisters in need around the world by remembering them in our prayers and giving sadaqah in order to please Allah and gaining the blessings of the night.
(The authors write regularly on Islamic topics exclusively for the opinion pages of “Kashmir Horizon”. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)
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