Sha’ban is the eight month of Islamic lunar calendar. In pre-Islamic era the month following Rajab was regarded as a month of trade and warfare and other worldly affairs. Ibn Kathir explains that during this month the tribes would plan plunders and raids after the month of Rajab.
In Islamic traditions, the month came to be known as the month of supplementary fasting. Umma Salama explains that the Prophet used to observer supplementary fasting for almost the entire month of Sha’ban. (Abu Dawood: 2336)
Ummul Momineen (mother of the believer) Ayesha also reported that the Prophet liked the month of Sha’ban more than any other month as far as supplementary fasting is concerned. (Bukhei: 1969)
However, there are ahadith that suggest the prophet prohibited people from fasting after the 15 of Sha’ban. Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet said, “when half of the Sha’ban is over, do not fast.” (Nasai: 2351)
Some scholars argue that this recommendation is for those who are weak and who fear decline in health for excessive pre-Ramadan fasting.
The Prophet is also reported to have said as narrated by Abu Huraira, None of you should fast during the last days of Sha’ban for one or two days except those who are habitual of fasting regularly. (Bukhari: Book of Fasting)
The month of Sha’ban is also known as Laylatul Bara (Night of Salvation), Laylatul Rahmah (Night of Mercy), or Laylatul Mubaraka (Night of Blessings) or the Shabe Bara’t (Night of Salvation, Persian) in South Asian and Central Asian traditions The night of fifteenth of Sha’ban is observed as a blessed night in certain parts of the world and people make special prayers, or visit the graveyard and spend the whole night offering supplementary prayers in a specific way. However, there are scholars who do not regard this night a blessed night and they say that none of the ahadith quoted to support the sanctity of the night are authentic. Among those scholars are Abu Bakr bin Al-Arabi and Shaikh Abdullah binBaz.
They also refute the claim of many other scholars who say that verses three and four of Surah (chapter) Dukhan refers to the night of nisf sahaban and describes it a blessed night.
Those who say that the fifteenth night of Sha’ban is a special night quote several ahadith that are found in the books of ahadith compiled by Tirmidhi and Ibn Maja. For instance one such hadith says that Allah comes down on the heaven of earth on this night and forgives people more than the hair of the goats of the tribe of Kalb. (Tirmidhi: 739) In another hadith it is reported that Allah gives special favor to His servants on this night and forgives everyone except those who are polytheists and Muslims who have malice and animosity towards their fellow Muslims. (Ibn Maja, 1290). In another hadith it is mentioned that when the 15th night of Sha’ban arrives, stay whole night and fast during the following day. On this night Allah descends on the first heaven and stays there until the dawn and guarantees His servants forgiveness, sustenance and salvation from calamities. (Ibn Maja: 1388) Another hadith says that on the night of 15th of Sha’ban Allah offers special mercy to His creation and with the exception of two people, He forgives all: the one who has malice towards others in his heart and the other who takes the life of fellow human being unjustly. (Ahmad: 2:176) In the book Fazail ul Auqat by Baihaqi, it is mentioned that on this night all the names of those who would be born and who would die in this year are presented to Allah and on this night, the decision about sustenance are made. The same book also suggests that there are five specific nights in which the prayers of people are never rejected, the night of Rajab, the night of Nisf Shaaban, the night of Juma, the night of Eid ul Fitr, the night of Eid ul Adha.
Scholars such Hasan al-Basari and Albani consider all the above mentioned ahadith fabricated or weak and deny special status of this night.
During the night, people offer special prayers. There is a tradition of offering 100 raka’s (unit of prayer) with Surah Ikhlas and Suhal Hamd, 1000 times in each Raka. Some people offer 12 or 14 Rakas while reciting Surah Akhlas 30 times in each. Abdul Qayyim Aljauzi and Imam Nawawi describe these prayers as innovations that must be avoided.
In this night people spend their time and resources in fireworks in certain parts of the world. Some offer special food to their friends and relatives and the poor and the needy. Some people change their crockery on this night and others paint their dwellings as tokens of blessings. Many people also believe that the souls of the dead people visit the world on this night.
But, Ahmad bin Hajr and Mullah Ali Qari (Miratul Mafateeh: 4:243) describe all these practices innovations and un-Islamic.
Finally, some people quote the hadith mentioned in Tirmidhi (663) that the prophet asked: which day of fasting is the best after the fasting of Ramadhan and then he replied: the fast of Shaaban that is observed in honor of Ramadan. Shaikh Albani describes this a fabricated hadith.
The above discussion clearly demonstrates that the house of Islam is divided on the issue of the significance of the nisf Sha’ban. There are three positions of people, scholars included. 1. Those who consider this night a blessed night and recommend that special prayers should be offered from evening to dawn. (2) Those who consider this night as a night of socialization and display of special skills and talents besides considering a night for visiting the cemeteries and graveyards. (3) Those who reject any special significance of this night and describe every act of worship besides obligatory prayers as innovation.
Obviously, these are strong opinions and each side produces its own interpretation of the Quran and references from ahadith in support of their claim. The masses as usual either act in a partisan manner or remain confused.
So, how should we look at this whole debate? Should we observe or should we not observe this night? What would happen if we observer it or if we do not? What is authentic and unauthentic? Because those who are quoting ahadith in support of their argument claim that their references are authentic and those who are rejecting it are labeling others as unauthentic.
It is really a matter of serious concern that in the last 1100 years of our recorded history, we do not find much effort for seeking a reconciliation of opposite views. Rather, our scholars have indulged in debates about the validity or non-validity of certain action on the basis of their perspectives on halal and haram. We cannot change the past, but we can certainly impact the future.
Those who consider this night sacred have to realize a few things. 1. Allah is not only the Rabb (Lord) of 15th Sha’ban or Ramadan, but the Rabb of the whole year and all the years. 2. He listens to each and every one of us whenever we call him. 3. The issues pertaining to our life and death and sustenance occur on the basis of the divine laws, that we are not fully aware of. 4. Ibadat or acts of worshiping are serious matters and they should never be lost sight of.
Those who do not regard this night significant or different than other nights should also realize the following. 1: They are not qualified to declare things halal or haram. This decision belongs to Allah only. They can only express their likes and dislikes. 2. Future research may make us change the perspectives we have today. Hence, to claim that the ultimate truth has been discovered through a methodology is a contestable issue. 3. Those who observe this night as special are as sincere in their commitment to their deen as others are.
Those who use this night to show their special skills or to have fireworks should also realize that the purpose of life is to remain committed to the divine guidance in all walks of life and there should never be experimentation with the act of worshiping.
Based on this understanding, we can have the following conclusion.
Those who want to offer special supplementary prayers on this night should do so believing that Allah would respond to their calls and add to their reward as He never disappoints His servants.
Those who do not consider this night any different than other nights should at least stay away from passing judgment on the level of Iman of those who observe it.
Those who want to show their special skills and talents should direct them to serving the poor and the needy and helpless. Let them spend the night and day visiting the places where the poor live, feeding them and giving them a sense of dignity.
As far as those who want to fast, they should remember that the Prophet used to fast on this month more than any other month of the year except the obligatory month of fasting of Ramadan.
Salam to all, Lighting like Hindu Diwali must not be observed by Muslims.
The best guide in India was Hazrat Moulana Hussain Ahmed madani(RA)
He did not speak against observing shube barath,
ALLAH SWT ordered by HIS Excellent words( Listen to me & my Holy Prophet Mohammed(. Holy quran only advised us to (perform Namaz ,Holy Prophet showed us how the Tarkai Mohammadi. When hazrat Ayeshsa(RA) told Muslims what Holy Prophet did, speaking against her will give rise to sin & impetity. Its not an innovation as Holy Prophet Mohammed MSAS the best of mankind did it.
Those who are ignorant Reasearch through Holy Quran & True Hadis. Look at the beauty of Namaz of Ummati Mohammedi (SAS)
There are 7 Heavens 7 Earth, seven Paradise> Our manner of performance of namaz has seven adherence. 2 hands, 2 knees, two
Legs & one Fore head.
Then when we stand our Head resmeble (MEEM) Ruku (HEY)
Restand(Meem) in Shujud( Daal) Mohammed (MSAS)
Glory be to ALLAH SWT .
Muslim Mirror you are posting such things that belong to Ahle Hadees(Salafi) sect of Islam which is not more than 2% of total Indian muslim population.. Are you trying to create fitna of sectarianism if so then a case should be registered on you for posting sectarian things.Sheikh Albani and Sheikh bin Baaz are Salafi scholars of Saudi Arabia who supports terrorism. So r u trying to justify the terrorism supported fatwas of these scholars who at one time prayed and supported AL Qaeda and Bin Laden? Please do not spread hatred and sectarianism among Indian Muslims…
Laylatul Bara’ah or Laylatun Nisfe min Sha’ban in the Arab world, and as Shab-e-barat (?? ????) in Afghanistan, Iran, Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India is permissible and celebrated all over Muslim world except Saudi and Qatar because they follow Salafi Wahabi brand of Islam as official sect of state.
This is Fatwa of UAE Awqaf Ministry and you can read and please dont spread fitnah, we Indian Muslims are too much worried so dont make things that Muslims fight among themselves: http://www.awqaf.ae/Fatwa.aspx?Lang=EN&SectionID=18&RefID=18686
Humans worship Allah Almighty and He rewards the efforts of the worshippers. But there are some special occasions when one’s heart gets softened and one naturally feels more inclined to His obedience. The softness of hearts deepens as well. On such occasions, the very environment seems emitting spiritual enjoyment. Shab-e-Barat is one such occasion.
Literally, Shab-e-Barat means the night of salvation or the night of freedom from the Fire of Hell. It occurs in Mid-Shaban – between the 14th and 15th day of Shaban. This night, known as Shab-e-Barat or Laylat-ul-Baraa, is called Laylatun Nisf min Shaban in Arabic. The blessed night starts at sunset on the 14th and ends at dawn on the 15th.
The Muslims observe Mid-Shaban as a night of worship and salvation. Some spend the whole night awake and some worship half of it. We should not be negligent on this occasion, because people are shown grace on this auspicious night. During this night, traditions of the Messenger tell us, Allah determines the destiny of all people, including whether a person is to live or die in the coming year.
For the proof of the merit of Shab-e-Barat, the following verses of the Holy Qur’an are cited:
“Surely, We have sent it (the Holy Qur’an) down in a blessed night. Surely, We are the Warner. In this (night) judgment is given on all matters of wisdom (separately) by Our Command.” (Sura ad-Dukhan, 44:3-5)
Imam Qurtubi and Imam Jalal-ud-Din Suyuti hold that the verses refer to Laylatun Nisf min Shaban or Shab-e-Barat.
The whole of the month of Shaban is meritorious. Its excellent merit is evident from a tradition narrated by Aisha, the mother of the faithful: “The Prophet did not fast in any month more than Shaban.” (Sahih Bukhari)
Though fasts were not obligatory on him, the Prophet, yet he observed them most of the month.
The special merit is attached to Shab-e-Barat. Aisha, the mother of the faithful, also reported: “The Prophet said: ‘On the middle night of Shaban (that is, Shab-e-Barat), Allah most high descends to the lowest heaven and remits more sins than the hair of the goats of Banu Kalb.’” (Jami Tirmidhi)
A third tradition of Hazrat Aisha, the truthful, states that the Holy Prophet asked: “Do you know what happens this night?” meaning the middle night of Shaban (that is, Shab-e-Barat). She submitted: “O Allah’s Messenger, what happens in it?” He replied: “In it record is made of every human being who will be born, and of every human being who will pass away this year. In it their deeds are taken up to heaven and in it their provisions are sent down.” (Baihaqi)
The pious predecessors of the Muslim nation have always observed this night as a night of special blessings and have spent it in divine service. According to Imam Nawawi, there are five sacred nights when supplication is answered, one of them being the night of the 15th of Shaban.
Apart from worshipping on this night, fasting the following day is also recommended. It is reported from Hazrat Ali that the Holy Prophet said: “When the middle night of Shaban arrives, spend it in worship and fast during the day. On this night, at sunset, Allah descends to the nearest heaven and announces: ‘Is there no one asking forgiveness that I may forgive him? Is there no one asking provision that I may grant him provision? Is there no one afflicted that I may relieve them? Is there not such and such?’ (He keeps announcing) till the dawn comes.”
The special blessings of Almighty descend during the night. According to Muadh ibn Jabal, Allah’s Messenger said: “Allah Almighty looks upon all those created by Him in the middle night of Shaban and forgives all those created by Him. Excepted is the one who associates partners with Him, or the one who has malice in his heart.”
This night should be spent in worshipping Allah from the depth of heart. It is the time to focus one’s attention to Him alone. It is the time to enjoy the direct contact with Allah, Most Compassionate, Ever-Merciful. Most of all, it is the time for reforming one’s life to come.
The writer is a research scholar.
Way of celebration can be debated and not the blessed day..
In our calender there are 354 or 355 days a year. Every night Allah SWT descends to the nearest heaven. So every muslim individual can communicate with his Creator every night before the time of fajr.
The Quraan as all people know was revealed in the Night of Al Qadr NOT in the night of shab e barat.