ممﻼﺳﻹاءﺎﻴﺣإ ﻼﺳﻹاءﺎﻴﺣإ

Reviving Islam

The month of Sha'baan is only second to the month of Ramadaan in terms of virtue, greatness, and blessings. Being the eighth month of the Islaamic Calender it is a glimpse into the wonders of the holy month Ramadaan Rasūlullah ﷺ emphasized the greatness of this month both verbally and practically. It was a month where he ﷺ would fast abundantly, and when questioned about his ﷺ doing so, he replied: It is a month in which deeds are raised towards the Lord of the worlds Therefore, I like my deeds to be raised whilst I am fasting ” (An-Nasa’ī) In this month lies a very special night. A night where Allah Ta'aala allows His servants to reap from His infinite mercy This night is known as Laylatul Barā'ah and it occurs on the 15th of Sha'baan There are many Ahādith which proves the great merit of this night. Some says that the night of Laylatul Barā'ah is not auspicious because there lies a difference of opinion regarding the auspiciousness of this night among the authorities and that the Ahādith which proves its virtue are weak. However, inspite of the existence of such difference of opinion, it is erroneous to claim that the 15th Night of Sha'baan has no origin and no substantiation in Islaam Unlike the bid'ah practices which are unanimously condemned and prohibited by all authorities of Islam, the auspiciousness of the 15th Night of Sha'baan is upheld by numerous illustrious personalities of Islam

Those who reject the validity of the holiness of this Night do so on the basis that the narrations concerning the 15th Night of Sha'baan are 'Weak', hence should be discounted. It should, however, be remembered that the designation 'Dhaeef' (Weak) in the terminology of the Muhadditheen is a word of technical import It does not mean that a 'Dhaeef' narration is fabricated and should be rejected in its en designated 'Dhaeef' subject matter is n of narrators The Narrations of a 'D the classification o Hadith is thus acce Furthermore, a Dha authorities in regar virtues, excellences

On this auspicious Allah Ta’aala turn attention towards those who repent mother Aa’isha ﺎﻬﻨﻋ ﷲ ﻲﺿر reported that Rasūlullah ﷺ said, “This is the middle Night of Sha’baan Allah emancipates in it a large number of the people from the Fire, more than the number of the hair growing on the sheep of the tribe, Kalb But He does not cast a glance at a person who associates partners with Him, or at a person who harbours malice in his heart (against someone), or at a person who severs family ties, or at a man who leaves his clothes extending below his ankles, or at a person who disobeys his parents, or at a person who has a habit of drinking wine ”

Targeeb wat Tarheeb, vol 2, pg 118 authority of Imam Bayhaqi

We are desperately in need of Allah Ta'aala to glance at us with mercy and forgiveness How unfortunate it would be if we spend this night performing Ibaadah, yet harbour malice in our hearts, or we disobey our parents, only to not receive a glance of mercy from our Rabb! A grudge is not worth our own salvation. May Allah Ta'aala save us.

What types of ‘Ibaadah are stipulated?

No specific acts of worship are stipulated for the 15th of Sha'baan and a person is free to perform any acts of Ibaadah (recitation of the Qur’aan, prayers etc) he or she wishes However, it must be done individually (and not collectively in the Masjid) Cooking special meals, illuminating houses and Masaajid, and the bursting of fireworks are all baseless innovations

On this night, the events for the coming year are recorded Remain awake as much as possible and try to wake up for Tahajjud Salaah. It is Sunnah for the men to visit the Qabrastaan as was done so by Rasūlullah ﷺ

It has been previously stated that it was the noble practise of our dear and beloved Sayyidina Rasūlullah ﷺ to fast frequently during this month of Sha’baan. However, one should avoid fasting after the 15th of Sha’ban to keep his strength for Ramadan (Sunan Nasai, hadith: 2923).