15th night of Sha'baan

The 15th night of Shabaan called Shabb-e-Baraat is a blessed night in which Allah Ta'ala descends His blessing and His immense grace. There are several Hadith reported by different Sahaabah-e-Kiraam (Radiyallaahu Anhum) such as Hazrat Abu Bakr (Radiyallaahu Anhu), Hazrat Abu Musa Al Ash'ari (Radiyallaahu Anhu), Hazrat 'Aisha (Radiyallaahu Anha), Hazrat Mu'aaz Bin Jabal (Radiyallaahu Anhu), Hazrat Abdullah Bin Amr (Radiyallaahu Anhu), Hazrat Abu Tha'labah (Radiyallaahu Anhu). These Hadith are considered authentic and valid by the scholars in the field. According to these Hadith, Allah Ta'ala pardons all his servants except for certain category such as the Kaafir, those who keep grudges in their hearts, etc. It is recommended to make Ibaadah during this night. Allaamah Bin Taimiyyah (Radiyallaahu Anhu) said:

"As for mid-Shabaan, it contains a special merit. There were those of the predecessors who were doing Ibaadah during that night. However, to gather in the Masjid to spend this night is Bid'ah." (Fataawaa Bin Taimiyyah)

What is recommended to do during this night?

During this night, it is recommended to engage in acts of worship such as Nafl Salah, Tilaawat-ul-Qur'an, Zikrullah, Durud Shareef, Istighfar and Dua. Each individual should indulge in Ibaadah according to his ability. One must not perform it an amount that tires one to such an extent that it makes one miss Fajr Salaah.

What is not good

Sometimes, driven by the wish and desire to perform Ibaadah we do not respect the principles of Shari'ah. One should know that an act of worship is accepted as Ibaadah only when it is performed according to its principle. It should be known that as principle, Nafl Salaah must be performed individually. Not in Jama'ah. Thus, performing Awwaabeen Salaah or Tahajjud Salaah, or Salaatut-Tasbeeh or Nafl Salaah in Jama'ah is not the Sunnah way. These Salaah must be performed individually. Likewise, it is undesirable to spend that night in the Masjid. It is better to spend it with the family at home. At the same time, it will be a means of creating a Deeni environment and an atmosphere of Ibaadah at home.

What is more important

The more essential thing is to do Taubah. We should seize this opportunity to make Taubah from all our sins. We should make a firm and solid resolution with Allah Ta'ala to stop disobeying Him. And we should ask for forgiveness for all our previous sins. Especially from sins such as Shirk, rancour, witchcraft, disobeying the parents, breaking family ties, wearing trousers which cover the ankles and alcohol. It is truly unfortunate and regrettable to find that according to Hadith, those who commit one of these sins do not get benefit or profit from the blessing that comes down on this blessed night. And yet it is a night of immense grace!

A waste

Illumination during this night is a practice that was introduced by a sect called 'Baraamika'. Before embracing Islam, this sect was worshipping fire. They continued this practice after embracing Islam. Therefore, illumination is not an Islamic practice. And it has nothing to do with Deen. It is a waste which is strictly forbidden in Islam. Note that putting on lights more than necessary falls under the category of prohibited illumination. The responsible ones of the Masjid must make effort to stop this practice. Insha Allah they will get great rewards.

Roza of the 15th Shabaan.

According to a Hadith of Tirmizi which is reported by Hazrat Ali (Radiyallaahu Anhu), Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) recommended to spend the night of the 15th of Shabaan in Ibaadah and to fast the next day. According to a Hadith of Nisa'i, Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) fasted abundantly during the month of Shabaan. And as justification, Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) said that it is a month in which the actions of everyone are presented before Allah Ta'ala. According to a Hadith reported by Hazrat 'Aishah (Radiyallaahu Anha), the night of Shabaan during which actions are presented is the 15th night. Thus, if Nabi (Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam) used to fast during this month because actions were presented then the Roza of the 15th day is even more worthy of fasting.

A reproach

We appreciate the brothers who took courage to accept and acknowledge the value of this night but there are also brothers who we can call irresponsible and who really lack knowledge of Deen yet who claim to know more than others, they always made us believe through their speeches, booklets or pamphlets that there is nothing special about the 15th night of Shabaan. They have always said that the Hadith concerning the virtues of this night are all weak and fabricated. They kept the public in darkness and misguidance for over a quarter of a century. Many have left this Dunya with this notion that it is a night like all nights. As a result, they went in the Qabr without taking profit and benefit from the Barakah and the blessings of this blessed night. Who is responsible for all this harm? They are those who claim to be great scholars to such an extent that they have the audacity to point fingers at the scholars of Deen without the slightest hesitation. They are those who do not have respect for the 'Ulama. Contrary to what they have always explained, the night of the 15th Shabaan is an exceptional night because exceptional blessing and special Rahmat descends in it. And this is proven by many Hadith which are qualified as authentic by the one whom they know as Shaikh Al Banni. In addition to that, Allaamah Bin Taimiyyah (Rahmatullaahi Alaiyh) also recognised the value of that night in his Al-Fataawa Al-Kubra.

What should be done?

The error has already been committed. Now one must rectify the error. But it is good to know that it is not a simple mistake. It is quite serious because it is not a judgemental or technical error but an error emanating from pure negligence and undermining the Deen. It is not a mistake that a professional has committed by applying a principle or by an error in judgment. It is a mistake which comes from one who has not been trained to do the work that he did. It is like one who drove and met an accident without having a driving license or one who claims to be a doctor without actually being a doctor and operates people using his big sewing scissors! Thus, one must make Taubah and repent and one must inform the people that one was in error in regards to what one said or wrote. One must inform the people clearly by publishing a clarification. To repent, retract and correct an error is a noble action that renders a person honourable. And it is those who have nobility who will have the courage to do it.

Ziyaarat of Qabrastaan ​​and the 15th night of Shabaan

People forget that they have to die. That is why they lead their life in carelessness, negligence and disobedience. One must remind them of the stage of death which every living being has to go through. This reminder serves as a brake to their anarchism. That is why it is recommended to make Ziyaarat of Qabrastaan ​​to remind one of one's death which puts an end to all desires according to the Hadith. The more a person thinks of his death, the more he can be liberated of his passions and desires. According to what has been mentioned in the books of Fiqh, the best day to do Ziyaarat is the day of Junm'ah. It can be deduced from these books that the Ziyaarat of Qabrastaan ​​is not associated with the 15th night of Sha'baan. That is, it is not a practice that has a link with this night.

It is true that according to some Hadith, it seems that Nabi ‎(Sallallaahu Alaihi Wasallam)‎ went to the Qabrastaan. But according to the attitude of the Fuqaha, it is easy to conclude that none of them considered this to encourage the practice of Ziyaarat. And neither did they mention the Ziyaarat of Qabrastaan ​​among the recommendations of that night. This is an indication from their side that Ziyaarat is not related to the 15th night of Shabaan. Therefore, one must not encourage this practice in this night. Especially when this has turned into a festive atmosphere and a touring thereby making the Ziyaarat lose its sense of Ibaadah. One does not know what can be expected in the future! Based on experience, one can say that it will be worse and this can open the door to practices that are harmful to our Deen‎. Instead of doing that, let's concentrate on Ibaadah such as Nafl Salah, Zikrullah, Tilaawat-ul-Qur'an and especially Dua, Taubah and Istighfar. Another person may analyse it differently. Thus, everyone will be responsible for the outcome in encouraging or discouraging this practice.

 [English version of "15ème nuit de Sha’baan" – Al Jamiat – Vol.6 No.13]