SHABB-E-BARAA'AT

Shabb-e-Baraa'at or Lailat-un-Nisf min Sha'baan (15th night of Sha'baan) is a night filled with blessings where we are encouraged to do a lot of Ibaadaat. And then we are also advised to fast during the day (of the 15th Sha'baan). The following Ahaadith gives us an idea of the importance of this night:

IBN-E-MAAJAH AND THE 15th NIGHT OF SHA'BAAN

1. Hadith of Hadhrat A'li (Radiyallahu anhu)

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) says that when it is Nisf-e-Sha'baan, one should do qiyaam (stay awake and do Ibaadah) during the night and fast during the day, for Allah Ta'ala descends to Asma-e-Dunya (the sky nearer to the Earth) as from sunset and proclaims in these words:

"Is there anyone who asks me for forgiveness so that I can forgive him?

Is there anyone who asks me for rizq (to live) so that I can supply it? 

Is there anyone who is in difficulty so that I can relieve him"?

Allah Ta'ala continues to make this proclamation until the appearance of Subh-e-Saadiq (the dawn).

2. Hadith of Hadhrat Abu Musa Al Ash'ari (Radiyallahu anhu)

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Verily, the grace of Allah is manifest on the night of Nisf-e-Sha'baan, and He forgives all except the mushrikeen (polytheists) and the spiteful / resentful."

3. Hadith of Hadhrat Aa'isha (Radiyallahu anha)

Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said: "Verily, Allah Ta'ala goes down to Asmaa-e-Dunya during the night of Nisf-e-Sha'baan and He forgives more (servants) than the number of hairs that are on the flocks of the tribe of Kalb."

MUSNAD IMAAM AHMAD AND THE 15th NIGHT OF SHA'BAAN.

Hadhrat Abdullah bin 'Amir (Radiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallaahu 'Alaihi Wasallam) said that Allah Ta'ala turns to His creatures on the night of Sha'baan and He forgives all His servants except for two categories of people - the resentful and those who commit suicide.

There are several other Ahaadith related to the virtues of this night. There is no doubt that it is a blessed night that must be dedicated to Ibaadah.

Muslims are urged not to be fooled by those who want to make people believe that this night has nothing special. We would like to reassure any Muslim worthy of the title and anxious to be forgiven that this is a great night and that we must not let it pass carefree and unforgiven.

At this point, it would be good to clarify that Allah Ta'ala does not forgive certain categories of people unless they make sincere Taubah (repentance). These people are polytheists (mushrikeen), sorcerers, soothsayers, usurers, spiteful, alcoholics, misers, those who disobey their parents, those who wear trousers below the ankle, those who break off family relationships, and those who commit adultery.

May Allah Ta'ala protect us from these sins. May He give us the Taufeeq to make a sincere Taubah. May He forgive us all and grant us all the blessings that this night contains. (Ameen)

[English version of "Chabb-e-Baraa’at" – Al Haadi – Vol. 1 No. 5]