A Research Review of 11 Weak and Fabricated Narrations Attributed to the Virtue of the Night of Bara'at

Compiled by: Abu Hamza Salafi

Some people try to prove the virtue of the Night of Bara'at (the fifteenth night of Sha'ban) by writing long posts on social media. Recently, a Barelvi gentleman presented eleven narrations, but all of them are either weak, rejected, or fabricated. Despite this, he failed to present a single authentic chain of narration.

In this article, we will present these narrations with the original text, translation, and investigation of the chain of narration, so that it becomes clear to the readers that none of these narrations are authentic.

First Narration – From Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA)​

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80 - حَدَّثَنَا عَمْرُو بْنُ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ: نَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ وَهْبٍ، قَالَ: نَا عَمْرُو بْنُ الْحَارِثِ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنِي عَبْدُ الْمَلِكِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ، عَنْ مُصْعَبِ بْنِ أَبِي ذِئْبٍ، عَنِ الْقَاسِمِ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ أَوْ عَمِّهِ، عَنْ أَبِي بَكْرٍ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: «إِذَا كَانَ لَيْلَةُ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ، يَنْزِلُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى إِلَى سَمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا، فَيَغْفِرُ لِعِبَادِهِ، إِلَّا مَا كَانَ مِنْ مُشْرِكٍ أَوْ مُشَاحِنٍ لِأَخِيهِ»

Reference: (Musnad al-Bazzar, No: 80)

Translation: It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "When it is the fifteenth night of Sha'ban, Allah the Exalted descends to the lowest heaven (in a manner befitting His Majesty) and forgives His servants, except the polytheist and the one who harbors hatred against his brother."

Investigation of the Chain of Narration​

The central narrator of this narration, Abdul Malik bin Abdul Malik al-Qurashi, is severely criticized (majrooh), and his Sheikh Mus'ab bin Abi Dhaib is unknown.

1 – Imam Bazzar (RA)​

"وَعَبْدُ الْمَلِكِ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْمَلِكِ لَيْسَ بِمَعْرُوفٍ"

Reference: (Musnad al-Bazzar)

Translation: Abd al-Malik ibn Abd al-Malik is not well-known (i.e., he is unknown).

2 – Hafiz Ibn Hibban (RA)​

"مُنْكَرُ الْحَدِيثِ جِدًّا، يَرْوِي مَا لَا يُتَابَعُ عَلَيْهِ، فَالْأَوْلَى فِي أَمْرِهِ تَرْكُ مَا انْفَرَدَ بِهِ"

Reference: (Al-Majruhin, No: 737)

Translation: He is a severe denier of hadith, narrates such reports that no one follows him in, therefore it is better to abandon his solitary narrations.

3 – Imam Bukhari (RA)​

"فِيهِ نَظَرٌ"

Reference: (Al-Tarikh al-Kabir, No: 1379)

Translation: He has a defect (i.e., severe criticism, sometimes even implying lying).

4 – Imam Abu Hatim al-Razi (about Mus'ab ibn Abi Thawb)​

"لَا يُعْرَفُ"

Reference: (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil)

Translation: He (Mus'ab) is unknown.

Ruling: This narration is very weak because it contains one lying narrator and another unknown narrator. The virtue of Shab-e-Baraat is not established from it.

Second Narration – From Sayyiduna Ali (RA)​

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The second narration presented by the Barelvi objector is narrated through the chain of Sayyiduna Ali ibn Abi Talib (RA), which is very weak in chain and close to fabricated because it contains one lying narrator.

Text of the Narration​

1388 - حَدَّثَنَا الْحَسَنُ بْنُ عَلِيٍّ الْخَلَّالُ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ، قَالَ: أَنْبَأَنَا ابْنُ أَبِي سَبْرَةَ، عَنْ إِبْرَاهِيمَ بْنِ مُحَمَّدٍ، عَنْ مُعَاوِيَةَ بْنِ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ جَعْفَرٍ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: «إِذَا كَانَتْ لَيْلَةُ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ، فَقُومُوا لَيْلَهَا وَصُومُوا نَهَارَهَا، فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ يَنْزِلُ فِيهَا لِغُرُوبِ الشَّمْسِ إِلَى سَمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا، فَيَقُولُ: أَلَا مِنْ مُسْتَغْفِرٍ لِي فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ، أَلَا مُسْتَرْزِقٌ فَأَرْزُقَهُ، أَلَا مُبْتَلًى فَأُعَافِيَهُ، أَلَا كَذَا، أَلَا كَذَا، حَتَّى يَطْلُعَ الْفَجْرُ»

Reference: (Sunan Ibn Majah, No: 1388)

Translation: It is narrated from Hazrat Ali (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "When it is the fifteenth night of Sha'ban, then you should stand in prayer during its night and fast during its day. Indeed, Allah descends on the heaven of the world from sunset on that night and says: Is there anyone seeking my forgiveness that I may forgive him? Is there anyone asking for provision that I may provide for him? Is there anyone afflicted with illness that I may grant him health? Is there anyone like this? Is there anyone like that? Until the dawn breaks."

Authentication of the Chain​

The main narrator of this hadith, Ibn Abi Sabrah, is a liar and the Imams have criticized his falsehood.

1 – Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal (RA)​

"أبو بكر بن أبي سبرة كان يضع الحديث … وليس حديثه بشيء، كان يكذب ويضع الحديث"

Reference: (Al-‘Ilal wa Ma‘rifat al-Rijal li Ahmad bin Hanbal)

Translation: Abu Bakr bin Abi Sabrah used to fabricate hadiths... his hadith is of no use, he lied and fabricated hadiths.

2 – Hafiz Ibn Hajar (RA)​

"أبو بكر بن عبد الله بن محمد بن أبي سبرة … رموه بالوضع"

Reference: (Taqreeb al-Tahdheeb, No: 7973)

Translation: Abu Bakr bin Abdullah bin Muhammad bin Abi Sabrah... he was accused of fabricating hadith.

3 – Imam Nasai (RA)​

"أبو بكر بن عبد الله بن أبي سبرة متروك الحديث"

Reference: (Al-Du'afa wal Matrukoon lil-Nasai, No: 666)

Translation: Abu Bakr bin Abdullah bin Abi Sabrah is a narrator whose hadith is abandoned.

Ruling: This narration is very weak, almost close to fabricated, because it contains a lying narrator. From this, neither the virtue of the night of Bara'at nor the command to stand in prayer or fast can be established.

Third Narration – From Umm al-Mu'mineen Aisha (RA)​

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Text of the Narration​

26018 - حَدَّثَنَا يَزِيدُ بْنُ هَارُونَ، قَالَ: أَخْبَرَنَا الْحَجَّاجُ بْنُ أَرْطَاةَ، عَنْ يَحْيَى بْنِ أَبِي كَثِيرٍ، عَنْ عُرْوَةَ، عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، قَالَتْ: فَقَدْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ ﷺ ذَاتَ لَيْلَةٍ فَخَرَجْتُ، فَإِذَا هُوَ بِالْبَقِيعِ، رَافِعٌ رَأْسَهُ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ، فَقَالَ لِي: أَكُنْتِ تَخَافِينَ أَنْ يَحِيفَ اللَّهُ عَلَيْكِ وَرَسُولُهُ؟ قَالَتْ: قُلْتُ: يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ، ظَنَنْتُ أَنَّكَ أَتَيْتَ بَعْضَ نِسَائِكَ، فَقَالَ: «إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ يَنْزِلُ لَيْلَةَ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا، فَيَغْفِرُ لِأَكْثَرَ مِنْ عَدَدِ شَعَرِ غَنَمِ كَلْبٍ»

Reference: (Musnad Imam Ahmad bin Hanbal)

Translation: Umm al-Mu'mineen Aisha (RA) says: One night I did not find the Messenger of Allah ﷺ with me, so I went out. He ﷺ was in Baqi' and was looking up at the sky. He ﷺ said: "Were you afraid that Allah and His Messenger would wrong you?" I said: O Messenger of Allah! I thought you had gone to one of your wives. He ﷺ said: "Indeed, Allah descends to the lowest heaven on the fifteenth night of Sha'ban and forgives more people than the hairs of the goats of the tribe of Kalb."

Authentication of the Chain (Illal and Rijal)​

There are two fundamental defects in this chain:

1) Al-Hajjaj ibn Artaah — Weak, Frequently Erroneous, Deceptive​

• Imam An-Nasa'i:
  
  «الْحَجَّاجُ بْنُ أَرْطَاةَ ضَعِيفٌ لَا يُحْتَجُّ بِهِ»
  Reference: (Al-Sunan Al-Kubra by An-Nasa'i, 6977)
• Imam Ad-Daraqutni:
  
  «وَحَجَّاجٌ لَا يُحْتَجُّ بِهِ»
  Reference: (Sunan Ad-Daraqutni)
• Imam Al-Bayhaqi:
  
  «وَالْحَجَّاجُ غَيْرُ مُحْتَجٍّ بِهِ»
  Reference: (Ma'rifat As-Sunan wal-Athar)
• Al-Hafiz Ibn Hajar:
  
  «صَدُوقٌ كَثِيرُ الْخَطَإِ وَالتَّدْلِيسِ»
  
  Reference: (Taqreeb At-Tahdheeb, No. 1119)
• Al-Hafiz Adh-Dhahabi:
  
  «حَجَّاجٌ وَمُجَالِدٌ لَيْسَا بِحُجَّةٍ»
  
  Reference: (Tanzeeh At-Tahqeeq fi Ahadith At-Ta'leeq)

Note: Here, Al-Hajjaj ibn Artaah has narrated 'an' (from), and he is a deceptive narrator; therefore, without explicit mention of hearing (sama'tu/haddathana), his mu'anna narration is not acceptable as proof.

2) Yahya ibn Abi Kathir — Deception and Discontinuity​

• Ibn Hajar (Taqreeb):
  
  «ثِقَةٌ حَافِظٌ حُجَّةٌ، كَثِيرُ الْإِرْسَالِ وَالتَّدْلِيسِ»
  Reference: (Taqreeb At-Tahdheeb)

Many researchers have specifically pointed out the lack of evidence for his hearing/meeting with Urwah رضي الله عنه; therefore, the chain of Yahya from Urwah is not free from the defects of discontinuity and interruption.

Summary of the Ruling​

• The chain contains a deceptive narrator (Al-Hajjaj ibn Artaah) whose narration is mu'anna, and Yahya ibn Abi Kathir's deception and discontinuity — both defects are present.
• Statements of the Imams of Hadith (Nasa'i, Daraqutni, Bayhaqi, Dhahabi, Ibn Hajar) clarify that this narration is not authoritative.

Conclusion: This narration from Umm al-Mu'minin Aisha رضي الله عنها is weak and not established in its chain; the specific virtue of the Night of Bara'ah is not proven from this chain.

Fourth Narration – From Sayyiduna Abdullah ibn Amr رضي الله عنه​

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Text of the Hadith​

6642 - حَدَّثَنَا حَسَنٌ، حَدَّثَنَا ابْنُ لَهِيعَةَ، حَدَّثَنَا حُيَيُّ بْنُ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ، عَنْ أَبِي عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ الْحُبُلِيِّ، عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عَمْرٍو، أَنَّ رَسُولَ اللهِ ﷺ قَالَ: «يَطَّلِعُ اللهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ إِلَى خَلْقِهِ لَيْلَةَ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ، فَيَغْفِرُ لِعِبَادِهِ إِلَّا لِاثْنَيْنِ: مُشَاحِنٍ، وَقَاتِلِ نَفْسٍ»

Reference: (Musnad of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal)

Translation: It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Amr (RA) that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Allah Almighty turns towards His creation on the fifteenth night of Sha'ban and forgives His servants, except two: the one who harbors hatred and the murderer."

Authentication of the Chain (Ilal and Rijal)​

1) Abdullah bin Lahi'ah – Weak, had inconsistent narrations, used to practice tadlis​

• Ibn Hibban:
  
  "كان يدلس عن الضعفاء قبل احتراق كتبه"
  Reference: (Al-Majruhin, No. 538)
  Translation: Before the burning of his books, he used to practice tadlis from weak narrators.
• Abu Hatim al-Razi and Abu Zur'ah al-Razi:
  
  "ضعيفان … أما ابن لهيعة فأمره مضطرب، يكتب حديثه على الاعتبار"
  Reference: (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil, 5/204)
  Translation: Both are weak... Ibn Lahi'ah's condition is inconsistent, and his hadith is only recorded in mutaba'at (following).
• Imam Bayhaqi:
  
  "أجمع أصحاب الحديث على ضعف ابن لهيعة وترك الاحتجاج بما ينفرد به"
  
  Reference: (Ma'rifat al-Sunan wa al-Athar, No. 12294)
  
  Translation: The Ahl al-Hadith have consensus on his weakness and the unique narration from him is not used as evidence.

2) Other Narrators​

• Huyayy bin Abdullah – There is slight criticism on this narrator but the main defect lies with Ibn Lahi'ah.
• The rest of the narrators are trustworthy, but due to the weakness of the central narrator, the entire chain becomes unacceptable as evidence.

Summary of the Ruling​

• The main narrator of the chain, Ibn Lahi'ah, is weak according to the majority of scholars.
• Imam Bayhaqiؒ has declared its unique narration as abandoned.
• The specific virtue of the Night of Bara’ah is not authentically established from this chain.

Fifth narration – from Sayyiduna Mu'adh ibn Jabalؓ​

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Text of the narration​

5665 - أَخْبَرَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُعَافَى الْعَابِدُ بِصَيْدَا، وَابْنُ قُتَيْبَةَ وَغَيْرُهُمَا، قَالُوا: حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ خَالِدٍ الْأَزْرَقُ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو خُلَيْدٍ عُتْبَةُ بْنُ حَمَّادٍ، عَنِ الْأَوْزَاعِيِّ، وَابْنِ ثَوْبَانَ، عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنْ مَكْحُولٍ، عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ يُخَامِرَ، عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ قَالَ: «يَطَّلِعُ اللَّهُ إِلَى خَلْقِهِ فِي لَيْلَةِ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ، فَيَغْفِرُ لِجَمِيعِ خَلْقِهِ إِلَّا لِمُشْرِكٍ أَوْ مُشَاحِنٍ»

Reference: (Sahih Ibn Hibban)

Translation: It is narrated from Hazrat Mu'adh ibn Jabalؓ that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah Almighty turns His attention towards His creation on the night of the fifteenth of Sha'ban and forgives all His creation, except the polytheist and the one who harbors hatred."

Authentication of the chain (Illal and Rijal)​

This narration appears in Sahih Ibn Hibban, but according to the Muhaddithin, there are several defects in its chain:

1) Imam Abu Hatim al-Raziؒ​

"هَذَا حَدِيثٌ مُنْكَرٌ بِهَذَا الإِسْنَادِ"

Reference: (Al-‘Ilal by Ibn Abi Hatim)

Translation: This hadith is rejected from this chain.

2) Imam Bayhaqiؒ​

"وَقِيلَ عَنْهُ عَنْ مَكْحُولٍ عَنْ مَالِكِ بْنِ يُخَامِرَ عَنْ مُعَاذٍ، وَلَيْسَ بِمَحْفُوظٍ"

Reference: (Al-Sunan al-Kubra by Bayhaqi)

Translation: This narration is transmitted from Makhul through Malik ibn Yukhāmir from Mu'adh, but it is not reliable.

3) Hafiz Dhahabiؒ​

"مَا أَحْسِبُهُ لَقِيَهُمْ"

Reference: (Siyar A‘lam al-Nubala)

Translation: I do not think that Makhul met these (early Tabi‘in), such as Malik ibn Yukhāmir, etc.

4) Allama Sakhawiؒ​

"وَكُلُّهَا ضَعِيفَةٌ"

Reference: (المقاصد الحسنة)

Translation: All the chains of this narration are weak.

5) Imam Darqutni (may Allah have mercy on him)​

"كِلَاهُمَا غَيْرُ مَحْفُوظٍ … وَالْحَدِيثُ غَيْرُ ثَابِتٍ"

Reference: (علل الدارقطني)

Translation: Both chains are unreliable … and this hadith is not established.

Summary of the Ruling​

• There is a discontinuity in the chain (Makḥūl did not hear from Mālik bin Yukhāmir).
• The Imams have declared it rejected, unreliable, and not established.
• Therefore, this narration is not acceptable as evidence for the virtue of the Night of Bara’ah.

Sixth Narration – From Sayyiduna Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him)​

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Text of the Narration​

9268 - حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو غَسَّانَ رُوحُ بْنُ حَاتِمٍ، حَدَّثَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ غَالِبٍ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنِ الأَعْمَشِ، عَنْ أَبِي صَالِحٍ، عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ رَضِيَ اللهُ عَنْهُ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: «إِذَا كَانَ لَيْلَةُ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ يَغْفِرُ اللَّهُ لِعِبَادِهِ إِلَّا لِمُشْرِكٍ أَوْ مُشَاحِنٍ»

Reference: (Musnad al-Bazzar)

Translation: It is narrated from Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: "When it is the fifteenth night of Sha’ban, Allah forgives His servants, except for the polytheist and the one who harbors hatred."

Investigation of the Chain (Ilal and Rijal)​

1) Abdullah bin Ghalib al-Abadani – Unknown​

• Ibn Hajar:
  
  "عبد الله بن غالب العباداني: مستور، من التاسعة"
  Reference: (Tahrir Taqreeb al-Tahdheeb)
  Translation: Abdullah bin Ghalib al-Abadani is concealed (i.e., unknown in status).

2) Hisham bin Abdul Rahman al-Kufi – Unknown​

• Imam Bukhari:
  
  "هشام بن عبد الرحمن الكوفي … لم يعرف حاله"
  Reference: (Al-Tarikh al-Kabir)
  Translation: The status of Hisham bin Abdul Rahman is not known.
• Ibn al-Qattan: Bukhari and Ibn Abi Hatim did not mention anything about him, therefore he is considered unknown by them.

3) Al-A’mash – Mudallis (one who practices tadlis)​

• The mursal narration of Al-A’mash from Abu Salih is weak due to tadlis unless there is explicit hearing, and here there is no explicit hearing.

4) Ibn al-Jawzi’s (may Allah have mercy on him) ruling​

• Ibn al-Jawzi:
  
  "هذا لا يصح، وفيه مجاهيل"
  Reference: (Al-‘Ilal al-Mutanahiyah)
  Translation: This narration is not authentic; it contains unknown narrators.

Summary of the ruling​

• The chain contains two unknown narrators and one narrator who practices tadlis.
• The Imams have not declared this narration authentic but have said it is weak.
• This narration is not reliable for the virtue of the night of Bara’ah.

Seventh narration – from Sayyiduna Abu Tha’laba al-Khashani (may Allah be pleased with him)​

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Text of the narration​

590 - حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ النَّضْرِ الْعَسْكَرِيُّ، ثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ آدَمَ الْمِصِّيصِيُّ، ثَنَا الْمُحَارِبِيُّ، عَنِ الأَحْوَصِ بْنِ حَكِيمٍ، عَنْ حَبِيبِ بْنِ صُهَيْبٍ، عَنْ مَكْحُولٍ، عَنْ أَبِي ثَعْلَبَةَ، أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ ﷺ قَالَ: «يَطَّلِعُ اللَّهُ عَلَى عِبَادِهِ لَيْلَةَ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ، فَيَغْفِرُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ، وَيُمْهِلُ الْكَافِرِينَ، وَيَدَعُ أَهْلَ الْحِقْدِ بِحِقْدِهِمْ حَتَّى يَدَعُوهُ»

Reference: (Al-Mu’jam al-Kabir al-Tabarani, No: 590)

Translation: It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Tha’laba al-Khashani (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Allah Almighty looks upon His servants on the fifteenth night of Sha’ban, so He forgives the believers, grants respite to the disbelievers, and leaves the envious in their envy until they abandon it."

Investigation of the chain (Ilal and Rijal)​

1) ‘Abd al-Rahman ibn Muhammad al-Muharibi – Tadlis narrator​

• ‘Abdullah ibn Ahmad ibn Hanbal:
  
  "وبلغنا أن المحاربي كان يدلس"
  Reference: (Al-‘Ilal, No. 5597)
  Translation: We have received news that al-Muharibi used to practice tadlis.

2) Ahwas ibn Hakim al-‘Ansi – Weak, denier of the hadith​

• Ibn Hajar:
  
  "ضعيف الحفظ"
  Reference: (Tahrir Taqreeb al-Tahdheeb)
• Abu Hatim al-Razi:
  
  "ليس بقوي، منكر الحديث"
  Reference: (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil, No. 1252)
  Translation: Not strong, denier of the hadith.

3) Other Narrators​

• Habib bin Suhaib: His authentication varies, but the original weakness arose from the tadlees of Ahwas bin Hakeem and Muharibi.

Summary of the Ruling​

• The chain contains a narrator who practices tadlees (Muharibi) and a narrator who denies the hadith (Ahwas bin Hakeem).
• The Imams of hadith have clearly criticized both of them.
• The virtue of Shab-e-Barat is not authentically established from this chain.

Eighth Narration – From Sayyiduna 'Awf bin Malik رضي الله عنه​

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Text of the Narration​

2754 - حَدَّثَنَا أَحْمَدُ بْنُ مَنْصُورٍ، قَالَ: أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو صَالِحٍ الْحَرَّانِيُّ، يَعْنِي عَبْدَ الْغَفَّارِ بْنَ دَاوُدَ، قَالَ: أَخْبَرَنَا عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ لَهِيعَةَ، عَنْ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ زِيَادِ بْنِ أَنْعَمَ، عَنْ عُبَادَةَ بْنِ نُسَيٍّ، عَنْ كَثِيرِ بْنِ مُرَّةَ، عَنْ عَوْفٍ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ، قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: «يَطَّلِعُ اللَّهُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالَى عَلَى خَلْقِهِ لَيْلَةَ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ، فَيَغْفِرُ لَهُمْ كُلَّهُمْ إِلَّا لِمُشْرِكٍ أَوْ مُشَاحِنٍ»

Reference: (Musnad al-Bazzar)

Translation: It is narrated from Hazrat 'Awf bin Malik رضي الله عنه that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: "Allah Almighty looks upon His creation on the night of the fifteenth of Sha'ban and forgives everyone except the polytheist and the one who harbors hatred."

Investigation of the Chain (Illal and Rijal)​

1) 'Abd al-Rahman bin Ziyad bin An'am al-Ifriqi – Very weak, denier of the hadith​

• Ibn Hibban:
  
  "كان يروي الموضوعات عن الثقات"
  Reference: (Al-Majruhin, No. 586)
  Translation: He used to narrate fabricated hadiths from trustworthy narrators.
• Imam Ahmad:
  
  "لا، هو منكر الحديث"
  Reference: (Tarikh Dimashq by Ibn Asakir)
  Translation: No, he is a denier of hadith.
• Yahya bin Saeed Al-Qattan: He called him weak, and Ibn Mahdi and Ibn Al-Qattan did not take narration from him.
  
  Reference: (Al-Jarh wa Al-Ta'dil)
• Abu Hatim Al-Razi:
  
  "يكتب حديثه ولا يحتج به"
  Reference: (Al-Jarh wa Al-Ta'dil)
• Abu Zur'ah:
  
  "ليس بقوي"
  
  Reference: (Al-Jarh wa Al-Ta'dil)
  
  

2) Abdullah bin Lahi'ah – It was already mentioned in the previous section that he is weak and unreliable in hadith, and his unique narration is not acceptable.

Summary of the Ruling​

• There are two major defective narrators in the chain: Abdur Rahman bin Ziyad bin An'am (severely weak) and Abdullah bin Lahi'ah (weak and unreliable).
• The Imams did not consider their narration as authoritative.
• Therefore, this narration is not acceptable for the virtue of the Night of Bara'ah.

Ninth Narration – From Sayyiduna Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari رضي الله عنه​

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Text of the Narration​

1390 - حَدَّثَنَا رَاشِدُ بْنُ سَعِيدِ بْنِ رَاشِدٍ الرَّمْلِيُّ، قَالَ: حَدَّثَنَا الْوَلِيدُ، عَنِ ابْنِ لَهِيعَةَ، عَنِ الضَّحَّاكِ بْنِ أَيْمَنَ، عَنِ الضَّحَّاكِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ بْنِ عَرْزَبٍ، عَنْ أَبِي مُوسَى الْأَشْعَرِيِّ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ، قَالَ: «إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيَطَّلِعُ فِي لَيْلَةِ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَيَغْفِرُ لِجَمِيعِ خَلْقِهِ إِلَّا لِمُشْرِكٍ أَوْ مُشَاحِنٍ»

Reference: (Sunan Ibn Majah)

Translation: It is narrated from Hazrat Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari رضي الله عنه that the Prophet ﷺ said: "Indeed, Allah Almighty looks upon all His creation on the night of the fifteenth of Sha'ban and forgives everyone except the polytheist and the one who harbors enmity."

Investigation of the Chain (Ilal and Rijal)​

1) Al-Dahhak bin Ayman Al-Kalbi – Unknown​

• Ibn Hajar:
  
  "الضحاك بن أيمن الكلبي: مجهول"
  Reference: (Taqreeb al-Tahdheeb, No. 2965)
• Al-Dhahabi:
  
  "شيخ لابن لهيعة، لا يدري من ذا"
  Reference: (Mizan al-I'tidal, No. 3928)

2) Al-Dahhak bin Abdul Rahman bin Arzab – Mursal narration from Abu Musa​

• Abu Hatim Al-Razi:
  
  "روى عن أبي موسى الأشعري مرسل"
  Reference: (Al-Jarh wa al-Ta'dil, No. 2027)

3) Abdullah bin Lahi'ah – Weak (already detailed earlier)​

• His narration is not authoritative if it is solitary.

4) Other defects​

• Al-Waleed bin Muslim here is a mudallis and he narrated from 'An.
• There are not one but several defects in the chain: two unknown narrators, one mursal, and one weak.

Summary of the ruling​

• In the chain, Al-Dahhak bin Ayman and Al-Dahhak bin Abdul Rahman are unknown and mursal.
• Ibn Lahi'ah is weak and Al-Waleed bin Muslim is a mudallis.
• Therefore, this narration is very weak and cannot be used as evidence for the virtue of Shab-e-Bara'at.

Tenth narration – From Sayyiduna Uthman bin Abi Al-As (RA)​

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Text of the narration​

3555 - أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو الْحُسَيْنِ بْنُ بِشْرَانَ، أَخْبَرَنَا أَبُو جَعْفَرٍ الرَّزَّازُ، حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ أَحْمَدَ الرِّيَاحِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا جَامِعُ بْنُ صُبَيْحٍ الرَّمْلِيُّ، حَدَّثَنَا مَرْحُومُ بْنُ عَبْدِ الْعَزِيزِ، عَنْ دَاوُدَ بْنِ عَبْدِ الرَّحْمَنِ، عَنْ هِشَامِ بْنِ حَسَّانَ، عَنِ الْحَسَنِ، عَنْ عُثْمَانَ بْنِ أَبِي الْعَاصِ، عَنِ النَّبِيِّ ﷺ، قَالَ: «إِذَا كَانَ لَيْلَةُ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ، نَادَى مُنَادٍ: هَلْ مِنْ مُسْتَغْفِرٍ فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ؟ هَلْ مِنْ سَائِلٍ فَأُعْطِيَهُ؟ فَلَا يَسْأَلُ أَحَدٌ شَيْئًا إِلَّا أُعْطِيَ، إِلَّا زَانِيَةٌ بِفَرْجِهَا أَوْ مُشْرِكٌ»

Reference: (Shu'ab al-Iman by Al-Bayhaqi)

Translation: It is narrated from Hazrat Uthman bin Abi Al-As (RA) that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "When the night of the fifteenth of Sha'ban comes, a caller calls out: Is there anyone seeking forgiveness so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone asking so that I may grant him? Then there remains no one asking except that he is given, except for a woman who commits adultery or a polytheist."

Verification of the Chain (Ilal and Rijal)​

1) Jami' bin Subaih Al-Ramli – Weak​

• Ibn Hajar:
  
  "جامع بن صبيح الرملي: ضعيف"
  Reference: (Lisan al-Mizan)

2) Al-Hasan Al-Basri – Tadlees and lack of hearing from Uthman bin Abi Al-As​

• Al-Mizzi:
  
  "قيل لم يسمع الحسن من عثمان بن أبي العاص"
  Reference: (Tahdhib al-Kamal)

3) Other defects​

• The narration from Al-Hasan Al-Basri from Uthman (RA) is disconnected.
• The weakness of Jami' bin Subaih further weakens this discontinuity in the hadith.

4) The ruling of Allama Nasiruddin Al-Albani (RA)​

"ضعيف … إحداهما عنعنة الحسن، والأخرى ضعف جامع بن صبيح الرملي"

Reference: (Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Da'ifah, No. 7000)

Summary of the Ruling​

• The chain contains a weak narrator (Jami' bin Subaih) and a discontinuity (Al-Hasan Al-Basri's lack of hearing from Uthman (RA)).
• Therefore, this narration is not reliable and cannot be used as evidence for the virtue of the Night of Bara'at.

Eleventh Narration – The Report of Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (RA)​

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Text of the Hadith​

7927 - قَالَ عَبْدُ الرَّزَّاقِ: وَأَخْبَرَنِي مَنْ سَمِعَ الْبَيْلَمَانِيَّ، يُحَدِّثُ عَنْ أَبِيهِ، عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ، قَالَ: «خَمْسُ لَيَالٍ لَا تُرَدُّ فِيهِنَّ الدُّعَاءَ: لَيْلَةُ الْجُمُعَةِ، وَأَوَّلُ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ رَجَبٍ، وَلَيْلَةُ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ، وَلَيْلَتَا الْعِيدَيْنِ»

Reference: (المصنف لعبد الرزاق)

Translation: Hazrat Ibn Umar (RA) says: "There are five nights in which supplications are not rejected: the night of Friday, the first night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Sha'ban, and the nights of both Eids."

Investigation of the Chain (Illal and Rijal)​

1) Ishaq ibn Ibrahim al-Dabbari – severely weak​

• Ibn 'Adi:
  
  "استصغره عبد الرزاق، وأحضرَه أبوه وهو صغير … وحدث عنه بحديث منكر"
  Reference: (الكامل في ضعفاء الرجال)

2) Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Baylmani – denier of the hadith​

• Abu Hatim al-Razi:
  
  "ضعيف الحديث، مضطرب الحديث، منكر الحديث"
  Reference: (الجرح والتعديل، رقم 1694)
• Imam Nasai:
  
  "منكر الحديث"
  Reference: (الضعفاء والمتروكون، رقم 526)

3) Further defect in the chain​

• Abd al-Razzaq’s phrase "أخبرني من سمع البيلماني" is ambiguous and mursal, which causes additional weakness.

Summary of the Ruling​

• The chain contains two severely defective narrators (Ishaq ibn Ibrahim al-Dabbari and Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman ibn al-Baylmani).
• There is also mursal/ambiguity in the narration from Abd al-Razzaq.
• Therefore, this narration is severely weak and by no means can be used as evidence for the virtue of the Night of Bara’ah.

Summary and Conclusion​

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In this detailed investigation, eleven narrations presented by the Barelvi objector were examined. Each narration was scrutinized with its original text, translation, investigation of the narrators in the chain, and the statements of the muhaddithin.

Summary of Results by Narration​

1. Narration from Abu Bakr Siddiq (RA) – Main narrator Abdul Malik bin Abdul Malik is a denier of hadith and his teacher Mus'ab bin Abi Dhaib is unknown → Chain is very weak.
2. Narration from Ali (RA) – Ibn Abi Subra is a liar, fabricator → Narration is close to being fabricated.
3. Narration from Aisha (RA) – Hajjaj bin Arta is a fabricator, frequently mistaken, Yahya bin Abi Kathir is a fabricator → Chain is not established.
4. Narration from Abdullah bin Amr (RA) – Abdullah bin Lahi'ah is weak, confused → Not reliable.
5. Narration from Muadh bin Jabal (RA) – Discontinuity in chain, denier of hadith → Considered unreliable and not established by scholars.
6. Narration from Abu Hurairah (RA) – Two unknown narrators + Al-A'mash's fabricated, repeated narration → Weak.
7. Narration from Abu Tha'labah (RA) – Al-Muharibi is a fabricator and Ahwas bin Hakim is a denier of hadith → Weak.
8. Narration from Awf bin Malik (RA) – Abdul Rahman bin Ziyad bin An'am is very weak + Ibn Lahi'ah → Not acceptable.
9. Narration from Abu Musa Al-Ash'ari (RA) – Two unknown narrators (Al-Dhahak bin Ayman, Al-Dhahak bin Abdul Rahman) + Ibn Lahi'ah weak → Chain is not reliable.
10. Narration from Uthman bin Abi Al-As (RA) – Jami' bin Subaih is weak + Hasan Basri's lack of hearing from Uthman → Chain is broken.
11. Narration from Ibn Umar (RA) – Ishaq bin Ibrahim Al-Dabbari and Muhammad bin Abdul Rahman Al-Bailmani are severely criticized + ambiguity → Narration is weak.

Overall Research​

• The chain of narration of any presented hadith is not authentic.
• Most chains contain liars, deniers of hadith, unknown narrators, or narrators who conceal defects.
• Some hadiths also have reasons for discontinuity or missing links.
• The Imams of Hadith have declared these chains as unreliable, rejected, or unproven.

⚖ Conclusion​

• No authentic hadith from these narrations establishes any specific virtue, worship, or particular acts related to the Night of Bara'ah.
• General voluntary prayers or supplications on this night can be performed based on the general virtues of night prayers and voluntary fasting, but considering it a Sunnah or obligatory with special virtue is an innovation.
• According to the Imams and Muhaddithin, a weak hadith regarding virtues is only actionable if it does not establish something unproven, and here an attempt is being made to prove a specific belief and practice from weak narrations, which is incorrect.

Scans of Important References​

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