Position of Shaykh al-Albani on Specific Acts of Worship on the Night of 15th Sha'ban
Written by: Hafiz Muhammad Tahir
Hadith Authentication and Commentary by Shaykh al-Albani رحمه الله
A narration reported from Sayyiduna Mu'adh ibn Jabal رضي الله عنه mentions that the Prophet ﷺ said:
"Allah Almighty looks at His entire creation on the night of the 15th of Sha'ban and forgives all of them except the polytheist and the one who harbors hatred."
Regarding this narration, Shaykh al-Albani رحمه الله stated:
"This ḥadīth is authentic, and it is reported through various chains of narration from different Companions such as Mu'adh ibn Jabal, Abu Tha‘labah al-Khushani, ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Amr, Abu Musa al-Ash‘ari, Abu Hurayrah, Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, ‘Awf ibn Malik, and ‘A’ishah رضي الله عنهم. These chains support each other. In summary, based on this collective evidence, the ḥadīth is undoubtedly authentic. Even a lesser number of supporting chains can suffice for establishing the authenticity of a ḥadīth, provided that the weakness is not severe."
(Al-Silsilah al-Ṣaḥīḥah: 3/136)
Distinction Between Virtue and Worship
Some people believe that Shaykh al-Albani رحمه الله not only affirmed the virtue of the 15th of Sha'ban but also permitted special acts of worship on this night. However, this is incorrect. There is a clear distinction between affirming the virtue of a night and prescribing specific acts of worship for that night.
The virtue of a particular time or place does not imply that unique or prescribed acts of worship are legislated therein.
Clarification by Shaykh al-Albani رحمه الله
When Shaykh Nasir al-Din al-Albani رحمه الله was asked about standing in prayer on the night of the 15th of Sha'ban and fasting during its day, he said:
"Among Ahl al-Sunnah, it is well known that spending the night of the 15th of Sha'ban in prayer and fasting during its day is an unlegislated and innovated practice."
He mentioned two main reasons:
◈ Following the Pious Predecessors:
There is no report from the Prophet ﷺ, the noble Companions, or the other righteous predecessors (Salaf al-Salihin) indicating that they specifically stayed awake on this night or fasted during its day.
◈ All Good Lies in Following the Salaf al-Salihin,
and all evil originates from the innovations of the latter people.
Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah ibn ‘Umar رضي الله عنه said:
"Every innovation is misguidance, even if people see it as something good."
Acting Upon Weak Narrations
Those who consider fasting and praying on the 15th of Sha'ban as meritorious rely on an extremely weak narration that is recorded by Imam Ibn Majah in his Sunan. This narration is severely weak and not permissible to act upon.
Even those who permit acting upon weak narrations in virtues of deeds do so under the condition that the weakness is not severe. In this case, however, the weakness is severe, and thus it cannot be acted upon.
Criticism of Observing the 15th of Sha'ban
Shaykh al-Albani رحمه الله further said:
"The special observance of the 15th of Sha'ban is not correct at all, as there is nothing authentically established regarding its virtue. Nor is anything reported from the righteous predecessors in this regard."
He also pointed out a sound narration regarding fasting after mid-Sha'ban:
"When the middle of Sha'ban has passed, do not fast until Ramadan."
Regret Over Present-Day Practices
As a reminder and warning, Shaykh al-Albani رحمه الله said:
"It is indeed regretful that people pay great attention to acts of worship for which neither any sound narration exists nor proper reasoning, while they neglect those practices that are authentically reported from the Prophet ﷺ and are unanimously agreed upon as permissible. They focus on that which is not allowed and abandon what is obligatory. This is a reminder—and indeed, reminders benefit the believers, in shā’ Allāh."
Source: (Silsilat al-Huda wa’l-Nur, Cassette No. 186)
Summary of Key Points
❖ The virtue of the night of the 15th of Sha'ban is authentically established,
but specific acts like standing in prayer or fasting the next day are not established from the Salaf.
❖ Adding such practices to religion constitutes innovation (bid‘ah).
❖ Avoiding fasting after mid-Sha'ban is in accordance with authentic Sunnah.
❖ All good lies in following the Salaf al-Salihin, and innovations lead to misguidance.
