Excerpt from the book: "Bidʿāt Rajab wa Shaʿbān" by Shaykh Abū ʿAdnān Muḥammad Munīr Qamar (Translator, Supreme Court, al-Khubar, Saudi Arabia)
Even though the 27th of Rajab as Laylat al-Miʿrāj is not authentically established, let us, for the sake of argument, assume this night is indeed Laylat al-Miʿrāj.
Now, the question arises:
What is the Sharʿī ruling on:
✔ Illuminating homes and mosques (چراغاں)
✔ Organizing gatherings and celebrations
✔ Fasting during the day
✔ Performing special prayers at night
As for fasting and praying on this specific date, that has already been clarified under the discussions about Rajjab fasts and the Ṣalāt al-Raghāʾib prayer.
According to Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Kathīr رحمه الله in al-Bidāyah wan-Nihāyah (3/109), the Ṣalāt al-Raghāʾib (offered between Maghrib and ʿIshāʾ on the first Thursday night of Rajab) is rooted in the assumption that Laylat al-Miʿrāj is the first Friday night of Rajab. Thus, the night is called Laylat al-Raghāʾib, and the prayer is known as Ṣalāt al-Raghāʾib.
When it comes to celebrations and illuminations (چراغاں), there are no reports of:
ever commemorating this night in any way, let alone celebrating it.
The Prophet ﷺ lived many years among the Companions after the Miʿrāj event. However:
✘ He never commemorated this night.
✘ He never instructed anyone to do so.
✘ None of the Companions ever did it.
✘ The Tabiʿīn and scholars never revived it either.
The renowned scholar Shaykh ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Ibn Bāz رحمه الله issued a detailed fatwa on this topic. Here is a summarized paragraph from his ruling:
“There is no authentically established date for the night of al-Isrāʾ wal-Miʿrāj according to the Hadith scholars. All narrations regarding its exact date are fabricated or weak. Even if the date were authentic, it would still be impermissible to designate that night for specific acts of worship, gatherings, or celebrations.
The Prophet ﷺ and his Companions did not organize any such events, nor did they specify that night for any ritual.
If celebrating it had been meritorious, the Prophet ﷺ would have explicitly informed the Ummah through words or actions. His Companions, known for preserving every aspect of the religion, would have passed it on.
Since no such thing exists, it is evident that organizing events or holding celebrations on this night is not part of Islam.”
(Fatāwā Muhimmah li-ʿĀmmat al-Ummah, pp. 56–57)
On this night and on the 15th of Shaʿbān, people:
Some argue, “Money comes and goes, what harm is there in spending a little for joy?”
But:
✘ What about deaths of children?
✘ What about families who lose their sole breadwinner in accidents related to fireworks?
✘ What about houses burnt down, women and children killed due to the explosion of stored chemicals?
Such tragic events are reported every year in the media.
Even if only financial loss were involved, it would still be prohibited in Shariʿah due to isrāf (wastefulness). Ironically, those who throw away money in fireworks refuse to give a single coin to the poor, proving a loss of mercy and moral conscience.
The use of:
is not only a baseless religious act but also traces back to a deliberate fire-worshipping conspiracy.
This was a deception introduced by Zoroastrians (Magians), so Muslims would unknowingly replicate fire-worship, even inside masājid.
In his book al-Bāʿith ʿalā Inkār al-Bidʿ wa al-Ḥawādith, he wrote:
“The lighting and celebration on the night of 15th Shaʿbān is an innovated act. There is no authentic narration from the Prophet ﷺ, nor any mention of special prayers or illuminations on this night.
This fire-lighting ritual was introduced by those infatuated with Magian religion and its false practices.
The aim was to make Muslims light numerous lamps, leading to bowing and prostrating toward fire — which Magians worship. This practice was introduced during the era of the Banū Baramakah (a Persian family).”
[Ref: Tuḥfat al-Aḥwadhī, 3/443]
He stated:
“The first to introduce the use of incense (bukhūr) in mosques were Yaḥyā and Muḥammad, sons of Khālid al-Baramakī from the Barmakid family. They were Zoroastrian sympathizers, holding power in the Abbasid court. Their goal was to revive fire worship in Muslim spaces by introducing fragrant smoke and coals in prayer areas.”
He wrote in al-Ibdāʿ fī Madār al-Ibtidāʿ (pp. 289–290):
“Lighting and decorating masājid was not from the practice of the Salaf, nor was it part of mosque etiquette.
Over time, it became a habit, then a norm, and finally, a belief in itself — all due to scholarly silence over these innovations.”
Muslims today unknowingly practice the rituals of fire-worshippers under the guise of Islamic celebrations.
⚠ Their good intentions cannot make bidʿah into ʿibādah.
Worse yet, many learned individuals remain silent, despite being aware of the historical and religious dangers of such practices.
﴿إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنزَلْنَا مِنَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالْهُدَىٰ...﴾
“Indeed, those who conceal what We sent down of clear proofs and guidance... upon them is the curse of Allah and the curse of those who curse.”
— [Surah al-Baqarah: 159]
✦ The Sharʿī Status of Celebrating Laylat al-Miʿrāj
Even though the 27th of Rajab as Laylat al-Miʿrāj is not authentically established, let us, for the sake of argument, assume this night is indeed Laylat al-Miʿrāj.
Now, the question arises:
What is the Sharʿī ruling on:
✔ Illuminating homes and mosques (چراغاں)
✔ Organizing gatherings and celebrations
✔ Fasting during the day
✔ Performing special prayers at night
❖ Fast and Night Prayer
As for fasting and praying on this specific date, that has already been clarified under the discussions about Rajjab fasts and the Ṣalāt al-Raghāʾib prayer.
According to Ḥāfiẓ Ibn Kathīr رحمه الله in al-Bidāyah wan-Nihāyah (3/109), the Ṣalāt al-Raghāʾib (offered between Maghrib and ʿIshāʾ on the first Thursday night of Rajab) is rooted in the assumption that Laylat al-Miʿrāj is the first Friday night of Rajab. Thus, the night is called Laylat al-Raghāʾib, and the prayer is known as Ṣalāt al-Raghāʾib.
✦ Celebrating the Night of Miʿrāj: A Baseless Practice
When it comes to celebrations and illuminations (چراغاں), there are no reports of:
- The Prophet ﷺ
- The Rightly Guided Caliphs (Khulafāʾ al-Rāshidīn)
- The Companions
- The Four Imams
- Or the early righteous scholars (Salaf)
ever commemorating this night in any way, let alone celebrating it.
The Prophet ﷺ lived many years among the Companions after the Miʿrāj event. However:
✘ He never commemorated this night.
✘ He never instructed anyone to do so.
✘ None of the Companions ever did it.
✘ The Tabiʿīn and scholars never revived it either.
✦ Commentary of Shaykh Ibn Bāz رحمه الله on the Celebration
The renowned scholar Shaykh ʿAbd al-ʿAzīz Ibn Bāz رحمه الله issued a detailed fatwa on this topic. Here is a summarized paragraph from his ruling:
“There is no authentically established date for the night of al-Isrāʾ wal-Miʿrāj according to the Hadith scholars. All narrations regarding its exact date are fabricated or weak. Even if the date were authentic, it would still be impermissible to designate that night for specific acts of worship, gatherings, or celebrations.
The Prophet ﷺ and his Companions did not organize any such events, nor did they specify that night for any ritual.
If celebrating it had been meritorious, the Prophet ﷺ would have explicitly informed the Ummah through words or actions. His Companions, known for preserving every aspect of the religion, would have passed it on.
Since no such thing exists, it is evident that organizing events or holding celebrations on this night is not part of Islam.”
(Fatāwā Muhimmah li-ʿĀmmat al-Ummah, pp. 56–57)
❖ Financial and Human Loss Due to Fireworks and Lighting
On this night and on the 15th of Shaʿbān, people:
- Light up houses and streets excessively
- Use large amounts of fireworks
- Spend millions in wasteful extravagance
- Sometimes lose lives or cause injuries
Some argue, “Money comes and goes, what harm is there in spending a little for joy?”
But:
✘ What about deaths of children?
✘ What about families who lose their sole breadwinner in accidents related to fireworks?
✘ What about houses burnt down, women and children killed due to the explosion of stored chemicals?
Such tragic events are reported every year in the media.
Even if only financial loss were involved, it would still be prohibited in Shariʿah due to isrāf (wastefulness). Ironically, those who throw away money in fireworks refuse to give a single coin to the poor, proving a loss of mercy and moral conscience.
✦ Origin of Illuminations and Fire Rituals: A Magian Conspiracy
The use of:
- Excessive lighting
- Burning candles
- Fireworks in worship spaces
is not only a baseless religious act but also traces back to a deliberate fire-worshipping conspiracy.
This was a deception introduced by Zoroastrians (Magians), so Muslims would unknowingly replicate fire-worship, even inside masājid.
❖ ʿAllāmah Abū Shāmah رحمه الله
In his book al-Bāʿith ʿalā Inkār al-Bidʿ wa al-Ḥawādith, he wrote:
“The lighting and celebration on the night of 15th Shaʿbān is an innovated act. There is no authentic narration from the Prophet ﷺ, nor any mention of special prayers or illuminations on this night.
This fire-lighting ritual was introduced by those infatuated with Magian religion and its false practices.
The aim was to make Muslims light numerous lamps, leading to bowing and prostrating toward fire — which Magians worship. This practice was introduced during the era of the Banū Baramakah (a Persian family).”
[Ref: Tuḥfat al-Aḥwadhī, 3/443]
❖ Imām Ibn al-ʿArabī رحمه الله
He stated:
“The first to introduce the use of incense (bukhūr) in mosques were Yaḥyā and Muḥammad, sons of Khālid al-Baramakī from the Barmakid family. They were Zoroastrian sympathizers, holding power in the Abbasid court. Their goal was to revive fire worship in Muslim spaces by introducing fragrant smoke and coals in prayer areas.”
❖ ʿAllāmah ʿAlī al-Maḥfūẓ رحمه الله
He wrote in al-Ibdāʿ fī Madār al-Ibtidāʿ (pp. 289–290):
“Lighting and decorating masājid was not from the practice of the Salaf, nor was it part of mosque etiquette.
Over time, it became a habit, then a norm, and finally, a belief in itself — all due to scholarly silence over these innovations.”
✦ A Wake-Up Call
Muslims today unknowingly practice the rituals of fire-worshippers under the guise of Islamic celebrations.⚠ Their good intentions cannot make bidʿah into ʿibādah.
Worse yet, many learned individuals remain silent, despite being aware of the historical and religious dangers of such practices.❖ Quranic Warning for Concealing Truth
﴿إِنَّ الَّذِينَ يَكْتُمُونَ مَا أَنزَلْنَا مِنَ الْبَيِّنَاتِ وَالْهُدَىٰ...﴾
“Indeed, those who conceal what We sent down of clear proofs and guidance... upon them is the curse of Allah and the curse of those who curse.”
— [Surah al-Baqarah: 159]
