Source: Sermons of Hafiz Muhammad Ishaq Zahid, compiled by: Tauheed.com
Brothers in Islam! Allah Almighty has created jinn and humans solely for His worship.
Allah Almighty's noble command is:
﴿وَمَا خَلَقْتُ الْجِنَّ وَالْإِنسَ إِلَّا لِيَعْبُدُونِ ﴾
I did not create the jinn and mankind except to worship Me.
Reference: Adh-Dhariyat:56
But there is no specific time in life, no particular month of the year, no special day of the week, or any special night designated solely for worship, such that worship should only be performed then and the rest of the time be spent neglecting worship. Rather, since the primary purpose of human creation is to worship Allah Almighty, from the age of maturity until the last breath of life, every moment should be spent in worship.
Allah Almighty says:
﴿فَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ وَكُن مِّنَ السَّاجِدِينَ ﴿٩٨﴾ وَاعْبُدْ رَبَّكَ حَتَّىٰ يَأْتِيَكَ الْيَقِينُ ﴿٩٩﴾
So exalt [Allah] with praise of your Lord and be of those who prostrate [to Him] and worship your Lord until there comes to you the certainty (death).
Reference: Al-Hijr:98-99
And a successful person is only the one who considers worship to be the true purpose of life; otherwise, a person who remains heedless of the worship of Allah and makes it his life’s goal to provide every comfort of the world for himself and his children can never be successful.
At this time, firstly, the majority of Muslims are heedless of the worship of Allah Almighty, and to make matters worse, some people have firmly instilled in their hearts the belief that performing night vigils two or three times a year and fasting for two or four days is sufficient worship for a person’s salvation and for their worldly and hereafter success. However, the reality is that the Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, forbade dedicating a single night exclusively for worship. The Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, said: __ARABIC_N__
(( لَا تَخْتَصُّوْا لَیْلَةَ الْجُمُعَةِ بِقِیَامٍ مِنْ بَیْنِ اللَّیَالِیْ،وَلَا تَخُصُّوْا یَوْمَ الْجُمُعَةِ بِصِیَامٍ مِنْ بَیْنِ الأَیَّامِ إِلَّا أَنْ یَّکُوْنَ فِیْ صَوْمٍ یَصُوْمُہُ أَحَدُکُمْ ))
"Do not make the night of Friday alone special for prayer, nor the day of Friday alone special for fasting. However, if the day of Friday falls on days when any of you is accustomed to fasting, then there is no harm in fasting on that day.
Reference: Sahih Muslim:1144
Therefore, if it were correct to designate one night specifically for worship, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) would have permitted making the night of Friday special for this purpose, since Friday is the best day of the week. But his prohibition of this clearly indicates that it is not correct to worship Allah on only one or two nights of the year and remain heedless of worship for the rest of the year."
The blessed habit of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ was also that he used to worship throughout the nights of the year, and indeed every moment of his life was spent in the worship of Allah. Therefore, one should always strive to make every moment of life an act of worship to Allah, and this can only happen when we take every step according to the will of Allah and do every deed for His pleasure.
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ used to stand in prayer at night for such a long time that his blessed feet would become swollen. I said: O Messenger of Allah! Why do you do this when Allah has forgiven all your past and future sins? He ﷺ replied:
(( اَفَلَا أَکُوْنُ عَبْدًا شَکُوْرًا))
"Should I not be a grateful servant?"
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari:1130
And Hazrat Mughirah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم stood for such a long time in prayer that his blessed feet became swollen. It was said to him that Allah Almighty has forgiven all your past and future sins, yet you stand for such a long time! Then the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said:
(( اَفَلَا أَکُوْنُ عَبْدًا شَکُوْرًا)) "Should I not be a grateful servant?"
It was always the practice of the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم to stand so long in prayer that his blessed feet would crack or become swollen; it was not that he did this only two or three times a year. The best way to live is also the way of the Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم.
Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنه narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said in the Friday sermon:
(( أَمَّا بَعْدُ فَإِنَّ خَیْرَ الْحَدِیْثِ کِتَابُ اللّٰہِ،وَخَیْرَ الْہَدْیِ ہَدْیُ مُحَمَّدٍ صلي الله عليه وسلم ،وَشَرَّ الْأُمُوْرِ مُحْدَثَاتُہَا،وَکُلَّ بِدْعَةٍ ضَلَالَةٌ ))
"After praise and thanks, you all should know that the best speech is the Book of Allah, and the best way is the way of Muhammad, peace be upon him, and the worst of deeds is that which is newly invented in the religion, and every innovation is misguidance."
From this hadith, it is understood that the Book of Allah and the blessed Sunnah of the Noble Prophet, peace be upon him, are the true religion, and any act introduced into the religion that deviates from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger, peace be upon him, is the worst deed, no matter how good it may appear to people. It also shows that any act for which there is no proof from the Book of Allah and the Sunnah of the Messenger, peace be upon him, is an innovation, and every innovation is misguidance. There is no innovation that can be called a good innovation in the religion. All innovations are misguidance, and those who act upon them are themselves misled.
Virtues of Fasting in the Month of Sha'ban
In the month of Sha'ban, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to fast more than in all other months except Ramadan, and he ﷺ used to say that in this month, good deeds are taken up (to Allah), and I like that my deeds be taken up while I am fasting.
However, it is not correct to count the month of Sha'ban among the four sacred months in which fighting and bloodshed are forbidden. All commentators, hadith scholars, and scholars agree that these four months are Dhu al-Qi'dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, Muharram, and Rajab. No commentator has included Sha'ban among these four months. The particular act of worship that the Prophet ﷺ especially observed throughout this entire month was fasting, and he maintained this throughout the month without giving special emphasis to any single day, nor did he mention any virtue for fasting on any specific day of this month.
Hazrat Aisha (RA) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to fast so regularly that we would say he never stopped fasting. Then he would stop fasting to the extent that we would say he never fasted. And I never saw the Messenger of Allah (SAW) fast the entire month except in Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more in any month than in Sha'ban.
Also, Hazrat Aisha (RA) narrates that
(( کَانَ أَحَبَّ الشُّہُوْرِ إِلَی رَسُوْلِ اللّٰہِ صلي الله عليه وسلم أَنْ یَّصُوْمَہُ شَعْبَانُ،ثُمَّ یَصِلُہُ بِرَمَضَانَ ))
"The month most beloved to the Messenger of Allah (SAW) for fasting was Sha'ban, then he would fast in Ramadan after that."
Reference: Musnad Ahmad: 25548
Similarly, she states that (( مَا رَأَیْتُ النَّبِیَّ صلي الله عليه وسلم فِیْ شَہْرٍ أَکْثَرَ صِیَامًا مِنْہُ فِیْ شَعْبَانَ،کَانَ یَصُوْمُہُ إَِّلا قَلِیْلاً،بَلْ کَانَ یَصُوْمُہُ کُلَّہُ))
"I never saw the Prophet (SAW) fast more in any month than in Sha'ban. He would fast in it except for a few days. In fact, he would fast the entire month."
Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi: 746
Whereas Hazrat Umm Salama (RA) narrates that:
(( مَا رَأَیْتُ النَّبِیَّ صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم یَصُوْمُ شَہْرَیْنِ مُتَتَابِعَیْنِ إِّلا شَعْبَانَ وَرَمَضَانَ ))
"I have not seen the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) fasting continuously for two months except in Sha'ban and Ramadan."
Reference: Sunan Tirmidhi:746
The Wisdom of Fasting Frequently in Sha'ban
Hazrat Usama bin Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) asked the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him), "O Messenger of Allah! I have not seen you fasting as much in any month as you do in Sha'ban." The Prophet (peace be upon him) replied:
(( ذَاكَ شَہْرٌ تَغْفَلُ النَّاسُ فِیْہِ عَنْہُ بَیْنَ رَجَبَ وَرَمَضَانَ ، وَہُوَ شَہْرٌ تُرْفَعُ فِیْہِ الْأَعْمَالُ إِلٰی رَبِّ الْعَالَمِیْنَ، وَأُحِبُّ أَنْ یُّرْفَعَ عَمَلِیْ وَأَنَا صَائِمٌ ))
"This is the month in which people become heedless between Rajab and Ramadan, while in it the deeds are raised to the Lord of the Worlds, and I like that my deeds be raised while I am fasting."
Reference: Sahih al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib:1022
From all these ahadith, it is established that one should make an effort to fast frequently in this month.
What is true and what is false about the Night of Bara'at?
After learning about the virtues of fasting in the month of Sha'ban, the question now is: what is the significance of the fifteenth night of this month? The reality is that among the two or three nights whose virtues are specifically mentioned without distinguishing between authentic and weak narrations, one is the fifteenth night of Sha'ban, commonly known as Laylat al-Bara'ah (the Night of Salvation). Regarding this night, the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) has been reported with an authentic chain of narration that
(( یَطَّلِعُ اللّٰہُ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالٰی إِلٰی خَلْقِہِ لَیْلَةَ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ،فَیَغْفِرُ لِجَمِیْعِ خَلْقِہِ إِلَّا لِمُشْرِكٍ أَوْ مُشَاحِنٍ))
"Allah Almighty looks upon His entire creation on the fifteenth night of Sha'ban (with mercy), then forgives all of His creation except the polytheist and the one harboring enmity."
Reference: Sahih al-Targhib wa al-Tarhib: 2767
The contemporary hadith scholar Sheikh al-Albani, may Allah have mercy on him, after mentioning various chains of this hadith, writes:
( وَجُمْلَةُ الْقَولِ أَنَّ الْحَدِیْثَ بِمَجْمُوعِ ہَذِہِ الطُّرُقِ صَحِیْحٌ بِلاَ رَیْبٍ )
"In summary, this hadith is undoubtedly authentic with all its chains."
While in another narration these words are mentioned: (( إِنَّ اللّٰہَ یَطَّلِعُ عَلٰی عِبَادِہٖ فِیْ لَیْلَةِ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ،فَیَغْفِرُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ وَیُمْلِیْ لِلْکَافِرِیْنَ،وَیَدَعُ أَہْلَ الْحِقْدِ بِحِقْدِہِمْ حَتّٰی یَدَعُوْہُ ))
"Indeed, Allah Almighty looks upon His servants with mercy on the fifteenth night of Sha'ban, then forgives the believers, relaxes the disbelievers, and leaves the spiteful people until they cleanse their hearts of malice."
Reference: Al-Mu'jam al-Kabir by al-Tabarani: 593
Dear respected ones! This is the very hadith that has been narrated with an authentic chain regarding the virtue of the fifteenth night of Sha'ban. Apart from this, all the hadiths that are commonly mentioned and are made the adornment of newspapers and gatherings are all extremely weak or fabricated, and the Shariah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) is free from such superstitions.
Among the weak and fabricated hadiths commonly narrated about the night of Bara'at are a few as follows:
➊ (( شَعْبَانُ شَہْرِیْ وَرَمَضَانُ شَہْرُ اللّٰہِ))
"Sha'ban is my month and Ramadan is Allah's." Al-Albani (may Allah have mercy on him) declared it fabricated.
➋ It is narrated that one night the Messenger of Allah ﷺ was at the house of Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), and suddenly he left from there. When Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) followed him, she saw that he was in Baqi. When the Prophet ﷺ saw her, he said: "Did you fear that Allah and His Messenger ﷺ would wrong you?"
She said: O Messenger of Allah! I suspected that perhaps you had gone to another wife.
Then he said: (( إِنَّ اللّٰہَ تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالٰی یَنْزِلُ لَیْلَةَ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ إِلَی السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْیَا،فَیَغْفِرُ لِأَکْثَرَ مِنْ شَعْرِ غَنَمِ کَلْبٍ ))
"Indeed, Allah, the Blessed and Exalted, comes down on the middle night of Sha'ban to the heaven of the world and forgives more people than the hairs of the goats of Banu Kalb."
Besides other Imams, Imam Tirmidhi himself mentioned this hadith and pointed out its weakness. In fact, he also narrated from Imam Bukhari that he considered it weak.
It should be noted that the story of Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) regarding the Prophet Muhammad's (peace be upon him) visit to Baqi and praying for the people of Baqi is authentic and is detailed in sources such as
Reference: Sahih Muslim
, but there is no mention of the fifteenth night of Sha'ban in it. The complete incident is as follows:Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) narrates that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) was with me one night. He took off the sheet he was covering himself with and his shoes, placing them near his head. He spread one corner of the sheet he was wearing on his bed and lay down on it. After a short while, when he thought I had fallen asleep, he gently lifted his sheet, put on his shoes, opened the door, and went outside. Then he quietly closed the door. I got up, wore my armor on my head, covered myself with a dupatta, wrapped my sheet around me, and followed him. The Prophet (peace be upon him) reached Baqi‘, stood there for quite some time, and during this period, he raised his hands three times in supplication. Then when the Prophet (peace be upon him) returned, I also turned back. When he walked fast, I walked fast; when he lightly ran, I also lightly ran; and when he ran quickly, I also ran quickly. I entered the house before him, and just as I lay down, he also arrived.
Reference: Sahih Muslim: 974
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Aisha! What is the matter with you? Why is your breath heavy?"
I said: Nothing.
The Prophet ﷺ said: (( لَتُخْبِرِیْنِیْ أَوْ لَیُخْبِرَنِّی اللَّطِیْفُ الْخَبِیْرُ ))
"Either you tell me yourself, or Allah will inform me, who is Most Subtle and All-Aware."
I said: May my parents be sacrificed for you. Then I told you everything.
The Prophet ﷺ said: "Oh, was it your shadow that I saw in front of me?"
I said: Yes.
Then the Prophet ﷺ struck his palm on my chest in such a way that I felt pain from it. After that, he said: (( أَظَنَنْتِ أَنْ یَّحِیْفَ اللّٰہُ عَلَیْكَ وَرَسُوْلُہُ ))
"Did you think that Allah and His Messenger ﷺ would wrong you?"
I said (in my heart): No matter how much people try to hide, Allah knows. Yes, indeed Allah knows everything.
The Prophet ﷺ said:
(( فَإِنَّ جِبْرِیْلَ أَتَانِی حِیْنَ رَأَیْتِ،فَنَادَانِی فَأَخْفَاہُ مِنْكَ ، فَأَجَبْتُہُ،فَأَخْفَیْتُہُ مِنْكَ،وَلَمْ یَکُنْ یَدْخُلُ عَلَیْكَ وَقَدْ وَضَعْتِ ثِیَابَكَ وَظَنَنْتُ أَنْ قَدْ رَقَدْتِّ فَکَرِہْتُ أَنْ أُوْقِظَكَ، وَخَشِیْتُ أَنْ تَسْتَوْحِشِی،فَقَالَ:إِنَّ رَبَّكَ یَأْمُرُكَ أَنْ تَأْتِیَ أَہْلَ الْبَقِیْعِ فَتَسْتَغْفِرَ لَہُمْ))
"When you saw, at that time Angel Jibreel (peace be upon him) had come to me. He called me softly, hiding it from you, so I also replied softly, hiding it from you, and he could not come inside in that state because you had taken off your (extra) clothes. I thought that you had fallen asleep, so I preferred not to wake you, and I was also afraid that you might become fearful and anxious without me. Angel Jibreel (peace be upon him) said: The command of your Lord is that you come to the people of Baqi and pray for their forgiveness."
I (Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her) said: How should I pray for them?
So you were instructed to say:
(( اَلسَّلَامُ عَلٰی أَہْلِ الدِّیَارِ مِنَ الْمُؤْمِنِیْنَ وَالْمُسْلِمِیْنَ،وَیَرْحَمُ اللّٰہُ الْمُسْتَقْدِمِیْنَ مِنَّا وَالْمُسْتَأْخِرِیْنَ،وَإِنَّا إِنْ شَاءَ اللّٰہُ بِکُمْ لَلَاحِقُوْنَ))
Therefore, it is proven that the story of Baqi has no connection with the fifteenth night of Sha'ban, nor is it mentioned in authentic hadith. Hence, it is not correct to hold the belief that going to the graveyard on this night or the next day is Sunnah, based on a weak hadith.
➌ (( إِذَا کَانَ لَیْلَةُ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَقُوْمُوْا لَیْلَتَہَا وَصُوْمُوْا یَوْمَہَا ، فَإِنَّ اللّٰہَ یَنْزِلُ فِیْہَا لِغُرُوْبِ الشَّمْسِ إِلَی سَمَاءِ الدُّنْیَا فَیَقُوْلُ:أَلَا مُسْتَغْفِرٌ فَأَغْفِرَ لَہُ،أَلَا مُسْتَرْزِقٌ فَأَرْزُقَہُ،أَلَا مُبْتَلًی فَأُعَافِیَہُ،ألَا سَائِلٌ فَاُعْطِیَہُ،أَلا کَذَا أَلاَ کَذَا،حَتّٰی یَطْلُعَ الْفَجْرُ ))
"When the fifteenth night of Sha'ban comes, you should spend the night in worship and fast the next day, because from the evening of that night Allah Almighty comes down to the lowest heaven and says: Is there anyone seeking forgiveness that I may forgive him? Is there anyone seeking provision that I may provide for him? Is there anyone who is ill that I may grant him health? Is there anyone asking that I may give him? Is there anyone... Is there anyone... until the dawn breaks."
This hadith is also false and fabricated. Instead, the authentic hadith should be mentioned in which the Holy Prophet ﷺ said: (یَنْزِلُ رَبُّنَا تَبَارَكَ وَتَعَالٰی کُلَّ لَیْلَةٍ إِلَی السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْیَا حِیْنَ یَبْقٰی ثُلُثُ اللَّیْلِ الآخِرُ،فَیَقُوْلُ:مَنْ یَّدْعُوْنِیْ فَأَسْتَجِیْبَ لَہُ؟مَنْ یَّسْأَلُنِیْ فَأُعْطِیَہُ؟مَنْ یَّسْتَغْفِرُنِیْ فَأَغْفِرَ لَہُ) and in the narration of Muslim: (فَلَا یَزَالُ کَذٰلِكَ حَتّٰی یُضِیْئَ الْفَجْرُ )
"Our Lord, the Blessed and Exalted, descends every night during the last third of the night to the lowest heaven and says: Who is calling upon Me so that I may answer him? Who is asking from Me so that I may give him? Who is seeking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?" In one narration of Muslim, these words are added: "Then He continues to remain in this state until the dawn breaks."
Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari:1145
According to this authentic hadith, this virtue can be attained every night. Therefore, specifying it only for the fifteenth night of Sha'ban is certainly wrong and a great lie upon the Prophet ﷺ.
➍ The hadith of Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) in which he mentioned that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) prayed fourteen rak'ahs on the fifteenth night of Sha'ban, then recited some Surahs, and then said: "Whoever does as I have done will receive the reward of twenty accepted Hajj pilgrimages and twenty years of accepted fasting."
Reference: Ibn al-Jawzi
after narrating this hadith in
Reference: “Al-Mawdu'at”
says:"This hadith is also fabricated and its chain of narration is very weak."
Reference: Imam Suyuti
says that this hadith was narrated by
Reference: Al-Bayhaqi
in
Reference: Shu'ab al-Iman
and he states that it is quite possible that this is fabricated (mawdu‘).➎
Reference: As-Salat Al-Alfiyyah
, that is the prayer about which the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) instructed Hazrat Ali (may Allah be pleased with him) that"Whoever prays one hundred rak'ahs on this night in such a way that in each rak'ah after Surah Al-Fatiha he recites Surah Al-Ikhlas ten times, Allah Almighty will fulfill all his needs. If he is written as unfortunate in the Preserved Tablet, Allah will erase it and write him as fortunate... and his sins for the coming year will not be recorded."
Reference: "Al-Mawdu'at"
in
Reference: Ibn al-Jawzi
after mentioning various chains of this hadith says:"There is no doubt that this hadith is fabricated. Most of its narrators are unknown, and some of them are very weak, so it is impossible that such a hadith was issued from the Holy Prophet ﷺ. We have seen many people who perform this prayer; when the nights are short, they sleep after it, and their Fajr prayer is missed. Meanwhile, ignorant imams of mosques have made this prayer, as well as the 'Salat al-Raghaib,' a means to gather people and reach a high position, and storytellers mention this prayer in their gatherings, even though all of this is far from the truth."
Reference: Imam Nawawi
says, "The prayer known as Salat al-Raghaib, which consists of twelve rak'ahs and is performed on the first night of Rajab between Maghrib and Isha, and similarly the one hundred rak'ahs prayer on the fifteenth night of Sha'ban, both of these prayers are very bad innovations. Therefore, one should not be deceived by their mention in
Reference: Qut al-Qulub
and
Reference: Ihya Ulum al-Din
, nor should one be misled by the hadith narrated about them because it is entirely false."And
Reference: Imam Shawkani
says that (ہُوَ مَوضُوعٌ،وَفِی أَلْفَاظِہِ الْمُصَرَّحَةِ بِمَا یَنَالُہُ فَاعِلُہَا مِنَ الثَّوَابِ مَا لاَ یَمْتَرِیْ إِنْسَانٌ لَہُ تَمْیِیْزٌ فِی وَضْعِہِ،وَرِجَالُہُ مَجْہُولُونَ ) "This is fabricated, and no sensible person can doubt the fabricated nature of some of its words which specify the reward for the one who performs it, and its narrators are unknown."
He further says:
(وَقَدِ اغْتَرَّ بِہَا جَمَاعَةٌ مِنَ الْفُقَہَاءِ کَصَاحِبِ الإِحْیَاءِ وَغَیْرِہٖ وَکَذَا مِنَ الْمُفَسِّرِیْنَ وَقَد ْ رُوِیَتْ صَلَاۃُ ہَذِہِ اللَّیْلَةِ أَعْنِی لَیلَةَ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ عَلیٰ أَنْحَاءٍ مُخْتَلِفَةٍ کُلُّہَا بَاطِلَةٌ مَوضُوعَةٌ )
"A group of jurists and commentators, for example Sahib-e-Ihya and others, have been deceived by this hadith, whereas the hadith narrated through various chains about the prayer on the fifteenth night of Sha'ban is false and fabricated in all its chains."
Whereas
Reference: Mulla Ali Qari
(may Allah have mercy on him) says about this hadith: (لَمْ یَأْتِ بِہَا خَبَرٌ وَلَا أَثَرٌ إِلَّا ضَعِیْفٌ أَوْ مَوضُوعٌ،وَلَا تَغْتَرَّ بِذِکْرِ صَاحِبِ الْقُوتِ وَالإِحْیَاءِ وَغَیْرِہِمَا)"Regarding this prayer, nothing has been reported except weak or fabricated hadiths. Therefore, you should not be deceived by the fact that it has been mentioned by the authors of Qut al-Qulub and Ihya Ulum al-Din and others."
Mulla Ali Qari also mentioned that this innovation in prayer was first introduced in 448 AH in Jerusalem when some fire worshippers converted to Islam. When they prayed with the Muslims, they would light a fire in front of them. In this way, they would appease the Muslims and also practice their superstitions and false beliefs. It was these people who invented the Salat al-Alfiyyah. Thus, when the fifteenth night of Sha'ban came, they would perform this prayer and light a fire in front of them. Their intention was to stand respectfully in front of the fire for a longer time during the night. Besides this, these people committed many evils under the pretext of this fire, to the extent that the saints of that time feared that they might be swallowed by the earth. Therefore, they would stay away from those areas where this innovation was practiced and many prohibitions were committed under its cover.
It is a matter of great sorrow that the prayer invented by the fire-worshippers in the fifth century, and for which false hadiths were fabricated to extol its virtues, is today specially observed by Muslims on the fifteenth night of Sha'ban with great enthusiasm, and these false hadiths are narrated with full vigor!!
These and other similar hadiths are unanimously weak and fabricated. Eminent scholars such as Al-Shawkani, Ibn al-Jawzi, Ibn Hibban, Al-Qurtubi, Al-Suyuti, and others have declared these narrations unreliable. For details, one can refer to
Reference: Al-Fawaid al-Majmu'ah
,
Reference: Al-Mawdu'at al-Kubra
,
Reference: Tafsir al-Qurtubi
,
Reference: Al-Alai al-Masnu'ah
, and others. Therefore, it is essential for those engaged in the field of Dawah to refrain from narrating and spreading those narrations which are not authentic in terms of their chain of transmission. Surely, it would be a great service to the Prophetic Hadith if one investigates the chain of transmission before narrating any hadith; otherwise, one should always remember the saying of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) that(( مَنْ یَّقُلْ عَلَیَّ مَا لَمْ أَقُلْ فَلْیَتَبَوَّأْ مَقْعَدَہُ مِنَ النَّارِ ))
"Whoever attributes to me that which I have not said, let him prepare his abode in Hell."
What should be done on the night of Bara'at?
Now the question is about the hadith that has come with an authentic chain regarding the virtue of the fifteenth night of Sha'ban, which is: ("Allah Almighty looks upon all His creation on the fifteenth night of Sha'ban (with mercy), then forgives all creation except the polytheist and the one who harbors enmity.")
Does this mention the holding of any gathering or any special worship? Or does this hadith mention lighting lamps and fireworks? The correct answer to this question can be given by anyone who, instead of trusting superstitions and fabricated traditions, believes in the pure and clear Shariah of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him. Therefore, if this hadith is studied impartially, it becomes clear that the Prophet, peace be upon him, neither mentioned any gathering nor any special worship, nor did he mention lighting lamps or fireworks. Rather, what is mentioned is the general forgiveness of Allah Almighty, for which the Prophet, peace be upon him, declared every person deserving who does not mix shirk (polytheism) in their belief and does not harbor personal enmity or hatred in their heart against any Muslim. Hence, to deserve the general forgiveness granted on this night, it is necessary for a person to correct their belief. One should consider Allah alone as the owner of benefit and harm, the remover of difficulties, place trust only in Allah, make the center of all hopes not the courts and shrines but only Allah, fear only Allah instead of elders or saints, offer vows and sacrifices for Allah alone, and not call upon anyone else for help besides Allah. Along with this, one should keep their heart pure regarding Muslims and not hold envy, hatred, or malice against anyone. These are the things that are extremely necessary for a person's salvation. As for lighting lamps and fireworks, this is merely wasteful extravagance which our religion forbids, so avoiding it is obligatory upon every Muslim.
It is very regrettable that regarding the virtue of the fifteenth night of Sha'ban, the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ specifically stated that Allah does not forgive the polytheist and the spiteful, but forgives all others. Yet today, many people specially observe this night, hold gatherings in the name of Shab-e-Barat, and in these gatherings, besides narrating false and fabricated hadiths about this night, they call upon the Prophet ﷺ through naat reciters and speakers, seeking his help and assistance. In other words, they openly commit shirk (associating partners with Allah) and still hope for Allah’s forgiveness! The hadith of the Noble Prophet ﷺ, in which he clearly stated that forgiveness is not granted to the polytheist on this night, is practically mocked, and at the same time, there is hope that on this night a certificate of freedom from Hellfire will be granted!
What a cruelty it is that instead of completely disassociating from and repenting of polytheism, it is practically manifested and people are invited towards it.
If the night of Bara'at is a night of forgiveness, then why not worship on it?
Someone may ask that since you yourself have proven that this night is a night of forgiveness, then what is wrong with performing special worship on it? Our answer is that Allah Almighty has made the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, a perfect example for us, which means that in every field we should follow in the footsteps of the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, and follow him in every action. Also, observe on which occasion the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, performed which worship? Thus, when we study the books of Hadith and Seerah, we find that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, did not arrange any special worship on this night, nor did he himself celebrate this night specially, nor did he encourage his noble companions, may Allah be pleased with them, to do so. Therefore, when our beloved Prophet, peace be upon him, did not arrange this, then we should not do it either. If you did not celebrate this night, then we should not celebrate it either.
Reference: Hafiz Ibn Rajab
says:(قِیَامُ لَیْلَةِ النِّصْفِ لَمْ یَثْبُتْ فِیْہِ شَیْئٌ عَنِ النَّبِیِّ صلي الله عليه وسلم وَلَا عَنْ أَصْحَابِہِ)
"There is no evidence from the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) nor from his noble companions (may Allah be pleased with them) regarding the virtue of praying on the fifteenth night of Sha'ban."
And
Reference: Imam Abu Bakr Tartushi
narrated from
Reference: Zaid bin Aslam
(who is a Tabi'i) that he said:(مَا أَدْرَکْنَا أَحَدًا مِنْ مَشْیَخَتِنَا وَلاَ فُقَہَائِنَا یَلْتَفِتُونَ إِلَی النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ،وَلاَ یَلْتَفِتُونَ إِلٰی حَدِیثِ مَکْحُولٍ،وَلاَ یَرَوْنَ لَہَا فَضْلاً عَلٰی مَا سِوَاہَا،وَقِیلَ لاِبْنِ أَبِی مُلَیکَةَ:إِنَّ زِیَادًا یَقُولُ:إِنَّ أَجْرَ لَیلَةِ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ کَأَجْرِ لَیلَةِ الْقَدْرِ،فَقَالَ:لَوْ سَمِعْتُہُ وَبِیَدِیْ عَصًا لَضَرَبْتُہُ)
"We never saw any of our teachers and jurists pay attention to the fifteenth night of Sha'ban nor to the fabricated hadith, nor did they consider this night superior to other nights. When it was told to Ibn Abi Malika that Ziyad, who was a storyteller, used to say to people that the reward of this night is equal to the reward of Laylat al-Qadr, he said: If I hear this from him and I have a stick in my hand, I will punish him."
In summary, nothing is proven regarding the virtue of worship on the fifteenth night of Sha'ban, and whatever is narrated is all false and fabricated.
Another point worthy of consideration is that the virtue of the fifteenth night of Sha'ban, in which Allah especially looks towards His servants and forgives all except the polytheist and the one harboring enmity, is not exclusive to that night alone but applies to every Monday and Thursday as well. As the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said: (( تُفْتَحُ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ یَوْمَ الْاِثْنَیْنِ وَیَوْمَ الْخَمِیْسِ،فَیُغْفَرُ لِکُلِّ عَبْدٍ لاَ یُشْرِكَ بِاللّٰہِ شَیْئًا إِلاَّ رَجُلاً کَانَتْ بَیْنَہُ وَبَیْنَ أَخِیْہِ شَحْنَاءُ فَیُقَالُ:أَنْظِرُوْا ہَذَیْنِ حَتّٰی یَصْطَلِحَا،أَنْظِرُوْا ہَذَیْنِ حَتّٰی یَصْطَلِحَا،أَنْظِرُوْا ہَذَیْنِ حَتّٰی یَصْطَلِحَا ))
"On every Monday and Thursday, the gates of Paradise are opened, and then every person who does not associate partners with Allah is forgiven, except for the one who harbors hatred and enmity against his brother. Regarding these two, it is said three times: Give them respite until they reconcile."
Therefore, the hadith about forgiveness on the fifteenth night of Sha'ban cannot be used as evidence to specially celebrate this night, hold gatherings, and perform special acts of worship. Otherwise, if it could be used as evidence for all this, then Monday and Thursday would also have the same virtue. So, will those who celebrate the Night of Bara'at also specially celebrate these two days and hold gatherings on them as well?
We pray to Allah Almighty to forgive us all. Grant us the ability to understand the truth and act upon it, and grant us the ability to avoid and abstain from falsehood. Ameen.
Is the fifteenth night of Sha'ban the night of decrees?
The view of those who celebrate the Night of Bara'at is that this night is the night of decrees. Their evidence is these blessed verses: ﴿إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ ﴿٣﴾ فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ ﴾
"Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We are ever warning. On that night is made distinct every precise matter."
In the command of Allah Almighty, the "Blessed Night" is mentioned, in which the Quran was revealed and in which the events of the entire year are decided. So, the question is which night is meant by this night?
If we seek the interpretation of the Quran within the Quran itself instead of interpreting it according to our own desires, then we find the answer to this question.
The command of Allah Almighty is: ﴿ إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ﴾ [سورۃ القدر:1]
"Indeed, We sent it down during the Night of Decree." That is, the "Blessed Night" refers to Laylat al-Qadr, which occurs on the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, and in it, the decisions regarding a person's life, death, sustenance, and all other events are made.
This interpretation of the "Blessed Night" has been given by Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him), Qatadah, Mujahid, Hasan, and others, and this interpretation has been accepted as correct by the majority of commentators.
Reference: Imam Abu Bakr Ibn al-Arabi
says:"The majority of scholars hold the view that this night refers to Laylat al-Qadr. However, some scholars say that it refers to the fifteenth night of Sha'ban, and this is false because Allah Almighty has mentioned in His truthful Book ﴿ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ﴾ 'It is the month of Ramadan in which the Quran was revealed.' Then He specified one night in the month of Ramadan ﴿لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ ۚ﴾ in which the Quran was sent down. Therefore, whoever claims that the 'blessed night' refers to any other night is committing a great slander against Allah. As for the virtues of the fifteenth night of Sha'ban or the claim that it is the night of decrees, all the hadiths related to this are weak, so do not pay attention to them."
And
Reference: Imam Ibn Kathir
says: "This blessed night and the 'night of decrees' refers to Laylat al-Qadr, and whoever says that it refers to the fifteenth night of Sha'ban, as narrated from Ikrimah, is not correct because it is established from the text of the Qur'an itself that this night occurs in the month of Ramadan."Therefore, declaring the fifteenth night of Sha'ban as the night of decrees is completely wrong and has no validity.
In the end, we pray to Allah Almighty to grant us the ability to remain steadfast in His obedience and compliance and to protect us from disobedience, and to make our end upon monotheism and righteous deeds. Ameen.
