بسم الله الرحمان الرحيم
In the Name of Allah,
the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Sha'ban is one of the meritorious months for which we find some particular
instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم, It is reported
in the authentic ahadith that Prophet Muhammad, صلى الله عليه وسلم,used to fast
most of the month in Sha'ban. These fasts were not obligatory on him but Sha'ban
is the month immediately preceding the month of Ramadan. Therefore, some
preparatory measures are suggested by Prophet Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم .
Some of these are given below:
1. The blessed companion Anas, رضى الله عنه, reports that Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم ,
was asked, "Which fast is the most meritorious after the fasts of Ramadan?" He
2. The blessed companion Usama ibn Zaid,رضى الله عنهما , reports that he asked
4. In another Tradition she says, Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم, would sometimes
5. In another report she says, "I never saw the Messenger of Allah
صلى الله عليه وسلم fasting in a month so profusely as he did in the month of
6. Ummul-Mu'mineen Umm Salamah,رضى الله عنها , says: "I have never seen
These reports indicate that fasting in the month of Sha'ban, though not obligatory,
is so meritorious that Prophet Muhammad, صلى الله عليه وسلم, did not like to miss it.
But it should be kept in mind that the fasts of Sha'ban are for those persons only
who are capable of keeping them without causing deficiency in the obligatory fasts
of Ramadan. Therefore, if one fears that after fasting in Sha'ban, he will lose
strength or freshness for the fasts of Ramadan and will not be able to fast in it with
freshness, he should not fast in Sha'ban, because the fasts of Ramadan, being
obligatory, are more important than the optional fasts of Sha'ban. That is why
Nabiصلى الله عليه وسلم, himself has forbidden the Muslims from fasting one or
two days immediately before the commencement of Ramadan. The blessed
Companion Abu Hurairah,رضى الله عنه , reports Prophet Muhammad,صلى الله عليه وسلم ,
to have said, ''Do not fast after the first half of the month of Sha'ban has gone.''
According to another report Prophet Muhammad, صلى الله عليه وسلم has said:
The essence of the above-quoted ahadith is that Nabi,صلى الله عليه وسلم , himself
used to fast most of the month of Sha'ban, because he had no fear of developing
weakness or weariness before the commencement of Ramadan. As for others,
he ordered them not to fast after the 15th of Sha'ban for the fear that they would
lose their strength and freshness before Ramadan starts, and would not be able
to welcome the month of Ramadan with enthusiasm.
Another significant feature of the month of Sha'ban is that it consists of a night
which is termed in Shariah as "Laylatul-bara'ah" (The night of freedom from
Fire). This is the night occurring between 14th and 15th day of Sha'ban. There
are certain traditions of Nabiصلى الله عليه وسلم, to prove that it is a meritorious
night in which the people of the earth are attended by special Divine mercy.
Some of these traditions are quoted as follows:
1. Ummul-Mu'mineen 'Aishah, رضى الله عنها, is reported to have said,
2. In another Tradition Aishah,رضى الله عنها has reported that Nabi
Kalb was a big tribe the members of which had a very large number of sheep.
Therefore, the last sentence of the hadith indicates the big number of the people
who are forgiven in this night by Allah Almighty.
3. In yet another Tradition, she has reported Nabiصلى الله عليه وسلم,
4. Mu'adh ibn Jabal, رضى الله عنه, reports that Nabiصلى الله عليه وسلم has said:
"Allah Almighty looks upon all those created by Him in the middle Night of
Although the chain of narrators of some of these traditions suffers with some
minor technical defects, yet when all these traditions are combined together,
it becomes clear that this night has some well founded merits, and observing
this night as a sacred night is not a baseless concoction as envisaged by
some modern scholars who, on the basis of these minor defects, have totally
rejected to give any special importance to this night. In fact, some of these
traditions have been held by some scholars of hadith as authentic and the
defects in the chain of some others have been treated by them as minor
technical defects which, according to the science of hadith, are curable
by the variety of their ways of narration. That is why the elders of the
Ummah have constantly been observing this night as a night of special
merits and have been spending it in worship and prayers.
What Should be Done in this Night?
In order to observe the Night of Bara'ah, one should remain awakened in this
night as much as he can. If someone has better opportunities, he should spend
the whole night in worship and prayer. However, if one cannot do so for one
reason or another, he can select a considerable portion of the night, preferably
of the second half of it for this purpose, and should perform the following acts
of worship:
(a) Salah. Salah is the most preferable act to be performed in this night. There is
no particular number of Rak'at but preferably it should not be less than eight.
It is also advisable that each part of the Salah like qiyam, rukoo' and sajdah
should be longer than normal. The longest surahs of the Holy Qur'an one
remembers by heart should be recited in the Salah of this night. If someone
does not remember the long surahs, he can also recite several short surahs
in one rak'ah.
(b) Tilawa. The recitation of the Holy Qur'an is another form of worship, very
beneficent in this night. After performing Salah, or at any other time, one should
recite as much of the Holy Qur'an as he can.
(c) Dhikr.One should also perform dhikr (recitation of the name of Allah) in this
night. Particularly the following dhikr is very useful:
سُبحانَ اللهِ وَالحَمدُلِلهِ وَلاَ إلَهِ إلآ اللهُ واللهُ اكبرُ
وَلآ حَولَ ولآ قُوَّةَ إلآَّ باِ للهِ العَلىِّ العَظِيم
One should recite Salah (durood) on Prophet Muhammad, صلى الله عليه وسلم, as
many times as he can. The dhikr can also be recited while walking, lying on bed
and during other hours of work or leisure.
(d) Dua. The best benefit one can draw from the blessings of this night is prayers
and supplications. It is hoped that all the prayers in this night will be accepted by
our Lord, insha-Allah. Prayer itself is an 'Ibadah, and Allah Almighty gives reward
on each prayer along with the fulfillment of the supplicator's need. Even if the
purpose prayed for is not achieved, one cannot be deprived of the reward of
the prayer which is sometimes more precious than the mundane benefits one
strives for. The prayers and supplications also strengthen one's relation with
Allah Almighty, which is the main purpose of all kinds and forms of worship.
One can pray for whatever purpose he wishes. But the best supplications are the
ones made by Prophet Muhammad, صلى الله عليه وسلم. These are so comprehensive
and all-encompassing prayers that all the human needs, of this world and the
Hereafter, are fully covered in the eloquent expressions used in them. Actually,
most of the prophetic prayers are so profound that human imagination can hardly
match their greatness.
Several books in various languages are available which provide these prophetic
prayers, and one should pray to Allah Almighty in accordance with them, whether
by reciting their original Arabic text or by rendering their sense in one's own language.
(e) There are some people who cannot perform any additional Salah or recitations
for any reason, like illness or weakness or being engaged in some other
necessary activities. Such people also should not deprive themselves completely
of the blessings of this night. They should observe the following acts:
(i) To perform the Salah of Maghrib, 'Isha' and Fajr with Jama'ah in the mosque, or
in their homes in case of their being sick.
(ii) They should keep reciting the dhikr, particularly the one mentioned in para (c)
above, in whatever condition they are until they sleep.
(iii) They should pray to Allah for their forgiveness and for their other objectives.
One can do so even when he is in his bed.
(f) The women during their periods cannot perform salah, nor can they recite the
Qur'an, but they can recite any dhikr, tasbeeh, durood sharif and can pray to Allah
for whatever purpose they like in whatever language they wish. They can also
recite the Arabic prayers mentioned in the Qur'an or in the hadith with the
intention of supplication (and not with the intention of recitation).
(g) According to a hadith, which is relatively less authentic, Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم
went in this night to the graveyard of Baqi' where he prayed for the Muslims buried
there. On this basis, some of the fuqaha hold it as mustahabb (advisable) in this
night to go to the graveyard of the Muslims and recite Fatihah or any other part
of the Qur'an, and pray for the dead. But this act is neither obligatory nor should
it be performed as regularly as an obligatory act.
What Should Not be Done in This Night
1. As mentioned earlier, the Night of Bara'ah is a night in which special blessings
are directed towards the Muslims. Therefore, this night should be spent in total
submission to Allah Almighty, and one should refrain from all those activities,
which may displease Allah. Although it is always incumbent upon every Muslim
to abstain from sins, yet this abstinence becomes all the more necessary in such
nights, because committing sins in this night will amount to responding to divine
blessings with disobedience and felony. Such an arrogant attitude can invite
nothing but the wrath of Allah. Therefore, one should strictly abstain from all
the sins, particularly from those mentioned in the Hadith No. 3 quoted earlier
in this article, because these sins make one devoid of the blessings of this night.
2. In this night some people indulge in some activities which they regard as
necessary for the celebration of the Night of Bara'ah, like cooking some
special type of meal, or illuminating houses or mosques, or improvised
structures. All such activities are not only baseless and innovated in the
later days by ignorant people, but in some cases they are pure imitation
of some rituals performed by non-Muslim communities. Such imitation in
itself is a sin; performing it in a blessed night like the Night of Bara'ah
makes it worse. Muslims should strictly abstain from all such activities.
3. Some people spend this night in holding religious meetings and delivering long
speeches. Such activities are also not advisable, because these acts can easily
be performed in other nights. This night requires one to devote himself for the
pure acts of worship only.
4. The acts of worship like Salah, recitation of the Qur'an and dhikr should be
performed in this night individually, not collectively. The Nafl Salah should not
be performed in Jama'ah, nor should the Muslims arrange gatherings in the
mosques in order to celebrate the night in a collective manner.
On the contrary, this night is meant for worshipping Allah in solitude. It is the
time to enjoy the direct contact with the Lord of the Universe, and to devote
one's attention to Him and Him alone. These are the precious hours of the night
in which nobody should intervene between one and his Lord, and one should
turn to Allah with total concentration, not disturbed by any one else.
That is why Prophet Muhammad,صلى الله عليه وسلم, observed the acts of worship
in this night in total seclusion, not accompanied by anyone, not even by his
favorite life companion 'Aishah,رضى الله عنها, and that is why all forms of the
optional worship (Nafl Ibadah), are advised by him to be done in individual,
not in collective manner.
On the day immediately following the Night of Bara'ah, i.e. the 15th of Sha'ban,
it is mustahabb (advisable) to keep fast. Prophet Muhammad,صلى الله عليه وسلم ,
is reported to have recommended this fast emphatically. Although the scholars
of hadith have some doubts in the authenticity of this report, yet it is mentioned
earlier that the fasts of the first half of Sha'ban have special merits and Prophet
Muhammad,صلى الله عليه وسلم used to fast most of the days in Sha'ban. Moreover,
a large number of the elders (salaf) of the Ummah have been observing the fast of
the 15th of Sha'ban. This constant practice indicates that they have accepted the
relevant hadith as authentic. Therefore, it is advisable to fast the 15th of Sha'ban
as an optional (nafl) fast. One can also keep a fast of qada on this day and it is
hoped that he can also benefit from the merits of this fast.
Islamic Months Merits and Precepts
by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani
In the Name of Allah,
the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful.
Sha'ban is one of the meritorious months for which we find some particular
instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم, It is reported
in the authentic ahadith that Prophet Muhammad, صلى الله عليه وسلم,used to fast
most of the month in Sha'ban. These fasts were not obligatory on him but Sha'ban
is the month immediately preceding the month of Ramadan. Therefore, some
preparatory measures are suggested by Prophet Muhammadصلى الله عليه وسلم .
Some of these are given below:
1. The blessed companion Anas, رضى الله عنه, reports that Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم ,
was asked, "Which fast is the most meritorious after the fasts of Ramadan?" He
replied, "Fasts of
Shaban in honor of Ramadan."
2. The blessed companion Usama ibn Zaid,رضى الله عنهما , reports that he asked
Prophet Muhammad, صلى الله عليه وسلم: "Messenger
of Allah, I have seen you fasting
in the month of Sha'ban so frequently
that I have never seen you fasting in any
other month." Prophet Muhammad, صلى الله عليه وسلم, replied: "That
(Sha'ban) is a
month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by
many people. And it is
a month in which an account of the deeds (of
human beings) is presented before
the Lord of the universe, so, I wish
that my deeds be presented at a time when
I am in a state of fasting."
3. Ummul Mu'mineen 'Aishah, رضى الله عنها, says, "Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم used
to fast the whole of
Sha'ban. I said to him, 'Messenger of Allah, is Sha'ban your
most favorite month for fasting?' He said, 'In this month Allah prescribes
the list of
the persons dying this year. Therefore, I like that my death
comes when I am in a
state of fasting."
4. In another Tradition she says, Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم, would sometimes
begin to fast
continuously until we thought he would not stop fasting, and
sometimes
he used to stop fasting until we thought he would never fast. I
never
saw the Messenger of Allah, صلى الله عليه وسلم, fasting a
complete month,
except the month of Ramadan, and I have never seen him
fasting in a month
more frequently than he did in Sha'ban."
more frequently than he did in Sha'ban."
5. In another report she says, "I never saw the Messenger of Allah
صلى الله عليه وسلم fasting in a month so profusely as he did in the month of
Sha'ban. He used to fast in that month leaving only a few days, rather, he
used to fast almost the whole of the month."
used to fast almost the whole of the month."
6. Ummul-Mu'mineen Umm Salamah,رضى الله عنها , says: "I have never seen
the Messenger of Allah fasting for two months continuously except in the months
of Sha'ban and Ramadan."
These reports indicate that fasting in the month of Sha'ban, though not obligatory,
is so meritorious that Prophet Muhammad, صلى الله عليه وسلم, did not like to miss it.
But it should be kept in mind that the fasts of Sha'ban are for those persons only
who are capable of keeping them without causing deficiency in the obligatory fasts
of Ramadan. Therefore, if one fears that after fasting in Sha'ban, he will lose
strength or freshness for the fasts of Ramadan and will not be able to fast in it with
freshness, he should not fast in Sha'ban, because the fasts of Ramadan, being
obligatory, are more important than the optional fasts of Sha'ban. That is why
Nabiصلى الله عليه وسلم, himself has forbidden the Muslims from fasting one or
two days immediately before the commencement of Ramadan. The blessed
Companion Abu Hurairah,رضى الله عنه , reports Prophet Muhammad,صلى الله عليه وسلم ,
to have said, ''Do not fast after the first half of the month of Sha'ban has gone.''
According to another report Prophet Muhammad, صلى الله عليه وسلم has said:
"Do not precede the month of Ramadan with one or two fasts."
The essence of the above-quoted ahadith is that Nabi,صلى الله عليه وسلم , himself
used to fast most of the month of Sha'ban, because he had no fear of developing
weakness or weariness before the commencement of Ramadan. As for others,
he ordered them not to fast after the 15th of Sha'ban for the fear that they would
lose their strength and freshness before Ramadan starts, and would not be able
to welcome the month of Ramadan with enthusiasm.
The Night of Bara'ah
Another significant feature of the month of Sha'ban is that it consists of a night
which is termed in Shariah as "Laylatul-bara'ah" (The night of freedom from
Fire). This is the night occurring between 14th and 15th day of Sha'ban. There
are certain traditions of Nabiصلى الله عليه وسلم, to prove that it is a meritorious
night in which the people of the earth are attended by special Divine mercy.
Some of these traditions are quoted as follows:
1. Ummul-Mu'mineen 'Aishah, رضى الله عنها, is reported to have said,
"Once Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم, performed the Salah of
the night (Tahajjud)
and made a very long Sajdah until I feared that he had passed away.
When I saw this, I rose (from my bed) and moved his
thumb
(to ascertain whether he is alive). The thumb moved, and I returned
(to my place). Then I heard him saying in Sajdah:
'I seek refuge of Your forgiveness from Your punishment,
and I seek refuge of
Your pleasure from Your annoyance,
and I seek Your refuge from Yourself.
I cannot praise You
as fully as You deserve. You are exactly as You
have
defined Yourself.'
' Thereafter, when he raised his head from Sajdah
and finished his salah,
he said to me: 'Aishah, did you think that the Prophet has betrayed you?'
I said, 'No, O Prophet of Allah, but I was afraid that your soul has been
taken away because your Sajdah was very long. ' He asked me, 'Do
you know which night is this?' I said, 'Allah and His Messenger know
best.' He said, 'This is the night of the half of Sha'ban. Allah Almighty
looks upon His slaves in this night and forgives those who seek
forgiveness and bestows His mercy upon those who pray for
he said to me: 'Aishah, did you think that the Prophet has betrayed you?'
I said, 'No, O Prophet of Allah, but I was afraid that your soul has been
taken away because your Sajdah was very long. ' He asked me, 'Do
you know which night is this?' I said, 'Allah and His Messenger know
best.' He said, 'This is the night of the half of Sha'ban. Allah Almighty
looks upon His slaves in this night and forgives those who seek
forgiveness and bestows His mercy upon those who pray for
mercy but keeps those who have malice (against a Muslim) as
they were before,(and does not forgive them unless they relieve
themselves from malice).'"
they were before,(and does not forgive them unless they relieve
themselves from malice).'"
2. In another Tradition Aishah,رضى الله عنها has reported that Nabi
صلى الله عليه وسلم, has said, "Allah Almighty descends (in a manner He
best knows it) in the night occurring in the middle of Sha'ban and forgives
a large number of people more
than the number of the fibers on the sheep
of the tribe, Kalb."
Kalb was a big tribe the members of which had a very large number of sheep.
Therefore, the last sentence of the hadith indicates the big number of the people
who are forgiven in this night by Allah Almighty.
3. In yet another Tradition, she has reported Nabiصلى الله عليه وسلم,
to have said, "This
is the middle Night of Sha'ban. Allah frees in it a large
number of the people from Fire, more than the number of the hair growing
on the sheep of the tribe, Kalb. But He does not even look at a person who
associates partners with Allah, or at a person who nourishes malice in his
heart (against someone), or at a person who cuts off the ties of kinship,
or at a man who leaves his clothes extending beyond his ankles (as a
sign of pride), or at a person who disobeys his parents, or at a person
who has a habit of drinking wine."
number of the people from Fire, more than the number of the hair growing
on the sheep of the tribe, Kalb. But He does not even look at a person who
associates partners with Allah, or at a person who nourishes malice in his
heart (against someone), or at a person who cuts off the ties of kinship,
or at a man who leaves his clothes extending beyond his ankles (as a
sign of pride), or at a person who disobeys his parents, or at a person
who has a habit of drinking wine."
4. Mu'adh ibn Jabal, رضى الله عنه, reports that Nabiصلى الله عليه وسلم has said:
"Allah Almighty looks upon all those created by Him in the middle Night of
Sha'ban and forgives all those created by Him, except the one who
associates
partners with Him or the one who has malice in his heart (against a Muslim)".
partners with Him or the one who has malice in his heart (against a Muslim)".
Although the chain of narrators of some of these traditions suffers with some
minor technical defects, yet when all these traditions are combined together,
it becomes clear that this night has some well founded merits, and observing
this night as a sacred night is not a baseless concoction as envisaged by
some modern scholars who, on the basis of these minor defects, have totally
rejected to give any special importance to this night. In fact, some of these
traditions have been held by some scholars of hadith as authentic and the
defects in the chain of some others have been treated by them as minor
technical defects which, according to the science of hadith, are curable
by the variety of their ways of narration. That is why the elders of the
Ummah have constantly been observing this night as a night of special
merits and have been spending it in worship and prayers.
What Should be Done in this Night?
In order to observe the Night of Bara'ah, one should remain awakened in this
night as much as he can. If someone has better opportunities, he should spend
the whole night in worship and prayer. However, if one cannot do so for one
reason or another, he can select a considerable portion of the night, preferably
of the second half of it for this purpose, and should perform the following acts
of worship:
(a) Salah. Salah is the most preferable act to be performed in this night. There is
no particular number of Rak'at but preferably it should not be less than eight.
It is also advisable that each part of the Salah like qiyam, rukoo' and sajdah
should be longer than normal. The longest surahs of the Holy Qur'an one
remembers by heart should be recited in the Salah of this night. If someone
does not remember the long surahs, he can also recite several short surahs
in one rak'ah.
(b) Tilawa. The recitation of the Holy Qur'an is another form of worship, very
beneficent in this night. After performing Salah, or at any other time, one should
recite as much of the Holy Qur'an as he can.
(c) Dhikr.One should also perform dhikr (recitation of the name of Allah) in this
night. Particularly the following dhikr is very useful:
سُبحانَ اللهِ وَالحَمدُلِلهِ وَلاَ إلَهِ إلآ اللهُ واللهُ اكبرُ
وَلآ حَولَ ولآ قُوَّةَ إلآَّ باِ للهِ العَلىِّ العَظِيم
One should recite Salah (durood) on Prophet Muhammad, صلى الله عليه وسلم, as
many times as he can. The dhikr can also be recited while walking, lying on bed
and during other hours of work or leisure.
(d) Dua. The best benefit one can draw from the blessings of this night is prayers
and supplications. It is hoped that all the prayers in this night will be accepted by
our Lord, insha-Allah. Prayer itself is an 'Ibadah, and Allah Almighty gives reward
on each prayer along with the fulfillment of the supplicator's need. Even if the
purpose prayed for is not achieved, one cannot be deprived of the reward of
the prayer which is sometimes more precious than the mundane benefits one
strives for. The prayers and supplications also strengthen one's relation with
Allah Almighty, which is the main purpose of all kinds and forms of worship.
One can pray for whatever purpose he wishes. But the best supplications are the
ones made by Prophet Muhammad, صلى الله عليه وسلم. These are so comprehensive
and all-encompassing prayers that all the human needs, of this world and the
Hereafter, are fully covered in the eloquent expressions used in them. Actually,
most of the prophetic prayers are so profound that human imagination can hardly
match their greatness.
Several books in various languages are available which provide these prophetic
prayers, and one should pray to Allah Almighty in accordance with them, whether
by reciting their original Arabic text or by rendering their sense in one's own language.
(e) There are some people who cannot perform any additional Salah or recitations
for any reason, like illness or weakness or being engaged in some other
necessary activities. Such people also should not deprive themselves completely
of the blessings of this night. They should observe the following acts:
(i) To perform the Salah of Maghrib, 'Isha' and Fajr with Jama'ah in the mosque, or
in their homes in case of their being sick.
(ii) They should keep reciting the dhikr, particularly the one mentioned in para (c)
above, in whatever condition they are until they sleep.
(iii) They should pray to Allah for their forgiveness and for their other objectives.
One can do so even when he is in his bed.
(f) The women during their periods cannot perform salah, nor can they recite the
Qur'an, but they can recite any dhikr, tasbeeh, durood sharif and can pray to Allah
for whatever purpose they like in whatever language they wish. They can also
recite the Arabic prayers mentioned in the Qur'an or in the hadith with the
intention of supplication (and not with the intention of recitation).
(g) According to a hadith, which is relatively less authentic, Nabi صلى الله عليه وسلم
went in this night to the graveyard of Baqi' where he prayed for the Muslims buried
there. On this basis, some of the fuqaha hold it as mustahabb (advisable) in this
night to go to the graveyard of the Muslims and recite Fatihah or any other part
of the Qur'an, and pray for the dead. But this act is neither obligatory nor should
it be performed as regularly as an obligatory act.
What Should Not be Done in This Night
1. As mentioned earlier, the Night of Bara'ah is a night in which special blessings
are directed towards the Muslims. Therefore, this night should be spent in total
submission to Allah Almighty, and one should refrain from all those activities,
which may displease Allah. Although it is always incumbent upon every Muslim
to abstain from sins, yet this abstinence becomes all the more necessary in such
nights, because committing sins in this night will amount to responding to divine
blessings with disobedience and felony. Such an arrogant attitude can invite
nothing but the wrath of Allah. Therefore, one should strictly abstain from all
the sins, particularly from those mentioned in the Hadith No. 3 quoted earlier
in this article, because these sins make one devoid of the blessings of this night.
2. In this night some people indulge in some activities which they regard as
necessary for the celebration of the Night of Bara'ah, like cooking some
special type of meal, or illuminating houses or mosques, or improvised
structures. All such activities are not only baseless and innovated in the
later days by ignorant people, but in some cases they are pure imitation
of some rituals performed by non-Muslim communities. Such imitation in
itself is a sin; performing it in a blessed night like the Night of Bara'ah
makes it worse. Muslims should strictly abstain from all such activities.
3. Some people spend this night in holding religious meetings and delivering long
speeches. Such activities are also not advisable, because these acts can easily
be performed in other nights. This night requires one to devote himself for the
pure acts of worship only.
4. The acts of worship like Salah, recitation of the Qur'an and dhikr should be
performed in this night individually, not collectively. The Nafl Salah should not
be performed in Jama'ah, nor should the Muslims arrange gatherings in the
mosques in order to celebrate the night in a collective manner.
On the contrary, this night is meant for worshipping Allah in solitude. It is the
time to enjoy the direct contact with the Lord of the Universe, and to devote
one's attention to Him and Him alone. These are the precious hours of the night
in which nobody should intervene between one and his Lord, and one should
turn to Allah with total concentration, not disturbed by any one else.
That is why Prophet Muhammad,صلى الله عليه وسلم, observed the acts of worship
in this night in total seclusion, not accompanied by anyone, not even by his
favorite life companion 'Aishah,رضى الله عنها, and that is why all forms of the
optional worship (Nafl Ibadah), are advised by him to be done in individual,
not in collective manner.
Fast of the 15th Sha'ban
On the day immediately following the Night of Bara'ah, i.e. the 15th of Sha'ban,
it is mustahabb (advisable) to keep fast. Prophet Muhammad,صلى الله عليه وسلم ,
is reported to have recommended this fast emphatically. Although the scholars
of hadith have some doubts in the authenticity of this report, yet it is mentioned
earlier that the fasts of the first half of Sha'ban have special merits and Prophet
Muhammad,صلى الله عليه وسلم used to fast most of the days in Sha'ban. Moreover,
a large number of the elders (salaf) of the Ummah have been observing the fast of
the 15th of Sha'ban. This constant practice indicates that they have accepted the
relevant hadith as authentic. Therefore, it is advisable to fast the 15th of Sha'ban
as an optional (nafl) fast. One can also keep a fast of qada on this day and it is
hoped that he can also benefit from the merits of this fast.
Islamic Months Merits and Precepts
by Mufti Muhammad Taqi Usmani
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