Mu'adh bin Jabal radiyaAllahu Anhu relates the Prophet salaAllahu alihi said: "God looks at His creation during the middle night of Sha'ban and forgives all of them, except an idolator and one who harbours hatred (in another narration found in the Musnad of Ahmed from Abdullah Ibn Amr ibn al'Aas 'except an idolator and a murderer.'"
Collected by Ibn Majah, no.1390; Ibn Hibban, no.1980. After evaluating eight different chains for this hadith, al-Albani concludes: 'The hadith, with its collective chains of transmission, is authentic (sahih) without doubt.' Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah (Riyadh: Maktabah al-Ma'arif, 1979), 3:138.
The hadith of the lady 'A'ishah: 'Allāh, exalted is He, descends to the nearest heaven in the middle night of Sha'ban and His forgiveness is greater than the number of hairs on the sheep [in the tribe] of Kalb.'
Ibn Majah, no.1389; al-Tirmidhi, no.736. Al-Mubarakpuri wrote: 'Collectively, such hadiths constitute a proof on those who allege that nothing is confirmed with respect to the merits of the middle night of Sha'ban.' Consult: Tuhfat al-Ahwadhi bi Sharh Jami' al-Tirmidhi (Beirut: Dar al-Kutub al-'Ilmiyyah, 1990), 3:367.
Nevertheless, there is no particular action of worship established as a Sunnah to be done EXCLUSIVELY on this beautiful night.
However, Fasting the 13,14,15 of the lunar month is the Sunnah. Establishing night prayers / Tahajjud salaah and increasing it is liked by many of the Salaf on this night as stated by Ibn Rajab, al Munthiri, al Mubarakfuri and many others.
Ibn Taymiyyah wrote: 'Hadiths and salaf-reports about the virtues of the middle night [of Sha'ban] have been related. It is also reported about a group of the salaf that they would pray during the night. Thus the prayer of someone praying individually during the night has a precedent with some of the salaf, and therefore stands as a proof for it. So it cannot be objected to.'
In another fatwa, he stated: 'If someone offers prayer in the middle-night of Sha'ban, whether individually or collectively, then this is excellent (fa huwa ahsan).
Majmu' Fatawa (Riyadh: Dar 'Alam al-Kutub, 1991), 23:132.
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 or intermitted by any one else.
That is why Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, observed the acts of worship in this night in total seclusion, not accompanied by anyone, not even by his favorite life companion Sayyidah 'Aishah, Radi-Allahu anha, 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.
Insha Allah, the night of Saturday 21nd of May 2016 will be Laylatul Baraa'ah (15th Sha'baan).
Please note that the significance of this night is firmly established in our Deen. Please read the following articles from prominent Ulama regarding the significance of this great night:
Don't remain in the dark regarding this auspicious night!
Virtue of the Night of 15th Shaba’an [Shab-e-Bar'aat] :
Hadith number – 1
Narration of Sayyiduna Mu'aadh ibn Jabal (Radhiallaahu Anhu) that
Rasulullah (Sallallaahu Alayhi Wasallam) said ----- “Allah Ta'ala
turns to his entire creation on ...the fifteenth night of Sha'baan and
forgives all of them except one who ascribes partners to Him and one
who harbours enmity in his heart.”
• (This Hadith has been also recorded by Imaam Tabrani in his Mu'jamul
Awsat Hadith 6776 and Mu'jamul Kabeer vol.20 pg.108-109…)
• Imaam ibn Hibbaan (RA) has classified this narration as Sahih
(authentic) and has included it in his book – al-Saheeh. (see Sahih
ibn Hibbaan vol.12 pg.482; Hadith5665)
• Hafiz al-Haythami (RA) has mentioned that all the narrators of this
Hadith are reliable. (Majma-uz-zawaaid vol.8 pg.65)
• The great hadith scholar of the present time , Shaykah Shuayb
Al-Arna'uat ( Rh) and famous La-Mazhabi hadith scholar Nasiruddin
Albani, have also considered this Hadith as 'Sahih'. ( Ref: - Shuayb
Al-Arna'ut: Al-Ihsan fi Taqrib Sahih Ibn Hibban 12/481 #5665 &
Nasiruddin Al-Albani: Silsilah Al-Ahadith Al-Sahihah 3/135 #1144 )
Very early Hadith books such as the Mussanaf of Abdul Razzaq Ibn Humam
(R) (126-211 AH) ( Ref: Musannaf Abdur Razzaq 4/317) & the Musnad of
Ahmad Bin Hanbal (R) (164-241 AH) ( Ref: Musnad Ahmad 2/176 & 6/238)
contain Ahadith relating to the virtues of 15th Sha'ban.
Even within the famous Six Books of Hadith (al-Kutub al-Sittah)---
• Trimdhi ( Ref: Jami' Al-Trimidhi: Kitab Al-Sawm, Bab "Ma ja'a fi
Laylatin Nisfi min Sha.ban" #739 (Vol.3 p107))
• Ibn Majah (Sunan Ibn Majah: Kitab Al-Iqamah, Bab "Ma Ja'a Fi
Laylatun Nifsi min Sha'ban" #1388 (Vol. 1 p444)
have devoted a special chapter on "The Night of the Middle of Sha'ban"
in their Hadith collections.
In fact there are over a dozen Ahadith available which establish the
significance of the night of the 15th of Sha'ban. Here are a few more
Sahih (Authentic) Hadith on the merits on the Night of 15th of
Shaba’an.
Hadith number – 2
There is another identical Hadith related from the Companion Abdullah
b.'Amr (May Allaah be pleased with him) which says that the
Prophet(Sallalahu Alaihi Wassalam) said: "Allah looks at His creation
during the night of the 15th of Sha'ban and He forgives His servants
except two- one intent on hatred (mushanin) and a murderer (qatilu
nafs).
( Ref : Musnad Ahmad 2/176 #6642. Al-Bazzar also related this Hadith
and he classified it as 'Hasan'. )
Note : ------
In his edition of Musnad Ahmed, Shaykh Ahmed Shakir has classified
this Hadith as 'Sahih' and Nasiruddin Al-Albany classified it is
'Hasan'
Hadith number – 3
A similar narration as above , but narrated by Abu Bakr Siddiq Rd .
It has been classified as sound by Haafiz al-Munzhiri (RA) in his
al-Targheeb (vol.3 pg.459). This narration is of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr
(Radhiallaahu Anhu) and is recorded by Imaam Bazzaar (RA) in his
Musnad. In fact, Hafiz ibn Hajar (RA) has also classified one of its
chains as Hasan (sound).
(Al-Amaalil mutlaqah pgs.119-120)
Besides the above, there are many other Sahaaba (Radhiallaahu Anhum)
that narrated Ahaadith regarding the merit of this night, such as: Abu
Hurayra (Musnad al-Bazzaar), Abu Tha'labha (Shu'ubul Imaan), Awf ibn
Maalik (Musnad al-Bazzaar), Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas (Musnad Ahmad
Hadith6642), Abu Moosa al-Ash'ari (ibn Majah Hadith1390; Shu'ubul
Imaan Hadith3833) and others. The collective strength of these
narrations cannot be refuted.
**************************************************
Only Sahih Hadiths have been quoted above.
The weak hadith on this topic suffer only from minor weakness . There
is general consensus that weak hadiths may be acted upon for virtuous
acts, such as voluntary fasting and prayer, as long as the hadith is
not excessively weak, returns to a general basis in the Shariah, and
one is not convinced that the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him
peace) specifically prescribed it.
There are many other narrations from the Companions and early Muslims
confirming the merits of this night as mentioned by Ibn Rajab
al-Hanbali in his Lata’if al-Ma`arif, and others.
All the weak hadith which talks about the merits of 15th of Shaba’an,
have got only minor weakness in them. Going by the principle of
hadith, these weak hadiths also strengthen each other.
Some more Hadith
Hadith --- 1
Hadhrat Ali [radhiallaahu anhu] relates that Rasoeloullaah
[sallallaahu alayhi wasallam] said:----“When it is the fifteenth night
of Sha-baan then remain busy in Iebaadah during the night and fast for
the day, for indeed Allaah descends to the nether (lower) sky at the
setting of the sun and He proclaims: Is there anyone seeking my
forgiveness so that I may pardon him; is there anyone who seeks
livelihood from me, so I may sustain him; is there anyone who is in
distress that I may bless him with relief and safety; is there someone
in this condition; is there someone in that state? And so this
continues until the break of dawn”.
(Ibn Maajah, also Mieshkaat)
Hadith --- 2
Hadhrat Aa-ishah [radhiallaahu anhu], relates that I once did not know
the whereabouts of Rasoeloul-laah [sallallaahu alayhi wasallam]. Then
he was at the Jannatoel Baqie. Rasoeloul-laah then asked me: What, do
you fear that Allaah and his Rasool will forsake you? Hadhrut Aa-ishah
[radhiallaahu anhu] replied: `I thought you went to some other lady
from amongst your wives'. Then Rasoeloullaah [sallallaahu alayhi
wasallam] said: `Indeed Allaah Ta-aalaa descends to the nether (lower)
sky on the middle night of Sha-baan. Then He certainly forgives more
persons than the count of fibres upon a sheep of the Kalb tribe'.
(Tirr-mithy, Mieshkaat)
Hadith --- 3
Hadhrat Aa-ishah [radhiallaahu anha] relates that the Nabi once
inquired from her: `Are you aware of the virtue of this night,
(meaning the middle night of Sha-baan)?' She asked: `What is the
significance O Rasool of Allaah?' He then said: `It is on this night
that each one of the sons of Aadam who shall be born is determined,
and each one of the sons of Aadam to die that year is fixed. It is on
this night that the deeds of every person is presented, and their
sustenance apportioned'. (Bai-huqiy, Mieshkaat)
***********************************************
What the Scholars have said about this Night:
• The general virtue of this night has been accepted by many great
Ulama of the past. From among many great scholars which have agreed to
the virtue of this night are: Umar ibn Abdul-Aziz, Imaam al-Shaafi’ee,
Imaam al-Awzaa’ie, Attaa ibn Yassaar, Imaam al-Majd ibn Taymiyah, Ibn
Rajab al-Hambaliy and Hafiz Zaynu-ddeen al-Iraaqiy (Rahmatullaahi
alayhim) .
(Refer:Lataiful Ma’aarif of Hafiz ibn Rajab pgs.263-264 and Faydhul
Qadeer vol.2 pg.317)
• Ibn Taymiayh said
“ As for the middle night of Sha’baan, there are various narrations
that have been narrated regarding its significance and it has been
reported from a group of the Salaf (predecessors) that they performed
Salaat in it individually, hence, such a deed cannot be disputed.’
(Majmoo’ al-Fataawa ibn Taymiyah vol.23 pg.132)
• Imam Suyuti (Rh)says in his Haqiqat al-sunna wa al-bid`a:
“As for the night of mid-Sha`ban, it has great merit and it is
desirable (mustahabb) to spend part of it in supererogatory worship.”
( Ref: Suyuti, Haqiqat al-sunna wa al-bid`a aw al-amr bi al-ittiba` wa
al-nahi `an al-ibtida` (1405/1985 ed.) p. 58. He adds: "However, this
must be done alone, not in congregation.")
• Imam Nawawi ( Rh) mentioned in his Majmu`, where he also quoted Imam
al-Shafi`i from the latter’s al-Umm that it has reached him that there
are 5 nights when dua is answered, one of them being the night of the
15th of Sha`ban.
• Imam Haskafi ( Rh) said in his Durr al-Mukhtar, one of the primary
references in the Hanafi school:
"Among the recommended [prayers] are on. . . . the nights of the two
Eids, the middle of Sha`ban, the last ten of Ramadan, and the first
[ten] of Dhul-Hijjah”.
• Even Ibn Taymiayh considered the night of mid-Sha`ban "a night of superior merit" in his
Iqtida' al-sirat al-mustaqim:
[Some] said: There is no difference between this night (mid-Sha`ban)
and other nights of the year. However, the opinion of many of the
people of learning, and that of the majority of our companions (i.e.
the Hanbali school) and other than them is that it is a night of
superior merit, and this is what is indicated by the words of Ahmad
(ibn Hanbal), in view of the many ahadith which are transmitted
concerning it, and in view of what confirms this from the words and
deeds transmitted from the early generations (al-athar al-salafiyya).
Some of its merits have been narrated in the books of hadith of the
musnad and sunan types. This holds true even if other things have been
forged concerning it.
THE NIGHT OF BARA’AT AND THE QURAAN
Has the night of Bara'at been mentioned in the Quraan? The most correct opinion is that the night of Bara'at has not been mentioned in the Quraan.
Allah Ta'ala
Last edited by AabiruSabeel; 05-26-2016 at 05:28 PM.
Reason: removed negative references to other groups
The Blessed Night of Mid-Shabaan (15th Shabaan) TONIGHT!!!
The Special Night of mid-Shabaan (15th Shabaan) is tonight (Saturday night):
Status of 15th*Night of Shaban (A balanced approach):
عن معاذ ابن جبل عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: يطلع الله الى خلقه فى ليلة النصف من شعبان فيغفر لجميع خلقه الا لمشرك أو مشاحن. رواه امام ابن حبان فى صحيحه و بيهقى فى شعب الايمان و غيرهما
Muadh Ibn Jabal R.A narrated that the Prophet ﷺ*said Allah looks at his creation in the 15th**night of Shaban thereafter forgives everyone except two people: a person who makes a partner with Allah and one who has hatred for others.
Imam Ibn Hibban narrated this hadeeth in his Saheeh and Imam Bayhaqi in Shuabul Imaan.
Note:*This hadeeth is accepted by many scholars such as Ibn Hibban, Bayhaqi, Haithami, Mundhiri & Suyuti.
It is also accepted by many contemporary scholars from different ideological backgrounds like Shaykh Fadhlur Rahman Adhami, Taqi Uthmani and late Nasir-Uddin Albani.
The greatness of this night is accepted by various scholars of the past and present;
such as Imam Haskafi and Ibn Taymiyah.
Imam Haskafi*said in his Durr al-Mukhtar,"Among the recommended [prayers] are on. . . .the nights of the two Eids, the middle of Sha`ban, the last ten of Ramadan, and the first [ten] of Dhul-Hijjah."
Ibn Taymiyah*was asked about the prayer of mid-Sha`ban [i.e. the night of].He answered: "If a person prays that night alone, or in a select congregation, as many groups (tawa’if) of the early Muslims used to do, it is very good. “As for gathering in the mosque for a particular fixed prayer, such as to gather for 100 rakats in which 1,000 “Qul huwaAllahu Ahad” are read every time, this is incorrect innovation, which none of the imams have allowed.” (Ibn Taymiyya, al-Fatawa al-Kubra, 2; 222-138)
Visiting graves on the 15th*night of Shaban:
There an extremely weak hadeeth regarding Prophet visiting the grave on this night. Most hadeeth scholars did not accept it.
The prophet did not specify any days for visiting the grave, in fact he would visit whenever it was his turn to be with Aisha and most hadeeth about encouragement for visiting grave are general not limited to any particular days. Some reports mention visiting on Fridays but without any restrictions to just the fridays.
Visiting the grave for supplication on any night including the 15th*is not forbidden however one must make sure that he doesn’t consider it as sunnah to visit on the 15th*night.
Specifying Fasting on the 15th*of Shaban
There is an extremely weak hadeeth and some hadeeth scholars labelled it as ‘fabricated’ which put forward a special merit for fasting on the 15th.*Hence it is not a sunnah*to specify 15th*with the intention of gaining extra reward based on the weak hadeeth.
If someone keeps a fast on the 15th by looking at the general reward for fasting in Sha'ban then there is no harm in that as there is no hadeeth forbidding it
Note:*
1.There is no fixed method of prayer or worship.
2. It is not compulsory to engage in any extra worship this night
3. Dua seems to be the main focus as Allah forgives very generously
4. Pray Isha and Fajr in the masjid and engage in Quran recitation
5. Forgive people and remove hatred etc.
6. Do not trouble anyone especially those outside the masjid and neighbours
Although most scholars agree with the special status of the 15th night however some scholars disagree hence some people and some Masajid will not pay special attention to it.
The general public must not delve into academic debates and create divisions.
(Lataaif Al-Ma’arif – Hafidh Ibn Rajab Hanbali, *Shabe Barat 15th*Night of Shaban –Shaykh Fadhlur Rahman Al-Adhami)
Re: The Blessed Night of Mid-Shabaan (15th Shabaan) TONIGHT!!!
Mufti Muhammed ibn Adam al Kawthari replied to a comment regarding 'Shab e Barat', I felt it was worth sharing. There are many who ask regarding its authenticity.
"There's are so many errors in your understanding brother. First of all it is not called 'shab r barat'! It is called laylat al-bara'ah, i.e the night of 15th Sha'ban. Also, the difference is not between Salafis and tablighis (tablighis is not a theological group). Thirdly, this is not even a Aqida issue, it is a fiqh issue.
As for the ruling, some people say that there are no authentic hadiths that proof the virtues of this night hence one should treat it as a normal night. Others say there are approximately 10/11 Hadiths which are weak but they can be acted upon as it is to do with virtues and not halal and haram.
Now, if someone feels the hadiths are not established, that's up to them. If others feel, the hadiths prove this night's virtues, let him worship in this night. However, what both parties must avoid is arguing all night long about the night.
Re: The Blessed Night of Mid-Shabaan (15th Shabaan) TONIGHT!!!
"The ruling of the madhhab of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal (r) is that it is recommended to increase in acts of worship, such as prayer, dhikr and reciting of the Qur'an, on the night of the 15th of Sha'ban (tonight inshaallah until Fajr).
The virtue of this night is what is narrated from a group of the taabi'een and salaf, that they used to increase greatly in acts of worship.
Shaykhul Islam ibn Taymiyyah (r) and ibn Rajab (r) stated that althought many narrations regarding the virtue of this night are weak, the narrations and actions of the salaf prove that this is a virtuous night in which one should increase in worship hoping for the vast mercy and forgiveness of Allaah Almighty.
May Allaah forgive our sins and purify our hearts and bestow His vast mercy upon us in this life and the next."
Re: The Blessed Night of Mid-Shabaan (15th Shabaan) TONIGHT!!!
It is not prescribed in Islam to celebrate the night of the fifteenth of Sha‘baan, whether that is by spending the night in prayer, dhikr and reading Qur’aan, or by distributing sweets or giving food to people and so on.
It is not known in the saheeh Sunnah that this night is to be singled out for acts of worship or customs.
The night of the fifteenth of Sha‘baan is just like any other night.
The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas said:
It is not permissible to celebrate the occasion of Laylat al-Qadr or any other night, or to hold celebrations on other occasions such as the night of the fifteenth of Sha‘baan, the night of the Mi‘raaj, or the Prophet’s birthday (Mawlid) and so on, because these are innovations that have been introduced into the religion and were not narrated from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) or any of his Companions. And he (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever does an action that is not part of this matter of ours (i.e., Islam) will have it rejected.” And it is not permissible to help others to hold these celebrations by giving money or gifts or distributing cups of tea, and it is not permissible to give speeches and lectures on these occasions, because that comes under the heading of approving of them and encouraging them. Rather it is obligatory to denounce them and not to attend them. End quote.
Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa’imah, 2/257-258
Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen (may Allah have mercy on him) was asked:
We have some customs that we grew up with and that have been passed down to us, on some occasions, such as making cakes and cookies on Eid al-Fitr, and preparing platters of meat and fruit on the night of the twenty-seventh of Rajab and the fifteenth of Sha‘baan, and different kinds of sweets that must be prepared on the day of ‘Ashoora’. What is the Islamic ruling on that?
He replied:
As for expressing joy and happiness of the days of Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, there is nothing wrong with that if it is within the limits prescribed in Islam, such as preparing food and drink and the like. It is proven that the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “The days of at-Tashreeq are days of eating and drinking and remembering Allah, may He be glorified and exalted.” This refers to the three days following Eid al-Adha, when the people offer their sacrifices and eat from the meat and enjoy the blessings that Allah has bestowed upon them. Similarly, on Eid al-Fitr there is nothing wrong with expressing joy and happiness so long as it does not overstep the limits set by Islam.
As for expressing joy on the night of the twenty-seventh of Rajab or the fifteenth of Sha‘baan or the day of ‘Ashoora’, this is something for which there is no basis. Rather it is forbidden and the Muslim should not attend if he is invited to such celebrations. The Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) said: “Beware of newly invented matters, for every newly invented matter is an innovation (bid‘ah), and every innovation is a going astray.”
The night of the twenty-seventh of Rajab is what some people claim is the night of the Mi‘raaj during which the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) was taken up to Allah, may He be glorified and exalted. There is no proof of this date from a historical point of view, and everything for which there is no proof is false, and that which is built on falsehood is also false. Even if we assume that this event took place on that night, it is not permissible for us to introduce on that date any of the symbols of festivals or acts of worship, because no such thing is proven from the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) or from his Companions who were the closest of people to him and the keenest of people to adhere to his Sunnah and follow his path. So how could it be permissible for us to introduce something that did not happen at the time of the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) or at the time of his Companions??
Even with regard to the night of the fifteenth of Sha‘baan, there is no proof that the Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) ever venerated it or spent that night in prayer. Rather some of the Taabi‘een spent that night in prayer and dhikr, not in eating and celebrating as if it were a festival. End quote.
Some Muslims celebrate the middle of Sha‘baan, fasting on that day and spending that night in prayer (qiyaam). There is a hadeeth concerning that which is not saheeh, hence the scholars regarded celebrating this day as an innovation (bid ‘ah).
Muhammad ‘Abd al-Salaam al-Shuqayri said: Imam al-Fatni said in Tadhkirat al-Mawdoo‘aat: Among the innovations that have been introduced on “Laylat an-Nusf” (mid-Sha‘baan) is al-Salaat al-Alfiyyah, which is one hundred rak‘ahs in which Soorat al-Ikhlaas is recited ten times in each rak‘ah, offered in congregation; they pay more attention to this than to Jumu‘ah and Eid prayers, although there is no report concerning it, except da‘eef (weak) and mawdoo‘ (fabricated) reports, and we should not be deceived by the fact that these reports were quoted by the authors of al-Qoot and al-Ihya’ and others, nor should we be deceived by what was mentioned in Tafseer al-Tha‘labi, that it is Laylat al-Qadr. End quote.
Al-‘Iraaqi said: The hadeeth about the prayer on Laylat al-Nisf (mid-Sha‘baan) is false. Ibn al-Jawzi narrated it in al-Mawdoo‘aat (which is a compilation of fabricated hadeeths):
Chapter on the hadeeth, prayer and supplication on Laylat al-Nisf:
The hadeeth, “When the night of ‘nisf Sha‘baan’ (mid-Sha‘baan) comes, spend the night in prayer and fast on that day” was narrated by Ibn Maajah from ‘Ali. Muhashiyyah said: (It was also narrated) in al-Zawaa’id. Its isnaad is da‘eef (weak) because of the weakness of Ibn Abi Basrah, of whom Ahmad and Ibn Ma‘een said: He fabricates hadeeth. End quote.
Praying six rak‘ahs on Laylat al-Nisf with the intention of warding off calamity, having a long life and being independent of people, and reciting Ya-Seen and offering du‘aa’ in between that -- there is no doubt that this is something that has been introduced into the religion and is contrary to the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him). The commentator on al-Ihya’ said: This prayer is well known in the books of later Sufi masters, but I have not seen any saheeh report in the Sunnah to support it and the connected du‘aa’. Rather this is the action of some shaykhs. Our companions said: It is makrooh to gather on any of the nights mentioned in the mosques or elsewhere. Al-Najm al-Ghayti said, describing spending the night of al-Nisf min Sh‘baan (mid-Sha‘baan) praying in congregation: That was denounced by most of the scholars of the Hijaz, including ‘Ata’ and Ibn Abi Mulaykah, the fuqaha’ of Madinah and the companions of Maalik. They said: All of that is an innovation (bid‘ah) and there is no report to suggest that the Prophet spent that night in praying in congregation or that his Companions did that either. Al-Nawawi said: The prayers of Rajab and Sha‘baan are two reprehensible innovations. End quote from al-Sunan wa’l-Mubtada‘aat, p. 144
Al-Fatni (may Allah have mercy on him) said, after the comments quoted above: The common folk are so infatuated with this prayer that they stored up a lot of fuel for it and many evils resulted from it, and many transgressions are committed which we do no need to describe. (It is so bad that) the close friends of Allah feared His punishment and fled into the wilderness. The first time this prayer occurred was in Bayt al-Maqdis (Jerusalem) in 448 AH. Zayd ibn Aslam said: We never saw any of our shaykhs or fuqaha’ saying that Laylat al-Baraa’ah (15 Sha‘baan) had any superiority over other nights. Ibn Dihyah said: The hadeeths about the prayer on Laylat al-Baraa’ah are fabricated and one has an interruption in the isnaad. Anyone who acts upon a report which is known to be false is a servant of the Shaytaan.
End quote from Tadhkirat al-Mawdoo‘aat by al-Fatni, p. 45
See: al-Mawdoo‘aat by Ibn al-Jawzi, 2/127; al-Manaar al-Muneef fil Saheeh wa’l-Da‘eef by Ibn al-Qayyim, p. 98; al-Fawaa’id al-Majmoo‘ah by al-Shawkaani, p. 51
Some people use the word al-Sha‘baaniyyah to refer to the last days of Sha‘baan, and say, “These are the days of bidding farewell to food,” and they take advantage of these days to eat a lot before Ramadan begins. Some scholars say that this idea was originally taken from the Christians, who used to do that as their fasting period (Lent) approached.
To sum up, there is no celebration in Sha‘baan and there is no special act of worship to be performed in the middle of it or during the last days of the month. Doing that is an innovation that has been introduced into the religion.
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