Source : Agencies / 12 Jun 2014

Sha'ban is one of the meritorious months for which we find some particular instructions in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam. It is reported in the authentic ahadith that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, used to fast most of the month in Sha'ban.

The blessed night of Bara’a                               

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

To keep Fast

According to the Hadith Shareef which is narrated by Ibne Habaan (radi Allahu ta’ala anhu) that Rasoolullah (Salla Allahu ta’ala alayhi wa Sallam) said: “When the night of 15th Shabaan arrives spend the night awake and keep fast the next day”. 

Hadrat Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu ta’ala anhu) reports that the Most Beloved (salla Allahu alayhi wa Sallam) of Allah ta’ala said often in his Khutba (sermon): “O people! Lighten and cleanse your bodies by way of fasting during Shabaan, so that it shall be easy and helpful to you for the fast during Ramadan. Whoso fasts for three days during Shabaan, all his past sins are wiped off”. (Baihaqi)

Sayyiduna Ali Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu has reported that the Holy Prophet (SallAllahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, ‘When the 15th Night of Sha'ban comes, do Qiyam (for worship) in the night and observe fast in the day. No doubt Allah reveals special Divine Manifestation on sky above the earth from the time of sunset and announces, ‘Is there anyone seeking forgiveness so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone seeking sustenance so that I may grant him sustenance? Is there anyone afflicted so that I may relieve his affliction? Is there so and so...’ He keeps announcing it until the time of the Fajr.’ [Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol. 2, Page 160, Hadith 1388]

Fasting is also recommended on the 13th, 14th and 15th of Shabaan.

How to spend the Night

On this night, perform Nawaafil, recite the Qur’an Shareef, recite abundant Durood Shareef, Istighfaar and Kalima Tayyibah. It is also mentioned that if one reads Surah Dukhan seven times on this night, Almighty Allah will reward you with 70 worldly needs and 70 deeds for the Hereafter.

Do not be amongst deprived of Mercy 

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Salla Allahu ta’ala alayhi wa Sallam) said: “Almighty Allah forgives all Muslims on this night, besides the fortune tellers, the magicians, the alcoholics, those who disrespect their parents and those who take part and encourage adultery”.

In another narration, the following people have also been mentioned:

1. One who deals in usury (Riba),

2. One who wears his trousers below his ankle with pride and arrogance (In Arabia, people displayed their wealth and boasted in this manner),

3. One who creates disunity among two Muslims,

4. The person who unjustly takes away the right and property of another Muslim and has not yet rectified himself.

All these persons are not shown Mercy on this auspicious Night.

A humble Appeal to seek Pardon and ask Allah’s Forgiveness

Dear Muslim brothers, the Bountiful Allah in His Infinite Mercy has provided us with such an auspicious night so that we may take advantage of it and repent for our sins,and thus obtain His Grace and Favour. It is for us to take full advantage of it. During this night, offer special prayers and repent sincerely for our past sins and ask for His Forgiveness. 

Also on this night the Doors of Mercy and Forgiveness are opened wide, and those who sincerely grieve over and repent for their past sins and seek forgiveness from Allah are pardoned and forgiven by the Grace of Allah the Merciful. 

Each Tasbih or Du’a should begin and terminate with the recital of Durood Shareef and one who wishes for the acceptance of his Du’as should use the Wasila of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Salla Allahu ta’ala alyhi wa Sallam).

Hadrat Ghawth al-A’zam, Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (radi Allahu anhu) has mentioned in his famous”Gunyat-ut Talibeen” that the month of Shaban according to some narrations is related to Rasoolullah (salla Allahu alayhi wa Sallam). So, it is our duty, as the Ummat of Rasoolullah (Salla Allahu ta’ala alayhi wa Sallam) to love and respect this month more than any other month (besides Ramadan). We should also offer abundantly salutations (Salaat-o-Salaam) upon the Most Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta’ala alayhi wa Sallam). 

While we are praying and asking for ourselves and family, we should also remember in our Du’as the Muslim Ummah facing calamities in many parts of the world, that may Allah Ta’ala grant them the strength and Istiqaamat (steadfastness) in Deen. Those weak Muslims who are under pressure from the West and modernisation, may Allah Ta’ala guide them and show them the right path so that they be in touch with their glorious past. Aameen. May Almighty Allah guide us on the path of the Ambiya and the Awliya. Aameen.

Nafil Salaah to be read on Shab-e-Bara'at 

Basharat of Jannah: Sayyiduna Rasulullah (Salla Allahu alayhi wa Sallam) is reported to have said that Allah Ta’ala instructs and assigns 100 angels to the person who performs 100 Nafil Salaahs on this auspicious night – 30 of which will bring the good news of Jannat, 30 angels to protect one from the Azaab (Punishment) of Dozakh (Hell), 30 to remove all misfortunes and miseries of this world and 10 angels to protect one from Shaitaan.

The Guardian of Imaan: After performing Maghrib Salaah, read 2 rakaahs of Nafil. In the first rakaah, after Surah Fatiha, recite Surah Ikhlaas 3 times and Surah Falaq once.In the second rakaah, after Surah Fatiha, recite Surah Ikhlaas 3 times and Surah Naas once. After Salam, make Du’a and ask Allah to protect your Imaan.

Barakah in Rizq: After Maghrib Salaah, read 2 rakaahs of Nafil. Thereafter, read Surah Yasin once, Surah Ikhlaas 21 times and Du’a Nisf Shabaan once. Then, make Du’a for Barakah in Rozi and ask Allah not to make you dependent on anyone. 

Long Life filled with Piety: After Maghrib Salaah, read 2 rakaahs of Nafil. Read Surah Yasin once. Then read Du’a Nisf Shabaan once. Thereafter, make Du’a for long life filled with piety and righteousness. 

Reward for ten thousand good Deeds: Anyone who performs 20 rakaahs of Nafil after Maghrib in such a way that after Surah Fatiha, recites Surah Ikhlaas 10 times in every rakaah, will be rewarded abundantly by Allah Ta’ala, and ten thousand good deeds will be recorded in his Amal Namaa (Book of Deeds).

Death with complete Faith/Imaan: Anyone who performs 2 rakaahs of Nafil on the last Friday of Shabaan between Maghrib and Esha will die with full faith and Imaan. After Surah Fatiha, one should read Ayatul Kursi once, Surah Ikhlaas 10 times and Surah Falaq and Surah Naas once in both rakaahs. If the person who reads Nafil in such a way dies until the next Shabaan, will die with Imaan, Inshaa-Allah.