See Flash Presentation on Shabaan
Sha’baan is the eight month of the Islamic calendar. It falls between two sacred months, Rajab and Ramadaan.
Allah’s Messenger (sallAllahu alaihi wa-sallam) used to spend most part of Sha’baan by fasting.
Imaam Bukhari (rahimahAllah) reports in his Saheeh that Aa’ishah (radhi Allahu anha) said: “The Messenger (sallallAhu alaihi wa-sallam) used to fast until we thought he would never break his fast, and he would not fast until we thought he would never fast. I never saw the Messenger of Allah (sallAllahu alaihi wa-sallam) fasting for an entire month except in Ramadaan, and I never saw him fast more than he did in Sha’baan.”
Some people have themselves specified particular nights of the year, when they stay awake all night and worship Allah. It is believed that anyone who worships Allah in these specific nights, it will recompense for his yearly deeds and will be enough for his salvation and entering Jannah. One among these nights is the night of mid Sha’baan (15th Sha’baan), which is popularly known as ‘Shabb-e-Baraa’t’.
Shab e Barat is Persian for lailatul qadr:
The night on which the Quran was revealed is termed “Lailatul Qadr” in Surah al Qadr in the Quran. When Lailtul Qadr is translated in Persian Language : Lailatul became Shabb and Qadr became “Baraat”. Thus Shab e Baraat is the Persian translation of Lailatul Qadr.
This is the night on which Quran was revealed, it is a night of great blessing and it falls in the last 10 days of Ramadan.Thus there is no reality in celebrating the night of 15th of sha’baan, because Shab e Baraat actually falls in Ramadan.
(Reference:Translation of Tafsir Surah Dukhaan, Taiseer ul Quran , Vol 4, pg. 176 by Molana Abdul Rehman Kelani.)
Facts and Misconceptions about Shabaan
by Asma Binte Shameen
Growing up in Pakistan, the month of Sha’baan would bring in a lot of excitement and celebration. And that was because celebrating the night of the fifteenth of Sha’baan was a big thing and considered a very virtuous act, indeed. Men would gather in the masjid while the women prepared ‘Halwas’ and sweets, preparations were made for all night vigils or “Shabeenas” as they were called, buses were made available to take the men to visit the graveyards and flyers were distributed to everyone containing a long list of ’special prayers’ so that they could stay up all night praying.
But, Alhamdulillaah, how Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta’ala protects His Deen. When Allaah enabled me to study this beautiful religion of ours, all that changed. I realized that all those ’special prayers’, all those night vigils, all those Halwas and all those graveyard visits were really not the way of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam). In fact all that was far…far away from his Sunnah and the Sharee’ah that he brought.
And so I thought I would bring to attention some of the misconceptions and wrong ideas attached to this month as this ignorance and innovation has become so rampant, that it has become a sort of an epidemic, not only in Pakistan but in practically every Muslim community that exists.
Misconception # 1: The night of the 15th of Sha’baan should be singled out for worship, prayer, etc.
Clarification: Our best example and role model is the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and he never, ever singled out this night for worship or qiyaam nor did his Sahaba.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:”There is no saheeh hadeeth concerning the night of the fifteenth of Sha’baan. All the ahaadeeth that have been narrated concerning that are mawdoo’ (fabricated) and da’eef (weak), and have no basis. There is nothing special about this night, and no recitation of Qur’aan or prayer, whether alone or in congregation, is specified for this night. What some of the scholars have said about it being special is a weak opinion. It is not permissible to single it out for any special actions. This is the correct view. And Allaah is the Source of strength.” (Fataawa Islamiyyah, 4/511)
Misconception # 2: There are special prayers to be offered on this night.
Clarification: The truth of the matter is that there are NO special prayers to be offered on this night specifically. And all those ‘ahaadeeth’ giving you long lists of special ‘formulas’ that are “supposed to guarantee you Allaah’s forgiveness and Jannah” are all fabricated, false and innovations in our Deen.
If there were such prayers, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) would have told us about them and we would have had evidence of him and the Sahaba doing it.
Misconception # 3: Allaah descends to the first heavens on this night to forgive us.
Clarification: Allaah’s descending to the first heaven does not only happen on the night of the fifteenth of Sha’baan. Rather it happens every single night of the year.
The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said: “Every night when it is the last third of the night, our Lord, the Superior, the Blessed, descends to the nearest heaven and says: Is there anyone to invoke Me that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone asking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?. ” (Bukhaari)
Thus, when ‘Abd-Allaah ibn al-Mubaarak was asked about the descent of Allaah on the night of the fifteenth of Sha’baan, he said to the one who asked him: “O weak one! The night of the fifteenth?! He descends every night!”
Misconception # 4: This is the night when our fate, lifespan, and provisions are decreed.
Clarification: Some people think that the “blessed night” (laylatim-mubarakah) mentioned in Surah ad-Dukhaan (44): 3, refers to the night of 15th Shabaan, when Allah decrees our lifespan, provisions and fate. In fact, they even pray 6 rakahs, 2 for each of these things. However, all that is fabricated and far, far away from the Sunnah. And, in reality, the “blessed night” mentioned in Surah ad-Dukhaan, actually is referring to Laylatul Qadr that comes in Ramadhaan. (Tafseer Ibn Kathir of Surah al-Qadr)
Misconception # 5: One should fast on the day of the fifteenth.
Clarification: Here again, there is no saheeh reports that tell us that the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) or his Sahaabah ever picked this day specifically to fast. The Sunnah of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was to fast most of this month and not just the 15th. However, if the fifteenth of Sha’baan coincides with a Monday or Thursday, or with the three white days or if a person is generally fasting, without associating seeking extra rewards to fasting this specific day, then it is allowed. (Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid)
Misconception # 6: This is the night when the souls of departed ones return to their families.
Clarification: Here again, some people misunderstand the ayaat in Surah al-Qadr and think that the ’sending down of the Ruh’ as mentioned in this Surah refers to the souls of dead people returning to see their families, even though it refers to Jibreel (Tafseer Ibn Kathir). And that is why we see women preparing the sweets, the Halwas and other ‘goodies’ for the souls of their loved ones.
Not only is that in itself an erroneous, deviant belief and bid’ah, but to believe that the souls of the dead can return back to the world and meet with their relatives is also totally incorrect and false. The teachings of the Qur’aan and the Sunnah clearly state that the souls of the dead do not return back to the world. Besides, they don’t even eat the Halwas. It is actually you who eats it!
Misconception # 7: Visiting graveyards especially this night is something good.
Clarification: Although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) encouraged visiting graves, he forbade singling out any day or night for any kinds of good deeds if it is not prescribed in the Sharee’ah. And he did not specifically visit the graveyard on the night of the 15th of Sha’aan. The hadeeth of Aisha that mentions that the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) visited the graveyard this night is not authentic and thus does not have any proof for visiting graves specifically on this night of Shabaan.
Misconception # 8: Even if the ahaadeeth about worship on this night are weak, one can still do it.
Clarification: The correct scholarly view is that weak ahaadeeth should not be followed at all, even if they speak of righteous deeds or of targheeb and tarheeb (promises and warnings). The saheeh reports are sufficient and the Muslim has no need to follow the da’eef reports.
Shaykh Ahmad Shaakir said: “There is no difference between rulings or righteous deeds; we do not take any of them from da’eef reports, rather no one has the right to use any report as evidence unless it is proven to be soundly narrated from the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) in a saheeh or hasan hadeeth.”
Misconception # 9: Look at all those people doing it. How can they all be wrong?
Clarification: The Muslim is supposed to refer to Allaah and His Messenger (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam)’s Sunnah, if there is any confusion or dispute about matters and NOT what the rest of the world is doing.
“O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger and those of you who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allaah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allaah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination [al-Nisaa’ 4:59]
Shaykh Ibn Jibreen said: “These reports (about worship and fasting an the 15th of Sha’baan) became very well known in some countries which were overwhelmed by ignorance; One should not be deceived by the large numbers of ignorant people who do these things.”
The REAL Sunnah regarding Sha’baan:
If you truly and sincerely want to please Allaah and do deeds that will be acceptable to Him, then follow the REAL Sunnah of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam). Here is what is proven in the authentic sunnah:
1. Fast most of this month as much as you can.
Aa’ishah RA said: “I never saw the Messenger of Allaah fasting for an entire month except in Ramadaan, and I never saw him fast more than he did in Sha’baan.” (Bukhaari, Muslim).
2. Do not fast in the second half of Shabaan
However, if you are weak or do not fast habitually and feel that this nafil fasting may be a hindrance to your obligatory fasting in the month of Ramadhaan, then the person may stop the nafil fasting in the last few days of this month. And for that person, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:
“When Sha’baan is half over, do not fast.” (saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi).
3.Make up your missed fasts
If you have fasts left over from last Ramadhaan to make up, then hurry up and do so in this month of Sha’baan before the next Ramadhaan comes. It is not permissible to delay missed fasts until after the following Ramadhaan, except in cases of necessity (such as a valid excuse that continues between the two Ramadaans). Aa’ishah RA said: ‘It used to be that I had days to make up for Ramadhaan and I would not be able to do so except in Sha’baan.” [Bukhaari]
Fabricated and Weak Hadiths about Shabaan
Rasool Allah (s.a.w) said: “Who ever knowingly attributes a lie to me then he should make his abode in hell” (Bukhari)
The following are some of the weak and fabricated ahadith about Shabaan which are famous and are narrated frequently. Weak ahadith and fabricated ahadith should not be quoted as sayings of Rasool Allah as it is equivalent to attributing a lie to Rasool Allah (s.a.w) and is a major sin.
1.Oh Allah, Bless for us the month of Rajab and Shaban and grant us the month of Ramadan”
2.The superiority of Shabaan over other months is like my superiority over other prophets.
3.When the night of 15th of Sha’baan arrives, then pray during the night and fast during the day
4.There are five nights during which no invocation (dua ) is rejected, the first night of rajab,the night of 15th of Shabaan, the night of Friday, the night of Eid ul fitr and the night of Eid of sacrifice.
5.Jibreeel alayhis salam came to me and said – this is the night of 15th of Shabaan and in this night the as many people are freed from hell as the amount of hair on the goats (of the tribe) of banu kalb.
6.Oh Ali (RadiAllahu Anhum) whoever prays a hundred rakat on the night of 15th Sha’baan and in that prayer he recites Surah Ikhlaas (Qul Ho Wallahu Ahad) a thousand time, then Allah Tala will fulfill all his needs which he asks that night.
7.Whoever recites Surah Ikhlaas one thousand times on the 15th of Sha’baan, then Allah will send hundred thousand angels to him who will give him the glad tidings (of paradise)
8.On the 15th of Sha’baan, whoever prays three hundered rakat prayer ( according to another tradition it is twelve rakat) and in every rakat he recites Surah Ikhlaas thirty times, then his intercession for 10 people who were destined for hell will be accepted.!
9.Shabaan is my month
10.Who ever stays up for worship on the night of Eid and the night of 15th of Sha’baan, then his heart will not become dead (on the day) when every other heart will become dead.
11.Whoever stays up for worship on the five nights, then paradise will become a must (wajib) for him. The night of Tarwiah, Night of Arafah,Night of sacrifice, night of eid ul fitr and the night of 15th of Sha’baan.
May Allah have mercy on us all. All of the above mentioned ahadith on fasting and doing worship at night on the 15th of Sha’baan are Weak (Daif) and unauthentic. We should be very clear that there isn’t a single “Sahih” hadith about this day which may be used to accept and recognize these acts of worship.
Considering the status of these ahadith it can be stated that fasting especially on the 15th of shabaan and doing worship during the night of 15th of shabaan is an extreme innovation (Biddat) which has no basis whatsoever in the sunnah and should be clearly avoided.
Allah Knows Best.
Hadith Status References:
1.Kitab Ul Azkaar, Imam Nawawi.
Meezan Al Aitadaal, Imam Zahbi. Darul Kutub Al Ilmiyah 1995.
Majma Zawaid,Imam Haithimi 165/2, Darul Rayan1407 Hijri..
Daif ul Jama, Allamah Nasiruddin Albani.
2.Kitab al Ajab, Ibn Hajar. Hadith Status:Fabricated (Mawdoo)
Kashful Khafa 110/2, Imam Ajloni, Arrisala 1405 Hijri.
Kitab al Masnoo, Imam Ali Bin Sultan Qari 281/1, Maktab ar Rishd 1404 Hijri.
3.Al Alal Al Matnahiyah, Ibn al Jawzi 562/2, Darul Katab Al Ilmiyah,1403 Hijri.
Masbah azjajah, Kanani 10/2, Darul Arbiah,1403 Hijri.
Alfawaid almajmoah, Allamah Shaukani, 51.
Tuhfatulhawzi, Mubarakpuri,366/3, Darul Kutub al Ilmiyah.
Silsilah Al Ahadith ad-daifah, Nasiruddin Albani,2132.
4.Silsilah Al Ahadith ad-daifah, Nasiruddin Albani,2132.
5.Sunan Al-Tirmidhi Mutbua 116/3 Ahy Altaras
Al-Ilal Almutnahiya, Imam Jawzi, 556/2, Darul Kutub Al Ilmiyah 1403 Hijri.
Daeef Jiddan Ibn Majah, Allama Albani,295.
6.Al Manar Al Munif, Imam Abu Abdullah Muhammad Al Hanbli, Darul Matbooat Al Islamiyah, 1403 Hijri.
Kashaf Al Khafa, Imam Ajlani, 566/2, Matboah Ar Risalah, 1405 Hijri.
Al Fawaid Al Majmoah, Imam Shokani, Pg. 50.
Naqd Al Manqool, Allamah Zarae, 85/1.
7.Lisaan Al Meezan, Ibn Hajar,271/5, Idara Al Almi,1405 Hijri.
Al Manar Al Maneef, Abu Muhammad Abdullah Al Hanbli, Darul Matbooat Al Islamiyah,1403 Hijri.
Naqd Al Manqool, Allamah Zarae, 85/1, Darul Qadri, 1411 hijri.
8.Kashaf Al Khafa, 13/3 Matbuah Ar Risalah, 1405 Hijri.
Al Manar Al Maneef, Abu Muhammad Abdullah Al Hanbli, Darul Matbooat Al Islamiyah,1403 Hijri.
Naqd Al Manqool, Allamah Zarae, 85/1, Darul Qadri, 1411 hijri.
9.Kashaf Al Khafa, 13/3 Matbuah Ar Risalah, 1405 Hijri.
Silsilah Al Ahadith Al Daifah, Albani, Hadith no. 4400.
Al Qawaid Al Majmuah, shokani, Pg. 100.
10.Al Meezan Al Aitadaal, Imam Zahbi, 372/5, Darul Kutub Al Ilmiyah, 1405 Hijri.
Al Asabah, Ibn Hajar, 580/5, Darul Jeel, 1412 Hijri.
Al Alal Almatnahiyah, Ibn Jawzi, 562/2, Darul Kutub Al Ilmiyah, 1403 Hijri.
11.Daif At Targheeb, Albani, 667.
