The Month of Sha'baan
&
Laylatul - Baraa'ah(The Fifteenth Night of Sha'baan)
The month of Sha'baan, month of our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam, enjoys a very special place in the Islamic Calendar because in this month lies a very auspicious night known as LAYLATUL- BARAA'AH (The Night of Emancipation; The night of Freedom from fire). The word Sha'baan means branches of good a'maal (deeds).
FASTING IN SHA'BAAN:
In this month Nabi Muhammad sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam peace be upon him used to fast more than in the preceding months. Hadhrat Ayesha(radhiyallahu anha) may Allah be well pleased with her reports that: "I never saw the Messenger of Allah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) fasting in a month so profusely as he did in the month of Sha'baan. He used to fast in that month leaving only a few days, rather, he used to fast almost the whole of the month." (Tirmizi)
However, Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) advised in several other Ahaadeeth that when the (first) half of Sha'baan has passed, one should not fast (i.e. during the second half of the month). Ulama/scholars explain that one should not unduly exert and strain one's self by fasting much (in the second half), for fear of one's health deteriorating before Ramadhaan begins; instead one should rather build strength and prepare one's self for the fast of Ramadhaan.
The blessed companion Usama ibn Zaid radiyallahu anh may Allah be well pleased with him, reports that he asked Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wa sallam: "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 sallallahu alaihi wa sallam 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."
SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NIGHT OF BARAA'AH
On this night Allah's Special Mercy and Forgiveness descends upon His fortunate servants from the commencement of the night (from Maghrib/sunset) until dawn. Furthermore, the announcements seeking out those who want forgiveness well exceed those, which occur every other night of the year.
It is narrated from Hadhrat Abdullah bin Amr(radiyallahu anhu) that Rasullullah sallallahu alaihi wassallam said: "Allah looks with special attention towards His creation on the fifteenth night of Sha'baan and forgives all His servants except for a mushrik (idolater) or a mushahin (one bent on hatred). (Ibn Hibban, Sahih)
Hadhrat Uthmaan bin Abil 'Aas(radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that Rasullullah
sallallahu alaihi wassallam said: : "On the fifteenth night qf Sha'baan Allah's (special mercy) descends to the nearest heavens. Thereafter, a proclaimer announces:" Is there anyone who seeks forgiveness so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone who desires anything so that I may grant his wishes? Allah thus fulfills the requests of all accept the adulteress and idolator." ( Baihaqi has reported this Hadith -Durre Manthur Page 27 Vol.6)
Abu Huraira may Allah be well pleased with him reported the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam as saying:
Gabriel alaihi salaam peace be upon him came to me on the night of mid-Sha`ban and said to me: "O Muhammad, raise your head heavenwards!" I asked him: "What night is this?" and he replied: "This is the night when Allah, Glorified is He, opens three hundred of the gates of mercy, forgiving all who do not make anything His partner. The only exceptions are those who practice sorcery or divination, are addicted to wine, or persist in usury and illicit sex; these He does not forgive until they repent."
From Ikrima rahmatullahu alaih may Allah bestow his mercy upon him:
"[A night] in which every firm decree is made distinct." (Holy Quran 44:4)
"That is the night of mid-Sha`ban, when Allah (Exalted is He) arranges the affairs of the year. He transfers -some of- the living to the list of the dead, and records those who will make pilgrimage to the House of Allah, neither adding one too many nor leaving a single one of them out."
Aisha radiyallahu anha may Allah be well pleased with her once said: "I heard the Prophet sallallahu alaihi wa sallam say:
"Allah showers down benefits on four nights: the Night of Sacrifice; the Night of Breakfast; the Night of mid-Sha`ban, when Allah records times of death and allots provisions, and lists the pilgrims; and the Night of `Arafa till the call to prayer."
SINCERE TAUBAH(REPENTANCE)
Allah says in the Noble Qur'aan: " O you who believe, turn to Allah with sincrere repentance, in the hope that your Lord will remove from you your evil deeds." (Holy Quran: Surah Tahreem).
What should one do on this night?
During this night one should engage oneself in Salaah/prayer, Qur'aan Tilaawat, Du'aa, Istighfaar and Zikr, according to one's ability and strength.
The virtue of this night as established from Ahaadeeth, is that from the very beginning of the night, Allah Ta'ala turns with special mercy and attention towards the creation and forgives those who repent and seeks forgiveness. We are to have firm hope and resolution in the heart that Allah Ta'ala will surely show mercy and forgiveness. We should value and treasure this night and derive maximum benefit therefrom; remembering to make duaa for the entire Ummah, the living and the deceased. Let us not be deprived of its tremendous blessings due to sheer negligence and indifference.
PREPARATION FOR RAMADHAAN
Our beloved Prophet Muhammad sallallahu alaihi wassallam frequently recited the following du'aa: "0 Allah bless us in Rajab and Sha'baan and make us reach Ramadhaan."
