The Month of Sha'baan & Laylatul - Baraa'ah(The Fifteenth Night of Sha'baan)


The month of Sha'baan 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(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) used to fast more than in
the preceding months. Hadhrat Ayesha(radhiyallahu anha) 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 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
fasts of Ramadhaan. However, should one have the strength and health, then
it would be meritorious and virtous to keep fasts according to one's
ability.
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 (i.e. from Maghrib) 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(radhiyallahu anhu) that
Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: "Allah looks with special
attention towards His creation on the fifteenth night of Sha'baan and
forgives all His servants except two categories of people, the person who
harbors enmity(hatred) and a murderer." ( Imam Ahmad reports this Hadith
with a slightly weak chain of narrators- Targhib-wat-Tarhib)
Hadhrat Uthmaan bin Abil 'Aas(radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that
Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: : "On the fifteenth night of
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)
UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE
According to the Ahaadeeth, certain people are deprived of Allah's mercy
even on this auspicious night. These unfortunate souls are:
1) Those who ascribe partners unto Allah.
2) Those who harbour enmity against others.
3) Those who habitually consume alcohol.
4) Those who disobey their parents.
5) Those men who wear their trousers etc.below their ankles.
6) Those who commit adultery and murder.
7) Those who sever family ties.
Every Muslim should take stock of oneself and if one is involved in any of
the above vices, one should turn to Allah and sincerely implore for
forgiveness, lest one be deprived on this night.
SINCERE TAUBAH(REPENTANCE)
Allah Ta'aala 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." (Quran: Surah Tahreem - Para 28). One should turn towards
Allah with sincere regret and shame for the sins that one has committed. One
should seek Allah's forgiveness for one's sins and make a firm resolution
and promise not to commit sin again. However, sins relating to the rights of
fellow beings will not be forgiven by mere taubah alone. Allah will only
forgive such sins if forgiveness is first sought from the person who had
been harmed and a sincere effort to redress the wrong committed against
him/her is made.
What should one do on this night?
During this night one should engage oneself in Salaah, Qur'aan Tilaawat,
Du'aa, Istighfaar and Zikr, according to one's ability and strength.
PREPARATIONS FOR RAMADHAAN
Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) frequently recited the following du'aa: "
0 Allah bless us in Rajab and Sha'baan and make us reach Ramadhaan." We
should earnestly begin preparing for Ramadhaan during this month of Sha'baan
by making Istighfaar and cleansing ourselves of sins. We must endeavour to
curtail our desires of committing sins, especially with the eyes, ears,
tongue, mind and heart. Then we should begin inculcating good practices and
bring about a spiritual and moral transformation in our lives in
anticipation and eagerness for Ramadhaan.
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. Every Muslim should therefore value this night. Turn towards
Allah Ta'ala with sincere regret and shame over sins committed and make a
firm promise not to return to sin and seek forgiveness from Allah Ta'ala.
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.
Sources:
1. Ilmun Noor- Nurul Huda
2. Shabe' Baraat- Sheikhul Hadeeth Fadhlur Rahman
3.Al Hidaayah: Pamphlet No. 10