The Importance of Shab e Barat – The Night of Forgiveness
Allah (swt) forgives many of His servants on the night of Shab-e-Barat, which first occurred on one of the middle nights of Sha’ban (either the 13th, 14th or 15th). This year, Shabe-e-Barat also referred to as ‘Laylat-ul-Barat’, and ‘Laylat-ul-Nisf-min-Sha’ban,’ is expected to fall on Sunday, February 25, 2024.
What happened on Shab e Barat?
The importance of the 15th night of Sha’ban is a subject of debate among Muslims. Some celebrate the night with special prayers and fasting the following day, while others consider this practice to not be from the Sunnah.
Ibn Taymiyyah says, ‘So many Hadiths and reports exist regarding the excellence of the 15th night of Sha’ban that one is compelled to accept that this night does possess some virtue’.
Why is the 15th of Sha’ban so significant?
The biggest blessing of this night is that Allah (swt) pours His mercy and forgiveness upon Earth from Maghrib until Fajr. The Prophet (saw) described the extent of this forgiveness in numerous narrations, including the one below:
'Allah gazes at His creation on the fifteenth night of Sha’ban and then forgives all His slaves except for two types of people: those who attribute partners to Allah and those who have rancour for their fellow Muslims.' (Ahmad)
In other narrations, the Prophet (saw) mentioned more categories of people who wouldn’t be forgiven, including those who severed the ties of kinship and those who disobeyed their parents, among others.
The Prophet (saw) also said to Aisha (ra), ′Allah descends on the night of the middle of Sha’ban to the lowest heaven, and He forgives more than the numbers of hairs on the sheep of Banu Kalb (an Arab tribe renowned for their great flocks of sheep)’. (Ibn Majah and others)
Finally, the Prophet (saw) said that on this night, from sunset until dawn, Allah asks His servants, ′Is there anyone seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone seeking provision from Me so I may provide for him? Is there anyone suffering so I may relieve his suffering? ′ (Ibn Majah)
What is should I pray on Shab e Barat?
This Dua is Sahih (authentic) and can be found in Imam Baihaqi’s collection, among others. It is narrated that the Prophet (saw) used to recite it during Sujood and after Witr prayer.
However, you can still pray nafil salah during this night to benefit from its blessings. Ibn Taymiyyah says, ‘Some of the pious predecessors used to specially devote this night (15th Sha’ban) for Salah’.
Moreover, the Prophet (saw) always encouraged praying nafil salah and making dua at night, particularly during the last third of the night.
What should you do on the 15th of Sha’ban?
It is important to make plenty of dua. Increase your dhikr, and ask Allah (swt) for forgiveness, mercy, relief from suffering and provision. Remember to also forgive anyone who you may have a grudge against and resolve any conflicts with loved ones.
Should I fast on the 15th day of Sha’ban?
It is a Sunnah to fast on the ‘bright days’ (the 13th, 14th and 15th) of every month anyway, so fasting on Shab–e-Barat is highly recommended. Furthermore, increase your voluntary fasts during Sha’ban, as this is the month in which good actions are raised to Allah:
Is Shab e Barat the night of destiny?
Most scholars agree that the 15th of Sha’ban is not mentioned in the Qur’an.
Some commentators have said that the night is mentioned in Surah Dukhan - ‘Indeed, We sent it [the Book] down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind]. On that night is made distinct every precise matter’. (Qur’an, 44:3-4). However, most scholars agree that this ayah refers to Laylat-ul-Qadr. Allah (swt) knows best.
Even though it is not mentioned in the Qur’an, it is still a very sacred night. Umar bin ’Abd al-’Aziz, and others, said, ’Do not neglect four nights in the year, because on those nights Allah pours His mercy upon His slaves: the first night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Sha`ban, the night before Eid al-Fitr and the night before Eid al-Adha’.
Therefore, we should try to increase our ’ibadah and ask for Allah’s mercy and forgiveness. It is a time when our actions are raised to Allah(swt), when our love for the Prophet (saw) increases, and when we prepare for the blessed month of Ramadan.
What good actions can I do in Sha’ban?
One of the ways you can prepare for Ramadan is by giving Iftar to those in need. The Prophet (saw) said,
‘Whoever feeds a person breaking his fast will earn the same reward as him,
without anything being lessened from the reward of the fasting person’. (Tirmidhi)
By providing Iftar, you can earn the reward of giving charity in Sha’ban - and multiply the rewards of your fasts in Ramadan!
May Allah (swt) allow us to benefit from the blessings of this night. May He forgive our sins, increase our provision and relieve us of hardship. May Allah (swt) bless us in Sha’ban and enable us to reach Ramadan, Ameen!
