Shabaan virtues &the 15th-Night of Emancipation...

[Muhammed Faraaz Ebrahim]

بِسْــــــــــــــــمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيْمِ

THE PROPHET'S FAST AT TIMES OTHER THAN RAMADAN, AND IT IS RECOMMENDED TO ENSURE THAT NO MONTH IS FREE OF FASTING.

It was narrated that 'Aishah(رضي الله عنها ), the mother of the believers(may ALLAH be pleased with her), said: " I never saw the Messenger of ALLAH رســــول اللـــه صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ complete a month of fasting except Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more in any month than in Sha'ban."

SAHIH MUSLIM Volume 3 hadith no 2721 page no 228.

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Du'as are accepted:
Imam Shafi’e (rahimahullah) has stated: “I have heard that du’as are accepted by Almighty Allah on five nights:
1) The night of Jumu’ah,
2 & 3) The nights of the two ‘Eids,
4) The first night of Rajab,
5) The middle (15th) night of Sha’ban,
(Lataiful Ma’arif, pg. 196)

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Night of Emancipation: 15th SHABAAN

Virtue

It is narrated from Mu’az bin Jabal (radiyallahu anhu) that Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “On the fifteenth night of Sha’baan, Allah Ta’ala bestows His special attention on His entire creation. He then forgives His entire creation except a polytheist and one who has hatred for others.” (Ibnu Hibbaan #5665)

In another Hadith, Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “On the fifteenth night of Sha’baan, Allah Ta’ala showers his special attention on the nearest heaven. Thereafter Allah Ta’ala announces; ‘Is there anyone who seeks forgiveness so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone who seeks sustenance so that I may grant it to him? Is there anyone who is in difficulty so that I may relieve him?’ These announcements continue until the break of the dawn.” (Ibnu Maajah #1388)  

Deprived

Despite the great significance of this night, it is learnt from several Ahaadith that certain people are deprived of the forgiveness of Allah Ta’ala on this occasion. They are as follows:

1. The idolators (those who join partners with Allah Ta’ala).

2. Those who have enmity, hatred and malice for other people.

3. Consumers of intoxicants. (drugs included) 

4. Those who disobey their parents.

5. Males who wear their trousers, kurtas, etc. below their ankles.

6. Those who commit murder and adultery.

7. Those who cut off family ties. 

We should therefore make sincere taubah from all these sins so that we are not deprived of Allah Ta’ala’s mercy

What to do on this night?

1. Start off your ibaadat immediately after the Maghrib Salaah. Don’t wait till the last portion of the night to commence with ones ibaadat.

2. Engage in much taubah and istighfaar.

3. This is a special night of dua. Make as much dua as possible. Remember all your beloved ones and make dua for the entire ummat of Nabi (sallallahu alaihi wasallam).

4. Engage in the zikr of laailaah illallah, durood shareef, third kalimah, etc.

5. Engage in much Nafl Salaah. If possible, read Salaatut Tasbeeh as well. Perform lengthy rakaats of Tahajjud Salaah.

6. Recite some parts of the Qur-aan Shareef especially Surah Yaseen, Tabaarak, Surah Sajdah, Surah Waaqi’ah, etc. 

7. Ponder over one’s past life and firmly resolve to reform and change oneself.   

Dua to be recited on Laylatul Baraa-at

‘Aaisha (radiyallahu anha) says: I heard Rasulullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) read the following dua in his sajdah on this night (Shabe Baraat): 

اَعُوْذُ بِعَفْوِكَ مِنْ عِقَابِكَ وَاَعُوْذُ بِرِضَاكَ مِنْ سَخَطِكَ وَاَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْكَ جَلَّ وَجْهُكَ لَااُحْصِىْ ثَنَاءً عَلَيْكَ اَنْتَ كَمَا اَثْنَيْتَ عَلٰى نَفْسِكَ

I seek protection in your forgiveness from your punishment; and I seek shelter in your pleasure from your displeasure; and I seek safety in you, from you. Glory be to you. I am unable to fully praise you. You are as you have praised yourself. 

Thereafter he said to me: “Learn this dua and teach it to others. Jibra’eel (alaihis salaam) taught this dua to me and asked me to recite it in my sajdah.” (Shu’abul Imaan #3556).

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May Allah Ta’ala grant us all the understanding and the ability to practise on our knowledge with Ikhlaas. May Allah Ta’ala grant us the full blessings of Sha`baan and Ramadaan.

[Muhammed Faraaz Ebrahim]