Mid-Sha'ban
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Mid-Sha'ban is the 15th day of the month of Sha'ban in the Islamic calendar. It is remembered by many Muslims, but for different reasons.
Contents |
[edit] Other names
- Lailatul Baraat
- Nim Sha'ban in Iran.
- Nisf Sha'ban in Arabic speaking countries.
- Shab e Bara'at in the Indian Subcontinent.
[edit] Shia view
[edit] Birth of Imam al-Mahdi
Shias believe that on the 15th of Sha'ban, 255 AH (868 CE), Muhammad al-Mahdi was born. Shias believe him to be the twelfth, final and current Shia Imam and also the Mahdi, a very important Islamic figure who is believed by all Muslims to bring absolute justice to the world by establishing Islam as the global religion.
[edit] Sunni view
Some Sunni groups believe that Mid-Sha'ban is a night of worship and salvation and it is commonly believed that during this night, Allah prepares the destiny for all people on Earth for the coming year. For this reason it is sometimes called Night of Emancipation.
[edit] Hadiths
There are some hadiths that speak about this night and the middle of Sha'aban. According to Dr. Muzzamil Siddiqi ( pakistanlink.com on Shab-e-Baraat), Imam Al-Mundhiri in his famous book At-Targhib wat-Tarhib (vol. 2, pp. 116-120) reported fourteen hadiths on the subject of this night. However, the scholars of hadith say that most of the hadiths concerning this night are not authentic. There is no mention about this night in Mishkat Al-Masabih, in Sahih Muslim or in Sahih Bukhari.
[edit] Recommended Deeds
The following practices are derived from the traditions of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam which have been mentioned above for Sha‘baan and its virtuous 15th night. It is desirable that one fasts in the month of Sha‘baan as much as one can. However, if fasting in Sha‘baan is going to affect the fasting of Ramadhaan then one should refrain from it.
Although the fast of 15th of Sha‘baan can only be derived from the ahaadeeth which have a weak chain of narration, nevertheless the fast would be desirable considering other factors such as: a) The fasts of the first half of Sha‘baan have special merits as can be seen from the practice of the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wasallam b) The virtues of the fasts of Ayyaamul Beedh (i.e. 13th, 14th and 15th of the Islamic month) have been mentioned in the ahaadeeth c) A large number of the elders (salaf) of the Ummah have been observing the fast of the 15th of Sha‘baan.
Although everyday salaah should be performed in Jamaa‘ah (congregation), on this auspicious night, one must participate with deep and solemn care in the Maghrib, ‘Ishaa and Fajr Salaah.
Spend as much time of the night as possible in worship individually. No specific du‘aa or method of worship has been prescribed. One may engage in dhikr, recitation of the Qur’aan, salaah, learning and teaching or any other form of ‘ibaadah. However, one must refrain from worldly talk and wasting of time. If ‘ibaadah is not possible then at least avoid all sinful and useless acts and go to bed as soon as possible.
In one hadeeth it has been mentioned that Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam visited the graveyard of Baqee‘. However, one may not establish the practice to be Sunnah as there is no mention of Rasoolullah sallallahu alayhi wasallam making it a general practice of this night. Hence, if one visits the graveyard once in a while it will be permissible.
[edit] Significance
Maulana Ashraf Ali Thanvi in his Urdu book Bahishti Zewar (Heavenly Ornaments), part 6, pp 61-62, summarizes the significance of this night as follows:
“Its significance is this that 15th night and 15th day of this month are very blessed ones. Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), urged Muslims to stay up during the night and fast during the day. At this night the prophet used to go to the graveyard of Madinah and prayed for the dead. Therefore, it is desirable that the Muslims should pray during that night and fast during the following day. They should also seek the forgiveness of their dead either by reciting the Qur’an or by feeding the hungry or by giving the money in charity or by just praying for them. Shab-e-Baraat.
It is claimed that on the night of the Mid-Sha'ban that God shakes the heavenly tree Sidrat al-Muntaha, mentioned in the Qur'an in verse 53:14<ref>Koran translation by M.H. Shakir, Humanities Text Initiative, Digital Library Production Service, University of Michigan;</ref>, to decide who shall die in the following year.<ref>Chowdhury, Saifuddin (18 September 2005) "Lailatul Barat" The New Nation Bangladesh</ref><ref>[http://www.dhakacourier.net/issue11/other/doc2.html Ali, Syed Ashraf (2005) "Lailat-ul Barat" Dhaka Courier 2005(11): </ref>
[edit] Traditional Observance
But according to the tradition, people prepare sweet dishes and set fireworks with great pomp and show. Sweet dishes are prepared to benefit the souls of the dead and the fireworks are used to express joy over God’s taking account of the fate of His creation. These things are just social customs and there is no reference to them in the hadiths.
[edit] References
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[edit] External links
| Muslim holidays and observances | |||||||||||
| Muslim New Year | Festival of Muharram | Day of Ashura | Imamat Day | Arba'een | Mawlid | |||||||||||
| Imam Musa al Kazim day | Lailat al Miraj | Shab-e-baraat | Ramadan | Laylat al-Qadr | Eid ul-Fitr | Eid ul-Adha | |||||||||||
