Shab-e-Baraat is the name given to the holy night of 15^th Shaban, the month prior to Ramadan in the Islamic calendar. This night is also known as Lailatul Baraat or Nifs Shaban.

In this article, we aim to provide evidence for its authenticity and give an insight into the details of this auspicious night.

Authentic Hadith regarding Shab-e-Baraat

1. Significance on this Night

Mu’aaz Ibne Jabal quotes Rasulallah as saying “Almighty Allah looks upon His creation at the half of Shaban, and other than the Mushrik (who make partners with Allah) and jealous people, He forgives all.”

[Sahih Ibne Hibban]

This Hadith proves that on the 15^th Shaban, Almighty Allah opens His bounty and forgiveness to all, exclusing those who take part in Shirk and those who hold jealousy in their hearts.

This particular narration alone proves the greatness of this night, when good deeds should be emphasised upon so that one can reap as much benefit as possible on this holy date.

The aforementioned Hadith has been described in many authentic Hadith books including its reliable Sanad (chain of description). Imam Muhammad Ibne Hibban, in his ‘Kitabus Sahih’ (which is also known as Sahih Hibban) has mentioned this Hadith (13/481A). This is Hadith No. 5665 of the mentioned Book.

Apart from this, Imam Baiyhaqi has described this Hadith in Shuabul Iman (3/382, Hadith 3833), ‘Al Mujjamul Kabeer’ and ‘Al Mujamul Aswat’. Many other Imams of Hadith have also mentioned this Hadith in their books.

The Sanad (chain of description) of this Hadith is authentic. For this, Imam Hibban has described it in ‘Kitabus Sahih’. Some from the perspective of terminology has mentioned it ‘Hasan’; Hasan is just a specific type of authentic Hadith.

Iman Muziri, Ibne Rajab, Nuruddin Haisami, Qastalani, Zurkani and other Hadith specialists have stated this Hadith to be ‘worthy to be accomplished’.

See, At-Targeeb Wattarheeb 2/118; 3/459; Latayeful Ma’arif 151; Majmauz Zawayed 8/65; Sharhul Mawahibil Laddunya 10/561

2. Nafl Prayers on this Night

Reported by Hazrat Ala ibne Haris , Hazrat Ayesha narrates:

“Once Rasulallah stood for Salah at night and he stayed in Sajda (prostration) for such a long time that I thought he had passed away. I then woke up and shook his thumb. His thumb shook. He got up from Sajda and completed his Salah and told me, “O Ayesha!” or he said “O Humaiyra!” Did you think that the Messenger of Allah will seize your right? I answered, “No, O Messenger of Allah! By seeing your lengthy Sajda, I thought that you had passed away.” Rasulallah asked, “Do you know which night this is?” I answered, “Allah and his Rasul know best.” Rasulallah said, “This is the night of mid-Shaban (the 15th of Shaban – the night of 14th Shaban). Almighty Allah pays attention towards His slaves this night and forgives the forgiveness-seekers and helps the help-seekers and leaves the jealous in their situation.”

[Shuabul Iman, Baihaqi 3/382 – 368]

From this Hadith it is proved that Nafl prayers in which the Sajda is lengthened is permissible, and is even a Sunnah. One must bear in mind however, that the length of the Nafl prayer should not be such that the Fajr prayer is missed. After all, Farz has higher priority over Sunnat & Nafl.

3. Fasting on the Day of 15^th Shaban

Hazrat Ali narrates that Rasulallah said, “When the night of 15th Shaban approaches, pass through it with Ibadat and fast the following day. Because, on this night after sunset Almighty Allah descends to the lower skies and says, ‘is there anyone who seeks forgiveness? I will forgive him. Is there anyone who seeks sustenance? I will provide him sustenance.’ In this way till dawn, Almighty Allah calls upon (his slaves) by mentioning various necessities.”

[Sunan Ibne Maja, Hadith 1384]

In this Hadith, it is proven that to pray throughout this night and then to fast the next day is of utmost blessing. Almighty Allah, on this night, increases the broadness of His Mercy & Blessing by seeking those in need of His countless bounties.

Ala Hazrat’s View on Shab-e-Baraat

It is reported that Ala Hazrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan states:

"Verily the auspicious night of Shab-e-Baraat is drawing near, when the deeds of the slave will be presented to Almighty Allah. I humbly supplicate in the Darbar-e-Aqdas (the Court) of Almighty Allah that through the Waseela of Sayyiduna Rasulallah , He forgives the sins and transgressions of all Muslims. Ameen.

On this occasion, it should be the duty of all Sunni Muslims to forgive one another and to make sure that debts owed to one another are settled. The importance of the rights of creation cannot be over-emphasised, as this is among the requirements for proper Ibadat. I pray that all Muslims humbly remember this night and try as much as possible to perform Ibadat and other pious deeds so that their Book of Deeds be presented in all dignity.

Finally, I pray that Almighty Allah assists you and I and the Muslim Ummah wherever you may be. Muslims should be aware of sincerity and honesty in all their deeds. May Almighty Allah forgive all of us. Ameen."

Extract about Shab-e-Baraat by Hazrat Ghaws-e-Azam

Hazrat Shah Abdul Qadir Jilani states in his book, Ghunyat lit-Taalibi:

“ Hadrat Abu Huraira reported the Noble Prophet as saying:

"Jibra’il (A.S) came to me on the night of mid-Shaban and said to me, 'O Muhammad, raise your head towards the Heavens!' I asked him, 'What night is this?’ and he replied, ‘This is the night when Allah () 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.”

At a quarterof the night, Jibra’il (A.S) came down and said, ‘O Muhammad, raise your head!” So I looked up, to behold the gates of Paradise wide open. At the first gate, an angel was calling, ‘Good news for those who bow in worship this night!’ At the second gate, an angel was calling, ‘Good news for those who prostrate themselves in worship this night!’ At the third gate, an angel was calling, ‘Good news for those who offer supplication this night!’ At the fourth gate, an angel was calling, ‘Good news for those who make remembrance this night!” At the fifth gate, an angel was calling, ‘Good news for those who weep this night from fear of Allah!” At the sixth gate, an angel was calling, ‘Good news for those who submit this night!” At the seventh gate, an angel was calling, ‘Will anyone ask, that his request may be granted?” At the eighth gate, an angel was calling, ‘Will anyone seek forgiveness, that he may be forgiven?” I said, ‘O Jibra’il, how long will these gates remain open?’ He replied, ‘From the beginning of the night until the break of dawn.” Then he said, ‘O Muhammad, tonight Allah has as many slaves freed from the Fire as the number of woolly hairs on the flocks and herds of Kalb.’”

It is said of Hazrat Hassan Basri that he came out of his house on the day of mid-Shaban, looking as if he had been buried in the grave and then disinterred (dug up). When asked about this, he said, “By Allah, what is the plight of a shipwrecked sailor, when compared to my own?” Someone enquired, “Why is that ?” and he replied, “Because I am certain of my sins, but I tremble over my good deeds, for I know not whether they will be accepted of me or rejected.” ”