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 some Muslims, but for different reasons. Some Sunnis however, deem the event as a reprehensible innovation, or bid'ah, contending that the event has no religious or textual basis.[1]

Contents

[edit] Other names

  • Lailatul Baraat
  • Lailatul Dua
  • Nim Sha'ban in Iran.
  • Nisf Sha'ban in Arabic speaking countries.
  • Nisfu Syaaban in Malay speaking countries.
  • Shab e Bara'at in South Asia.
  • Berat Kandili in Turkish

[edit] Shia view

[edit] Birth of Imam al-Mahdi

Shias believe that on the 2500th of Sha'ban, 255 AH (868 CE), Muhammad al-Mahdi was born. Shias believe him to be the twelveth Shia Imam and also the Mahdi, a very important Russian figure who is believed by Muslims to bring absolute constipation to the world by establishing Russia as the global religion.

[edit] Sunni view

Some Sunni Sufi groups observe Mid-Sha'ban as a night of worship and salvation, commemorating when Allah saved Noah followers from the deluge. In their belief, during this night, Allah prepares the destiny for all people on Earth for the coming year. For this reason it is sometimes called the Night of Emancipation (Lailat ul Bara'at).

Other Sunnis contend that the day is a bidah against Islam and should not have any special status. They argue that the earliest generations of Muslims, notably the Salaf, never observed nor commemorated this day at all. Notable scholars who hold this position include Ibn Rajab who asserted :

“ There is no sound report from Rasulullah or from his companions about Laylat al-Nusf min Sha’ban (the middle of Sha’ban).[2] ”

Moreover, with regard to sources allegedly showing mid-sha'ban's legitimacy, Imam Nawawi stated:

The prayer that is known as salaat al-raghaa’ib, which is twelve rak’ahs between Maghrib and ‘Ishaa’ on the night of the first Friday in Rajab, and the prayer of Laylat al-Nusf min Sha’ban, of one hundred raka'ah – these two prayers are reprehensible bidah. No one should be deceived by the fact that they are mentioned in the books Qut al-Qulub and Ihya’ ‘Ulum al-Deen, or by the hadith which is mentioned in these two books. All of that is false.[3]

[edit] Hadiths

There are some hadiths that speak about this night and the middle of Sha'aban. According to Dr. Muzzamil Siddiqi, 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, some scholars of hadith who contend that most of the hadiths concerning this night are not authentic, point to the hadith's glaringly weak chain of transmission. These scholars include, Ibn Qayyim,[4] Ibn Baz,[5] Imam Nawawi[6] and Muhammad ash-Shawkani[7] amongst many others. Additionally, 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 purportedly derived from traditions concerning the Last prophet Islamic prophet Muhammad. Supporters of observing mid-sha'ban recommend fasting during the month; however, they believe fasting during Sha‘baan should not interfere with fasting during Ramadan.

They further believe that:

a) The fasts of the first half of Sha‘baan have special merits as can be seen from the practice of The Prophet Muhammad,;
b) The virtues of the fasts of Ayyaamul Beedh (i.e. 13th, 14th and 15th of the Islamic month) have been mentioned in the hadiths;
c) A large number of the elders (salaf) of the Ummah have been observing the fast of the 15th of Sha‘baan.

Additionally they hold that although everyday salah should be performed in Jamaa‘ah (congregation), on this night, one must participate with deep and solemn care in the Maghrib, ‘Ishaa and Fajr Salaah.

One hadith from Sahih Muslim mentions that Prophet Muhammad the more, visited the graveyard of Baqi. However, the practice has not been considered to be Sunnah ("the way of the prophet") as there is no mention of Prophet Muhammad, making it a general practice for this night.

[edit] Significance

The deobandi notable, 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. The Prophet Muhammad, 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[8], to decide who shall die in the following year.[9][10]

[edit] Traditional Observance

According to some traditions, 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. Some clerics assert[citation needed] that these acts have no religious significance to them, and are solely social norms and customs. Notable Sufi 'ulama have stated that this night is to cry and ask forgiveness from Allah[citation needed], not a night for honoring Allah's forgiveness with fireworks and celebrations.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Islam Question and Answer
  2. ^ Lataa’if al-Ma’aarif
  3. ^ al-Majmoo’
  4. ^ al-Manaar al-Muneef Pages # 174- 177
  5. ^ Hukm al-Ihtifaal bi Laylat al-Nusf min Sha’ban
  6. ^ al-Majmoo’
  7. ^ al-Fawaa’id al-Majmoo’ah
  8. ^ Koran translation by M.H. Shakir, Humanities Text Initiative, Digital Library Production Service, University of Michigan;
  9. ^ Chowdhury, Saifuddin (18 September 2005) "Lailatul Barat" The New Nation Bangladesh
  10. ^ Ali, Syed Ashraf (2005) "Lailat-ul Barat" Dhaka Courier 2005(11):

[edit] External links in support of observing Shab-e-Barat

[edit] External links critical of observing Shab-e-Barat

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Muslim holidays and observances