VIRTUES OF SHABA’AN AND THE 15TH OF SHABA’AN (SHABE BARA’AT)
LAST UPDATE: 29/AUGUST/2015
VIRTUES OF SHABA’AN AND THE 15TH
OF SHABA’AN (SHABE BARA’AT)
Ibn-Taimiyyah was asked about of the 15th night of Sha'ban. He
replied:
اما ليلة النصف روئ فئ فضلهااحاديث واثار ونقل عن طانفتهمن السلف انهم كانوايصلون فيها فصلاة الرجل فيها وحده وقد تقدمه فيه سلف فيه حجته فلا ينكرمثل هزا
Translation: As for the 15th night of Shabaan, there are many narrations and Athar (quotes from the Sahabah) regarding its virtue. It has been reported of the salaf that they prayed in this night. Therefore, praying alone on this night, having precedence in the salaf, is sufficient evidence and something of this kind surely cannot be denied.
At another occasion, Ibn-Taimiyyah was asked the same question and he replied:
وسنل عن صلاة نصف شعبان فاجاب ازا صلئ الانسان ليلة النصف وحده اوفئ جماعته خاصته كما كان يفل جماعته خاصته كما كان يفعل طوانف من السلف فهواحسن
Translation: If one prays on this night alone or in a select company of people as many groups amongst the salaf did, "then it is good". [Fatawa Ibn Taimiyyah Volume 23, Page 131-132]
اما ليلة النصف روئ فئ فضلهااحاديث واثار ونقل عن طانفتهمن السلف انهم كانوايصلون فيها فصلاة الرجل فيها وحده وقد تقدمه فيه سلف فيه حجته فلا ينكرمثل هزا
Translation: As for the 15th night of Shabaan, there are many narrations and Athar (quotes from the Sahabah) regarding its virtue. It has been reported of the salaf that they prayed in this night. Therefore, praying alone on this night, having precedence in the salaf, is sufficient evidence and something of this kind surely cannot be denied.
At another occasion, Ibn-Taimiyyah was asked the same question and he replied:
وسنل عن صلاة نصف شعبان فاجاب ازا صلئ الانسان ليلة النصف وحده اوفئ جماعته خاصته كما كان يفل جماعته خاصته كما كان يفعل طوانف من السلف فهواحسن
Translation: If one prays on this night alone or in a select company of people as many groups amongst the salaf did, "then it is good". [Fatawa Ibn Taimiyyah Volume 23, Page 131-132]
CONTENTS:
PART 1: SHORT VIDEOS
PART 2: ARTICLES
PART3: BOOKS IN ENGLISH AND URDU
PART4: VIDEOS IN ENGLISH AND URDU
PART 1: SHORT VIDEOS
URDU VIDEO: 1 Kam ilm rakhne wale aur dawa saare ilm k karte
hue, Shabe Baraat ki Fazeelat ka inkar karte hai | 2 MINS 30 SECS
URDU VIDEO: 2 Ye tasavur galat hai k faqt ek Shabe Qadr ki
fazeelat hai! Shabe Baraat ki bi apni ek fazeelat, darja wa rutba hai! Ek
muqam, dusre muqam ko mita nai sakhta | 11 MINS 56 SECS
URDU VIDEO: 3 Ramzan k baad, Mah e Shabaan ki khaas fazeelat
wa ehmiat | 10 MINS 25 SECS
URDU VIDEEO: 4 Shabe Baraat(15th Shabaan) ki fazeelat | 28
MINS 49 SECS
URDU VIDEO: Imam Ibn Majah se Shabe Baraat ki fazeelat sabit
hai | 7 MINS 34 SECS
URDU VIDEO: Imam Tabarani, Ibn Hibban, Ahmad bin Hanbal,
Behaqi se Shabe Baraat ki fazeelat sabit hai | 2 MINS 31 SECS
https://archive.org/details/ImamTabaraniIbnHibbanAhmadBinHanbalBehaqiSeShabeBaraatKiFazeelatSabitHai
ENGLISH VIDEO: Importance of 15th night of Shabaan in light
of Hadith | 11 MINS 53 SECS
URDU VIDEO: Lafz
'Shabe Baraat' hadees se sabit hai | 1 MIN 38 SECS
URDU VIDEO: Lafz 'Shabaan' ka matlab | 1 MIN 51 SECS
URDU VIDEO: Shabaan vo Barkat wala mahina hai jisme
Huzur(saw) par Durood o Salam ki ayat Allah ne nazil farmayi | 1 MIN 4 SECS
URDU VIDEO: Shabe Baraat ki fazeelat kaseer Imamo se sabit
hai | 5 MINS 45 SECS
URDU VIDEO: Shabe Baraat ki hadees 8 sahaba se riwayat hai
aur vo hadeese dhaeef nai hai | 11 MINS 37 SECS
URDU VIDEO: Shabe Baraat ki raat ko ibadat karna aur
qabristan jaana SUNNAT se sabit hai | 7 MINS 2 SECS
ENGLISH VIDEO: Virtues of Shaban by Shaykh Muhammad Umar
Al-Qadri |10 MINS
URDU VIDEO: Wahabio ke Imam Ibn Tayyima se Shabe Baraat ki
fazeelat sabit hai | 1 MIN 38 SECS
PART 2: ARTICLES
SHABAAN 15TH NIGHT
- VIRTUES AND ADVISE (With Scan Pages)
The Night of Forgiveness Lailat
ul-Baraat
The best age is my age and The
virtues of Shabaan (Sab sy Afzal mera Zamana hy + Shab e Barat ki Ahmiyyat o
Fazeelat )
Authenticity of the Hadith of mid
shaba'an
Ghunya al-Talibeen on Sha`ban
Hadith on the Benefits of Fasting
in Sha`ban
On the Benefits of the Night of
mid-Sha`bān
Refutation On shab e baraat
Ahadiths
REFUTING SALAFIS : QUESTIONS ON
FASTING AND VOLUNTARY WORSHIP IN THE MONTHS OF RAJAB AND SHA`BAN
The Virtues of Sha’ban AND 15th
Night of Sha`ban
What The Holy Quran says about
the Shab Baraat ?
THE EXCELLENCY OF THE 15TH NIGHT
OF SHABAAN
http://mrehan786.blogspot.com/2011/01/excellency-of-15th-night-of-shabaan.html
http://mrehan786.blogspot.com/2011/01/excellency-of-15th-night-of-shabaan.html
PART3: BOOKS IN ENGLISH AND URDU
ENGLISH BOOK: The specific
virtues of Nisf-Sha’baan; the midde of Sha’baan Muhammad bin Yahya bin Muhammad
Al-Husayni An-Ninowy | Pages: 18
URDU BOOK: Shab e Baraat
rokaney ki napak jasarat By Allama Abdul Razzak | Pages: 65
This book consists of refutation
of almost all the objection upon Shabe Baraat. Read or Download:
URDU BOOK: Shab-e- Barat K
Fazail-o-Dalail By Maulana Abu Al Hamid
| Pages: 226
This is also a good collection of
proofs
URDU BOOK: Shab-e-Barat | Pages: 24
URDU BOOK: Fazail e Shabe Baraat,
Hadith ki Roshni me by Mufti Zia aldin Naqshbandi | Pages: 64
ENGLISH BOOK : Fadhaail e Shab
Baraat : Excellence of the 15th night of Shaba'an in the light of the Holy
Quran and Hadith by Mufti Zia aldin
Naqshbandi
URDU BOOK: Munirul Iman Fi
Fazaile Shaban By Maulana Suhail Ahmad Naimi | Pages: 187\
URDU BOOK: Mah-e-Shaban Or Shab-e-Barat | Pages: 50
URDU BOOK: Momin ka Halwa,
Munafiq ka balwa | Pages: 9
PART4: VIDEOS IN ENGLISH AND URDU
URDU VIDEO: Shab e Barat ki
Ahmiyyat o Fazeelat by Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri | 55MINS
THIS IS AN IMPORTANT LECTURE
URDU VIDEO: Lafz Hameem aur
Pegham e Shab e Barat By Shaykh-ul-Islam Dr. Muhammad Tahir-ul-Qadri | 1HOUR
51MINS
ENGLISH VIDEO: laylat ul baraat (SHAB E BARAAT) by shaykh
abdul haadi qadiri nuri | 1 HOUR 22 MINS
URDU VIDEO: shab e barat ki fazilat of ahmiyat | 47 MINS
URDU VIDEO: Haqiqat e Shab e Bara'at | 1 HOUR 5 MINS
INSHA’ALLAH IN FUTURE I WILL ADD MORE INFO ON IT
MAY ALLAH(SWT) GRANT US THE DEEDAR E MUSTAFA(PEACE BE UPON HIM) BA HALT
E BEDARI! AMIIN!
COMPILED BY: MUHAMMAD REHAN SIDDIQUI
Hadith on 15th of Shaaban
Very early Hadith books such as the Mussanaf of Abdul Razzaq Ibn Humam
(May Allaah have mercy on him) (126-211 AH)( Ref: Musannaf Abdur Razzaq 4/317) and the Musnad of Ahmed bin Hanbal (May Allaah have mercy on him) (164-241 AH) ( Ref: Musnad Ahmad 2/176 & 6/238)contain Ahadith relating to the virtues of 15th Sha'ban.
Even within the famous Six Books of Hadith (al-Kutub al-Sittah), Trimdhi ( Ref: Jami' Al-Trimidhi: Kitab Al-Sawm, Bab "Ma ja'a fi Laylatin Nisfi min Sha.ban" #739 (Vol.3 p107))and Ibn Majah (Sunan Ibn Majah: Kitab Al-Iqamah, Bab "Ma Ja'a Fi Laylatun Nifsi min Sha'ban" #1388 (Vol. 1 p444) have devoted a special chapter on "The Night of the Middle of Sha'ban" in their Hadith collections. In fact there are over a dozen Ahadith available which establish the significance of the night of the 15th of Sha'ban.
There are many hadith on the merits of this Night and some of them are weak ( dai’f).However, it is to be noted that not all of the 'weak' Ahadith suffer from major weaknesses and in fact the minor weaknesses in some Ahadith are curable and strengthened by other narrations.
( Wahabi Scholar Albani : : Silsilah Al-Ahadith Al Sahihah 3/135)
When all the numerous weak Ahadith are combined together, they reach a level of acceptability among Hadith scholars equivalent to being 'Hasan' (good).
Here are a few Sahih (Authentic) Hadith on the merits on the Night of 15 th of Shaba’an.
Hadith 1
Ibn Hibban narrated from Mu`adh ibn Jabal in his Sahih the following narration which the hadith scholar and editor of the Sahih Shu`ayb Arna'ut confirmed as sound:
The Prophet said : yattali`u Allahu ila khalqihi fi laylati al-nisfi min sha`bana fa-yaghfiru li-jami`i khalqihi illa li mushrikin aw mushahin.
Allah looks at His creation in the night of mid-Sha`ban and He forgives all His creation except for a mushrik (idolater) or a mushahin (one bent on hatred).
( Reference: Al-Tabarani: Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabir 20/108-9, Ibn Hibban:
Sahih Ibn Hibban 7/470, Al-Bayhaqi: Shu'bal Iman 2/288, Abulhasan
Al-Qazwini: Al-Amali 4/2, Ibn 'Asakir: Al-Tarikh 15/302 & Ibn Abi 'Asim:Al-Sunna1/224)
Note :
1)Ibn Hibban (May Allaah have mercy on him) considered this Hadith to be Sahih.
(Ibn Rajab: Lataif Al-Ma'arif 1/224)
2)And Ibn Hajr Al-Haytami (May Allaah have mercy on him) said: "This Hadith is related by Al-Tabarani (May Allaah have mercy on him) in Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabir and Al-Awsat and the narrators of both are trustworthy"(thiqat) ( Ibn Hajar Al-Haytami: Majma' Al-Zawaid 8/65)
3)The great hadith scholar of the present time , Shaykah Shuayb Al-Arna'uat ( Rh) and the self claimed Wahabi hadith scholar Nasiruddin Al-Albani, have also considered this Hadith as 'Sahih'.
( Ref: - Shuayb Al-Arna'ut: Al-Ihsan fi Taqrib Sahih Ibn Hibban 12/481 #5665 & Nasiruddin Al-Albani: Silsilah Al-Ahadith Al-Sahihah 3/135 #1144 )
Hadith 2
There is another identical Hadith related from the Companion Abdullah b.'Amr (May Allaah be pleased with him) which says that the Prophet(Sallalahu Alaihi Wassalam) said: "Allah looks at His creation during the night of the 15th of Sha'ban and He forgives His servants except two- one intent on hatred (mushanin) and a murderer (qatilu nafs).
( Ref : Musnad Ahmad 2/176 #6642. Al-Bazzar also related this Hadith and he classified it as 'hasan'. )
Note :
In his edition of Musnad Ahmed, Shaykh Ahmed Shakir has classified this Hadith as'Sahih' and Nasiruddin Al-Albany classified it is 'Hasan'
( Al-Albani: Silsilah Al-Ahadith Al-Sahihah 3/136).
Hadith 3
A similar narration as above , but narrated by Abu Bakr Siddiq Rd .
It has been classified as sound by Haafiz al-Munzhiri (RA) in his al-Targheeb (vol.3 pg.459). This narration is of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Anhu) and is recorded by Imaam Bazzaar (RA) in his Musnad. In fact, Hafiz ibn Hajar (RA) has also classified one of its chains as Hasan (sound). (al-Amaalil mutlaqah pgs.119-120)
An important Note:
All the weak hadith which talks about the merits of 15th of Shaba’an, have got only minor weakness in them. Going by the principle of hadith, these weak hadiths also strengthen each other.
Besides the above, there are many other Sahaaba (Radhiallaahu Anhum) that narrated Ahaadith regarding the merit of this night, such as: Abu Hurayra (Musnad al-Bazzaar), Abu Tha’labah (Shu’ubul Imaan), Awf ibn Maalik (Musnad al-Bazzaar), Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas (Musnad Ahmad Hadith6642), Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari (ibn Majah Hadith1390; Shu’ubul Imaan Hadith3833) and others. The collective strength of these narrations cannot be refuted.
What the Scholars have said about this Night:
1) The general virtue of this night has been accepted by many great Ulama of the past. From among many great scholars which have agreed to the virtue of this night are: Umar ibn Abdul-Aziz, Imaam al-Shaafi’ee, Imaam al-Awzaa’ie, Attaa ibn Yassaar, Imaam al-Majd ibn Taymiyah, ibn Rajab al-Hambaliy and Hafiz Zaynu-ddeen al-Iraaqiy (Rahmatullaahi alayhim) .
Refer Lataiful Ma’aarif of Hafiz ibn Rajab pgs.263-264 and Faydhul Qadeer vol.2 pg.317.
2) Even Ibn Taymiyya -- the putative authority of "Salafis" -- considered the night of mid-Sha`ban "a night of superior merit" in his Iqtida' al-sirat al-mustaqim:
[Some] said: There is no difference between this night (mid-Sha`ban) and other nights of the year. However, the opinion of many of the people of learning, and that of the majority of our companions (i.e. the Hanbali school) and other than them is that it is a night of superior merit, and this is what is indicated by the words of Ahmad (ibn Hanbal), in view of the many ahadith which are transmitted concerning it, and in view of what confirms this from the words and deeds transmitted from the early generations (al-athar al-salafiyya). Some of its merits have been narrated in the books of hadith of the musnad and sunan types. This holds true even if other things have been forged concerning it.
( Ref:Ibn Taymiyya, Iqtida' al-sirat al-mustaqim (1369/1950 ed.) p. 302.)
Ibn Taymiayh also said
“ As for the middle night of Sha’baan, there are various narrations that have been narrated regarding its significance and it has been reported from a group of the Salaf (predecessors) that they performed Salaat in it individually, hence, such a deed cannot be disputed.’
(Majmoo’ al-Fataawa ibn Taymiyah vol.23 pg.132)
3) Imam Suyuti (Rh)says in his Haqiqat al-sunna wa al-bid`a:
“As for the night of mid-Sha`ban, it has great merit and it is desirable (mustahabb) to spend part of it in supererogatory worship.”
( Ref: Suyuti, Haqiqat al-sunna wa al-bid`a aw al-amr bi al-ittiba` wa al-nahi `an al-ibtida` (1405/1985 ed.) p. 58. He adds: "However, this must be done alone, not in congregation.")
4. Imam Haskafi ( Rh) said in his Durr al-Mukhtar, one of the primary references in the Hanafi school:
"Among the recommended [prayers] are on. . . . the nights of the two Eids, the middle of Sha`ban, the last ten of Ramadan, and the first [ten] of Dhul-Hijjah”.
5. Imam Nawawi ( Rh) mentioned in his Majmu`, where he also quoted Imam al-Shafi`i from the latter’s al-Umm that it has reached him that there are 5 nights when dua is answered, one of them being the night of the 15th of Sha`ban.
End Note
Only Sahih hadiths have been quoted above. The weak hadith on this topic suffer only from minor weakness . There is general consensus that weak hadiths may be acted upon for virtuous acts, such as voluntary fasting and prayer, as long as the hadith is not excessively weak, returns to a general basis in the Shariah, and one is not convinced that the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) specifically prescribed it.
There are many other narrations from the Companions and early Muslims confirming the merits of this night as mentioned by Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali in his Lata’if al-Ma`arif, and others.
(May Allaah have mercy on him) (126-211 AH)( Ref: Musannaf Abdur Razzaq 4/317) and the Musnad of Ahmed bin Hanbal (May Allaah have mercy on him) (164-241 AH) ( Ref: Musnad Ahmad 2/176 & 6/238)contain Ahadith relating to the virtues of 15th Sha'ban.
Even within the famous Six Books of Hadith (al-Kutub al-Sittah), Trimdhi ( Ref: Jami' Al-Trimidhi: Kitab Al-Sawm, Bab "Ma ja'a fi Laylatin Nisfi min Sha.ban" #739 (Vol.3 p107))and Ibn Majah (Sunan Ibn Majah: Kitab Al-Iqamah, Bab "Ma Ja'a Fi Laylatun Nifsi min Sha'ban" #1388 (Vol. 1 p444) have devoted a special chapter on "The Night of the Middle of Sha'ban" in their Hadith collections. In fact there are over a dozen Ahadith available which establish the significance of the night of the 15th of Sha'ban.
There are many hadith on the merits of this Night and some of them are weak ( dai’f).However, it is to be noted that not all of the 'weak' Ahadith suffer from major weaknesses and in fact the minor weaknesses in some Ahadith are curable and strengthened by other narrations.
( Wahabi Scholar Albani : : Silsilah Al-Ahadith Al Sahihah 3/135)
When all the numerous weak Ahadith are combined together, they reach a level of acceptability among Hadith scholars equivalent to being 'Hasan' (good).
Here are a few Sahih (Authentic) Hadith on the merits on the Night of 15 th of Shaba’an.
Hadith 1
Ibn Hibban narrated from Mu`adh ibn Jabal in his Sahih the following narration which the hadith scholar and editor of the Sahih Shu`ayb Arna'ut confirmed as sound:
The Prophet said : yattali`u Allahu ila khalqihi fi laylati al-nisfi min sha`bana fa-yaghfiru li-jami`i khalqihi illa li mushrikin aw mushahin.
Allah looks at His creation in the night of mid-Sha`ban and He forgives all His creation except for a mushrik (idolater) or a mushahin (one bent on hatred).
( Reference: Al-Tabarani: Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabir 20/108-9, Ibn Hibban:
Sahih Ibn Hibban 7/470, Al-Bayhaqi: Shu'bal Iman 2/288, Abulhasan
Al-Qazwini: Al-Amali 4/2, Ibn 'Asakir: Al-Tarikh 15/302 & Ibn Abi 'Asim:Al-Sunna1/224)
Note :
1)Ibn Hibban (May Allaah have mercy on him) considered this Hadith to be Sahih.
(Ibn Rajab: Lataif Al-Ma'arif 1/224)
2)And Ibn Hajr Al-Haytami (May Allaah have mercy on him) said: "This Hadith is related by Al-Tabarani (May Allaah have mercy on him) in Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabir and Al-Awsat and the narrators of both are trustworthy"(thiqat) ( Ibn Hajar Al-Haytami: Majma' Al-Zawaid 8/65)
3)The great hadith scholar of the present time , Shaykah Shuayb Al-Arna'uat ( Rh) and the self claimed Wahabi hadith scholar Nasiruddin Al-Albani, have also considered this Hadith as 'Sahih'.
( Ref: - Shuayb Al-Arna'ut: Al-Ihsan fi Taqrib Sahih Ibn Hibban 12/481 #5665 & Nasiruddin Al-Albani: Silsilah Al-Ahadith Al-Sahihah 3/135 #1144 )
Hadith 2
There is another identical Hadith related from the Companion Abdullah b.'Amr (May Allaah be pleased with him) which says that the Prophet(Sallalahu Alaihi Wassalam) said: "Allah looks at His creation during the night of the 15th of Sha'ban and He forgives His servants except two- one intent on hatred (mushanin) and a murderer (qatilu nafs).
( Ref : Musnad Ahmad 2/176 #6642. Al-Bazzar also related this Hadith and he classified it as 'hasan'. )
Note :
In his edition of Musnad Ahmed, Shaykh Ahmed Shakir has classified this Hadith as'Sahih' and Nasiruddin Al-Albany classified it is 'Hasan'
( Al-Albani: Silsilah Al-Ahadith Al-Sahihah 3/136).
Hadith 3
A similar narration as above , but narrated by Abu Bakr Siddiq Rd .
It has been classified as sound by Haafiz al-Munzhiri (RA) in his al-Targheeb (vol.3 pg.459). This narration is of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Anhu) and is recorded by Imaam Bazzaar (RA) in his Musnad. In fact, Hafiz ibn Hajar (RA) has also classified one of its chains as Hasan (sound). (al-Amaalil mutlaqah pgs.119-120)
An important Note:
All the weak hadith which talks about the merits of 15th of Shaba’an, have got only minor weakness in them. Going by the principle of hadith, these weak hadiths also strengthen each other.
Besides the above, there are many other Sahaaba (Radhiallaahu Anhum) that narrated Ahaadith regarding the merit of this night, such as: Abu Hurayra (Musnad al-Bazzaar), Abu Tha’labah (Shu’ubul Imaan), Awf ibn Maalik (Musnad al-Bazzaar), Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas (Musnad Ahmad Hadith6642), Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari (ibn Majah Hadith1390; Shu’ubul Imaan Hadith3833) and others. The collective strength of these narrations cannot be refuted.
What the Scholars have said about this Night:
1) The general virtue of this night has been accepted by many great Ulama of the past. From among many great scholars which have agreed to the virtue of this night are: Umar ibn Abdul-Aziz, Imaam al-Shaafi’ee, Imaam al-Awzaa’ie, Attaa ibn Yassaar, Imaam al-Majd ibn Taymiyah, ibn Rajab al-Hambaliy and Hafiz Zaynu-ddeen al-Iraaqiy (Rahmatullaahi alayhim) .
Refer Lataiful Ma’aarif of Hafiz ibn Rajab pgs.263-264 and Faydhul Qadeer vol.2 pg.317.
2) Even Ibn Taymiyya -- the putative authority of "Salafis" -- considered the night of mid-Sha`ban "a night of superior merit" in his Iqtida' al-sirat al-mustaqim:
[Some] said: There is no difference between this night (mid-Sha`ban) and other nights of the year. However, the opinion of many of the people of learning, and that of the majority of our companions (i.e. the Hanbali school) and other than them is that it is a night of superior merit, and this is what is indicated by the words of Ahmad (ibn Hanbal), in view of the many ahadith which are transmitted concerning it, and in view of what confirms this from the words and deeds transmitted from the early generations (al-athar al-salafiyya). Some of its merits have been narrated in the books of hadith of the musnad and sunan types. This holds true even if other things have been forged concerning it.
( Ref:Ibn Taymiyya, Iqtida' al-sirat al-mustaqim (1369/1950 ed.) p. 302.)
Ibn Taymiayh also said
“ As for the middle night of Sha’baan, there are various narrations that have been narrated regarding its significance and it has been reported from a group of the Salaf (predecessors) that they performed Salaat in it individually, hence, such a deed cannot be disputed.’
(Majmoo’ al-Fataawa ibn Taymiyah vol.23 pg.132)
3) Imam Suyuti (Rh)says in his Haqiqat al-sunna wa al-bid`a:
“As for the night of mid-Sha`ban, it has great merit and it is desirable (mustahabb) to spend part of it in supererogatory worship.”
( Ref: Suyuti, Haqiqat al-sunna wa al-bid`a aw al-amr bi al-ittiba` wa al-nahi `an al-ibtida` (1405/1985 ed.) p. 58. He adds: "However, this must be done alone, not in congregation.")
4. Imam Haskafi ( Rh) said in his Durr al-Mukhtar, one of the primary references in the Hanafi school:
"Among the recommended [prayers] are on. . . . the nights of the two Eids, the middle of Sha`ban, the last ten of Ramadan, and the first [ten] of Dhul-Hijjah”.
5. Imam Nawawi ( Rh) mentioned in his Majmu`, where he also quoted Imam al-Shafi`i from the latter’s al-Umm that it has reached him that there are 5 nights when dua is answered, one of them being the night of the 15th of Sha`ban.
End Note
Only Sahih hadiths have been quoted above. The weak hadith on this topic suffer only from minor weakness . There is general consensus that weak hadiths may be acted upon for virtuous acts, such as voluntary fasting and prayer, as long as the hadith is not excessively weak, returns to a general basis in the Shariah, and one is not convinced that the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace) specifically prescribed it.
There are many other narrations from the Companions and early Muslims confirming the merits of this night as mentioned by Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali in his Lata’if al-Ma`arif, and others.
The Virtues of Sha’ban AND 15th Night of Sha`ban
In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
All praise be to God, Lord of the Universe: the Compassionate, the Merciful. Sovereign of the Day of Judgement! You alone we worship: and to You alone we turn for help. Guide us to the straight path: the path of those whom You have favoured: not of those who have incurred Your wrath, nor of those who have gone astray. Endless Blessings and Peace upon Allahs Most Beloved Messenger & Prophet Hadrat Muhammad Mustafa (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
As Saalam o Alaykum Warehmatullahi Wabarakatuh
It is admitted fact that every moment, second, minute, hour, day or night that is spent in the submission of Allah Almighty and His Beloved Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is exceedingly meaningful and precious. But there are some days, nights and months which have their own weight and Allah, the compassionate, lays immense stress upon them to unveil their importance to his rationale creatures.
Among those months, those hold much importance is Moharram, Rajab, Sha’ban and the holy month of Ramadhan but Sha’ban holds the top position among these holy months as the Holy Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) holds the top position among all the Prophets like Hazrat Ibrahim, Hazrat Musa and Hazrat Isa (aalhimissalam)
The Holy Month of Sha’ban is one of the blessed months that holds much too for us from the mercy, compassion and kindness of Allah Almighty. This is the month that is the best of all months in the estimation of Allah. Its days are the best among the days; its nights are the best among the nights. Its hours are the best among the hours. It is the month that gave time its spirituality, and thus made its days the best days and its hours the best hours.It is preparatory month that welcomes the holy month of Ramadhan.
If we study the life of our beloved Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), He used to avail himself the moments of this month to the utmost and spend more time in adoration, submission of Allah almighty and seek salvation and earn the infinite mercy of Allah Subhana hu watala.
*FASTING AND EXTRA WORSHIP IN SHA`BAN*
Once the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “Sha’ ban is my month”
As Aaqa (صلى الله عليه وسلم) called it my month, so its significance and importance touches to the sky because every thing that has got any link directly or indirectly with the holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) becomes an exalted thing for his true followers and momineen.
Imam Ali bin Hussein Al-Zaynul Aabideen (ra) told his companions: "The Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to observe fast during the whole month of Sha'ban. Therefore whoso, in love of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), wishes to seek nearness to Allah and receive bounties, favors and rewards in this world and in the Hereafter, must connect Sha'ban with Ramadan (in the matter of fasting and special prayers).
*Hadith Number 1*
عن عائشة أم المؤمنين رضي الله عنها أنها قالت كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يصوم حتى نقول لا يفطر ويفطر حتى نقول لا يصوم وما رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم استكمل صيام شهر قط إلا رمضان وما رأيته في شهر أكثر منه صياما في شعبان
Translation: Aisha (raa) reported that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to observe fasts (so continuously) that we said that he would not break, and did not observe (them) till we said that he would not fast: and I did not see the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) completing the fast of a month, but that of Ramadan, and I did not see him fasting more in any other month than that of Sha'ban. [Sahih Muslim Book 006, Hadith Number 2580]
*Hadith Number 2*
عن عائشة أم المؤمنين رضي الله عنها كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يتحفظ من شعبان ما لا يتحفظ من غيره ثم يصوم لرؤية رمضان فإن غم عليه عد ثلاثين يوما ثم صام
Translation: Narated By Aisha (raa) : The Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to count the days in Sha'ban in a manner he did not count any other month; then he fasted when he sighted the new moon of Ramadan; but if the weather was cloudy he counted thirty days and then fasted. [Abu Dawud Book 007, Hadith Number 2318]
*Hadith Number 3*
عن عائشة قالت: لم يكن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في شهر أكثر صياماً منه في شعبان لأنه ينسخ فيه أرواح الأحياء في الأموات، حتى أن الرجل يتزوج وقد رفع اسمه فيمن يموت، وإن الرجل ليحج وقد رفع اسمه فيمن يموت
Translation: Narrated by Aishah (raa) says, "Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to fast the whole of Sha'ban. I said to him, 'Messenger of Allah, is Sha'ban your most favorite month for fasting?' He said, 'In this month Allah prescribes the list of the persons dying this year. Therefore, I like that my death comes when I am in a state of fasting." [Ibn Asakir, Tafsir ad-Dar al-Manthur Under the Verse 44:3]
*Hadith Number 4*
عن عمران بن حصين رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال له أو لآخر أصمت من سرر شعبان قال لا قال فإذا أفطرت فصم يومين
Translation: Imran bin Husain (ra) reported Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) having said to him or to someone else: Did you fast in the middle of Sha'ban? He said: No. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: If you did not observe fast, then you should observe fast for two days. [Muslim Book 006, Number 2607]
* Conclusion:
These reports indicate that fasting in the month of Sha`baan, though not obligatory, is so meritious that the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) did not like to miss it. But it should be get in mind that the fasts of Sha`baan are for those persons only who are capable of keeping them without causing deficiency in the obligatory fasts of Ramadhan.
It is the habit of the Muslims to celebrate some auspicious events during the month of Sha'ban by praying, reciting Quran, praising Allah, and making a great deal of supplication to Allah during that night. Sha’ban is like an introduction to Ramadan and it has some things in common with Ramadan, such as fasting, reciting Holy Quran and giving in charity. It has been narrated that upon the arrival of Rajab the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to pray "O' Allah! Bless us abundantly in Rajab and Sha'ban and deliver us safely unto Ramadan."
*The Night of Mid-Sha`ban (Laylat al-barrah)*
Qur'an State: (إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ) - Lo! We revealed it on a blessed night -- Lo! We are ever warning - (فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ) - Whereupon every wise command is made clear - (أَمْرًا مِّنْ عِندِنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ) - As a command from Our presence -- Lo! We are ever sending - (رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ) - A mercy from thy Lord. Lo! He is the Hearer, the Knower. (44:3-6)
Although the majority of the commentators consider the "blessed night" in the above verses to refer to the Night of Decree which is considered to be in the month of Ramadan, yet the commentaries also mention that this "blessed night" may be that of mid-Sha`ban This view is based on the profusion of hadiths on the great merits of the latter. Consequently the Shari`a has commended observance of that night. Concerning supererogatory worship on the night of mid-Sha`ban.
Imam Suyuti says: As for the night of mid-Sha`ban, it has great merit and it is desirable (mustahabb) to spend part of it in supererogatory worship. [Haqiqat al-sunna wa al-bid`a aw al-amr bi al-ittiba` wa al-nahi `an al-ibtida Page No. 58]
*Among the hadiths stressing the status of 15th Sha`ban (laylat al-bara'a) are the following*
*Hadith Number 1*
عن عائشة قالت فقدت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ليلة فخرجت فإذا هو بالبقيع فقال أكنت تخافين أن يحيف الله عليك ورسوله قلت يا رسول الله إني ظننت أنك أتيت بعض نسائك فقال إن الله عز وجل ينزل ليلة النصف من شعبان إلى السماء الدنيا فيغفر لأكثر من عدد شعر غنم كلب
Translation: Narrated by Aisha (raa) I missed Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) during the night and found him in al-Baqi'. He said: Were you afraid that Allah and His Messenger would deal unjustly with you? I said: Allah's Messenger, I thought that you had gone to some of your other wives. He (the Prophet) said: Verily Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, comes down to the heaven of the world in "the middle night of Sha'ban" and forgives sins even more abundant than the hair of the goats of Kalb. [Sunan Tirmidhi Volume 001, Hadith Number 670, Ibn Maja Volume 002, Hadith Number1379]
*Hadith Number 2*
عن أبي موسى الأشعري عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال إن الله ليطلع في ليلة النصف من شعبان فيغفر لجميع خلقه إلا لمشرك أو مشاحن
Translation: Narrated by Abu Musa al-Ash'ari Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious looks down on "the middle night of Sha'ban" and forgives all His creation. except a polytheist or one who is mushahin. [Sunan Ibn Maja Volume 002, Hadith Number 1380]
*Hadith Number 3*
عن عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال يطلع الله عز وجل إلى خلقه ليلة النصف من شعبان فيغفر لعباده إلا لاثنين مشاحن وقاتل نفس
Translation: Narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious looks down on "the middle night of Sha'ban" and forgives all His creation except two people, the mushahin and the murderer. [Musnad Ahmad Volume 003, Hadith Number 6353]
*Hadith Number 4*
عن أبي ثعلبة الخشني، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إذا كان ليلة النصف من شعبان، اطلع الله تعالى إلى خلقه، فيغفر للمؤمنين، ويملي للكافرين، ويدع أهل الحقد بحقدهم حتى يدعوه
Translation: It is related by Abu Thalaba that the Blessed Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: On the 15th night of Shabaan, Allah looks over at his creation and forgives all the believers except for the one who begrudges and hates. He leaves them in their enmity. [Bayhqi, Tafsir ad-Dar al-Manthur Under the Verse 44:3]
*Hadith Number 5*
عن معاذ بن جبل، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: يطلع الله في ليلة النصف من شعبان، فيغفر لجميع خلقه إلا لمشرك أو مشاحن
Translation: It is related by Muaz bin Jabbal that the Blessed Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: Allah looks at His creation in "the night of mid-Sha`ban" and He forgives all His creation. except for a mushrik (idolater) or a mushahin (one bent on hatred). [Ibn Hibban, Sahih, ed. Shu`ayb Arna'ut Volume 012: Hadith Number 5665]
*Hadith Number 6*
عن عائشة قالت: قام رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من الليل يصلي، فأطال السجود حتى ظننت أنه قد قبض، فلما رأيت ذلك، قمت حتى حركت إبهامه، فتحرك، فرجعت، فلما رفع رأسه من السجود وفرغ من صلاته، فقال: " يا عائشة، أو يا حميراء ظننت أن النبي قد خاس بك " قلت: لا والله يا نبي الله ولكني ظننت أنك قبضت لطول سجودك فقال: " أتدرين أي ليلة هذه؟ " قلت: الله ورسوله أعلم، قال: " هذه ليلة النصف من شعبان، فيغفر للمستغفرين ويرحم المسترحمين ويؤخر أهل الحقد كما هم
Translation: From A'isha: She said: The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) stood up in prayer during part of the night and made his prostration so lengthy that I thought his soul had been taken back. When I saw this I got up and went to move his big toe, whereupon he moved, so I drew back. When he raised his head from prostration and finished praying, he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "O A'isha, O fair little one (humayra')! Did you think that the Prophet had broken his agreement with you?" She replied: "No, by Allah, O Messenger of Allah, but I thought that your soul had been taken back because your stayed in prostration for so long." He said: "Do you know what night this is?" She said: "Allah and His Prophet know best." He said: "This is the night of mid-Sha`ban! Verily Allah the Glorious and Majestic look at His servants on "the night of mid-Sha`ban, and He forgives those who ask forgiveness, and He bestows mercy on those who ask mercy, and He gives a delay to the people of envy and spite in their state."
Azhari said:
يقال للرجل إذا غدر بصاحبه فلم يؤته حقه قد خاس به
Concerning his words: "broken his agreement with you": this is said to a person who betrays his companion and therefore has not given him his due right.
Bayhaqi continues:
وقال هذا مرسل جيد ويحتمل أن يكون العلاء أخذه من مكحول
I say: This hadith is missing the Companion in its chain, and is a "Good Hadith". [Bayhaqi in Shu`ab al-iman Volume 003: Hadith Number 3835]
*Hadith Number 7*
عن عمران بن حصين رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال له أو لآخر أصمت من سرر شعبان قال لا قال فإذا أفطرت فصم يومين
Translation: Imran bin Husain (ra) reported Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) having said to him or to someone else: Did you fast in the "Middle of Sha'ban?" He said: No. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: If you did not observe fast, then you should observe fast for two days. [Muslim Book 006, Number 2607]
*Scholarly Opinion's*
The virtue of the night of mid shaban has been established from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and has come from multiple channels of transmission from Abdullah bin Amr, Muadh, Abu Hurairah, Abu Thulabah, Awf bin Malik, Abu Bakr, Abu Musa, Aishah May Allah be pleased with all of them, each of the narrations strengthening each other.
Imam Shafi'i write:
و بلغنا أنه كان يقال إن الرعاء يستجاب في خمس في ليال في ليلة جمعة و ليلة الأضحى و ليلة الفطر و اول ليلة من رجب و ليلة النصف من شعبان
Translation: Of the narrations that have reached us, verily, dua is accepted on five nights: the night of Juma’, the night of E’id Al-Adha, the night of E’id Al-Fitr, the first night of Rajab, and the 15th night of Shabaan”. [al-Umm, Volume 001, Page No. 231]
Imam Shurunbulali Hanafi writes:
وندب احياء ليالي العشر الاخبر من رمضان واحياء ليلتي العيدين وليالي عشر زي الحجة وليلة النصف من شعبان
Translation: It is desirable to revive the last ten nights of Ramadan, two nights of Eidain (Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha), ten nights of Zil Hijjah, and the 15th night of Sha`ban. [Noorul Eidhah Page No. 63]
Shaikh Abu-Ishaq Ibrahim Al-Hanbali writes:
ويستحب احيا مابين العشانين الخبر قال جماعة و ليلة عاشورا وليلة اول رجب وليلة نصف شعبان
Translation: It is desirable to revive the time (with salat and ibadah) between the two E’sha’s (Maghrib and E’sha) because of the ahaadith. Many scholars say: Similarly with the night of Ashura, the first night of Rajab, and the 15th night of Sha`ban. [Al-Mubdi Volume 002, Page No. 27]
Sheikh Mansoor Bahoti Hanbali writes:
واما ليلة النصف من شعبان ففيها فضل وكان في السلف من يصلي فيها الاجتماح فيها لا حيانهافي المساجد بدعة اه وفئ استحباب قيامها اي ليلة النصف من شعبان مافئ احياء ليلة العيد
Translation: As for the 15th night of Sha`ban, it is a night of virtue. Some of the salaf prayed the whole night, although establishing congregational prayers (on this night) is good innovation. And the reward of ibadah on "the 15th night of Sha`ban" is the same as the reward of ibadah on the night of E’id. [Kash-shaful Qina, Volume 001: Page No. 444]
Mubarakpuri (Salafi scholer) writes:
اعلم أنه قد ورد في فضيلة ليلة النصف من شعبان عدة أحاديث مجموعها يدل على أن لها أصلا
Translation: You should know that a sufficient number of hadith has been narrated confirming "the virtues of the 15th night of Sha`ban". All these ahaadith prove that it has a basis.
After relating many Ahadith about the importance of this night he says:
فهذه الأحاديث بمجموعها حجة على من زعم أنه لم يثبت في فضيلة ليلة النصف من شعبان شيء والله تعالى أعلم
Translation: The sum of all these ahadith is strong evidence against the one "who thinks there is no proof" of the virtue of the 15th night of Sha`ban" and Allah knows best. [Tuhfatul Ahwadhi Volume 003: Page. 365-367]
Ibn-Taimiyyah was asked about of the 15th night of Sha’ban. He replied:
اما ليلة النصف روئ فئ فضلهااحاديث واثار ونقل عن طانفتهمن السلف انهم كانوايصلون فيها فصلاة الرجل فيها وحده وقد تقدمه فيه سلف فيه حجته فلا ينكرمثل هزا
Translation: As for the 15th night of Shabaan, there are many narrations and Athar (quotes from the Sahabah) regarding its virtue. It has been reported of the salaf that they prayed in this night. Therefore, praying alone on this night, having precedence in the salaf, is sufficient evidence and something of this kind surely cannot be denied.
At another occasion, Ibn-Taimiyyah was asked the same question and he replied:
وسنل عن صلاة نصف شعبان فاجاب ازا صلئ الانسان ليلة النصف وحده اوفئ جماعته خاصته كما كان يفل جماعته خاصته كما كان يفعل طوانف من السلف فهواحسن
Translation: If one prays on this night alone or in a select company of people as many groups amongst the salaf did, "then it is good". [Fatawa Ibn Taimiyyah Volume 23, Page 131-132]
* CONCLUSION:
To conclude the virtue of this blessed night are established by ahadith and a group of the salaf it is recommended to stay up on it, and the opinion that it is Bida'h (innovation) is a "Reprehensible" (munkar) opinion.
* A HUMBLE APPEAL TO SEEK PARDON AND ASK ALLAH'S FORGIVENESS:
Dear Muslim brothers, the Bountiful Allah in His Infinite Mercy has provided us with such an auspicious night so that we may take advantage of it and repent for our sins, and thus obtain His Grace and Favour. It is for us to take full advantage of it. During this night, offer special prayers and repent sincerely for our past sins and ask for His Forgiveness.
May Allah Ta'ala guide them and show them the right path so that they be in touch with their glorious past, May Almighty Allah guide us on the path of the Ambiya and the Awliya. Aameen.Objection by wahabi [salafi,]group that all hadiths are Daeef
usually the wahabi/salafi/ahle hadith sect is seen claiming that all hadiths mentioned above are daeef. First of all the hadith of ibn Habban is termed "SAHIH" by classical scholars so are many other hadiths.Even now if someone following such groups don't believe in classical scholars than here is a proof from Salafi [wahabi ] so called Mujadad of last century and a controversial scholar Nasir ud Din Albani who declaired Hadiths of 15th Shabaan as Authentic [Sahih]
some hadith are daeef [weak] but usllly we see Bin Baaz and group using them to wrongly prove Sahih hadiths as daeef too lolz which is funny,
Authenticity of Hadith # 1 on Ibn Habban
The usual trick of making people fool is by showing chains of only Daeef hadith and trying to claim that all hadiths are daeefAccording to Usool of hadith if a hadith comes from several chains [as in this case] and even if one hadith is "SAHIH" than other daeef hadith also become "DAeef SAhih" and are accepted as point is proved from a sahih chain, , so go and get some knowledge first yourself
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There are atleast 3-4 hadiths quoted above which are SAhih [and few are daeef (weak) ] but even they are accepted
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For example IBn Habban hadith is Sahih
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Ibn Hibban narrated from Mu`adh ibn Jabal in his Sahih the following narration which the hadith scholar and editor of the Sahih Shu`ayb Arna'ut confirmed as sound:
The Prophet said :
Allah looks at His creation in the night of mid-Sha`ban and He forgives all His creation except for a mushrik (idolater) or a mushahin (one bent on hatred).
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( Reference: Al-Tabarani: Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabir 20/108-9, Ibn Hibban:
Sahih Ibn Hibban 7/470, Al-Bayhaqi: Shu'bal Iman 2/288, Abulhasan
Al-Qazwini: Al-Amali 4/2, Ibn 'Asakir: Al-Tarikh 15/302 & Ibn Abi 'Asim:Al-Sunna1/224)
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Note on authenticity :
1)Ibn Hibban (May Allaah have mercy on him) considered this Hadith to be Sahih.
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(Ibn Rajab: Lataif Al-Ma'arif 1/224)
Further Classification of hadith
Imam Ibn Hajr al Haythami (Rahimuhullah) narrates in his magnificent Majma az Zawaid
وعن معاذ بن جبل عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال:
"يطلع الله إلى جميع خلقه ليلة النصف من شعبان، فيغفر لجميع خلقه، إلا لمشرك، أو مشاحن".
رواه الطبراني في الكبير والأوسط ورجالهما ثقات.
Translation: Narrated by Muadh bin Jabal (RA) from Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam) who said: Allah turns towards his creation in the Night of "MID-SHABAN" and He forgives all of them except for a Mushrik and one who hates other people
Imam Ibn Hajr Haythami (rah) says after this hadith: It is narrated by Tabarani in his Al-Kabir and Al-Awsat and "ALL ITS NARRATORS ARE RELIABLE" [Majma az Zawaid, Volume No. 8, Page No. 65, Hadith # 12860]
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Source:Brother Aamir Ibrahim
Famous Salafi scholar Nasir ud din Albani said about chain [/size]
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in : Silsilah Al-Ahadith Al-Sahihah 3/135 #1144 )
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Allah turns towards his creation in the Night of "MID-SHABAN" and He forgives all of them except for a Mushrik and one who hates other people (Albani calls it); "A SAHIH HADITH" narrated by group of Sahaba with different routes (Turuq) such as from Muadh bin Jabal (ra), Abu Thalbah (ra) Abdullah bin Umar (ra), Abu Musa al Ashari (ra), Abu Hurraira (ra), Abu Bakr as Saddiq (ra), Awf bin Malik (ra) and Aisha (ra).The Hadith of Muadh bin Jabal (ra) comes through Makhul from Malik bin Yakhamir and It is "MARFU" narrated by Ibn Abi Asim in his As-Sunnah Hadith #512 [Nasir ud din Albani in Silsilat ul-Ahadith-as Sahiha, Volume No. 3, Page No. 135 #1144]
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Albani further declares 2 more ahadith as "HASSAN" and 1 to be "Mursil Jayyid"
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Authenticity of Hadith other two sahih hadiths on 15th of Shabaan [shab e baraat]
authenticity of 2nd & 3rd hadith
There is another identical Hadith related from the Companion Abdullah b.'Amr (May Allaah be pleased with him) which says that the Prophet(Sallalahu Alaihi Wassalam) said: "Allah looks at His creation during the night of the 15th of Sha'ban and He forgives His servants except two- one intent on hatred (mushanin) and a murderer (qatilu nafs).,
( Ref : Musnad Ahmad 2/176 #6642.
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Al-Bazzar also related this Hadith and he classified it as 'hasan
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Note :In his edition of Musnad Ahmed, Shaykh Ahmed Shakir has classified this Hadith as'Sahih'
and Nasiruddin Al-Albany classified it is 'Hasan'
( Al-Albani: Silsilah Al-Ahadith Al-Sahihah 3/136)
chain of Another Hasan hadith narrated by Abu Bakr Siddiq Rd
It has beenclassified as sound by Haafiz al-Munzhiri (RA) in his al-Targheeb (vol.3 pg.459).
This narration is of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Anhu) and is recorded by Imaam Bazzaar (RA) in his Musnad.
Hafiz ibn Hajar (RA) has also classified one of its chains as Hasan (sound).
(al-Amaal mutlaqah pgs.119-120)
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Sahabas who transmitted hadith of Shabaan
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Abu Hurayra (Musnad al-Bazzaar), Abu Tha’labah (Shu’ubul Imaan), Awf ibn Maalik (Musnad al-Bazzaar), Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas (Musnad Ahmad Hadith6642), Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari (ibn Majah Hadith1390; Shu’ubul Imaan Hadith3833) and others. The collective strength of these narrations cannot be refuted.
So few hadiths are Daeef [no doubt] but many are sahih as well and Sahih hadiths strenght those Daeef ones and they become daeef Sahih according to science of hadiths
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Proof from Imam ghazali (rah)
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كتب الأمام الغزالي: وليلة النصف من شعبان - ففيها مائة ركعة يقرا في كل ركعة بعد الفاتحة سورة الاخلاص عشر مرات كانوا لا يتركونها كما اوردناه في صلاة التطوع - وليلة عرفة . ( إحياء علوم الدين ),
Imam al-Ghazali wrote in his Ihyā, “The Night of mid-Sha`bān, in it [pray] 100 raka’ts, reciting in each raka`t after al-Fātiha, Surat al-Ikhlās 10 times; they never left it, as we related about the voluntary extra prayers and the Night of `Arafat.”
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Proof from Tafsir ruh al biyan (rah)
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وقال بعض المفسرين المراد من الليلة المباركة ليلة النصف من شعبان ولها أربعة اسماء الاول الليلة المباركة لكثرة خيرها وبركتها على العاملين فيها الخير وان بركات جماله تعالى تصل الى كل ذرة من العرش الى الثرى كما فى ليلة القدر وفى تلك الليلة اجتماع جميع الملائكة فى حظيرة القدس.,
Shaykh Ibrahim al-Hakki, in his tafsir Ruh al-Bayān, says: “and some of the mufassireen said that the intent in “Blessed Night” [44:3] is the Night of mid-Sha`bān, and his has four names, the first being “Blessed Night” due to the huge number of people performing good deeds in it, and truly the blessing of Allah’s Beauty reaches to every atom from the Throne to the earth, as in Laylat al-Qadr and in that night all the angels gather in the Holy Presence.
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Proof from Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (rah)
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It is related by Sayyidina Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani in his Ghunya, from Abu Nasr, we learn that `Aisha (r) once said:
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"When it was the night of mid-Sha`bān, the Prophet (s) had removed a garment of mine." Then she added, "By Allah! That garment of mine was not of silk, nor of raw silk, nor of linen, nor of silk and wool, nor of wool." [The reporter said:] "'Glory be to Allah!' I said to her, 'So what was it made of?'" She replied: "Its warp was of hair and its weft was of silk. I reckoned that he (r) might have gone to one of his [other] wives, so I got up and searched for him in the [darkness of the] apartment. My hand made contact with his feet, as he was prostrate in worship. Of his prayer (r), I remember these words:
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Prostrated before You are my form and my spirit, and my heart is in Your safekeeping. I acknowledge Your favors, and to You I confess my sin. I have wronged myself, so forgive me; surely none forgives sins but You. I seek refuge with Your pardon from Your punishment, with Your mercy from Your vengeance, with Your approval from Your displeasure. I seek refuge with You from You. I do not tell Your praises, for You are as You have extolled Yourself.,[]
She continued: "So he did not cease from worship, now standing and now sitting [on his heels], until morning came. Then his feet were put up, and as I massaged them I said: 'My father be your ransom and my mother too! Surely Allah has forgiven your former and your latter sins? Surely Allah has dealt with you? Is it not so? Is it not so?'
Reply to wahabi/salafi scholar Bin Baaz objection one
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Bin Baaz Shahib was a scholar belonging to one group so his words are not a hujjat
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Following Imams [rah] or past scholars supported 15th Shabaan as night of blessing
Imam Ghazali [rah]
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Imam Shafi [rah] [A Salaf]
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Sheikh Abdul QAdir Jilani [rah]
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Imam Suyuti [rah]
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Imam Haskafi( Rh) said in his Durr al-Mukhtar, one of the primary references in the Hanafi school:
"Among the recommended [prayers] are on. . . . the nights of the two Eids, the middle of Sha`ban, the last ten of Ramadan, and the first [ten] of Dhul-Hijjah”.
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5.Imam Nawawi( Rh) mentioned in his Majmu`, where he also quoted Imam al-Shafi`i from the latter’s al-Umm that it has reached him that there are 5 nights when dua is answered, one of them being the night of the 15th of Sha`ban.
Ibn Taymiyyah [ whom Bin baaz considers Sheikh ul Islam ]
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Mubarakpuri [ A salafi/wahabi scholar as Bin Baaz ]
reply from Ahle sunnat
This hadith refers to 3rd part of night [only] which is Tahajjud Time , This night has same blessing from start of night to End of it
reply
,From Sahih muslim , Fasting on 15th is encouraged
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عن عمران بن حصين رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال له أو لآخر أصمت من سرر شعبان قال لا قال فإذا أفطرت فصم يومين
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Translation: Imran bin Husain (ra) reported Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) having said to him or to someone else:Did you fast in the "Middle of Sha'ban?" He said: No. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: If you did not observe fast, then you should observe fast for two days.
[Sahih Muslim Book 006, Number 2607]
Reply From Ahlus Sunnah
visiting graves is a sunnah, proofs are here http://ahlus-sunna.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&It emid=120
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Visiting on Specific day is proved too
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Let me quote the arabic hadiths again From tafseer ibn e khateer
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فيدخل فيسلم ثم ينصرف، رواه ابن جرير. ورواه ابن أبي حاتم من حديث إسماعيل بن عياش، عن أرطاة بن المنذر عن أبي الحجاج يوسف الألهاني قال: سمعت أبا أمامة، فذكر نحوه. وقد جاء في الحديث أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يزور قبور الشهداء في رأس كل حول، فيقول لهم: { سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُم بِمَا صَبَرْتُمْ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَىٰ ٱلدَّارِ } وكذلك أبو بكر وعمر وعثمان
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Translation : The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to go to the graves of the martyrs of Uhd once a year and also recite the verse of the Holy Qur’an on excellence of patience. The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to pray for them. When the beloved Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) passed away himself, the Khalifs, Abu-Bakr (رضي الله عنه), Umar (رضي الله عنه), Usman (رضي الله عنه) used to do the same thing.
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Reference :
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►Tafsir Tabari,
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►Tafsir Ibn-Kathir for Quran 13:20
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►and Tafsir Qurtabi by Imam Tabari, Imam Qurtabi commentary of Surah Ra’d Verse 20.]
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► Shaami states and quotes same hadith in Vol. 1, Baabu Ziyaaratil-Quboor
All praise be to God, Lord of the Universe: the Compassionate, the Merciful. Sovereign of the Day of Judgement! You alone we worship: and to You alone we turn for help. Guide us to the straight path: the path of those whom You have favoured: not of those who have incurred Your wrath, nor of those who have gone astray. Endless Blessings and Peace upon Allahs Most Beloved Messenger & Prophet Hadrat Muhammad Mustafa (صلى الله عليه وسلم).
As Saalam o Alaykum Warehmatullahi Wabarakatuh
It is admitted fact that every moment, second, minute, hour, day or night that is spent in the submission of Allah Almighty and His Beloved Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) is exceedingly meaningful and precious. But there are some days, nights and months which have their own weight and Allah, the compassionate, lays immense stress upon them to unveil their importance to his rationale creatures.
Among those months, those hold much importance is Moharram, Rajab, Sha’ban and the holy month of Ramadhan but Sha’ban holds the top position among these holy months as the Holy Prophet Mohammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) holds the top position among all the Prophets like Hazrat Ibrahim, Hazrat Musa and Hazrat Isa (aalhimissalam)
The Holy Month of Sha’ban is one of the blessed months that holds much too for us from the mercy, compassion and kindness of Allah Almighty. This is the month that is the best of all months in the estimation of Allah. Its days are the best among the days; its nights are the best among the nights. Its hours are the best among the hours. It is the month that gave time its spirituality, and thus made its days the best days and its hours the best hours.It is preparatory month that welcomes the holy month of Ramadhan.
If we study the life of our beloved Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), He used to avail himself the moments of this month to the utmost and spend more time in adoration, submission of Allah almighty and seek salvation and earn the infinite mercy of Allah Subhana hu watala.
*FASTING AND EXTRA WORSHIP IN SHA`BAN*
Once the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: “Sha’ ban is my month”
As Aaqa (صلى الله عليه وسلم) called it my month, so its significance and importance touches to the sky because every thing that has got any link directly or indirectly with the holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) becomes an exalted thing for his true followers and momineen.
Imam Ali bin Hussein Al-Zaynul Aabideen (ra) told his companions: "The Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to observe fast during the whole month of Sha'ban. Therefore whoso, in love of the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم), wishes to seek nearness to Allah and receive bounties, favors and rewards in this world and in the Hereafter, must connect Sha'ban with Ramadan (in the matter of fasting and special prayers).
*Hadith Number 1*
عن عائشة أم المؤمنين رضي الله عنها أنها قالت كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يصوم حتى نقول لا يفطر ويفطر حتى نقول لا يصوم وما رأيت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم استكمل صيام شهر قط إلا رمضان وما رأيته في شهر أكثر منه صياما في شعبان
Translation: Aisha (raa) reported that the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to observe fasts (so continuously) that we said that he would not break, and did not observe (them) till we said that he would not fast: and I did not see the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) completing the fast of a month, but that of Ramadan, and I did not see him fasting more in any other month than that of Sha'ban. [Sahih Muslim Book 006, Hadith Number 2580]
*Hadith Number 2*
عن عائشة أم المؤمنين رضي الله عنها كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يتحفظ من شعبان ما لا يتحفظ من غيره ثم يصوم لرؤية رمضان فإن غم عليه عد ثلاثين يوما ثم صام
Translation: Narated By Aisha (raa) : The Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to count the days in Sha'ban in a manner he did not count any other month; then he fasted when he sighted the new moon of Ramadan; but if the weather was cloudy he counted thirty days and then fasted. [Abu Dawud Book 007, Hadith Number 2318]
*Hadith Number 3*
عن عائشة قالت: لم يكن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم في شهر أكثر صياماً منه في شعبان لأنه ينسخ فيه أرواح الأحياء في الأموات، حتى أن الرجل يتزوج وقد رفع اسمه فيمن يموت، وإن الرجل ليحج وقد رفع اسمه فيمن يموت
Translation: Narrated by Aishah (raa) says, "Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to fast the whole of Sha'ban. I said to him, 'Messenger of Allah, is Sha'ban your most favorite month for fasting?' He said, 'In this month Allah prescribes the list of the persons dying this year. Therefore, I like that my death comes when I am in a state of fasting." [Ibn Asakir, Tafsir ad-Dar al-Manthur Under the Verse 44:3]
*Hadith Number 4*
عن عمران بن حصين رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال له أو لآخر أصمت من سرر شعبان قال لا قال فإذا أفطرت فصم يومين
Translation: Imran bin Husain (ra) reported Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) having said to him or to someone else: Did you fast in the middle of Sha'ban? He said: No. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: If you did not observe fast, then you should observe fast for two days. [Muslim Book 006, Number 2607]
* Conclusion:
These reports indicate that fasting in the month of Sha`baan, though not obligatory, is so meritious that the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) did not like to miss it. But it should be get in mind that the fasts of Sha`baan are for those persons only who are capable of keeping them without causing deficiency in the obligatory fasts of Ramadhan.
It is the habit of the Muslims to celebrate some auspicious events during the month of Sha'ban by praying, reciting Quran, praising Allah, and making a great deal of supplication to Allah during that night. Sha’ban is like an introduction to Ramadan and it has some things in common with Ramadan, such as fasting, reciting Holy Quran and giving in charity. It has been narrated that upon the arrival of Rajab the Holy Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to pray "O' Allah! Bless us abundantly in Rajab and Sha'ban and deliver us safely unto Ramadan."
*The Night of Mid-Sha`ban (Laylat al-barrah)*
Qur'an State: (إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ) - Lo! We revealed it on a blessed night -- Lo! We are ever warning - (فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ) - Whereupon every wise command is made clear - (أَمْرًا مِّنْ عِندِنَا إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ) - As a command from Our presence -- Lo! We are ever sending - (رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ) - A mercy from thy Lord. Lo! He is the Hearer, the Knower. (44:3-6)
Although the majority of the commentators consider the "blessed night" in the above verses to refer to the Night of Decree which is considered to be in the month of Ramadan, yet the commentaries also mention that this "blessed night" may be that of mid-Sha`ban This view is based on the profusion of hadiths on the great merits of the latter. Consequently the Shari`a has commended observance of that night. Concerning supererogatory worship on the night of mid-Sha`ban.
Imam Suyuti says: As for the night of mid-Sha`ban, it has great merit and it is desirable (mustahabb) to spend part of it in supererogatory worship. [Haqiqat al-sunna wa al-bid`a aw al-amr bi al-ittiba` wa al-nahi `an al-ibtida Page No. 58]
*Among the hadiths stressing the status of 15th Sha`ban (laylat al-bara'a) are the following*
*Hadith Number 1*
عن عائشة قالت فقدت رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ليلة فخرجت فإذا هو بالبقيع فقال أكنت تخافين أن يحيف الله عليك ورسوله قلت يا رسول الله إني ظننت أنك أتيت بعض نسائك فقال إن الله عز وجل ينزل ليلة النصف من شعبان إلى السماء الدنيا فيغفر لأكثر من عدد شعر غنم كلب
Translation: Narrated by Aisha (raa) I missed Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) during the night and found him in al-Baqi'. He said: Were you afraid that Allah and His Messenger would deal unjustly with you? I said: Allah's Messenger, I thought that you had gone to some of your other wives. He (the Prophet) said: Verily Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, comes down to the heaven of the world in "the middle night of Sha'ban" and forgives sins even more abundant than the hair of the goats of Kalb. [Sunan Tirmidhi Volume 001, Hadith Number 670, Ibn Maja Volume 002, Hadith Number1379]
*Hadith Number 2*
عن أبي موسى الأشعري عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال إن الله ليطلع في ليلة النصف من شعبان فيغفر لجميع خلقه إلا لمشرك أو مشاحن
Translation: Narrated by Abu Musa al-Ash'ari Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious looks down on "the middle night of Sha'ban" and forgives all His creation. except a polytheist or one who is mushahin. [Sunan Ibn Maja Volume 002, Hadith Number 1380]
*Hadith Number 3*
عن عبد الله بن عمرو بن العاص أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال يطلع الله عز وجل إلى خلقه ليلة النصف من شعبان فيغفر لعباده إلا لاثنين مشاحن وقاتل نفس
Translation: Narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious looks down on "the middle night of Sha'ban" and forgives all His creation except two people, the mushahin and the murderer. [Musnad Ahmad Volume 003, Hadith Number 6353]
*Hadith Number 4*
عن أبي ثعلبة الخشني، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إذا كان ليلة النصف من شعبان، اطلع الله تعالى إلى خلقه، فيغفر للمؤمنين، ويملي للكافرين، ويدع أهل الحقد بحقدهم حتى يدعوه
Translation: It is related by Abu Thalaba that the Blessed Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: On the 15th night of Shabaan, Allah looks over at his creation and forgives all the believers except for the one who begrudges and hates. He leaves them in their enmity. [Bayhqi, Tafsir ad-Dar al-Manthur Under the Verse 44:3]
*Hadith Number 5*
عن معاذ بن جبل، عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: يطلع الله في ليلة النصف من شعبان، فيغفر لجميع خلقه إلا لمشرك أو مشاحن
Translation: It is related by Muaz bin Jabbal that the Blessed Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: Allah looks at His creation in "the night of mid-Sha`ban" and He forgives all His creation. except for a mushrik (idolater) or a mushahin (one bent on hatred). [Ibn Hibban, Sahih, ed. Shu`ayb Arna'ut Volume 012: Hadith Number 5665]
*Hadith Number 6*
عن عائشة قالت: قام رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم من الليل يصلي، فأطال السجود حتى ظننت أنه قد قبض، فلما رأيت ذلك، قمت حتى حركت إبهامه، فتحرك، فرجعت، فلما رفع رأسه من السجود وفرغ من صلاته، فقال: " يا عائشة، أو يا حميراء ظننت أن النبي قد خاس بك " قلت: لا والله يا نبي الله ولكني ظننت أنك قبضت لطول سجودك فقال: " أتدرين أي ليلة هذه؟ " قلت: الله ورسوله أعلم، قال: " هذه ليلة النصف من شعبان، فيغفر للمستغفرين ويرحم المسترحمين ويؤخر أهل الحقد كما هم
Translation: From A'isha: She said: The Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) stood up in prayer during part of the night and made his prostration so lengthy that I thought his soul had been taken back. When I saw this I got up and went to move his big toe, whereupon he moved, so I drew back. When he raised his head from prostration and finished praying, he (صلى الله عليه وسلم) said: "O A'isha, O fair little one (humayra')! Did you think that the Prophet had broken his agreement with you?" She replied: "No, by Allah, O Messenger of Allah, but I thought that your soul had been taken back because your stayed in prostration for so long." He said: "Do you know what night this is?" She said: "Allah and His Prophet know best." He said: "This is the night of mid-Sha`ban! Verily Allah the Glorious and Majestic look at His servants on "the night of mid-Sha`ban, and He forgives those who ask forgiveness, and He bestows mercy on those who ask mercy, and He gives a delay to the people of envy and spite in their state."
Azhari said:
يقال للرجل إذا غدر بصاحبه فلم يؤته حقه قد خاس به
Concerning his words: "broken his agreement with you": this is said to a person who betrays his companion and therefore has not given him his due right.
Bayhaqi continues:
وقال هذا مرسل جيد ويحتمل أن يكون العلاء أخذه من مكحول
I say: This hadith is missing the Companion in its chain, and is a "Good Hadith". [Bayhaqi in Shu`ab al-iman Volume 003: Hadith Number 3835]
*Hadith Number 7*
عن عمران بن حصين رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال له أو لآخر أصمت من سرر شعبان قال لا قال فإذا أفطرت فصم يومين
Translation: Imran bin Husain (ra) reported Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) having said to him or to someone else: Did you fast in the "Middle of Sha'ban?" He said: No. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: If you did not observe fast, then you should observe fast for two days. [Muslim Book 006, Number 2607]
*Scholarly Opinion's*
The virtue of the night of mid shaban has been established from the Prophet (صلى الله عليه وسلم) and has come from multiple channels of transmission from Abdullah bin Amr, Muadh, Abu Hurairah, Abu Thulabah, Awf bin Malik, Abu Bakr, Abu Musa, Aishah May Allah be pleased with all of them, each of the narrations strengthening each other.
Imam Shafi'i write:
و بلغنا أنه كان يقال إن الرعاء يستجاب في خمس في ليال في ليلة جمعة و ليلة الأضحى و ليلة الفطر و اول ليلة من رجب و ليلة النصف من شعبان
Translation: Of the narrations that have reached us, verily, dua is accepted on five nights: the night of Juma’, the night of E’id Al-Adha, the night of E’id Al-Fitr, the first night of Rajab, and the 15th night of Shabaan”. [al-Umm, Volume 001, Page No. 231]
Imam Shurunbulali Hanafi writes:
وندب احياء ليالي العشر الاخبر من رمضان واحياء ليلتي العيدين وليالي عشر زي الحجة وليلة النصف من شعبان
Translation: It is desirable to revive the last ten nights of Ramadan, two nights of Eidain (Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha), ten nights of Zil Hijjah, and the 15th night of Sha`ban. [Noorul Eidhah Page No. 63]
Shaikh Abu-Ishaq Ibrahim Al-Hanbali writes:
ويستحب احيا مابين العشانين الخبر قال جماعة و ليلة عاشورا وليلة اول رجب وليلة نصف شعبان
Translation: It is desirable to revive the time (with salat and ibadah) between the two E’sha’s (Maghrib and E’sha) because of the ahaadith. Many scholars say: Similarly with the night of Ashura, the first night of Rajab, and the 15th night of Sha`ban. [Al-Mubdi Volume 002, Page No. 27]
Sheikh Mansoor Bahoti Hanbali writes:
واما ليلة النصف من شعبان ففيها فضل وكان في السلف من يصلي فيها الاجتماح فيها لا حيانهافي المساجد بدعة اه وفئ استحباب قيامها اي ليلة النصف من شعبان مافئ احياء ليلة العيد
Translation: As for the 15th night of Sha`ban, it is a night of virtue. Some of the salaf prayed the whole night, although establishing congregational prayers (on this night) is good innovation. And the reward of ibadah on "the 15th night of Sha`ban" is the same as the reward of ibadah on the night of E’id. [Kash-shaful Qina, Volume 001: Page No. 444]
Mubarakpuri (Salafi scholer) writes:
اعلم أنه قد ورد في فضيلة ليلة النصف من شعبان عدة أحاديث مجموعها يدل على أن لها أصلا
Translation: You should know that a sufficient number of hadith has been narrated confirming "the virtues of the 15th night of Sha`ban". All these ahaadith prove that it has a basis.
After relating many Ahadith about the importance of this night he says:
فهذه الأحاديث بمجموعها حجة على من زعم أنه لم يثبت في فضيلة ليلة النصف من شعبان شيء والله تعالى أعلم
Translation: The sum of all these ahadith is strong evidence against the one "who thinks there is no proof" of the virtue of the 15th night of Sha`ban" and Allah knows best. [Tuhfatul Ahwadhi Volume 003: Page. 365-367]
Ibn-Taimiyyah was asked about of the 15th night of Sha’ban. He replied:
اما ليلة النصف روئ فئ فضلهااحاديث واثار ونقل عن طانفتهمن السلف انهم كانوايصلون فيها فصلاة الرجل فيها وحده وقد تقدمه فيه سلف فيه حجته فلا ينكرمثل هزا
Translation: As for the 15th night of Shabaan, there are many narrations and Athar (quotes from the Sahabah) regarding its virtue. It has been reported of the salaf that they prayed in this night. Therefore, praying alone on this night, having precedence in the salaf, is sufficient evidence and something of this kind surely cannot be denied.
At another occasion, Ibn-Taimiyyah was asked the same question and he replied:
وسنل عن صلاة نصف شعبان فاجاب ازا صلئ الانسان ليلة النصف وحده اوفئ جماعته خاصته كما كان يفل جماعته خاصته كما كان يفعل طوانف من السلف فهواحسن
Translation: If one prays on this night alone or in a select company of people as many groups amongst the salaf did, "then it is good". [Fatawa Ibn Taimiyyah Volume 23, Page 131-132]
* CONCLUSION:
To conclude the virtue of this blessed night are established by ahadith and a group of the salaf it is recommended to stay up on it, and the opinion that it is Bida'h (innovation) is a "Reprehensible" (munkar) opinion.
* A HUMBLE APPEAL TO SEEK PARDON AND ASK ALLAH'S FORGIVENESS:
Dear Muslim brothers, the Bountiful Allah in His Infinite Mercy has provided us with such an auspicious night so that we may take advantage of it and repent for our sins, and thus obtain His Grace and Favour. It is for us to take full advantage of it. During this night, offer special prayers and repent sincerely for our past sins and ask for His Forgiveness.
May Allah Ta'ala guide them and show them the right path so that they be in touch with their glorious past, May Almighty Allah guide us on the path of the Ambiya and the Awliya. Aameen.Objection by wahabi [salafi,]group that all hadiths are Daeef
usually the wahabi/salafi/ahle hadith sect is seen claiming that all hadiths mentioned above are daeef. First of all the hadith of ibn Habban is termed "SAHIH" by classical scholars so are many other hadiths.Even now if someone following such groups don't believe in classical scholars than here is a proof from Salafi [wahabi ] so called Mujadad of last century and a controversial scholar Nasir ud Din Albani who declaired Hadiths of 15th Shabaan as Authentic [Sahih]
some hadith are daeef [weak] but usllly we see Bin Baaz and group using them to wrongly prove Sahih hadiths as daeef too lolz which is funny,
Authenticity of Hadith # 1 on Ibn Habban
The usual trick of making people fool is by showing chains of only Daeef hadith and trying to claim that all hadiths are daeefAccording to Usool of hadith if a hadith comes from several chains [as in this case] and even if one hadith is "SAHIH" than other daeef hadith also become "DAeef SAhih" and are accepted as point is proved from a sahih chain, , so go and get some knowledge first yourself
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There are atleast 3-4 hadiths quoted above which are SAhih [and few are daeef (weak) ] but even they are accepted
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For example IBn Habban hadith is Sahih
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Ibn Hibban narrated from Mu`adh ibn Jabal in his Sahih the following narration which the hadith scholar and editor of the Sahih Shu`ayb Arna'ut confirmed as sound:
The Prophet said :
Allah looks at His creation in the night of mid-Sha`ban and He forgives all His creation except for a mushrik (idolater) or a mushahin (one bent on hatred).
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( Reference: Al-Tabarani: Al-Mu'jam Al-Kabir 20/108-9, Ibn Hibban:
Sahih Ibn Hibban 7/470, Al-Bayhaqi: Shu'bal Iman 2/288, Abulhasan
Al-Qazwini: Al-Amali 4/2, Ibn 'Asakir: Al-Tarikh 15/302 & Ibn Abi 'Asim:Al-Sunna1/224)
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Note on authenticity :
1)Ibn Hibban (May Allaah have mercy on him) considered this Hadith to be Sahih.
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(Ibn Rajab: Lataif Al-Ma'arif 1/224)
Further Classification of hadith
Imam Ibn Hajr al Haythami (Rahimuhullah) narrates in his magnificent Majma az Zawaid
وعن معاذ بن جبل عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال:
"يطلع الله إلى جميع خلقه ليلة النصف من شعبان، فيغفر لجميع خلقه، إلا لمشرك، أو مشاحن".
رواه الطبراني في الكبير والأوسط ورجالهما ثقات.
Translation: Narrated by Muadh bin Jabal (RA) from Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam) who said: Allah turns towards his creation in the Night of "MID-SHABAN" and He forgives all of them except for a Mushrik and one who hates other people
Imam Ibn Hajr Haythami (rah) says after this hadith: It is narrated by Tabarani in his Al-Kabir and Al-Awsat and "ALL ITS NARRATORS ARE RELIABLE" [Majma az Zawaid, Volume No. 8, Page No. 65, Hadith # 12860]
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Source:Brother Aamir Ibrahim
Famous Salafi scholar Nasir ud din Albani said about chain [/size]
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in : Silsilah Al-Ahadith Al-Sahihah 3/135 #1144 )
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Allah turns towards his creation in the Night of "MID-SHABAN" and He forgives all of them except for a Mushrik and one who hates other people (Albani calls it); "A SAHIH HADITH" narrated by group of Sahaba with different routes (Turuq) such as from Muadh bin Jabal (ra), Abu Thalbah (ra) Abdullah bin Umar (ra), Abu Musa al Ashari (ra), Abu Hurraira (ra), Abu Bakr as Saddiq (ra), Awf bin Malik (ra) and Aisha (ra).The Hadith of Muadh bin Jabal (ra) comes through Makhul from Malik bin Yakhamir and It is "MARFU" narrated by Ibn Abi Asim in his As-Sunnah Hadith #512 [Nasir ud din Albani in Silsilat ul-Ahadith-as Sahiha, Volume No. 3, Page No. 135 #1144]
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Albani further declares 2 more ahadith as "HASSAN" and 1 to be "Mursil Jayyid"
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Authenticity of Hadith other two sahih hadiths on 15th of Shabaan [shab e baraat]
authenticity of 2nd & 3rd hadith
There is another identical Hadith related from the Companion Abdullah b.'Amr (May Allaah be pleased with him) which says that the Prophet(Sallalahu Alaihi Wassalam) said: "Allah looks at His creation during the night of the 15th of Sha'ban and He forgives His servants except two- one intent on hatred (mushanin) and a murderer (qatilu nafs).,
( Ref : Musnad Ahmad 2/176 #6642.
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Al-Bazzar also related this Hadith and he classified it as 'hasan
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Note :In his edition of Musnad Ahmed, Shaykh Ahmed Shakir has classified this Hadith as'Sahih'
and Nasiruddin Al-Albany classified it is 'Hasan'
( Al-Albani: Silsilah Al-Ahadith Al-Sahihah 3/136)
chain of Another Hasan hadith narrated by Abu Bakr Siddiq Rd
It has beenclassified as sound by Haafiz al-Munzhiri (RA) in his al-Targheeb (vol.3 pg.459).
This narration is of Sayyiduna Abu Bakr (Radhiallaahu Anhu) and is recorded by Imaam Bazzaar (RA) in his Musnad.
Hafiz ibn Hajar (RA) has also classified one of its chains as Hasan (sound).
(al-Amaal mutlaqah pgs.119-120)
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Sahabas who transmitted hadith of Shabaan
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Abu Hurayra (Musnad al-Bazzaar), Abu Tha’labah (Shu’ubul Imaan), Awf ibn Maalik (Musnad al-Bazzaar), Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-Aas (Musnad Ahmad Hadith6642), Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari (ibn Majah Hadith1390; Shu’ubul Imaan Hadith3833) and others. The collective strength of these narrations cannot be refuted.
So few hadiths are Daeef [no doubt] but many are sahih as well and Sahih hadiths strenght those Daeef ones and they become daeef Sahih according to science of hadiths
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Proof from Imam ghazali (rah)
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كتب الأمام الغزالي: وليلة النصف من شعبان - ففيها مائة ركعة يقرا في كل ركعة بعد الفاتحة سورة الاخلاص عشر مرات كانوا لا يتركونها كما اوردناه في صلاة التطوع - وليلة عرفة . ( إحياء علوم الدين ),
Imam al-Ghazali wrote in his Ihyā, “The Night of mid-Sha`bān, in it [pray] 100 raka’ts, reciting in each raka`t after al-Fātiha, Surat al-Ikhlās 10 times; they never left it, as we related about the voluntary extra prayers and the Night of `Arafat.”
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Proof from Tafsir ruh al biyan (rah)
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وقال بعض المفسرين المراد من الليلة المباركة ليلة النصف من شعبان ولها أربعة اسماء الاول الليلة المباركة لكثرة خيرها وبركتها على العاملين فيها الخير وان بركات جماله تعالى تصل الى كل ذرة من العرش الى الثرى كما فى ليلة القدر وفى تلك الليلة اجتماع جميع الملائكة فى حظيرة القدس.,
Shaykh Ibrahim al-Hakki, in his tafsir Ruh al-Bayān, says: “and some of the mufassireen said that the intent in “Blessed Night” [44:3] is the Night of mid-Sha`bān, and his has four names, the first being “Blessed Night” due to the huge number of people performing good deeds in it, and truly the blessing of Allah’s Beauty reaches to every atom from the Throne to the earth, as in Laylat al-Qadr and in that night all the angels gather in the Holy Presence.
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Proof from Sheikh Abdul Qadir Jilani (rah)
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It is related by Sayyidina Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani in his Ghunya, from Abu Nasr, we learn that `Aisha (r) once said:
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"When it was the night of mid-Sha`bān, the Prophet (s) had removed a garment of mine." Then she added, "By Allah! That garment of mine was not of silk, nor of raw silk, nor of linen, nor of silk and wool, nor of wool." [The reporter said:] "'Glory be to Allah!' I said to her, 'So what was it made of?'" She replied: "Its warp was of hair and its weft was of silk. I reckoned that he (r) might have gone to one of his [other] wives, so I got up and searched for him in the [darkness of the] apartment. My hand made contact with his feet, as he was prostrate in worship. Of his prayer (r), I remember these words:
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Prostrated before You are my form and my spirit, and my heart is in Your safekeeping. I acknowledge Your favors, and to You I confess my sin. I have wronged myself, so forgive me; surely none forgives sins but You. I seek refuge with Your pardon from Your punishment, with Your mercy from Your vengeance, with Your approval from Your displeasure. I seek refuge with You from You. I do not tell Your praises, for You are as You have extolled Yourself.,[]
She continued: "So he did not cease from worship, now standing and now sitting [on his heels], until morning came. Then his feet were put up, and as I massaged them I said: 'My father be your ransom and my mother too! Surely Allah has forgiven your former and your latter sins? Surely Allah has dealt with you? Is it not so? Is it not so?'
Reply to wahabi/salafi scholar Bin Baaz objection one
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Bin Baaz Shahib was a scholar belonging to one group so his words are not a hujjat
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Following Imams [rah] or past scholars supported 15th Shabaan as night of blessing
Imam Ghazali [rah]
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Imam Shafi [rah] [A Salaf]
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Sheikh Abdul QAdir Jilani [rah]
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Imam Suyuti [rah]
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Imam Haskafi( Rh) said in his Durr al-Mukhtar, one of the primary references in the Hanafi school:
"Among the recommended [prayers] are on. . . . the nights of the two Eids, the middle of Sha`ban, the last ten of Ramadan, and the first [ten] of Dhul-Hijjah”.
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5.Imam Nawawi( Rh) mentioned in his Majmu`, where he also quoted Imam al-Shafi`i from the latter’s al-Umm that it has reached him that there are 5 nights when dua is answered, one of them being the night of the 15th of Sha`ban.
Ibn Taymiyyah [ whom Bin baaz considers Sheikh ul Islam ]
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Mubarakpuri [ A salafi/wahabi scholar as Bin Baaz ]
Quote:
wahabi/pseudo salafi ,najdi Bin Baaz said Misconception # 3: Allaah descends to the first heavens on this night to forgive us. Clarification: Allaah’s descending to the first heaven does not only happen on the night of the fifteenth of Shabaan. Rather it happens every single night of the year. The Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said: "Every night when it is the last third of the night, our Lord, the Superior, the Blessed, descends to the nearest heaven and says: Is there anyone to invoke Me that I may respond to his invocation?..... (Bukhaari) |
reply from Ahle sunnat
This hadith refers to 3rd part of night [only] which is Tahajjud Time , This night has same blessing from start of night to End of it
Quote:
Quote:
Wahabi/pseudo salafi Bin Baaz said Misconception # 5: One should fast on the day of the fifteenth Clarification: Here again, there is no saheeh reports that tell us that the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) or his Sahaabah ever picked this day specifically to fast. |
reply
,From Sahih muslim , Fasting on 15th is encouraged
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عن عمران بن حصين رضي الله عنهما أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال له أو لآخر أصمت من سرر شعبان قال لا قال فإذا أفطرت فصم يومين
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Translation: Imran bin Husain (ra) reported Allah's Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) having said to him or to someone else:Did you fast in the "Middle of Sha'ban?" He said: No. Thereupon he (the Holy Prophet) said: If you did not observe fast, then you should observe fast for two days.
[Sahih Muslim Book 006, Number 2607]
Quote:
wahabi/pseudo salafi Bin Baaz saidMisconception # 7: Visiting graveyards especially this night is something good. Although the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) encouraged visiting graves, he forbade singling out any day or night for any kinds of good deeds if it is not prescribed in the Shareeah |
Reply From Ahlus Sunnah
visiting graves is a sunnah, proofs are here http://ahlus-sunna.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=61&It emid=120
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Visiting on Specific day is proved too
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Let me quote the arabic hadiths again From tafseer ibn e khateer
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فيدخل فيسلم ثم ينصرف، رواه ابن جرير. ورواه ابن أبي حاتم من حديث إسماعيل بن عياش، عن أرطاة بن المنذر عن أبي الحجاج يوسف الألهاني قال: سمعت أبا أمامة، فذكر نحوه. وقد جاء في الحديث أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم كان يزور قبور الشهداء في رأس كل حول، فيقول لهم: { سَلَـٰمٌ عَلَيْكُم بِمَا صَبَرْتُمْ فَنِعْمَ عُقْبَىٰ ٱلدَّارِ } وكذلك أبو بكر وعمر وعثمان
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Translation : The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to go to the graves of the martyrs of Uhd once a year and also recite the verse of the Holy Qur’an on excellence of patience. The Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to pray for them. When the beloved Prophet Muhammad (صلى الله عليه وسلم) passed away himself, the Khalifs, Abu-Bakr (رضي الله عنه), Umar (رضي الله عنه), Usman (رضي الله عنه) used to do the same thing.
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Reference :
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►Tafsir Tabari,
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►Tafsir Ibn-Kathir for Quran 13:20
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►and Tafsir Qurtabi by Imam Tabari, Imam Qurtabi commentary of Surah Ra’d Verse 20.]
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► Shaami states and quotes same hadith in Vol. 1, Baabu Ziyaaratil-Quboor
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This article is split into the following categories:
1) PDF containing all the supporting evidences on the specific virtues of 15th Sha’baan;
2) Narrations by leading Salafi authorities ibn Taymiyah and al-Albani with book and page scans;
1) PDF containing all the supporting evidences on the specific virtues of 15th Sha’baan;
2) Narrations by leading Salafi authorities ibn Taymiyah and al-Albani with book and page scans;
3) Where did the narrations for Night of Mid-Shabaan Come from?
4) Opinions of Shaykh Abd-Al Qadir Jilani RadiAllahu Ta'ala Anhu with book and page scans;
5) Answers to Objections raised.
4) Opinions of Shaykh Abd-Al Qadir Jilani RadiAllahu Ta'ala Anhu with book and page scans;
5) Answers to Objections raised.
Detailed Article Containing all Narrations on 15th Shabaan
The specific virtues of 15th Shabaan which makes that day and night special and distinguished, according to the Quran, Authentic Sunnah, and the Statements of the Imams of the Ummah.. Read detailed article listing all the narrations by clicking *PDF here*
Opinions of leading Salafi Authorities on 15th Shabaan
The below are some of the narrations by leading Salafi authorities.
1) Two followers of Ibn Taymiyah and Muhammad bin Abdul Wahhab Al Najdi, are Hafidhh Abdullah Rawpari and Thanaa’ullah Amritsari, both state that to worship on the 15th night of Shabaan is not Bid’ah and the person who does Ibada (Worship) on this night will obtain reward for it. The narrations concerning this night are weak but this does not matter since weak Ahadith are acceptable for virtuous actions.
[Fatawa Ahl-e-Hadith by Hafidhh Rawpari and Fatawa Thanaa’iya by Thana’ullahAmritsari, chapter on fasting]
[Fatawa Ahl-e-Hadith by Hafidhh Rawpari and Fatawa Thanaa’iya by Thana’ullahAmritsari, chapter on fasting]
2) Ibn Tayymiya writes:
The excellency regarding the 15th of Shabaan is an area of dispute between the Scholars, some of them say that there is no significance of this night, but Imam Ahmed recognises the excellency of this night, our other Hanbli Scholars also agree with Imam Ahmed. There are Ahadith on this night being significant, some of them are from Sunnan (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah) and the other Ahadeeth books as well.
[Iqtidah Siratul Mustaqeem page 203 by Ibn Taymiyah]
Ibn-Taimiyyah was also asked about praying in the 15th night of Sha’ban. He replied:
وأما ليلة النصف فقد روى في فضلها أحاديث وآثار ونقل عن طائفة من السلف أنهم كانوا يصلون فيها، فصلاة الرجل فيها وحده قد تقدمه فيه سلف وله فيه حجة فلا ينكر مثل هذا
Translation: As for the 15th night of Shabaan, there are many narrations and Athar (quotes from the Sahabah) regarding its virtue. It has been reported of the salaf that they prayed in this night. Therefore, praying alone on this night, having precedence in the salaf, is sufficient evidence and something of this kind surely cannot be denied.[Fatawa Ibn Taymiyyah, Majmua al Fatawa, Volume No. 23, Page No. 132]
وأما ليلة النصف فقد روى في فضلها أحاديث وآثار ونقل عن طائفة من السلف أنهم كانوا يصلون فيها، فصلاة الرجل فيها وحده قد تقدمه فيه سلف وله فيه حجة فلا ينكر مثل هذا
Translation: As for the 15th night of Shabaan, there are many narrations and Athar (quotes from the Sahabah) regarding its virtue. It has been reported of the salaf that they prayed in this night. Therefore, praying alone on this night, having precedence in the salaf, is sufficient evidence and something of this kind surely cannot be denied.[Fatawa Ibn Taymiyyah, Majmua al Fatawa, Volume No. 23, Page No. 132]
See Scan 01 at the bottom of this page
Ibn-Taimiyyah in another place was asked the same question and he replied:
وسنل عن صلاة نصف شعبان فاجاب ازا صلئ الانسان ليلة النصف وحده اوفئ جماعته خاصته كما كان يفل جماعته خاصته كما كان يفعل طوانف من السلف فهواحسن
Translation: If one prays on this night alone or in a select company of people as many groups amongst the salaf did, "then it is good". [Fatawa Ibn Taymiyyah, Majmua al Fatawa, Volume 23, Page 131]
See Scan 01 at the bottom of this page
3) The Salafi Scholar Al-Mubarakpuri, the author of famous Sharah of Tirimdhi i.e. Tuhfa tul Ahwadi says
اعلم أنه قد ورد في فضيلة ليلة النصف من شعبان عدة أحاديث مجموعها يدل على أن لها أصلا
Translation: You should know that a sufficient number of hadith has been narrated confirming "the virtues of the 15th night of Sha`ban". All these ahaadith prove that it has a basis.[Tuhfa tl Ahwadhi (3/380)]
After relating many Ahadith about the importance of this night he says:
فهذه الأحاديث بمجموعها حجة على من زعم أنه لم يثبت في فضيلة ليلة النصف من شعبان شيء والله تعالى أعلم
Translation: The sum of all these ahadith is strong evidence against the one "who thinks there is no proof" of the virtue of the 15th night of Sha`ban" and Allah knows best. [Tuhfatul Ahwadhi Volume 003: Page. 365-367]
اعلم أنه قد ورد في فضيلة ليلة النصف من شعبان عدة أحاديث مجموعها يدل على أن لها أصلا
Translation: You should know that a sufficient number of hadith has been narrated confirming "the virtues of the 15th night of Sha`ban". All these ahaadith prove that it has a basis.[Tuhfa tl Ahwadhi (3/380)]
After relating many Ahadith about the importance of this night he says:
فهذه الأحاديث بمجموعها حجة على من زعم أنه لم يثبت في فضيلة ليلة النصف من شعبان شيء والله تعالى أعلم
Translation: The sum of all these ahadith is strong evidence against the one "who thinks there is no proof" of the virtue of the 15th night of Sha`ban" and Allah knows best. [Tuhfatul Ahwadhi Volume 003: Page. 365-367]
4) Now here is "Decisive" Proof from “Nasir ud din Albani” the Chief Muhadith of Salafis
" يطلع الله تبارك و تعالى إلى خلقه ليلة النصف من شعبان , فيغفر لجميع خلقه
إلا لمشرك أو مشاحن " .
قال الألباني في " السلسلة الصحيحة " 3 / 135 :
حديث صحيح , روي عن جماعة من الصحابة من طرق مختلفة يشد بعضها بعضا و هم # معاذ ابن جبل و أبو ثعلبة الخشني و عبد الله بن عمرو و أبي موسى الأشعري و أبي هريرة و أبي بكر الصديق و عوف ابن مالك و عائشة # .
1 - أما حديث معاذ فيرويه مكحول عن مالك بن يخامر عنه مرفوعا به . أخرجه ابن
أبي عاصم في " السنة " رقم ( 512 - بتحقيقي )
Translation: Allah turns towards his creation in the Night of "MID-SHABAN" and He forgives all of them except for a Mushrik and one who hates other people
Albani says in his “Silsilat as Sahiha”:(This is a) “SAHIH HADITH” narrated by group of Sahaba with different routes (Isnaad) such as from Muadh bin Jabal (ra), Abu Thalbah (ra) Abdullah bin Amr (ra), Abu Musa al Ashari (ra), Abu Hurraira (ra), Abu Bakr as Saddiq (ra), Awf bin Malik (ra) and Aisha (ra).The Hadith of Muadh bin Jabal (ra) comes through Makhul from Malik bin Yakhamir and It is “MARFU” narrated by Ibn Abi Asim in his As-Sunnah Hadith #512 [Nasir ud din Albani in Silsilat as Sahiha, Volume No. 3, Page No. 135 #1144]
" يطلع الله تبارك و تعالى إلى خلقه ليلة النصف من شعبان , فيغفر لجميع خلقه
إلا لمشرك أو مشاحن " .
قال الألباني في " السلسلة الصحيحة " 3 / 135 :
حديث صحيح , روي عن جماعة من الصحابة من طرق مختلفة يشد بعضها بعضا و هم # معاذ ابن جبل و أبو ثعلبة الخشني و عبد الله بن عمرو و أبي موسى الأشعري و أبي هريرة و أبي بكر الصديق و عوف ابن مالك و عائشة # .
1 - أما حديث معاذ فيرويه مكحول عن مالك بن يخامر عنه مرفوعا به . أخرجه ابن
أبي عاصم في " السنة " رقم ( 512 - بتحقيقي )
Translation: Allah turns towards his creation in the Night of "MID-SHABAN" and He forgives all of them except for a Mushrik and one who hates other people
Albani says in his “Silsilat as Sahiha”:(This is a) “SAHIH HADITH” narrated by group of Sahaba with different routes (Isnaad) such as from Muadh bin Jabal (ra), Abu Thalbah (ra) Abdullah bin Amr (ra), Abu Musa al Ashari (ra), Abu Hurraira (ra), Abu Bakr as Saddiq (ra), Awf bin Malik (ra) and Aisha (ra).The Hadith of Muadh bin Jabal (ra) comes through Makhul from Malik bin Yakhamir and It is “MARFU” narrated by Ibn Abi Asim in his As-Sunnah Hadith #512 [Nasir ud din Albani in Silsilat as Sahiha, Volume No. 3, Page No. 135 #1144]
See Scan 02 at the bottom of this page
Albani further declares 2 more ahadith to be “Hassan” and 1 to be “Mursil Jayyid”
Scan 01
Front Cover Fatawa Ibn Taymiyyah, Volume 23
Fatawa Ibn Taymiyyah, Volume 23, Page 131
Fatawa Ibn Taymiyyah, Volume 23, Page 132
Scan 02
Nasir ud din Albani in Silsilat as Sahiha, Volume 3, Page No. 135, Hadith Number 1144
Where did the narrations for Night of Mid-Shabaan Come from?
“AS FOR THE NIGHT OF MID-SHA’BAN, THE TABI’EEN IN SHĀM, LIKE KHALID IBN MA’DAN, MAKHUL, LUQMAN IBN ‘AMIR, AND OTHERS, USED TO HONOR THIS NIGHT AND STRIVE HARD IN THEIR WORSHIP IN IT. IT IS FROM THEM THAT THE PEOPLE LEARNED THE VIRTUE OF THIS NIGHT AND LEARNED TO HONOR IT.”
– IBN RAJAB AL-HANBALI, LATA’IF AL-MA’ARIF (1)“AS FOR THE NIGHT OF MID-SHA’BAN, HADITHS AND EARLY REPORTS HAVE BEEN TRANSMITTED ABOUT ITS VIRTUE, AND IT HAS BEEN TRANSMITTED THAT A GROUP OF THE SALAF (RIGHTEOUS PREDECESSORS) USED TO DO EXTRA PRAYERS IN IT.”
– IBN TAYMIYYA, MAJMU’ AL-FATAWA (2)
The passages above show us that in the first century of Islam, it was the people of Shām who were known to celebrate the the Night of Mid-Sha’ban. Those who taught them that the Night of Mid-Sha’ban was a special night, and taught them to do extra prayers in this night, were scholars from the generation of the Tabi’een, those who studied under the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace).
Now the question is, why was it in particular the Tabi’een of Shām that taught this?
Because they took it from the great Companion Muadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) who used to teach in Damascus. The Companions of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) spread to different parts of the world, and took with them the teachings that they heard from the Messenger of Allah. Because of this, in the first century of Islam, different regions within the Muslim world had different practices and fiqh, based on the different Companions that they learned from.
When the caliph Harun al-Rashid asked Imam Malik if he may force all the people of Islam to follow Malik’s book the Muwatta, Imam Malik refused this strongly, telling him that the different Companions of the Messenger of Allah had dispersed to different lands, each carrying different hadiths and different teachings; the people of each region followed the way of the Companions who went to them, and they were all correct. After some while, the hadiths of all the different regions would be brought together and shared with the entire Muslim community.
Muadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him)
The most prominent Companion to teach in Damascus was Mu’adh ibn Jabal. The Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said: “The most knowledgeable person in my Ummah of what is Halal and what is Haram is Mu’adh ibn Jabal.” He (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) also said, “Muadh will be at the forefront of all the scholars on the Day of Judgment.” Many hadiths describe Muadh as the leader of the scholars of Islam on the Day of Judgement.
When he came to Shām, the other Companions there used to have such respect for him that they would always turn to him to solve any problem. Even though he was the youngest of the Companions there, they would all look at him with awe. He always sat quietly and silently, but stood out with his radiant face. When a disagreement arose they would go ask him, and hover around him. People said that a love for him would fall on their hearts upon seeing him and they said that when he spoke it was as if light and pearls were coming out of his mouth. The other Companions likened him to the Prophet Abraham (peace be upon him).
It was Muadh, this most outstanding of scholars from among the Companions of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), who taught to the people of Shām the sayings of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) about the virtues of the Night of Mid-Sha’ban.
There, in Shām, Mu’adh ibn Jabal narrated that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
‘God looks at His creation during the Night of Mid-Sha‘ban and forgives all of them, except an idolator and one who harbours rancour.’
This above hadith was narrated on the authority of Mu’adh by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih. It was also narrated by Ibn Abi Asim in al-Sunna and al-Tabarani in al-Kabir and al-Awsat. (3)
If we look at the chain of this hadith, we see that the Syrian Malik b. Yukhamir (from the city of Homs) took this hadith from Mu’adh ibn Jabal, and through him it reached Makhul. As we saw above, Ibn Rajab stated that Makhul was one of those who taught people the virtue of this blessed night and used to strive to do extra worship on this night.
According to Imam Zuhri and other great scholars of that age, Makhul was the greatest scholar of Shām in his age, and one of the four greatest scholars amongst that entire blessed generation of young Tabi’een. Makhul taught this hadith to the Damascene Thawban, who taught it to two people mentioned in this chain: his son Ibn Thawban, and the Imam of Shām, al-Awza’i. Al-Awza’i was the imam of Shām of his time in terms of Jurisprudence, like Malik in Medina, Abu Hanifa in Kufa, or Ibn Hanbal in Baghdad. The Awza’i school of jurisprudence became the main school of jurisprudence in Shām and spread from there to the Andalus, where it was the most widespread school of jurisprudence there for a time.
As you can see, the people in this chain are all from Shām. That is why the hadith master al-Tabarani, himself from Palestine in Shām, narrated this hadith in his book Musnad al-Shāmiyyeen, a collection of hadiths narrated by Tabi’een who lived in Shām and their students. Al-Tabarani took the hadith from Muhammad ibn Abi Zur’a of Damascus, with his chain back to Imam Awza’i and Ibn Thawban. (4)
Makhul also received this same hadith from Kathir ibn Murra al-Hadrami, a Tabi’i who lived in Homs. Kathir reported the hadith as a mursal report directly from the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), meaning that he did not specify which Companion he took it from. Al-Bayhaqi narrated the hadith through this chain in Shu’ab al-Iman and stated that it was a mursal jayyid (strong hadith, despite being mursal). (5) Kathir was known for often leaving out the name of the Companion from whom he took prophetic traditions, but we do know that one of his main teachers was Muadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him).
Others Who Brought Hadiths About this Night to Shām
The people of Shām did not only learn this hadith from Muadh ibn Jabal, but from another Companion: Abu Musa al-Ash’ari. Who narrated this hadith from him? Al-Dahhak ibn Abd al-Rahman, from Shām. This chain continues being narrated by scholars from Shām until Rashid b. Sa’id al-Ramli of Palestine, Shām, who taught this hadith to Ibn Majah, who narrated it in his Sunan. (6)
Ibn Majah also narrated the following hadith on the authority of Ali ibn Abu Talib:
“If it is the Night of Mid -Shaʿbān then stand in prayer during its night and fast its day. For God descends to the heavens of the earth when the sun sets and says, ‘Is there anyone who seeks forgiveness so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone who seeks provision so that I may grant him provision? Is there anyone afflicted so that I may remove his affliction? Is there not such and such,’ until the dawn breaks.”
Who narrated this hadith from Ali? His nephew Abdullah ibn Ja’far, who used to travel every year to Damascus. He passed on the hadith to his son Mu’awiya, who was born in Damascus. (7)
As you can see, the people of Shām gave great importance to this night and paid special attention to narrating the hadiths about it, and it all would have started with the Prophet’s great Companion Muadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him). There were other hadiths of course about this night that were spread by people of different lands. Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal, for example, narrated a hadith similar to that of Mu’adh ibn Jabal about the virtue of that night (with some difference in wording) through a chain made up of Egyptians, on the authority of Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-As (may Allah be pleased with him), the Companion whose father opened Egypt to Islam. (8)
The Early Scholars of Shām
Now if we return to the hadith of Muadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) and the scholars of Shām who narrated it, we see those very same narrators are the ones from whom we have received explanations of this hadith. Thus these scholars used to not only narrate this hadith but comment upon it and explain it.
Abdullah ibn al-Mubarak said:
I heard al-Awza’i explain the mushāhin (one who harbours rancour) as: every person of innovation, who has left the jamā’a (majority) and the Ummah. (9)
Umar ibn Hani’ said: I asked Ibn Thawban about the meaning of mushāhin (one who harbours rancour). He said,
“He is the one who has left the Sunna of his Prophet (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), who speaks ill of his Ummah, and spills their blood.” (10)
As we have seen above, those two figures, Imam Awza’i and Ibn Thawban, are the ones who narrated the hadith of Muadh from Thawban, and passed it on to other scholars of Shām.
Conclusion
We learn from the above the importance that the people of the blessed land of Shām gave to the Night of Mid-Sha’ban and its day, and we learn that its origin is with the great Companion, the leader of all the scholars of Islam, Muadh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him). The people of Shām took this hadith from him and taught it to others and explained it. We also know that they learned from this hadith (and others) that one should strive to do extra worship on this night. This was the guidance of the Tabi’een which they took from the Companions who came to Shām and instilled in them the love and veneration of this blessed night.
To repeat the words of Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali:
“The Tabi’een in Shām, like Khalid ibn Ma’dan, Makhul, Luqman ibn ‘Amir, and others, used to honor this night and strive hard in their worship in it. It is from them that the people learned the virtue of this night and learned to honor it.”
According to Ibn Rajab, Khalid ibn Ma’dan, Luqman ibn ‘Amir and other notable Tabi’een from Shām recommended for people to congregate in the mosques in this night to perform extra worship together. They would wear their best clothes, put kohl on their eyes, perfume themselves using incense and then spend that night in the mosque. He further stated that the great Imam in Khorasan, Ishaq ibn Rahwayh was asked about this practice of the people of Shām. Ibn Rahwayh was known as the “Imam of the East” and the “Master of Hadith Memorizers.” He was a colleague of Imam Ahmad ibn Hanbal who called Ibn Rahwayh one of the imams of the Muslims. He was a teacher of Imam Bukhari and was one of the leading figures of the Ahl al-Hadith movement. Imam Ibn Rahwayh supported the practice and responded that praying extra prayers in the mosque in congregation on that night is not an innovation. Imam al-Awza’i on the other hand, while also advocating spending that night in extra worship, was of the opinion that it was preferable not to do it in the mosque. (11)
May Allah bless and reward all the Companions and their Followers, and all those hadith narrators and scholars who have preserved for us the Sunna of the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace), so that it could reach us centuries later, in all corners of the world, in order for us to be able to implement it and act upon it.
References
1) Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, Lata’if al-Ma’arif, Beirut: Dar Ibn Hazm, 2004, p. 137.
2) He continues to say: “If a person performs extra prayers on the night of the middle of Sha’ban on his own or in a private congregation, as groups of the salafused to do, that is best.” However, he disapproved of a congregation of an entire town in the main mosque praying an innovated prayer with a set number, for example, one hundred cycles with one thousand Sura Ikhlas, calling that an innovation. (See Ibn Taymiyya, Majmu’ al-Fatawa, vol. 23, p. 132). An almost identical statement is repeated in his workIqtida’ al-sirat al-mustaqim where he added that despite the fact that some scholars from Hijaz denied the virtue of this night, the majority of the people of knowledge from among the Hanbali scholars and others believe in its special virtues, and the texts of Ahmad ibn Hanbal are evidence for that, as well as the many prophetic traditions and practices of the salaf (See Ibn Taymiyya, Iqtida’ al-sirat al-mustaqim, Beirut: Dar ‘Alam al-Kitab, 1999, vol. 2, pp. 136-7). It should be noted in this regard that Shām was always one of the main centers of the Hanbali school.
(3) Sahih Ibn Hibban, vol. 12, p. 481. Its men are all trustworthy.
After evaluating eight different chains for this hadith, al-Albani concludes: ‘The hadith, with its collective chains of transmission, is authentic (sahih) without doubt.’ Al-Albani, Silsilat al-Ahadith al-Sahihah,Riyadh: Maktabah al-Ma‘arif, 1979, vol. 3, p. 138.
(4) Al-Tabarani, Musnad al-Shāmiyyeen, Beirut: Mu’assassat al-Risala, 1984, vol. 1, p. 128.
(5) Al-Bayhaqi, Shu’ab al-Iman, Riyadh: Maktabat al-Rushd, 2003, vol. 5, p. 349.
(6) Sunan Ibn Majah, Cairo: Dar Ihya’ al-Kutub al-Arabiyya, Vol. 1, p. 445.
(7) Sunan Ibn Majah, Cairo: Dar Ihya’ al-Kutub al-Arabiyya, Vol. 1, p. 444. However it should be noted that the chain of this particular narration contains one person who is considered weak. Though Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali considered this tradition to be weak, he narrated it in Lata’if al-Ma’arif in support of fasting the day of the 15th of Sha’ban. He further stated that in either case, it is one of the three middle days of every month known as the ‘Days of the White Nights’ in which fasting is recommended. These are the 13th, 14th, and 15th of every lunar month (see Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, Lata’if al-Ma’arif, Beirut: Dar Ibn Hazm, 2004, p. 136).
(8) Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Beirut: Mu’assassat al-Risala, 2001, vol. 11, pp. 216-7.
(9), (10) Shaykh Salih al-Ja’fari (ed.), Risalat al-Kashf wal Bayaan ‘an Fadaail Laylat an-Nisf min Sha’banby al-hafiz Shaykh Salim al-Sanhouri, who was summarizing the teachings of his teacher, the Seal of the Hadith Masters of his age, Shaykh Najm al-Din al-Ghayti. Cairo: Dar Jawami’ al-Kalim, pp. 14-5.
Ishaq ibn Rahwayh likewise said in his Musnad: Al-Awza’i explained the word mushāhin (in this hadith) as the innovator who parts ways with the rest of the ummah.
(11) Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, Lata’if al-Ma’arif, Beirut: Dar Ibn Hazm, 2004, p. 137.
By Brother Samer Dajani
Opinion of Shaykh Abd-Al Qadir Jilani RadiAllahu Ta'ala Anhu
Now lets take a look at the belief of Imam ul Awliya : Mahboob-e-Subhani Shaykh Abd-Al Qadir Jilani RadiAllahu Ta'ala Anhu. Below is a short article taken from his magnificent book "Al Gunyah tu Talibeen,". This is a translation in Urdu.
Front Cover of Al-Ghunya li-Talibi Tariq al-Haqq, also known in the Indian sub-continent as Al-Ghunya li-Talibin.
(Sufficient Provision for Seekers of the Path of Truth) by Shaykh Abd-Al Qadir Jilani RadiAllahu Ta'ala Anhu
(Sufficient Provision for Seekers of the Path of Truth) by Shaykh Abd-Al Qadir Jilani RadiAllahu Ta'ala Anhu
Page 01
Translation of Page 01 Above:
Akrama bin Abbas (Allah be pleased with him) se Allah ta'ala ke qaul (Aur us raat me tamaam mazboot kaam juda kiye jate hai) ki tafseer me ye kaha jata hai ke is aayat me jis raat ka zikr aaya hai wo shaban ki darmiyani raat hai. Is raat me Allah saal bhar ke murdon ki tadbeer karta hai. Marne wale log zinda logon se alag kardiye jate hai (See foot note:1) Jo log Haj-e-Baitullah karne wale hote hai unke naam bhi alag kar diye jate hain. Is me...... Contd to page 2
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Foot Note 1: Yani jin logon ne is saal marna hota hai, un ke naam alag kar diye jate hain, goyah unki fahreest is raat me tayar karli jati hai.
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Foot Note 1: Yani jin logon ne is saal marna hota hai, un ke naam alag kar diye jate hain, goyah unki fahreest is raat me tayar karli jati hai.
Page 02
Translation of Page 02 Above:
(contd. from page 1)..Hakeem bin Kaisan ka kahna hai ke Shaban ki darmiyani raat me Allah ta'ala apni maqlookh par nigah karta hai aur is raat me jise paak karta hai wo agle saal ki wahi raat aane tak isi tarah paak rahta hai.
Ataar bin Yasaar r.a se riwayat hai ke Shaban ki darmiyani raat me logon ke saal bhar ke amaal Allah ke huzoor me pesh hote hain aur ek shaks safar ke liye nikalta hai, ya ek shaks nikah karta hai, halanke wo zindon ki jamaat se nikal kar murdon ki jamaat me likhdiya jata hai (See foot Note:2)
Abu Naseer apne walid se, wo malik bin anas r.a se, wo hisham bin arwah se, aur woh Hazrat aaisha r.a se riwayat karte hain, Hazrat aaisha r.a ne farmaya, Main ne Aan Hazrat Sallahualihiwasallam ko ye farmate suna hai char ratein aisi hain ke un me Allah ta'ala sab logon par nekiyon ke darwaze khol deta hai. Eid-Ul-Adha, Eid-Ul-Fitr, Wusat-e-Shaban (15th shaban), aur Arfah ki raat. Un me Allah ta'ala logon ko umarein (age), un ke rizqh aur un ke Haj ke bare mein ahkam likh deta hai.
Saeed ne Ibrahim bin Abi Baqeeh se riwayat ki hai ke panch (5) ratein hai, panchwi (5th) raat Jummah ki hai. Abu Hurairah r.a farmate hai ke Aan Hazrat sallahualihiwasallam ne farmaya Shaban ki darmiyani raat me Jibreel a.s mere paas tashreef laye aur kaha Aye Muhammad! Apna sar aasman ki taraf uthao kyun ke ye barkat ki raat hai, Mein ne pucha isme kaisi barkat hai? Jibreel a.s ne farmaya is raat me Allah ta'ala apni rahmat ke 300 darwaze khol deta hai aur jo log Allah je saath shirk nahi karte, un sab ko baksh deta hai. Sahir, Kahin, Hamesha sharab pine wale, Sood khor aur Zani logon ko us waqt tak nahi bakhashta jab tak wo tauba na karle.
Bahist (Heaven) ke darwaze aur Farishton ki pukar:
Aan Hazrat sallahualihiwasallam ne farmaya raat ka 4th hissa guzarne ke baad jibreel a.s phir aaye aur kaha aye Muhammad! Apna sar utha. Mai ne sar uthaya (Aasman ki taraf dekha) to bahist (heaven) ke sab darwazon ko khula hua paya. Pahle darwaze par ek farishta khada (standing) pukar raha tha ke jo shaks is raat me ruku karta hai use khush khabri ho. 2nd darwaze par farishta kah raha tha ke jo shaks is raat me sajda karta hai use khush qabri ho. 3rd darwaze par ek farishta kah raha tha jis ne is raat me dua ki use khush qabri ho. 4th darwaze par farishta kah raha tha ke jisne is raat me zikr kiya use khush qabri ho. 5th darwaze par farishta kahraha tha jis ne is raat me khuda ke khauf se zari ki (maafi or cry) ki use khush qabri ho.6th darwaze par farishta kah raha tha is raat me tamaam musalmano ko khush qabri ho. 7th darwaze par farishta pukar raha tha ke agar kise ne koi sawal karna hai to kare, us ka sawal pura kiya jayega. 8th darwaze par farishta kahraha tha koi hai jo bakshish ki darkhwast kare, uski darkhwast qubul ki jayegi.
Aan Hazrat Sallahu alihiwasallam ne farmaya - Mai ne jibreel a.s se pucha , ye darwaze kab tak khule rahenge? unho ne jawab diya pahli raat se subah hone tak (Means after maghrib till Fajar) khule rahenge. Pjir Farmaya Aye Muhammad sallahualihiwasallam ! Is raat me dozakh (Hell) ki aag se itne bandon ko nijaat ....... Contd. t page 3
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Foot Note 2: Baaz admi ka irada kuch hota hai. Magar Allah ke haan uski maut likhi hoti hai
Ataar bin Yasaar r.a se riwayat hai ke Shaban ki darmiyani raat me logon ke saal bhar ke amaal Allah ke huzoor me pesh hote hain aur ek shaks safar ke liye nikalta hai, ya ek shaks nikah karta hai, halanke wo zindon ki jamaat se nikal kar murdon ki jamaat me likhdiya jata hai (See foot Note:2)
Abu Naseer apne walid se, wo malik bin anas r.a se, wo hisham bin arwah se, aur woh Hazrat aaisha r.a se riwayat karte hain, Hazrat aaisha r.a ne farmaya, Main ne Aan Hazrat Sallahualihiwasallam ko ye farmate suna hai char ratein aisi hain ke un me Allah ta'ala sab logon par nekiyon ke darwaze khol deta hai. Eid-Ul-Adha, Eid-Ul-Fitr, Wusat-e-Shaban (15th shaban), aur Arfah ki raat. Un me Allah ta'ala logon ko umarein (age), un ke rizqh aur un ke Haj ke bare mein ahkam likh deta hai.
Saeed ne Ibrahim bin Abi Baqeeh se riwayat ki hai ke panch (5) ratein hai, panchwi (5th) raat Jummah ki hai. Abu Hurairah r.a farmate hai ke Aan Hazrat sallahualihiwasallam ne farmaya Shaban ki darmiyani raat me Jibreel a.s mere paas tashreef laye aur kaha Aye Muhammad! Apna sar aasman ki taraf uthao kyun ke ye barkat ki raat hai, Mein ne pucha isme kaisi barkat hai? Jibreel a.s ne farmaya is raat me Allah ta'ala apni rahmat ke 300 darwaze khol deta hai aur jo log Allah je saath shirk nahi karte, un sab ko baksh deta hai. Sahir, Kahin, Hamesha sharab pine wale, Sood khor aur Zani logon ko us waqt tak nahi bakhashta jab tak wo tauba na karle.
Bahist (Heaven) ke darwaze aur Farishton ki pukar:
Aan Hazrat sallahualihiwasallam ne farmaya raat ka 4th hissa guzarne ke baad jibreel a.s phir aaye aur kaha aye Muhammad! Apna sar utha. Mai ne sar uthaya (Aasman ki taraf dekha) to bahist (heaven) ke sab darwazon ko khula hua paya. Pahle darwaze par ek farishta khada (standing) pukar raha tha ke jo shaks is raat me ruku karta hai use khush khabri ho. 2nd darwaze par farishta kah raha tha ke jo shaks is raat me sajda karta hai use khush qabri ho. 3rd darwaze par ek farishta kah raha tha jis ne is raat me dua ki use khush qabri ho. 4th darwaze par farishta kah raha tha ke jisne is raat me zikr kiya use khush qabri ho. 5th darwaze par farishta kahraha tha jis ne is raat me khuda ke khauf se zari ki (maafi or cry) ki use khush qabri ho.6th darwaze par farishta kah raha tha is raat me tamaam musalmano ko khush qabri ho. 7th darwaze par farishta pukar raha tha ke agar kise ne koi sawal karna hai to kare, us ka sawal pura kiya jayega. 8th darwaze par farishta kahraha tha koi hai jo bakshish ki darkhwast kare, uski darkhwast qubul ki jayegi.
Aan Hazrat Sallahu alihiwasallam ne farmaya - Mai ne jibreel a.s se pucha , ye darwaze kab tak khule rahenge? unho ne jawab diya pahli raat se subah hone tak (Means after maghrib till Fajar) khule rahenge. Pjir Farmaya Aye Muhammad sallahualihiwasallam ! Is raat me dozakh (Hell) ki aag se itne bandon ko nijaat ....... Contd. t page 3
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Foot Note 2: Baaz admi ka irada kuch hota hai. Magar Allah ke haan uski maut likhi hoti hai
Page 03
Translation of Page 03 Above:
(Contd from page 2) deta hai , jitne kabila Qalb ki bakriyon (goats) ke baal hain.
Concerning the Prayer of Benefits (Salat al-Khair) performed on night of mid-Shabaan
Front Cover of Al-Ghunya li-Talibi Tariq al-Haqq (Sufficient Provision for Seekers of the Path of Truth) by Shaykh Abd-Al Qadir Jilani RadiAllahu Ta'ala Anhu
Page 01
Sufficient Provision for Seekers of the Path of Truth, Volume 3, Page 69
We pray to Allah to grant us the knowledge and enlighten our hearts through the sadqah of the Author of this book Sayyedena Shaykh Abd-Al Qadir Jilani RadiAllahu ta'ala anhu. Ameen Bijahin nabbiyil mursaleen sallahualihiwasallam.
Answers to the Objections
After presenting so many evidences and discussion on this topic including narrations of leading Salafi authorities it really should have been enough and there should not have been a need for an Objections section. However to help our Sunni brothers who are often bombarded with absurd questions and accusations we shall In Sha'Allah provide answers to objections often raised. We share below a screenshot of a comment someone left on our Facebook page. This person challenged us to present evidence that ibn Taymiyah, the leading Salafi authority ever considered 15th Shabaan to be virtuous night. Once we provided the scans as can be found in the article above, this person was dumbstruck and instead of accepting the truth, left the following comment and disappeared.
So lets take each of these points one at a time. Firstly within the general comments the person has made a huge blunder. At one point he is saying the quotes of ibn taymiyah are indeed true and then straight away goes onto say it is biddah. So this person is refusing to accept the beliefs of their own leading salafi authority. Oh beloved readers - wake up, these guys only want to follow their own whim. Lets just repeat here what ibn taymiyah has said:
The excellency regarding the 15th of Shabaan is an area of dispute between the Scholars, some of them say that there is no significance of this night, but Imam Ahmad bin Humble (rah) recognises the excellency of this night, our other Hanbli Scholars also agree with Imam Ahmad (rah). There are Ahadith on this night being significant, some of them are from Sunnan (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah) and the other Ahdeeth books as well [Iqtidah Siratul Mustaqeem page 203 by Ibn Taymiyah]
Ibn-Taimiyyah in another place was asked the same question and he replied:
وسنل عن صلاة نصف شعبان فاجاب ازا صلئ الانسان ليلة النصف وحده اوفئ جماعته خاصته كما كان يفل جماعته خاصته كما كان يفعل طوانف من السلف فهواحسن
Translation: If one prays on this night alone or in a select company of people as many groups amongst the salaf did, "then it is good". [Fatawa Ibn Taymiyyah, Majmua al Fatawa, Volume 23, Page 131]
You can see the scans of these above. Below we will provide answers to each of the 9 points raised by the wobbler.
Answer 1
1) No disputes with this statement for the beloved Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) indeed used to fast most of the year round abundantly.
Though there is caution for those who are not regular keepers of fasting to abstain from fasting in the second half of the month to avoid becoming weak for Ramadan:
The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “When Sha’baan is half over, do not fast.” [Sunan Abu Dawood and al-Tirmidhi and others]
The excellency regarding the 15th of Shabaan is an area of dispute between the Scholars, some of them say that there is no significance of this night, but Imam Ahmad bin Humble (rah) recognises the excellency of this night, our other Hanbli Scholars also agree with Imam Ahmad (rah). There are Ahadith on this night being significant, some of them are from Sunnan (Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah) and the other Ahdeeth books as well [Iqtidah Siratul Mustaqeem page 203 by Ibn Taymiyah]
Ibn-Taimiyyah in another place was asked the same question and he replied:
وسنل عن صلاة نصف شعبان فاجاب ازا صلئ الانسان ليلة النصف وحده اوفئ جماعته خاصته كما كان يفل جماعته خاصته كما كان يفعل طوانف من السلف فهواحسن
Translation: If one prays on this night alone or in a select company of people as many groups amongst the salaf did, "then it is good". [Fatawa Ibn Taymiyyah, Majmua al Fatawa, Volume 23, Page 131]
You can see the scans of these above. Below we will provide answers to each of the 9 points raised by the wobbler.
Answer 1
1) No disputes with this statement for the beloved Prophet (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) indeed used to fast most of the year round abundantly.
Though there is caution for those who are not regular keepers of fasting to abstain from fasting in the second half of the month to avoid becoming weak for Ramadan:
The Messenger of Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said, “When Sha’baan is half over, do not fast.” [Sunan Abu Dawood and al-Tirmidhi and others]
Answer 2
There is one night in the year when Allah Almighty gives the knowledge to the Angels, about what is going to happen in the following year, for example, who is going to die, who will be born, who will be ill and how much food people will have in the year, etc.
"Ha, Meem. By the clear Book, Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Surely, We are the Warner. In that night is made distinct every precise matter. By Our command; surely, it is We Who send." [Surah Dukhan 44, Verses 1-5]
The Majority of the scholars of Islam say:
That night is Laila-tul-Qadar in the month of Ramadan but the other scholars like Ikramah who is student of Abdullah bin Abbas (Radi allahu anho) says that night is 15th of Shabaan. There is a Hadith which Imam Tabari (Radi allahu anho) writes: Holy Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘From Shabaan to Shabaan there is a decision made of who is going to die, be married and some people get married but their names are written in the death
program. [Tafsir Tabari, under Surah Dukhan, verse 1 by Imam Tabari]
This narration is Ikrama’s, the other scholar’s statements are proven that 15th night of Shabaan is a holy night but there is no doubt that Allah Almighty gives the full knowledge to the Angels in the night of Laila-tul-Qadar, which is in the month of Ramadan.
If we read all the narration's regarding Laila-tul-Qadar and the 15th night of Shabaan we can reach the conclusion that the yearly program started on the 15th night of Shabaan and completed on Laila-tul-Qadar. There might be a suspicion as to ‘why does a year program take so long from Shabaan to Ramadan? The answer is Allah knows the best. No one can understand for sure the philosophy of Allah’s work. He made the worlds in six days. Who knows why He took six days to make the worlds. The main point is, to simply say there is no Quranic evidence for the excellence of 15th Shabaan is an injustice and gross accusation. Earlier in the article we have shown that 15th Shabaan was considered a virtuous and meritorious night by some of the Sahaba and Tabieen. To examine all of the above statements consult these books:
“Tafsir Tabari, Fathul Qadeer by Qadi Shawkani, Tafsir Qurtabi, Tafsir Bagawi, Tafsir Mazhari, Tafsir Ma’ah riyful Qur’an, Tafsir Ibn Kathir, Tafsir Zia-ul-Qur’an under the verse of Surah Al- Dukhan verse 1 to 5”
Answer 3
As stated in Answer 2 above, some Tafsir Masters have written that the first few verses of Surah Dukhan is referring to the night of 15th Shabaan:
"Ha, Meem. By the clear Book, Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Surely, We are the Warner. In that night is made distinct every precise matter. By Our command; surely, it is We Who send." [Surah Dukhan 44, Verses 1-5]
It is based on this surah that some scholars have written that on the night of 15th Shabaan Allah Almighty gives the knowledge to the Angels, about what is going to happen in the following year, for example, who is going to die, who will be born, who will be ill and how much food and sustenance people will have in the year, etc. Furthermore, the Holy Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) said, ‘From Shabaan to Shabaan there is a decision made of who is going to die, be married and some people get married but their names are written in the death program. [Tafsir Tabari, under Surah Dukhan, verse 1 by Imam Tabari]
Answer 4
The article we have provided shows the authenticity of all the various narrations on 15th Shabaan. One can read them all here. It is a deception to state that most are weak. We suggest all brothers and sisters to read the narrations themselves here.
Answer 5
This sounds like a partial statement of Ibn Taymiyah. The complete statement is: "The fact that some scholars from Hijaz denied the virtue of this night, the majority of the people of knowledge from among the Hanbali scholars and others believe in its special virtues, and the texts of Ahmad ibn Hanbal are evidence for that, as well as the many prophetic traditions and practices of the salaf (See Ibn Taymiyya, Iqtida’ al-sirat al-mustaqim, Beirut: Dar ‘Alam al-Kitab, 1999, vol. 2, pp. 136-7)." We suggest you also read the section of this article titled "Where did the narrations for Night of Mid-Shabaan Come from?"
Answer 6
Ibn Majah (rah) narrated the following hadith on the authority of Ali ibn Abu Talib:
“If it is the Night of Mid-Shaʿbān then stand in prayer during its night and fast its day. For God descends to the heavens of the earth when the sun sets and says, ‘Is there anyone who seeks forgiveness so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone who seeks provision so that I may grant him provision? Is there anyone afflicted so that I may remove his affliction? Is there not such and such,’ until the dawn breaks.” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Cairo: Dar Ihya’ al-Kutub al-Arabiyya, Vol. 1, p. 444]
Who narrated this hadith from Ali? His nephew Abdullah ibn Ja’far, who used to travel every year to Damascus. He passed on the hadith to his son Mu’awiya, who was born in Damascus. We have already shown in the article above the connection between night of mid-Shabaan and the Salaf-as-saliheen of Damascus.
“If it is the Night of Mid-Shaʿbān then stand in prayer during its night and fast its day. For God descends to the heavens of the earth when the sun sets and says, ‘Is there anyone who seeks forgiveness so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone who seeks provision so that I may grant him provision? Is there anyone afflicted so that I may remove his affliction? Is there not such and such,’ until the dawn breaks.” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Cairo: Dar Ihya’ al-Kutub al-Arabiyya, Vol. 1, p. 444]
Who narrated this hadith from Ali? His nephew Abdullah ibn Ja’far, who used to travel every year to Damascus. He passed on the hadith to his son Mu’awiya, who was born in Damascus. We have already shown in the article above the connection between night of mid-Shabaan and the Salaf-as-saliheen of Damascus.
However it should be noted that the chain of this particular narration contains one person who is considered weak. Though Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali considered this tradition to be weak, he narrated it in Lata’if al-Ma’arif in support of fasting the day of the 15th of Sha’ban. He further stated that in either case, it is one of the three middle days of every month known as the ‘Days of the White Nights’ in which fasting is recommended. These are the 13th, 14th, and 15th of every lunar month (see Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali, Lata’if al-Ma’arif, Beirut: Dar Ibn Hazm, 2004, p. 136).
Answer 7
Significant evidence has been provided of the virtuous merits of this night to debunk any suggestion of the prayers recommended to be performed on this night are not fabrications or innovations. The night of the 15th Sha’ban, is a very blessed night, this is proven from the Holy Qur’an and Ahadith. In this night Allah ﷻ turns specially attentive towards His servants and forgives a great deal of them. Allah ﷻ fulfils their supplications for sustenance and a pleasant life in this World and the next. Allah ﷻ fulfils the requests of the callers in this night. Due to the virtues and blessings of this night, we should supplicate for the forgiveness of the Ummah, our beloved ones and ourselves. There are narrations from approximately 17 Companions of the Prophet ﷺ with respect to the blessings of this night.
Above we have also provided scans of the opinions of Sayyedena Shaykh Abd-Al Qadir Jilani RadiAllahu ta'ala anhu who is a mighty Auliyah-Allah. The special prayers and supplications to Almighty Allah are approved by the great Auliyah of the past who received significant spiritual enlightment and blessings from Allah Almighty. Besides we would like to remind you of the statements of two leading salafi authorities: "Hafidhh Abdullah Rawpari and Thanaa’ullah Amritsari, both state that to worship on the 15th night of Shabaan is not Bid’ah and the person who does Ibada (Worship) on this night will obtain reward for it. The narrations concerning this night are weak but this does not matter since weak Ahadith are acceptable for virtuous actions."
Answer 8
This is once again a gross accusation by the deviant salafis against the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him). Here is a reminder of at least one authentic narration of the Holy Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him): Mu’adh ibn Jabal narrated that the Messenger of Allah (may Allah bless him and grant him peace) said:
‘God looks at His creation during the Night of Mid-Sha‘ban and forgives all of them, except an idolator and one who harbours rancour.’
This above hadith was narrated on the authority of Mu’adh by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih (Sahih Ibn Hibban, vol. 12, p. 481. Its men are all trustworthy). It was also narrated by Ibn Abi Asim in al-Sunna and al-Tabarani in al-Kabir and al-Awsat. Also there are countless narrations recorded in our article that can be found here.
Answer 9
This is a typical reaction of the shirk brigade and biddah bandwagon. When they are refuted from all directions and completely debunked, they are quick to change the topic and begin their rant. We will simply present one hadith about remembering the deceased and praying for their forgiveness to show it was the sunnah of the beloved Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him).
It is narrated that Ummul-Mu'mineen `A'ishah awoke one night to find the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him and his Household) missing, and so she went out to look for him. She found him in the Baqee` cemetery, with his head raised to the Heavens [it is recommended in general to visit cemeteries for the purpose of reminding ourselves of death, and to ask Allah to forgive the deceased Muslims]. After helping to further reassure her, it is reported that he said, "Surely Allah, the Possessor of Blessings, the Exalted, descends to the lowest heaven [with a meaning appropriate to Allah's majesty; not to be likened to the descending of finite, spatial, created things] on the night of mid-Sha`ban, and forgives more [people] than the the hairs on the sheep of [the tribe of] Kalb."
[Narrated by Tirmidhi, who points out that its chain of narration is discontiguous, altough we may note that such discontiguity is not detrimental to authenticity according to some scholars. Also narrated by Ahmad, Ibn Majah and others. Ibn Rajab describes this narration as one of the best on the subject.] So once again we find a narration which mentions the virtues of mid-Shabaan.
LAST UPDATE ON THIS ARTICLE: 22 MAY 2015