Indeed we are in a time when the believer is subjected to fluctuations and God has stretched
out for him his lifespan. Every day that he resides in this world is a treasure. It is a booty that he
gathers as his provision and he seeks from it what he is able of deeds to the best of his
capacity. God says:
“Whosoever desires the reward of the Hereafter, We give him increase in his reward. And
whosoever desires the reward of this world, We give him thereof and he has no portion in the
Hereafter” [ash Shura v20]
Sha’ban is an introduction to the month of Ramadan and just like Ramadan - fasting and
recitation of the Qur’an has been prescribed within it in order to meet Ramadan by having our
selves prepared in obedience to the Merciful and for such reasons amongst others, the Prophet
peace be upon him (pbuh) would increase his fasting in this blessed month and grab this time
whereas many of us are heedless of its virtues. And remember who was he – he was the
messenger of God PBUH, he was the one forgiven his past and future shortcomings.
Aisha, may God be pleased with her, said that: “God’s Messenger used to fast until people
would say that he would never stop observing fasts and he would abandon fasting till one day
people one would say that he would never observe the fast. I never saw the Messenger of God
fast for a whole month except in the month of Ramadan and I did not see him observe fasting in
any month more than in the month of Sha’ban” [Muslim and Bukhari]
And for this reason the forerunners of the earliest generation would make a new start in Sha’ban
and use it to prepare themselves for Ramadan. This month of Sha’ban is often described as the
month for the reciters (of Qur’an). It is also said that the previous month of Rajab is the month
for planting seeds; the month of Sha’ban is the month in which you water the seeds and the
month of Ramadan is the month of harvest; wherein the seeds bear fruit. How can we expect
the seeds to bear fruit in Ramadan if we do not plant any seeds in the previous months.
The 15th night of Sha’ban – Nisfu Syaaban, Shabi Baraat or Laylatul Baraa'ah
Mu`adh ibn Jabal (may God be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet, (may God bless him
and his Household and grant them peace) said,
"God looks at His creation in the night of the middle of Sha`ban; He forgives all
His creation except for one who associates partners with God (mushrik) or a one
who has illegitimate hatred or enmity of others (mushahin)” [Tabarani and ibn
Haban narrated it and it is a sound Hadith]
There are three important points regarding this Hadith of the middle night of Sha’ban and they
are the following:
1. Associating Partners in Lordship with God
God forgives all His servants this night except those who associate partners with Him.
The father of Prophets, the leader of the monotheists- Abraham (Peace be upon him)
feared for both himself and his nation the worship of idols. Regarding Prophet Abraham,
God Almighty says: “And save me and my sons from worshipping the idols’. Then
Prophet Abraham explained what caused him to fear that: 'My Lord, indeed the idols
have led astray many people” (Surah Ibrahim: 35-36). This was Prophet Abraham- how
can one feel safe and secure for not committing partners with God. No one is safe from
falling into the traps of the devil and the means in which he attracts the believing
servants of God to commit sins. We will focus upon two of these:
a) the trap of believing what fortune-tellers, psychics or those who have befriended Jinn
say about what will benefit and harm you (a practice which is now becoming more
widespread). The Prophet (pbuh) forbade going to fortune-tellers- whether it is in the
form of phoning them or working with them. The Prophet said:
“Do not go to fortune-tellers” [related by Muslim c].
This is not permitted, even if involved the Qur’an in some way to do this. They have
disbelieved in what was sent down to the Prophet and in the authentic Prophetic
saying (just mentioned).
b) the trap of riya - doing good deeds/worship to gain praise or fame or beautifying
them to be seen by others or to show off rather than to please God. The Prophet
(pbuh) said:
"The thing I fear most for you is the minor association of partners with God
(shirk)." He (pbuh) was asked what that was, he replied: "Riya” for indeed
God will say on the Day of Resurrection when people are receiving their rewards,
'Go to those for whom you were showing off in the material world and see if you
can find any reward from them.’" [Ahmed, Baihaqee and Tabaranee narrated this
and it is an authentic Hadith]
God Almighty has warned all His prophets (though they were the best and most sincere
of creation) about worshipping others besides Him and advised them that their actions
will come to nothing if they do so:
“It has been revealed to you and those before you: 'If you associate others
with God, your actions will come to nothing and you will be among the
losers.'” (39:65)
He then says:
“…but serve God alone and be amongst the ones who are thankful”. (39:66)
2. Having Rancour against God’s creation
The definition of “shahna” is a Muslim despising his fellow brother/sister in humanity out
of hatred for him due to matters of the world. The serious consequence of having
illegitimate rancour and hatred between people is being prevented from the forgiveness
of God.
As is mentioned in the authentic saying of the Prophet PBUH related by Abu Hurairah:
“the doors of paradise are opened on Mondays and Thursdays. Every slave
who does not associate partners with God is forgiven. However, if there is
a person who has spite and rancour against his brother, He says about
them: “Leave these two alone in their condition till they come to a
settlement." [Muslim]
God (Glory be to Him the Most High) describes the believers’ concern for this in their
supplication:
“O our Lord forgive us and our brethren in faith who went before us and do
not put in our hearts hatred for those who believe. O our Lord you are the
most kind, the most merciful” [59:10].
Some amongst the forerunners said: “the best of deeds is making tranquillity in the
hearts and generosity in the souls and advice (nasiha) for the community
(Ummah).”
Praise be to Allaah Who has perfected our religion for us, and has completed His Favour upon us. And blessings and peace be upon His Prophet and Messenger Muhammad, the Prophet of repentance and mercy.
Allaah says (interpretation of the meanings):
"This day, I have perfected your religion for you, completed My Favour upon you, and have chosen for you Islam as your religion [al-Maa'idah 5:3]
"Or have they partners with Allaah (false gods) who have instituted for them a religion which Allaah has not ordained? [al-Shooraa 42:21]
In al-Saheehayn it is reported from ‘Aa'ishah (may Allaah be pleased with her) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:
"Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours [Islam] that is not part of it, will have it rejected."
In Saheeh Muslim it is narrated from Jaabir (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) used to say in his Friday khutbahs: "The best of speech is the Book of Allaah and the best of guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). The most evil of things are those which are newly-invented, and every innovation (bid'ah) is a going-astray."
And there are many aayaat and ahaadeeth which say similar things.
This clearly indicates that Allaah has perfected the religion of this ummah, and completed His favour upon them. He did not take the soul of His Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) until he had conveyed the Message clearly and explained to the ummah everything that Allaah had prescribed for it of words and deeds. He (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) explained that everything that people would innovate after he was gone, all the words and deeds that they would attribute to Islam, all of that would be thrown back on the one who invented it, even if his intention was good. The companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) knew this matter, as did the scholars of Islam after them. They denounced bid'ah and warned against it, as has been stated by all those who wrote books praising the Sunnah and denouncing bid'ah, such as Ibn Waddaah, al-Tartooshi, Ibn Shaamah and others.
Among the bid'ahs that have been invented by some people is celebrating the middle of Sha'baan (Laylat al-Nusf min Sha'baan), and singling out that day for fasting. There is no evidence (daleel) for that which can be regarded as reliable. Some da'eef (weak) ahaadeeth have been narrated concerning its virtues, but we cannot regard them as reliable. The reports which have been narrated concerning the virtues of prayer on this occasion are all mawdoo' (fabricated), as has been pointed out by many of the scholars. We will quote some of their comments below, in sha Allaah.
Some reports have also been narrated on this matter from some of the salaf in Syria, and others. What the majority of scholars say is that celebrating this occasion is bid'ah, and that the ahaadeeth concerning the virtues of this occasion are all da'eef (weak), and some of them are mawdoo' (fabricated) Among those who pointed this out was al-Haafiz Ibn Rajab, in his book Lataa'if al-Ma'aarif, and others. The da'eef ahaadeeth concerning acts of worship can only be acted upon in the case of acts of worship which are proven by saheeh evidence. There is no saheeh basis for celebrating the middle of Sha'baan, so we cannot follow the da'eef ahaadeeth either.
This important principle was mentioned by Imaam Abu'l-‘Abbaas Shaykh al-Islam Ibn Taymiyah (may Allaah have mercy on him).
The scholars (may Allaah have mercy on them) were agreed that it is obligatory to refer matters concerning which the people dispute to the Book of Allaah and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Whatever ruling both or one of them give is the sharee'ah which must be followed, and whatever goes against them must be rejected. Any acts of worship which are not mentioned in them are therefore bid'ah and it is not permissible to do them, let alone call others to do them or approve of them. As Allaah says (interpretation of the meaning):
"O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger (Muhammad), and those of you (Muslims) who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allaah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allaah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination [al-Nisaa' 4:59]
"And in whatsoever you differ, the decision thereof is with Allaah (He is the ruling Judge)"
[al-Shooraa 42:10]
"Say (O Muhammad to mankind): "If you (really) love Allaah, then follow me (i.e. accept Islamic Monotheism, follow the Qur'aan and the Sunnah), Allaah will love you and forgive you your sins [Aal ‘Imraan 3:31]
"But no, by your Lord, they can have no Faith, until they make you (O Muhammad) judge in all disputes between them, and find in themselves no resistance against your decisions, and accept (them) with full submission"
[al-Nisaa' 4:65]
And there are many similar aayaat which clearly state that matters of dispute are to be referred to the Qur'aan and Sunnah, and that their ruling is to be accepted. This is the requirement of faith and this is what is best for people in this world and in the next: "That is better and more suitable for final determination" [al-Nisaa' 4:59 - interpretation of the meaning] means, in the Hereafter.
In every case where there is no sound shar'i evidence that a thing is prescribed in Islam, it is not permissible for the Muslim to innovate things in the religion of Allaah, whether these are individual acts or communal acts, whether he does them in secret or openly, because of the general meaning of the hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): "Whoever does any action that is not a part of this matter of ours [Islam], will have it rejected." And there are other daleels (evidence) which indicate that bid'ah is to be denounced and which warn against it.
Al-‘Allaamah al-Shawkaani (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in al-Fawaa'id al-Majmoo'ah:
"The hadeeth: ‘O ‘Ali, whoever prays one hundred rak'ahs on Laylat al-Nusf min Sha'baan, reciting in each rak'ah the Opening of the Book [Soorat al-Faatihah] and Qul Huwa Allaahu Ahad ten times, Allaah will meet all his needs...' This is mawdoo' (fabricated) [i.e., it is falsely attributed to the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him]. Its wording clearly states the reward that the person who does this will attain, and no man who has any common sense can doubt that this is fabricated. Also, the men of its isnaad are majhool (unknown). It was also narrated via another isnaad, all of which is mawdoo' (fabricated) and all of whose narrators are majhool (unknown).
In al-Mukhtasar he said: The hadeeth about the salaah for the middle of Sha'baan is false, and the hadeeth of ‘Ali narrated by Ibn Hibbaan - " When it is the night of the middle of Sha'baan, spend that night in prayer and fast that day" - is da'eef (weak).
In al-La'aali' he said, "One hundred rak'ahs in the middle of Sha'baan, reciting (Soorat) al-Ikhaas ten times in each... (this is) mawdoo' (fabricated), and all its narrators in its three isnaads are majhool (unknown) and da'eef (weak). He said: and twelve rak'ahs, reciting al-Ikhlaas thirty times in each, this is mawdoo'; and fourteen (rak'ahs), this is mawdoo'.
A group of fuqahaa' were deceived by this hadeeth, such as the author of al-Ihyaa' and others, as were some of the mufassireen. The prayer of this night - the middle of Sha'baan - was described in different ways, all of which are false and fabricated."
Al-Haafiz al-‘Iraaqi said: "The hadeeth about the prayer during the night of the middle of Sha'baan is fabricated and is falsely attributed to the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)."
Imaam al-Nawawi said in his book al-Majmoo': "The prayer that is known as salaat al-raghaa'ib, which is twelve rak'ahs between Maghrib and ‘Ishaa' on the night of the first Friday in Rajab, and the prayer of Laylat al-Nusf min Sha'baan, of one hundred rak'ahs - these two prayers are reprehensible bid'ahs.
Shaykh al-Imaam Abu Muhammad ‘Abd al-Rahmaan ibn Ismaa'eel al-Maqdisi wrote a very valuable book proving that these (reports) are false, and he did a very good job. The scholars spoke at length about this matter, and if we were to quote all that we have read of what they have said about this matter, it would take far too long. Perhaps what we have already mentioned is sufficient to convince the seeker of truth.
From the aayahs, ahaadeeth and scholarly opinions quoted above, it is clear to the seeker of truth that celebrating the middle of Sha'baan by praying on that night or in any other way, or by singling out that day for fasting, is a bid'ah which is denounced by most of the scholars. It has no basis in the pure sharee'ah; rather it is one of the things that was innovated in Islam after the time of the Sahaabah (may Allaah be pleased with them). It is sufficient for the seeker of truth, in this case and in others, to know the words of Allaah (interpretation of the meaning):
"This day, I have perfected your religion for you..."[al-Maa'idah 5:3]
and other similar aayaat; and the words of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him):
"Whoever innovates something in this matter of ours [Islam] that is not part of it, will have it rejected"
and other similar ahaadeeth.
In Saheeh Muslim it is narrated that Abu Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: "The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: ‘Do not single out the night of Jumu'ah for praying qiyaam and do not single out the day of Jumu'ah for fasting, unless is it part of the ongoing regular fast of any one of you.'"
If it were permissible to single out any night for special acts of worship, the night of Jumu'ah would be the most appropriate, because the day of Jumu'ah (Friday) is the best day upon which the sun rises, as is stated in the saheeh hadeeth narrated from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him). Since the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) warned against singling out that night for praying qiyaam, that indicates that it is even more prohibited to single out any other night for acts of worship, except where there is saheeh evidence to indicate that a particular night is to be singled out.
Because it is prescribed to spend the nights of Laylat al-Qadr and the other nights of Ramadaan in prayer, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) drew attention to that and urged his ummah to pray qiyaam during those nights. He also did that himself, as is indicated in al-Saheehayn, where it says that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: "Whoever prays qiyaam in Ramadaan out of faith and seeking reward, Allaah will forgive him his previous sins" and "Whoever spends the night of Laylat al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and seeking reward, Allaah will forgive him his previous sins."
But if it were prescribed to single out the night of the middle of Sha'baan, or the night of the first Friday in Rajab, or the night of the Israa' and Mi'raaj, for celebration or for any special acts of worship, then the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would have taught his ummah to do that, and he would have done it himself. If anything of the sort had happened, his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) would have transmitted it to the ummah; they would not have concealed it from them, for they are the best of people and the most sincere, after the Prophets, may blessings and peace be upon them, and may Allaah be pleased with all the companions of the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
Now we know from the words of the scholars quoted above that there is no report from the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) or from his companions (may Allaah be pleased with them) concerning the virtue of the first night of Jumu'ah in Rajab, or the night of the middle of Sha'baan . So we know that celebrating these occasions is an innovation that has been introduced into Islam, and that singling out these occasions for acts of worship is a reprehensible bid'ah. The same applies to the twenty-seventh night of Rajab, which some people believe is the night of the Israa' and Mi'raaj; it is not permissible to single this date out for acts of worship, or to celebrate this occasion, on the basis of the evidence (daleel) quoted above. This is the case if the exact date (of the Israa' and Mi'raaj) is known, so how about the fact that the correct scholarly view is that its date is not known! The view that it is the night of the twenty-seventh of Rajab is a false view which has no basis in the saheeh ahaadeeth. He indeed spoke well who said: "The best of matters are those which follow the guided way of the salaf, and the most evil of matters are those which are newly-innovated."
We ask Allaah to help us and all the Muslims adhere firmly to the Sunnah and to beware of everything that goes against it, for He is the Most Generous, Most Kind.
May Allaah bless His slave and Messenger, our Prophet Muhammad, and all his family and companions.
