The significant night of Shab e Barat falls on the 15th Shaban of the Islamic calendar. This night is also known as the night of forgiveness. The word is derived from the Arabic words Bara’ah, which means ‘freedom’, and Shab, which means ‘night‘. This is the night when the people are freed from their past sins. Muslims worldwide ask for repentance from the creator of the universe on this night, as it is said that Allah (SWT) accepts the forgiveness of Muslims on this night. Also, Allah sends down the destiny of everything on this night, like the day of birth, the day of death, their provisions, and their health. Everything is finalized on the night of Shab-e-Bara’at. This is the reason that Muslims celebrate this holy night with integrity and sincerity.

EXCELLENCE OF SHAB-E-BARAT

Shab-e-Bara’at is the night when ALLAH Almighty opens the gate of forgiveness for everyone. Those who are apologetic and ask forgiveness from ALLAH (SWT) on this night will surely get it. This is one of the holiest nights in Islamic culture where the prayers of people get accepted. People on this night especially ask for health, life, and provision from ALLAH (SWT) as all these are decided and planned on this night.

Muslim indulge themselves in prayers this night to take full advantage of this night and to please ALLAH (SWT). Different people celebrate this night differently, some offer volunteer prayers, some do charity, some distribute food among family, friends, and needy people and some do fast in day.

Shab-e-Barat is the night when the destiny of every individual is sent down by ALLAH (SWT). This is why Muslims spend this night praying, reciting Holy Quran, and asking forgiveness from ALLAH.

The Holy Prophet enlightened the significance of this night by saying

“In it, the record is made of every human being who will be born, and of every human being who will pass away this year. In it, their deeds are taken up to heaven and in their provisions are sent down.”

FASTING ON SHAB-E-BARAT

Shaban is the month in which the Holy Prophet (PBUH) fasted more than any other month (except Ramadan). Fasting is optional on the 15th of Shaban, and the Holy Prophet (pbuh) used to fast on the 13, 14, and 15 of the Islamic months, so with the intention of following the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (PBUH), we can fast on the 15th of Shaban, as fasting is also a form of praying and a source of attaining rewards from Allah (SWT). Moreover, a tradition of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) authenticates fasting on the 15th of Shaban.

It was narrated that ‘Ali bin Abu Talib said

“The Messenger of Allah ( ﷺ  ) said: ‘When it is the night of the middle of Sha’ban, spend its night in prayer and observe a fast on that day. For Allah descends at sunset on that night to the lowest heaven and says: ‘Is there no one who will ask Me for forgiveness, that I may forgive him? Is there no one who will ask Me for provision so that I may provide for him? Is there no one who is afflicted by trouble, that I may relieve him?’ And so on until dawn comes.’”

NAWAFIL OF SHAB-E-BARAT

There are no specific prayers or nawafil for this night. According to scholars and experts of Islam, there is not any specific prayer mentioned in Holy Quran and Sunnah for this night. However, the Holy Prophet (PBUH) loved to spend his nights praying and asking forgiveness from ALLAH (SWT) and the night of Shab-e-Barat is the night of forgiveness we must spend our time praying and asking forgiveness from ALLAH.

 Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (RA) says

The supplication is not rejected in five nights (it is accepted) on Friday night, the first night of the month of Rajab, the night of mid-Sha’ban, the nights of Eid.

HADITH ON SHAB E BARAT

Shab-e-Bara’at is the holy night and has a lot of significance for Muslims. The excellence of this night has been mentioned several times by the last Prophet of ALLAH (PBUH) in various hadiths. Here are some of them:

  • Abu Musa al-Ashari reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “Allah looks upon His creation on the night of the middle of Sha’ban and forgives all of them except for two: one who harbors hatred in his heart (against others) and a murderer.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
  • Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “On this night, Allah frees from hellfire as many souls as the number of the hair on the sheep of the tribe of Kalb.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)
  • Abu Huraira reported that the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: “In the middle of Sha’ban, Allah forgives more people than the number of hairs on the sheep of Banu Kalb.” (Sunan Ibn Majah)

HOW TO CELEBRATE SHAB-E-BARAT?

Shab-e-Bara’at is the night when the sins are forgiven and Allah (SWT) accepts the prayers of Muslims; therefore, Muslims must try their level best to spend this night in prayer. Muslims should avail themselves of this night to the fullest and ask Allah (SWT) for repentance for all their major and minor sins. Also, doing charity and feeding others should be done on this night, as charity is the best way to seek Allah’s pleasure. Also, Allah (SWT) has promised that those who spend their money on charity will be blessed with double the amount of the spent money.

Additionally, fasting, performing volunteer prayers, remembering Allah (SWT), and reciting the Holy Quran are some other deeds that should be done on this night. Although there are not any specific prayers for this day, one must still use the time of this night to pray and worship Allah (SWT).

One important thing which must also be kept in mind while doing all these deeds on Shab-e-Bara’at is the offering of five obligatory prayers because these are the mandatory prayers and every Muslim will be asked about their obligatory prayers on the day of judgment, and no volunteer prayers or charity is of any use without the five-time prayers.