Introduction

Indeed, the doors of Allah’s mercy and forgiveness are always open for everyone. In the atmosphere filled with the verse “لَا تَقْنَطُوا مِنْ رَحْمَةِ اللَّهِ” (Do not despair of the mercy of Allah) [Az-Zumar: 53], the river of divine mercy is ever-flowing. The shade of His mercy is perpetually upon His servants, and encompassing creation within His compassionate embrace is a hallmark of His noble nature. This forgiving, compassionate, and merciful Lord has further graced His frail creation by bestowing special blessings and virtues upon certain moments due to certain connections. In these moments, the ocean of His mercy, forgiveness, and bestowals surges, and He honors those who are worthy with special acceptance.

Among these special moments, days, and months that possess such virtue, the month of Shaban in general, and the night of the 15th of Shaban, known as “Shabe Barat,” in particular, hold special significance and merit.

Read More: شب برات کی حقیقت

The Virtues of Shaban al-Muazzam

Shaban al-Muazzam is the eighth month of the Islamic year, coming between the two blessed months of Rajab and Ramadan, which further adds to its virtues. The word “Shaban” means “to spread out” or “to branch out.” It is said that during this month, the Arabs used to disperse in search of water, hence the name Shaban. However, the spiritual significance of this month is far greater than its name.

1. Saying of Ghawth al-Azam: Ghawth al-Azam, Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani, may Allah have mercy on him, states in ‘Ghunya al-Talibin’: “The word Shaban is a combination of five letters: {Sh, A, B, A, and N}. ‘Shin’ is derived from honor (Sharaf), ‘Ain’ from elevation and greatness (Ulu), ‘Ba’ from virtue and piety (Bir), ‘Alif’ from affection and love (Ulfat), and ‘Nun’ from light (Nur). In this month, Allah Almighty bestows these four things upon the servant. It is the month in which the doors of good deeds open and blessings descend, sinners are released, evils are erased, and abundant gifts of blessings and peace are sent to the court of the most excellent and best creation, Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.”
2. Month of Salutations and Peace: Imam Qastallani has mentioned a subtle point in ‘Al-Mawahib al-Laduniyya.’ He states: “Indeed, Shaban is also the month of sending blessings and peace upon the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, because it is the month in which the verse of sending blessings and peace was revealed.” [Al-Ahzab, 33/56] was revealed in it.”
3. Prophet’s Month: The Holy Prophet ﷺ declared Shaban as his month and regarded its sanctity and reverence as his own sanctity and reverence. He used to fast frequently and perform other righteous deeds during this month. The Holy Prophet ﷺ said: “The month of Ramadan is Allah’s month, and the month of Shaban is my month; Shaban is the purifier, and Ramadan is the month that ends sins.”
4. Preparation for Ramadan: Hazrat Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that upon the arrival of the month of Rajab, the Holy Prophet ﷺ used to say: “O Allah! Bestow blessings upon us in Rajab and Shaban, and enable us to reach Ramadan.”
5. Abundance of Fasting: Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (may Allah be pleased with her) states: “Of all the months, the Messenger of Allah ﷺ loved to fast in Shaban the most. He used to connect Shaban (fasting) with Ramadan.”
6. Presentation of Deeds: The importance and virtue of the month of Shaban can also be gauged from the fact that in this month, the deeds of servants are presented to Allah Almighty. Hazrat Usama bin Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that I said to the Holy Prophet ﷺ: O Messenger of Allah! I see you fasting more in the month of Shaban than in any other month. (What is the reason for this?) He said: “This is the (sacred) month which people neglect and are careless about, it occurs between Rajab and Ramadan. It is the month in which deeds ascend to the Lord of the worlds, so I like my deeds to be ascended whilst I am fasting.”

Shabe Barat: Virtues and Significance

Now it must be understood why Prophet Muhammad ﷺ gave such merit and greatness to the month of Shaban. The reason for the virtue of this holy month is the 15th night of this month, which is known as “Shabe Barat”. Hazrat Ata bin Yasar narrates: “There is no night after Laylat al-Qadr that is more virtuous than the night of the middle of Shaban.” This night of virtue and greatness has several names:

• Laylat al-Mubarakah: The Blessed Night
• Laylat al-Bara’ah: The Night of Acquittal and Freedom from Hell
• Laylat as-Sakk: The Night of the Document
• Laylat ar-Rahmah: The Night of Special Divine Mercy

In common parlance, it is also called Shabe Barat, i.e., the night of salvation and freedom from Hell. The word Shabe Barat is a literal Urdu translation of the words of Hadith “Utqa min an-Nar”. This name was given to this night by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ himself because, on this night, countless people are saved from Hell through the mercy of God.

Five Characteristics of Shabe Barat

Allah Almighty has bestowed five special attributes upon Shabe Barat. Which many Imams have stated.

1. Night of Decisive Matters: The first characteristic of this night is that in this night every matter of wisdom is decided. Allah Almighty has said: فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ [Ad-Dukhan: 4] “In it every matter of wisdom is specified.”
2. Virtue of Worship: The second characteristic of this night is that worship on this night has special merit. The Holy Prophet ﷺ said: “Whoever performs one hundred rak’ahs of prayer on this night, Allah Almighty sends one hundred angels to him. (Of whom) thirty angels give him glad tidings of Paradise. Thirty angels protect him from the torment of fire. Thirty angels defend him from worldly afflictions. And ten angels protect him from the plots of Satan.”
3. Night of Divine Mercy: The third characteristic of this night is that Divine Mercy descends in it. The Holy Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, Allah Almighty has mercy on my Ummah on this night equal to the number of hairs on the goats of the tribe of Banu Kalb.”
4. Night of Forgiveness: The fourth characteristic of this night is that it is a night of attaining forgiveness. The Holy Prophet ﷺ said: “Indeed, on this night, Allah Almighty forgives all Muslims except for a sorcerer, a bearer of malice, a drunkard, one who disobeys his parents, and one who insists on adultery.”
5. Complete Intercession: The fifth characteristic of this night is that on this night, Allah Almighty granted His Noble Messenger ﷺ complete intercession. The Holy Prophet ﷺ asked for intercession for his Ummah on the thirteenth night of Shaban, so he was granted one third. Then the Holy Prophet asked the same question on the fourteenth night of Shaban, so he was granted two-thirds. Then the Holy Prophet asked on the fifteenth night of Shaban, so he was granted all intercession, except for the one who runs away from Allah Almighty like a camel who has run away from its master (i.e., one who constantly insists on disobedience).

Tasks Completed on Shabe Barat

On Shabe Barat, countless people are saved from Hell through the mercy of God. On this night, Allah Almighty descends to the lowest heaven (in a manner befitting His Majesty) from the time of sunset.

1. Proclamation of Forgiveness: Umm al-Mu’minin Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (may Allah be pleased with her) states: “One night I did not find the Messenger of Allah ﷺ (in the bedroom), so I went out (in search of him). What do I see but that the Holy Prophet ﷺ is in Jannat al-Baqi. He said: Are you afraid that Allah and His Messenger will be unjust to you? I said: O Messenger of Allah! I thought you might have gone to another wife. The Holy Prophet ﷺ said: Allah Almighty descends to the lowest heaven on the fifteenth night of Shaban, and forgives more people than the number of hairs on the goats of the tribe of Banu Kalb.”
2. Writing of Destiny: In another narration, the Holy Prophet ﷺ said to Hazrat Aisha, “O Aisha! Do you know what happens on the fifteenth night of Shaban?” So she said: (O Messenger of Allah!) What happens on this night? He said: On this night, the names of all the people who are to be born in this year are written down, and the names of all the people who are to die in this year are written down, and on this night people’s deeds are lifted up, and on this night people’s sustenance is determined.

Practices of the Prophet ﷺ on Shabe Barat

The special acts that the Holy Prophet ﷺ used to perform on this night are mentioned below:

1. Frequent Prayer and Weeping: On this night, the Holy Prophet ﷺ used to pray frequently and weep in the court of Allah Almighty. Umm al-Mu’minin Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) states that on the 15th night of Shaban, the Holy Prophet ﷺ was praying in his prostration: “My imagination and my inner self have prostrated to You, and my heart has believed in You, this is my hand, and I have not wronged myself through it, O Great One! Every great one is hoped for, O Great One! Forgive the great sin. My face has prostrated to the One Who created it and distinguished its hearing and sight powers.” Then the Holy Prophet ﷺ raised his holy head and prostrated again and began to say in the court of Allah: “I seek refuge in Your pleasure from Your wrath, and I seek refuge in Your pardon from Your punishment, and I seek refuge in You from You, I cannot count the praises upon You, You are as You have praised upon Yourself, I say as my brother Dawood said, I cover my face in the dust for my master, and He deserves to be prostrated.” Then the Holy Prophet ﷺ raised his holy head and said: “O Allah! Grant me a heart that is pious, pure from evil, neither unfaithful nor miserable.”
2. Staying Awake and fasting the next morning: Hazrat Ali Ibn Abi Talib narrates that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: “When it is the fifteenth night of Shaban, stand up for prayer at night and fast during the day, for Allah descends therein at sunset to the heaven of this world and says: Is there anyone who will ask forgiveness of Me, that I may forgive him? Is there anyone who will ask provision of Me, that I may give it to him? Is there anyone afflicted to whom I may give relief? Is there anyone like this, is there anyone like that, until dawn comes.”
3. Visiting the Graveyard: Muslims should also ask forgiveness for their sins on this night and also pray for the forgiveness of their parents, teachers, and relatives, and this act is also proven by the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet ﷺ.

Actions and Prayers for Shabe Barat

In addition to the above-mentioned prayers, it is also recommended to recite the following prayer on this night:

1. Prayer for Forgiveness: “O Allah! You are Most Forgiving and Generous. You love to forgive, so forgive me.”
2. Reciting the last section of Surah Al-Baqarah twenty-one times on the 15th night of Shaban is very useful for peace and safety and protection of life and property.
3. Prayer for Abundance: Imam Ghazali states in Ihya Uloom al-Din that people should recite this prayer frequently on the night of Shabe Barat.

Embracing Shabe Barat ki Haqeeqat

Conclusion: Embracing Shabe Barat ki Haqeeqat

Shabe Barat is a magnificent night filled with the mercy, forgiveness, and blessings of Allah. We should value this night and worship as much as possible in it. We should repent of our sins and pray to Allah for our good destiny. We should also avoid innovations on this night and only do those things that are proven from the Quran and Sunnah. May Allah grant us the ability to take advantage of the virtue of Shabe Barat. Amen.

Answering Key Questions About Shabe Barat

Let’s address some important questions about Shabe Barat, keeping the Quran and Hadith in mind:

How is fasting beneficial during Shaban al-Muazzam?

Fasting in Shaban al-Muazzam is a Sunnah of the Prophet ﷺ. Aisha Siddiqa (RA) stated that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ loved fasting in Shaban more than in any other month. Fasting in this month prepares one physically and spiritually for Ramadan and helps attain Allah’s pleasure.

How is giving charity meritorious in Shaban al-Muazzam?

Giving charity in Shaban al-Muazzam causes Allah’s mercy to descend, and sins are forgiven. Charity given in this month is a source of blessing for Ramadan and is an excellent way to help those in need in society.

How is praying in Shaban al-Muazzam beneficial?

Praying in Shaban al-Muazzam is very beneficial because it is a month of acceptance of prayers. Anas bin Malik (RA) narrates that upon the arrival of Rajab, the Prophet ﷺ would say: “O Allah! Bless us in Rajab and Shaban and enable us to reach Ramadan.”

How is sending Salawat (Durood Sharif) beneficial in Shaban al-Muazzam?

Sending Durood Sharif in Shaban al-Muazzam is very meritorious because it is a month of expressing love for the Prophet ﷺ. Imam Qastallani (RA) states that Shaban is the month of sending blessings and peace because the verse of Durood and Salam was revealed in this month.

How important is repentance (Tawbah) in Shaban al-Muazzam?

Repentance is very important in Shaban al-Muazzam because it is a month of purification from sins. In this month, Allah accepts the repentance of His servants and forgives their sins. Repentance cleanses the heart and brings one closer to Allah.

How should one worship on Shabe Barat?

The following methods can be adopted for worship on Shabe Barat:

• Offering Nafl prayers
• Reciting the Quran
• Performing Dhikr and Azkar
• Making Dua and Istighfar
• Giving Sadaqah and Khairat
• Visiting the graveyard and praying for the deceased

How is forgiveness of sins obtained on Shabe Barat?

Allah forgives His servants on Shabe Barat. To obtain forgiveness on this night, it is necessary to repent sincerely, seek forgiveness, and pray to Allah for mercy.

How is fasting on Shabe Barat virtuous?

Fasting on the day of Shabe Barat is recommended. Ali (RA) narrates that the Prophet ﷺ said: “When it is the fifteenth night of Shaban, stand up for prayer at night and fast during the day.”

How is praying on Shabe Barat beneficial?

Praying on Shabe Barat is very beneficial because it is a night of acceptance of prayers. On this night, Allah accepts the prayers of His servants and fulfills their needs.

How important is repentance on Shabe Barat?

Repentance is very important on Shabe Barat because it is a night of purification from sins. On this night, Allah accepts the repentance of His servants and forgives their sins. Repentance cleanses the heart and brings one closer to Allah.

These questions and answers will help you understand the virtues and importance of Shaban al-Muazzam and Shabe Barat, and you will be able to perform more worship and good deeds during these blessed times.