Shab-e-Barat :: Authentic or not ??

[aTraveller]

‘Shab-e-Barat’ is observed with due solemnity and religious fervor in different parts of the world. Specially in this subcontinent, the night is observed as an age old celebration. Although the references as to observance of ‘Shab-e-Barat’ in the Holy Hadith are regarded as weak injunctions, but the night draws a large number of devotees to salat, fasting, ziarat, poor feeding, sweet distribution and more!

Devoted Muslims of only Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan celebrate the ‘Shab-e-Barat’ on the 15th day of Shaban (the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar). Although this night is not celebrated in any other Muslim land. ‘Shab-e-Barat’, also known as ‘Laylatul Barat’ or ‘Laylatul Nusfmin Shaban’, is a traditional Islamic day of festival and worship in the South Asia. According to the ascetic Muslims, this is the day of divine benediction. Offering prayers and fasting in this particular day is said to have greater acceptance from God.

But if one traces back the root of this prestigious night, one might come up with the fact that “No” verse of the Holy Quran has any indication pointing to the existence of any such an occasion called ‘Shab-e-Barat’. The result is same if one goes through the authentic ‘Ahadeeth’ (plural of Hadeeth), which is the sayings or doings of our great Prophet Muhammad. Nothing firm and reliable has been established on the authority of the Prophet that he held nigh vigil prayer and fasted during the day of the 15th of ‘Shaban’. So, the night of the 15th of ‘Shaban’ is like any other night, and if someone regularly observes acts of worship during other nights, then he may hold night vigil prayer on this night without assuming anything special.

It should be noted that an Islamic celebration must have its evidences in the two penultimate sources of Islam, the Quran and the Hadeeth. According to the Islamic creed, none has the right to innovate a way of worship. Only the God and his messenger, our great Prophet, hold the right to set such an occasion.

In Islam, if there is no authentic proof in an act then the act is regarded as an innovation and all innovations are misguidance. So, what we can finally tell is that, though this celebration will be observed with utmost respect by the contemporary Muslim society here in the subcontinent, but one should really think seriously about what it is all about.


badrobot14 please read this ...

 

[Spidey21]

umm...i aint very scholarly but i got this from the net
check it out habibi!!
http://hadithcollection.com/shama-i...ith-number-005-285.html#.T_SanjhotYc.facebook

 

[robinhoodmustafa]

Some people also say that direction of Qiblah was changed from Jerusalem to Ka’bah (Makkah) on the 15th day of Sha’ban. This is also not confirmed by any authentic hadis.

 

[robinhoodmustafa]

15th Shabaan is Shab e Barat! Proof form Sahih Hadith

Hadith# 1
It is related by Muaz bin Jabal that the Blessed 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).[Ibn Hibban, Sahih,ed.
Shu`ayb Arna'ut Vol 012: Hadith 5665]

Hadith# 2
Narrated by Abdullah ibn Amr ibn al-'As Allah's Messenger (

) said, Allah, the Exalted andGlorious looks down on "the middle night of Sha'ban" and forgives all His creation except two people, the mushahin and the murderer.[Musnad Ahmad Vol 003, Hadith No. 6353]

Hadith# 3
Narrated by Abu Musa al-Ash'ari Allah's Messenger (

) 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 Vol 002, Hadith Number 1380]

Hadith#4
It is related by Abu Thalaba that the Blessed Prophet (

) 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#5
Imran bin Husain (ra) reported Allah's Messenger ( ﻢﻠﺳﻭ ﻪﻴﻠﻋ ﻪﻠﻟﺍ ﻰﻠﺻ ) 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]


aTraveller , badrobot14

 

[badrobot14]

Praise be to Allaah.

There is no saheeh marfoo’ report that speaks of the virtue of the middle of Sha’baan that may be followed, not even in the chapters on al-Fadaa’il (chapters on virtues in books of hadeeth etc.). Some maqtoo’ reports (reports whose isnaads do not go back further than the Taabi’een) have been narrated from some of the Taabi’een, and there are some ahaadeeth, the best of which are mawdoo’ (fabricated) or da’eef jiddan (very weak). These reports became very well known in some countries which were overwhelmed by ignorance; these reports suggest that people’s lifespans are written on that day or that it is decided on that day who is to die in the coming year. On this basis, it is not prescribed to spend this night in prayer or to fast on this day, or to single it out for certain acts of worship. One should not be deceived by the large numbers of ignorant people who do these things. And Allaah knows best.

Shaykh Ibn Jibreen.

Some Muslims celebrate the middle of Sha‘baan, fasting on that day and spending that night in prayer (qiyaam). There is a hadeeth concerning that which is not saheeh, hence the scholars regarded celebrating this day as an innovation (bid ‘ah).
....
Ibn al-Jawzi narrated it in al-Mawdoo‘aat (which is a compilation of fabricated hadeeths):

Chapter on the hadeeth, prayer and supplication on Laylat al-Nisf:

The hadeeth, “When the night of ‘nisf Sha‘baan’ (mid-Sha‘baan) comes, spend the night in prayer and fast on that day” was narrated by Ibn Maajah from ‘Ali. Muhashiyyah said: (It was also narrated) in al-Zawaa’id. Its isnaad is da‘eef (weak) because of the weakness of Ibn Abi Basrah, of whom Ahmad and Ibn Ma‘een said: He fabricates hadeeth. End quote.

READ MORE:
http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/8907
http://islamqa.info/en/ref/154850/

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<Edit: content removed... my bad>

 

[badrobot14]

Specifying the day of the 15th of Sha’baan by fasting or reciting the Qur.aan or performing naafilah prayers

Question: We see some people specifying the 15th of Sha’baan with particular supplications and reciting the Qur.aan and performing naafilah prayers. So what is the correct position concerning this, and may Allaah reward you with good?

Response: That which is correct is that fasting the 15th of Sha’baan or specifying it with reciting (the Qur.aan) or making (particular) supplications has no basis. So the day of the 15th of Sha’baan is like any other 15th day of other months. So from that which is known is that it has been legislated for a person to fast the 13th, 14th and 15th of every month, however, Sha’baan is characterised unlike the other months in that (except for Ramadhaan) the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) used to fast more in Sha’baan than any other month . So he used to either fast all of Sha’baan or just a little. Therefore, as long as it does not cause difficulty for a person, it is befitting to increase in fasting during Sha’baan in adherence to the example of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam).

Shaykh Ibn ‘Uthaymeen
al-Bid’u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa Asla lahu – Page 612
Fataawa Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-’Uthaymeen – Volume 1, Page 190

Standing the night of the 15th of Sha’baan in prayer and fasting during it’s day

Question: Is standing the night of the 15th of Sha’baan in prayer and fasting during it’s day legislated?

Response: Nothing firm and reliable has been established on the authority of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) that he stood in prayer in the night and fasted during the day of the 15th of Sha’baan. So the night of the 15th of Sha’baan is like any other night, and if someone is a regular worshipper during other nights, then he may stand the night in prayer on this night without assuming anything special (because of it being the night of the 15th of Sha’baan). This is because specifying a time for any act of worship requires a authentic proof, so if there is no authentic proof then the act is regarded as an innovation and all innovations are misguidance. Likewsie, regarding specifically fasting during the 15th day of Sha’baan, then no (authentic) proof has been established on the authority of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) to indicate the legislation of fasting on that particular day.

As for that which is mentioned from the ahaadeeth regarding this subject, then all of it is weak as the people of knowledge have indicated. However, whoever has the habit of fasting the 13th, 14th and 15th (of every month), then he can continue and fast during Sha’baan as he fasts during the other months, without assuming anything special about the 15th of Sha’baan. Also, the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) used to increase in fasting during this month (Sha’baan), however, he did not particularise the 15th day, rather proceeded as per norm.

Shaykh Ibn Fowzaan
al-Bid’u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa asla lahu – Page 614
Noorun alad-Darb Fataawa Shaykh Saalih Ibn Fowzaan – Volume 1, Page 87

Giving sadaqah specifically on the night of 15th of Sha’baan

Question: When my father was alive, he entrusted me to give sadaqah (charity) according to my means on the 15th of Sha’baan every year, and likewise I have been doing this ever since. However, some people have admonished me for doing so saying it is not permissible. So is giving sadaqah on the night of the 15th of Sha’baan permissible according to the willment of my father or not? Kindly advise us and may Allaah reward you with good.

Response: To specify the giving of sadaqah on the night of the 15th of Sha’baan every year is an innovation, and despite your father having entrusted you with that, it is not permissible. It is befitting you give this sadaqah without specifying the night of the 15th of Sha’baan, rather do so every year and in whichever month, but without particularising any one month (on a consistent basis). However, it is permissible to do so in the month of Ramadhaan (for the evidence which indicates so).

And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.

The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa

al-Bid’u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa Asla lahu – Page 611
Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-’Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa. – Fatwa No. 9760
http://salaf-us-saalih.com/2009/08/03/bidah-alert-for-15th-of-shaban/

 

[HauteHijabii]

Misconception # 1:
The night of the 15th of Shabaan should be singled out for worship, prayer, etc.

Clarification:
Our best example and role model is the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) and he never, ever singled out this night for worship or qiyaam nor did his Sahaba.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:"There is no saheeh hadeeth concerning the night of the fifteenth of Shabaan. All the ahaadeeth that have been narrated concerning that are mawdoo (fabricated) and daeef (weak), and have no basis. There is nothing special about this night, and no recitation of Quraan or prayer, whether alone or in congregation, is specified for this night. What some of the scholars have said about it being special is a weak opinion. It is not permissible to single it out for any special actions. This is the correct view."
(Fataawa Islamiyyah, 4/511)

Misconception # 2:
There are special prayers to be offered on this night.

Clarification:
The truth of the matter is that there are NO special prayers to be offered on this night specifically. And all those ahaadeeth giving you long lists of special formulas that are "supposed to guarantee you Allaahs forgiveness and Jannah" are all fabricated, false and innovations in our Deen. If there were such prayers, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) would have told us about them and we would have had evidence of him and the Sahaba doing it.

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? Is there anyone to ask Me so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone asking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?. " (Bukhaari)

Thus, when Abd-Allaah ibn al-Mubaarak was asked about the descent of Allaah on the night of the fifteenth of Shabaan, he said to the one who asked him: "O weak one! The night of the fifteenth?! He descends every night!"�


Misconception # 4:
This is the night when our fate, lifespan, and provisions are decreed.

Clarification:
Some people think that the "blessed night" (laylatim-mubarakah) mentioned in Surah ad-Dukhaan (44): 3, refers to the night of 15th Shabaan, when Allah decrees our lifespan, provisions and fate. In fact, they even pray 6 rakahs, 2 for each of these things. However, all that is fabricated and far, far away from the Sunnah. And, in reality, the "blessed night" mentioned in Surah ad-Dukhaan, actually is referring to Laylatul Qadr that comes in Ramadhaan. (Tafseer Ibn Kathir of Surah al-Qadr)


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. The Sunnah of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) was to fast most of this month and not just the 15th. However, if the fifteenth of Shabaan coincides with a Monday or Thursday, or with the three white days or if a person is generally fasting, without associating seeking extra rewards to fasting this specific day, then it is allowed. (Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid)

Misconception # 6:
This is the night when the souls of departed ones return to their families.

Clarification:
Here again, some people misunderstand the ayaat in Surah al-Qadr and think that the "sending down of the Ruh" as mentioned in this Surah refers to the souls of dead people returning to see their families, even though it refers to Jibreel (Tafseer Ibn Kathir). And that is why we see women preparing the sweets, the Halwas and other "goodies" for the souls of their loved ones.

Not only is that in itself an erroneous, deviant belief and bidah, but to believe that the souls of the dead can return back to the world and meet/see their relatives is also totally incorrect and false. The teachings of the Quraan and the Sunnah clearly state that the souls of the dead do not return back to the world. Besides, they dont even eat the Halwas. It is actually you who eats it!

Misconception # 7:
Visiting graveyards especially this night is something good.

Clarification:
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. And he did not specifically visit the graveyard on the night of the 15th of Shabaan. The hadeeth of Aisha that mentions that the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) visited the graveyard this night is not authentic and thus does not have any proof for visiting graves specifically on this night of Shabaan.

Misconception # 8:
Even if the ahaadeeth about worship on this night are weak,
one can still do it.

Clarification: The correct scholarly view is that weak ahaadeeth should not be followed at all, even if they speak of righteous deeds or of targheeb and tarheeb (promises and warnings). The saheeh reports are sufficient and the Muslim has no need to follow the daeef reports.

Shaykh Ahmad Shaakir said: "There is no difference between rulings or righteous deeds; we do not take any of them from daeef reports, rather no one has the right to use any report as evidence unless it is proven to be soundly narrated from the Messenger of Allaah (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) in a saheeh or hasan hadeeth."

Misconception # 9:
Look at all those people doing it. How can they all be wrong?

Clarification:
The Muslim is supposed to refer to Allaah and His Messenger (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) Sunnah, if there is any confusion or dispute about matters and NOT what the rest of the world is doing.

"O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger and those of you 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]

Shaykh Ibn Jibreen said: "These reports (about worship and fasting an the 15th of Shabaan) became very well known in some countries which were overwhelmed by ignorance; One should not be deceived by the large numbers of ignorant people who do these things."

badrobot14 whitetiger64 crazyyorange13

 

[HauteHijabii]

The REAL Sunnah regarding Shabaan:

If you truly and sincerely want to please Allaah and do deeds that will be acceptable to Him, then follow the REAL Sunnah of the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam). Here is what is proven in the authentic sunnah:

1. Fast most of this month as much as you can.
Aaishah RA said: "I never saw the Messenger of Allaah fasting for an entire month except in Ramadaan, and I never saw him fast more than he did in Shabaan." (Bukhaari, Muslim).

2. However, if you are weak or do not fast habitually and feel that this nafil fasting may be a hindrance to your obligatory fasting in the month of Ramadhaan, then the person may stop the nafil fasting in the last few days of this month. And for that person, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said:
"When Shabaan is half over, do not fast." (saheeh by al-Albaani in Saheeh al-Tirmidhi)

3. If you have fasts left over from last Ramadhaan to make up, then hurry up and do so in this month of Shabaan before the next Ramadhan comes. It is not permissible to delay missed fasts until after the following Ramadhaan, except in cases of necessity (such as a valid excuse that continues between the two Ramadhans).

Aaishah RA said: "It used to be that I had days to make up for Ramadhaan and I would not be able to do so except in Shabaan." [Bukhari]

Does Allaah (swt) come down to the first heaven ONLY on 15th of Shabaan night ?​

​

This is mentioned in some haadith, but there is some scholarly difference of opinion as to the soundness of those haadith.

There is no saheeh haadith concerning the virtue of the night of the fifteenth of Shabaan.

It was narrated from Abu Moosa al-Ashari that the Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Allaah looks down on the night of the fifteenth of Shabaan and forgives all his creation except a mushrik or one who harbours hatred against the Muslims.” Narrated by Ibn Maajah, 1390.

The “one who harbors hatred against the Muslims” means one who has enmity towards a Muslim brother.

In al-Zawaaid it says: Its isnaad is daeef, because Abd-Allaah ibn Laheeah is daeef (weak) and al-Waleed ibn Muslim is mudallis.

There is also some idtiraab (weakness) in the hadeeth, as stated by al-Daaraqutni in al-Ilal, 6/50, 51.
He said: This hadeeth is not proven.
It was narrated from Muaadh ibn Jabal, Aaishah, Abu Hurayrah, Abu Thalabah al-Khushani and others, but the isnaads are not free of some weakness, and some of them are very weak.

Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali said:
Concerning the virtue of the night of the fifteenth of Shabaan there are numerous haadith , concerning which the scholars differed, but most of them classed them as daeef, and Ibn Hibbaan classed some of them as saheeh.
Lataaif al-Maaazif, 261.

Allaahs descending to the first heaven does NOT ONLY happen on the night of the fifteenth of Shabaan, rather it is proven in al-Saheehayn and elsewhere that Allaah descends to the first heaven EVERY NIGHT, in the last third of the night. The night of the fifteenth of Shabaan is included in this general meaning.

Hence, when Abd-Allaah ibn al-Mubaarak was asked about the descent of Allaah on the night of the fifteenth of Shabaan, he said to the one who asked him: “O weak one! The night of the fifteenth?! He descends every night!”
Narrated by Abu Uthmaan al-Saabooni in Itiqaad Ahl al-Sunnah, no. 92.

Al-Aqeeli (may Allaah have mercy on him) said:
With regard to Allaahs descending on the night of the fifteenth of Shabaan there are haadith which are weak, but the reports that He descends every night are proven and saheeh, so the night of the fifteenth of Shabaan is included in that, inshaAllaah.
Al-Duafa, 3/29.
INNOVATION ALERT - 15th Sha'baan 1433 / Thursday 5th July 2012

http://www.fatwa-online.com/innovations/celebrations/cel005/index.htm ​

 

[robinhoodmustafa]

quote="badrobot14, post: 353264, member: 2"]READ MORE:
http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/8907
http://islamqa.info/en/ref/154850/
--
<Edit: content removed... my bad>[/quote]
Ok. I'll Read it Inshallah when I get Free frm my Computer +Addmaths Homework
It is Fine.Please Dont be Sorry.You are just like my Elder Brother
"Quran say's :Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love that Allaah should forgive you?}"[Qur'an 24:22]

Btw
I checked the Name of the Narraters on wikipedia and most of them are sunni Scholar's.I was not aware of the authenticity of these Hadis..*Daeef hadis Or Fabricated*
The Last one is frm Sahih Muslim book ..?
and btw again
I would stay alert next time...

 

[badrobot14]

quote="badrobot14, post: 353264, member: 2"]READ MORE:
http://www.islamqa.com/en/ref/8907
http://islamqa.info/en/ref/154850/
--
<Edit: content removed... my bad>

Ok. I'll Read it Inshallah when I get Free frm my Computer +Addmaths Homework
It is Fine.Please Dont be Sorry.You are just like my Elder Brother
"Quran say's :Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love that Allaah should forgive you?}"[Qur'an 24:22]

Btw
I checked the Name of the Narraters on wikipedia and most of them are sunni Scholar's.I was not aware of the authenticity of these Hadis..*Daeef hadis Or Fabricated*
The Last one is frm Sahih Muslim book ..?
and btw again
I would stay alert next time...[/quote]

nah.. my bad... I was in a hurry coz sum1 was bugging me here.....

 

[robinhoodmustafa]

Ok. I'll Read it Inshallah when I get Free frm my Computer +Addmaths Homework
It is Fine.Please Dont be Sorry.You are just like my Elder Brother
"Quran say's :Let them pardon and forgive. Do you not love that Allaah should forgive you?}"[Qur'an 24:22]

Btw
I checked the Name of the Narraters on wikipedia and most of them are sunni Scholar's.I was not aware of the authenticity of these Hadis..*Daeef hadis Or Fabricated*
The Last one is frm Sahih Muslim book ..?
and btw again
I would stay alert next time...

nah.. my bad... I was in a hurry coz sum1 was bugging me here.....[/quote]
It's Ok..
Banned Him/Her *Admin Veto Power*

 

[badrobot14]

It's Ok..
Banned Him/Her *Admin Veto Power*

by here I meant. in the physical world.. whr I'm ryt now...