Shabaan is the 8th month of the Islamic calendar and the month in which the holy night of Shab-e-Baraat is celebrated.

 

Laylat al-Bara'ah - Night of Salvation 
                                     

 

The 15th night of Shabaan is a very blessed night. According to the Hadith
Shareef, the name of this Mubarak night is "Nisf Shabaan" which means 15th
night of Shabaan. The reason for this special night to attain its name of
Laylat al-Bara'ah, meaning the Night of Salvation, Seeking Freedom from
Azaab and Calamity, is that in this night the Barkaat and acceptance of
repentance may be accomplished. Laylat al-Baraa'ah in Persian, as well as
in Urdu, is called Shab-e Bara'at.

It is the special night of seeking forgiveness and repenting to Almighty
Allah, remembering our past sins and sincerely settling the mind that one
will never commits sins in the future. All the deeds that are against Shari'ah
must be totally avoided so that our Du'a and Istighfaar, hopefully, will be
accepted. Muslims should check themselves and A'la Hadrat, Imam Ahmad
Rida Fadil e-Bareilly (radi Allahu ta'ala anhu) has given a beautiful advise in
this regard. This great Imam said: "Verily the auspicious night of Shab-e-
Bara'a is drawing near when the deeds of the slave will be presented to the
Almighty Allah. I humbly supplicate in the Darbar-e-Aqdas of the Almighty
Allah that through the Wasila-e-Uzma of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Salla
Allahu alaihi wa Sallam) He forgives the sins and transgressions of all
Muslims. Aameen.

"On this occasion, it should be the duty of all Sunni Muslims to forgive one
another and to make sure that whatever debts owed to one another is
settled. The importance of Huqooq al-Ibaad cannot be over-emphasised as
this is among the pre-requisites for proper Ibaadat. I pray that all Muslims
humbly remember this night and try as much as possible to perform
Ibaadat and other pious deeds so that their Record of Deeds be presented
in all dignity.

"Finally, I pray that the Almighty Allah assists you and I and the Muslim
Ummah wherever you may be. Muslims should be aware of sincerity and
honesty in all their deeds. May Almighty Allah forgive all of us. Aameen."
Faqeer Ahmad Rida Qaderi (may Allah forgive him)


How to welcome the Night

On this auspicious night, you should perform fresh Ghusal and Wudhu and
perform the two Rakaat of Tahhiyatul Wudhu. In every Rakaat, after the
Suratul Fatiha, you should read Ayatul Kursi once and Surah Ahad 3 times.
Also perform eight Rakaats of Salah with four Salaams.In each Rakaat after
the Surah Fatiha, you should read the Ayatul Kursi (once) and Surah Ahad
fifty times.


What to Recite immediately after Sunset

After sunset, you should recite "La Hawla walaa Quwwata illa Billahil-aliyil
Azeem" forty times with three times Durood Shareef before and after. It is
mentioned that by reciting this, Almighty Allah will forgive forty years of
your sins and forty Hoors will await to serve you in Jannat al-Firdous.


Countless Mercies

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Salla Allahu alayhi wa Sallam) has stated: "Verily!
Almighty Allah directs His Special Grace on the world on this Night. He
forgives my Ummah more than the number of wool that is found on the
sheep of the Bani Kalb". We should remember that in those days the Bani
Kalb possessed the most number of sheep that any other tribe.

How great is the Mercy of Almighty Allah on this night that He forgives
millions of Muslims. We also realise from this that these numbers can only
pertain to the Ahl as-Sunnah Wah Jama'ah collectively, for the righteous
followers of the Hanafi, Shafi'i, Maliki and Hanbali indeed number millions
of Muslims.


The visitors of this Night

It is narrated that the departed souls (Arwaah) of the Muslims visit the
houses of their friends and relatives on this night and proclaim: "O people
of the house! You stay in our houses and enjoy the wealth that we have left
behind. You use our children and take work from them, please perform our
Esaale Sawaab. Verily our deeds have become complete, while your record
of deeds is still spread".

If the people of the house perform the Esaale Sawaab and Khatam Shareef
on this night, then the Arwaah depart will the Sawaab extremely happy and
overjoyed all the time making Du'a for the people.


Visit to the Cemetery

Hadrat Ayesha Siddiqa (radi Allahu ta'ala anha) reports: "One night, which
was the 15th of Shabaan, I did not find the Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu
ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) in the house so I went in search of him. After a long
search, I found him in Baqiah (the cemetery of Madinah) offering Du'a for
the deceased and praying for their forgiveness". (Baihaqi)

A special point must be made to visit the cemetery during this night and
pray for the deceased buried therein, as the Most Beloved Prophet (Salla
Allahu alayhi wa Sallam) is been reported as having visited the cemetery
on this night and spending a long time therein, lamenting, reading and
praying for the deceased.


To keep Fast

According to the Hadith Shareef which is narrated by Ibne Habaan (radi
Allahu ta'ala anhu) that Rasoolullah (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam)
said: "When the night of 15th Shabaan arrives spend the night awake and
keep fast the next day".

Hadrat Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu ta'ala anhu) reports that the Most 
Beloved (salla Allahu alayhi wa Sallam) of Allah ta'ala said often in his
Khutba (sermon): "O people! Lighten and cleanse your bodies by way of
fasting during Shabaan, so that it shall be easy and helpful to you for the
fast during Ramadan. Whoso fasts for three days during Shabaan, all his
past sins are wiped off". (Baihaqi) Fasting is also recommended on the 13th,
14th and 15th of Shabaan.


How to spend the Night

On this night, perform Nawaafil, recite the Qur'an Shareef, recite abundant
Durood Shareef, Istighfaar and Kalima Tayyibah. It is also mentioned that if
one reads Surah Dukhan seven times on this night, Almighty Allah will
reward you with 70 worldly needs and 70 deeds for the Hereafter.


Do not be amongst deprived of Mercy

Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) said: "Almighty
Allah forgives all Muslims on this night, besides the fortune tellers, the
magicians, the alcoholics, those who disrespect their parents and those
who take part and encourage adultery".

In another narration, the following people have also been mentioned:

1. One who deals in usury (Riba),

2. One who wears his trousers below his ankle with pride and arrogance
    (In Arabia, people displayed their wealth and boasted in this manner),

3. One who creates disunity among two Muslims,

4. The person who unjustly takes away the right and property of another
    Muslim and has not yet rectified himself.

All these persons are not shown Mercy on this auspicious Night.


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.

Also on this night the Doors of Mercy and Forgiveness are opened wide,
and those who sincerely grieve over and repent for their past sins and seek
forgiveness from Allah are pardoned and forgiven by the Grace of Allah the
Merciful.

Each Tasbih or Du'a should begin and terminate with the recital of Durood
Shareef and one who wishes for the acceptance of his Du'as should use the
Wasila of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (Salla Allahu ta'ala alyhi wa Sallam).

Hadrat Ghawth al-A'zam, Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani (radi Allahu anhu)
has mentioned in his famous"Gunyat-ut Talibeen" that the month of Shaban
according to some narrations is related to Rasoolullah (salla Allahu alayhi
wa Sallam). So, it is our duty, as the Ummat of Rasoolullah (Salla Allahu
ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam) to love and respect this month more than any other
month (besides Ramadan). We should also offer abundantly salutations
(Salaat-o-Salaam) upon the Most Beloved Prophet (Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi
wa Sallam).

While we are praying and asking for ourselves and family, we should also
remember in our Du'as the Muslim Ummah facing calamities in many parts
of the world, that may Allah Ta'ala grant them the strength and Istiqaamat
(steadfastness) in Deen. Those weak Muslims who are under pressure from
the West and modernisation, may Allah Ta'ala guide them and show them
the right path so that they be in touch with their glorious past. Aameen.
May Almighty Allah guide us on the path of the Ambiya and the Awliya.
Aameen.


Nafil Salaah to be read on Shab-e-Baraat

Basharat of Jannat : Sayyiduna Rasulullah (Salla Allahu alayhi wa Sallam) is
reported to have said that Allah Ta'ala instructs and assigns 100 angels to
the person who performs 100 Nafil Salaahs on this auspicious night - 30 of
which will bring the good news of Jannat, 30 angels to protect one from
the Azaab (Punishment) of Dozakh (Hell), 30 to remove all misfortunes and
miseries of this world and 10 angels to protect one from Shaitaan.

The Guardian of Imaan : After performing Maghrib Salaah, read 2 rakaahs
of Nafil. In the first rakaah, after Surah Fatiha, recite Surah Ikhlaas 3 times
and Surah Falaq once.In the second rakaah, after Surah Fatiha, recite Surah
Ikhlaas 3 times and Surah Naas once. After Salam, make Du'a and ask Allah
to protect your Imaan.

Barakah in Rizq : After Maghrib Salaah, read 2 rakaahs of Nafil. Thereafter,
read Surah Yasin once, Surah Ikhlaas 21 times and Du'a Nisf Shabaan once.
Then, make Du'a for Barakah in Rozi and ask Allah not to make you
dependent on anyone.

Long Life filled with Piety : After Maghrib Salaah, read 2 rakaahs of Nafil.
Read Surah Yasin once. Then read Du'a Nisf Shabaan once. Thereafter,
make Du'a for long life filled with piety and righteousness.

Reward for ten thousand good Deeds : Anyone who performs 20 rakaahs of
Nafil after Maghrib in such a way that after Surah Fatiha, recites Surah
Ikhlaas 10 times in every rakaah, will be rewarded abundantly by Allah
Ta'ala, and ten thousand good deeds will be recorded in his Amal Namaa
(Book of Deeds).

Death with complete Faith/Imaan : Anyone who performs 2 rakaahs of Nafil
on the last Friday of Shabaan between Maghrib and Esha will die with full
faith and Imaan. After Surah Fatiha, one should read Ayatul Kursi once,
Surah Ikhlaas 10 times and Surah Falaq and Surah Naas once in both
rakaahs. If the person who reads Nafil in such a way dies until the next
Shabaan, will die with Imaan, Inshaa-Allah.

The performing of Salaatul Tasbeeh on this night is also very virtuous.

courtesy: www.raza.co.za

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SHABAAN


Important anniversaries and dates of Shabaan

1st   - Wissal; Mawlana Sardaar Ahmad, Pakistan
 
2nd  - Wissal; Imam al-Azam Hadrat Abu Hanifa, Baghdad

3rd  -  Birth; Shahid-e-Karbala, Hadrat Imam Hussain

3rd  -  Urs; Umm-ul Mu'mineen Bibi Hafsah

3rd  -  Urs; Hadrat Shaykh Abul Farah Tartusi, Baghdad  

3rd  -  Urs; Hadrat Meer Sayyad Ahmad, Kalpi Shareef 
 
4th   -  Hijrat; Hadrat Imam Husain (Makkah to Madinah)

6th   - Wissal; Bibi Kulsum binte Rasulallah (alaihi asalam)

6th   -  Chatti Sharif; Gharib Nawaz, Khawaja Muinuddin Hasan Chisti Ajmer Shareef

7th   -  Urs; Hazrat S.A.S Mauhzoomi 

11th -  Ghiyarween Shareef; Ghawth al A'zam as-Sayyad Shaykh Abd al-Qadir al-Jilani

12th -  Martydom; Hadrat Muhammad bin Kassim, Egypt

14th -  Urs; Sayyad Muhammad Khalid Shah Chisti Sabiree

15th -  Shab-e-Barat

15th -  Urs; Hadrat Ba Yazid Bistami, Iran 

25th -  Urs; Meer Sayyad Muhammad, Kalpi Shareef

27th -  Wissal; Shaykh Abus Saeed Makhzoomi, Baghdad  

30th -  Birth; 'Ghous Paak' Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani