|
The Month of Sha'baan
& Laylatul - Baraa'ah(The Fifteenth Night of Sha'baan)
The month of Sha'baan enjoys a very special place in the
Islamic Calendar because in this month lies a very auspicious
night known as LAYLATUL- BARAA'AH (The Night of Emancipation; The
night of Freedom from fire). The word Sha'baan means branches of
good a'maal (deeds).
FASTING IN SHA'BAAN:
In this month Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) used to fast
more than in the preceding months. Hadhrat Ayesha(radhiyallahu
anha) reports that: " I never saw the Messenger of
Allah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) fasting in a month so
profusely as he did in the month of Sha'baan. He used to fast in
that month leaving only a few days, rather, he used to fast
almost the whole of the month." (Tirmizi)
However, Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) advised in several
other Ahaadeeth that when the (first) half of Sha'baan has
passed, one should not fast (i.e. during the second half of the
month). Ulama explain that one should not unduly exert and strain
one's self by fasting much (in the second half), for fear of
one's health deteriorating before Ramadhaan begins; instead one
should rather build strength and prepare one's self for the fasts
of Ramadhaan. However, should one have the strength and health,
then it would be meritorious and virtous to keep fasts according
to one's ability.
SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE NIGHT OF BARAA'AH
On this night Allah's Special Mercy and Forgiveness descends upon
His fortunate servants from the commencement of the night (i.e.
from Maghrib) until dawn. Furthermore, the announcements seeking
out those who want forgiveness well exceed those, which occur
every other night of the year.
It is narrated from Hadhrat Abdullah bin Amr(radhiyallahu anhu)
that Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: "Allah
looks with special attention towards His creation on the
fifteenth night of Sha'baan and forgives all His servants except
two categories of people, the person who harbors enmity(hatred)
and a murderer." ( Imam Ahmad
reports this Hadith with a slightly weak chain of narrators-
Targhib-wat-Tarhib)
Hadhrat Uthmaan bin Abil 'Aas(radhiyallahu anhu) narrates that
Rasullullah(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) said: : "On the
fifteenth night qf Sha'baan Allah's (special mercy) descends to
the nearest heavens. Thereafter, a proclaimer announces:" Is
there anyone who seeks forgiveness so that I may forgive him? Is
there anyone who desires anything so that I may grant his
wishes? Allah thus fulfills the requests of all accept the
adulteress and idolator." (
Baihaqi has reported this Hadith -Durre Manthur Page 27 Vol.6)
UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE
According to the Ahaadeeth, certain people are deprived of
Allah's mercy even on this auspicious night. These unfortunate
souls are:
1) Those who ascribe partners unto Allah.
2) Those who harbour enmity against others.
3) Those who habitually consume alcohol.
4) Those who disobey their parents.
5) Those men who wear their trousers etc.below their ankles.
6) Those who commit adultery and murder.
7) Those who sever family ties.
Every Muslim should take stock of oneself and if one is involved
in any of the above vices, one should turn to Allah and sincerely
implore for forgiveness, lest one be deprived on this night.
SINCERE TAUBAH(REPENTANCE)
Allah Ta'aala says in the Noble Qur'aan: " O you who
believe, turn to Allah with sincrere repentance, in the hope that
your Lord will remove from you your evil deeds."
(Quran: Surah Tahreem - Para 28).
One should turn towards Allah with sincere regret and
shame for the sins that one has committed. One should seek
Allah's forgiveness for one's sins and make a firm resolution and
promise not to commit sin again. However, sins relating to the
rights of fellow beings will not be forgiven by mere taubah
alone. Allah will only forgive such sins if forgiveness is first
sought from the person who had been harmed and a sincere effort
to redress the wrong committed against him/her is made.
What should one do on this night?
During this night one should engage oneself in Salaah, Qur'aan
Tilaawat, Du'aa, Istighfaar and Zikr, according to one's ability
and strength.
PREPARATIONS FOR RAMADHAAN
Nabi(sallallahu alaiyhi wassallam) frequently recited the
following du'aa: " 0 Allah bless us in Rajab and Sha'baan and
make us reach Ramadhaan."
We should earnestly begin preparing for Ramadhaan during this
month of Sha'baan by making Istighfaar and cleansing ourselves of
sins. We must endeavour to curtail our desires of committing
sins, especially with the eyes, ears, tongue, mind and heart.
Then we should begin inculcating good practices and bring about a
spiritual and moral transformation in our lives in anticipation
and eagerness for Ramadhaan.
The virtue of this night as established from Ahaadeeth, is that
from the very beginning of the night, Allah Ta'ala turns with
special mercy and attention towards the creation and forgives
those who repent and seeks forgiveness. Every Muslim should
therefore value this night. Turn towards Allah Ta'ala with
sincere regret and shame over sins committed and make a firm
promise not to return to sin and seek forgiveness from Allah
Ta'ala. Have firm hope and resolution in the heart that Allah
Ta'ala will surely show mercy and forgiveness. We should value
and treasure this night and derive maximum benefit therefrom;
remembering to make duaa for the entire Ummah, the living and the
deceased. Let us not be deprived of its tremendous blessings due
to sheer negligence and indifference.
Sources:
1. Ilmun Noor- Nurul Huda
2. Shabe` Baraat- Sheikhul Hadeeth Fadhlur Rahman
3.Al Hidaayah: Pamphlet No. 10
|