Prophets of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him)

[Zoya]

  Shab-e-Barat, The 15th of  Sha'ban

The Holy Prophet (sws) had said that during the nights of the 15th Shabaan, the Almighty takes decisions in the matters of sustenance, life, death and the welfare of the people. The great month of Sha’ban is the eighth month of the lunar year in the Islamic calendar and the month immediately proceeding the month of Ramadan. May Almighty Allah grant us more blessings in this sacred month and help us to prepare before holy month of Ramadhan.




   Sunni view
Sunni observe Mid-Sha'ban as a night of worship and salvation, commemorating when Allah saved Noah followers from the deluge. In their belief, during this night, Allah prepares the destiny for all people on Earth for the coming year. For this reason it is sometimes called the Night of Emancipation Lailat al Bara'at.

Even Salafi Imam Ibn-Taimiyyah was asked about the importance of the 15th night of Sha’ban. He replied:

As for the 15th night of Shabaan, there are many narrations and Athar (quotes from the Sahabah image) regarding its virtue. It has been reported of the salaf that they prayed in this night. Therefore, praying alone on this night, having precedence in the salaf, is sufficient evidence and something of this kind surely cannot be denied.



 Shia view
Shias celebrates the 15th night of Sha'ban as Laylat al Bara'at and observes this night as a night of worship. Being different to sunnis they also believe that on the 15th of Sha'ban, 255 AH (868 CE), Muhammad al-Mahdi was born. Shias believe him to be the twelveth Shia Imam and also the Mahdi, a very important figure who is believed by Muslims to bring absolute peace to the world.




The month of Sha’ban is a great month.
In this month Allah takes the account of His creation.
Because this month occurs between two other important months, viz. Rajab and Ramadan, many people do not pay enough attention to it.
The Prophet -peace be upon him- loved to fast during this month. He used to fast most of the month of Sha’ban.
After sunset during the night of Middle of Sha’ban, Allah in His great mercy and kindness turns towards His creation and asks, “Is there anyone who would seek My forgiveness and I forgive him/her? Is there anyone who is in need to ask Me and I provide for his/her needs. Is there anyone who in pain and seek My help and I help him/her? Is there? Is there? until the time of Fajr.”
The Prophet -peace be upon him- is said to have recommended prayers during this night and fasting during the day. [/b]

[Zoya]

On the fifteenth day of Shabaan, after Zuhr prayer, offer four rakat namaaz with two salaams (2 sets of 2 rakat each). In the first rakat, after 'Al-ham-du' recite Sura Zilzaal, once and Sura Ikhlas, (Qul-hu-wal- lah) ten times. In the second rakat, after 'Al-hamdu', recite Sura Takaasur, once and, Sura Ikhlas, ten times. In the third rakat, after,  Al-ham-dua  recite, Sura Ikhlas tentimes. In the fourth rakat, after 'Al-ham-du'- ham-dua recite,  Aayat-ul-Kursi, three times and, Sura Ikhlas twenty-five times. On the Day of Judgement the Almighty Allah will pay special attention on the one who offers this namaaz. Recite the Holy Quraan, Darood Sharif, Salaatut-tasbeeh and other wazaaif in Shab-e-Baraat.