Shabaan

 

SHAB-E- BARAA’T (NIGHT OF FREEDOM FROM THE FIRE OF HELL)

Shabaan: Sha’baan is the eighth Islamic month.

Shabaan, is really a month of preparation for the coming month Ramadhan. The Prophet (Peace be upon him) himself encouraged the companions to magnify their efforts in the Various worship, both verbally and practically.

Hazarat Aa’esha radhiallahu anha narrates: “…I never witnessed the Prophet (Peace be upon him) fasting for a whole month except Ramadhan and did not witness him fasting in any month more than the month of Shabaan.” (Bukhari)

THE 15TH OF SHABAAN

It is mentioned in a narration of Ibn Majah that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “one ought to spend the night of the 15th Shabaan in worship and to fast during the day.”

Allah descends from sunset to the skies of the world and asks (until the time of Fajr) whether there be any person seeking forgiveness so that he can bless (such a person) or whether there be any person wanting substance that he may grant that person (such substance), or whether there be any person in distress that he may assist him, or whether there be any person having such and such difficulty seeking such and such favour or blessings so that he may grant and fulfill their needs. Hazarat Ayesha (R.A) reports that on a certain night she found our Prophet (peace be upon him) missing. She went to search of him and found him in “Baqi” ( the cemetery of the blessed city of Madina) and this night was the 15th of Shabaan when the Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Allah descends to the skies of this world and forgives more people than the strands of hair on the goats of the tribe of Banu Kalb.”

FROM THE AFORE MENTIONED AHADEETH WE LEARN:

The Question arises as to why the 15th of Shabaan is considered so auspicious. The simple answer is that Allah in his infinite mercy has apportioned certain nights, months, days and even moments which concentrate his mercy. This is to encourage and provide an incentive, to activate the reformation of ones character and deeds. A further point to note is the relevance of destiny or ‘Fate’. From the Ahadeeth we infer that there are a multitude of angels who execute the orders of Allah according to his will. When are these orders submitted to the Angels? It is precisely on this night in which the annual register of duties is handed to the angels; so that for example the list of persons destined to die (in the following year) is presented to the Angel of Death. It would be most imprudent, careless and negligent on our part if we continue to squander our time in the pleasures of this world, wasting time in temporal desires, discarding our Salaat when the time of our ‘Death sentence’ has already been recorded.

INNOVATIONS UNDERTAKEN BY MUSLIMS ON THIS NIGHT

1. Certain Muslims have conceived the idea that before the arrival of Shab-e-baraa’t if a person passes away then until the “Fatiha” (conducts of innovative recitations for mercy and such alike) is not completed on Shab-e-baraa’t, the deceased is not regarded as a deceased.

2. Others firmly believe upon similar nights to Shab-e-baraa’t (inclusive of Shab-e-baraa’t) souls of the dead return to the houses observing whether food has been cooked for them.

3. On this night some people consider it compulsory to cook Masoor lentils. No recognition to its origination can be found to this very day.

4. Out of all the innovations the most practiced on this day is the making of “Halwa” (sweets). A great emphasis is placed upon making of Halwa than that of obligatory acts that should be performed on this night.

5. Lit Lanterns are mounted on the walls of homes taking great pride when one’s house is brighter lit than his neighbours.

6. The use of fireworks on this night and likewise.

7. Cooking rich and special dishes on the 15th and making a show of inviting others, wasting time in celebration.

(“The Islamic Calendar” by Siraaj bin Yoosuf Lambat pages 26- 29, “Sunnats” by Mufti E.M.H.Salejee Pages 85 – 86 and Sha’baan and Shab-e-baraa’t Jamea Publications Page 5)