What should we do on the 15th Night of Sha'ban? (Saturday, Feb 24, 2024)
Assalamualaikumbrothers & sisters in Islam,
Sha'bn is one ofthemeritoriousmonths in which Rasoolullah(Sallallahu AlayhiWa Sallam)encouraged us toperform extra Ibdah. This month also contains one of the mostsignificant nights in the Islamic calendar,**Lailatun NisfeminSha'ban,**also called the night of Barah or the fifteenthnight ofShabn. This year, this blessednight is tomorrow, Saturday, February 24, 2024, Insha Allah.
Muadh ibn Jabal (Radiyallahuanhu)says that Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wa Sallam) said: Allah Taala pays special attention to his entire creation on thefifteenth night ofShabanand forgives all of them, except one whoascribes partners to Him, and one who harbors enmity in his heart. (Sahihibn Hibban; Al Ihsan, Hadith: 5665, Al Mujamul Awsat, Hadith: 6776)
At bin Yasr(Rahimahullah),the greatTabii of Madinahsaid,AfterLaylatul-Qadr, there is no other night in the year that is more virtuous thanthe middle (15th) night ofShaban.(Lataifal-Maarif)
Although there are no specific actions to do during this night, all generalacts of worship are encouraged in order to reap the virtues of thisnight. These include:
**1)****Offer Isha and Fajr Salah with Jama'h(for brothers):**One Hadith states:One who performs Isha in congregation, gets the reward of spending half the night in worship. And he who follows that up with Fajr salah in congregation, will be as if he has stayed up all night in ibadah.(Sahih Muslim and Sunan Abi Dawud)
2) Sleepin the state of Wudu:Hafiz Ibn Hajar (Rahimahullah) hasmentioned a reliablenarrationthat states:The soulof one who sleeps with Wudu makes Sajdah (prostrates) at the Arsh of Allah.(FathulBari)
**3)****Clear your heart from ill-feelings towards fellowMuslims:**The Ulama Kiraam state that those who harborill-feelings are deprived of Allahs mercy and forgiveness on occasions likethese.
A Hadith in Sahih IbnHibban, mentions four people that will be deprived on auspicious nights also:
a) An Alcoholic
b) One who disobeys his parents
c) One who severed family ties
d) One who harbors ill-feelings in his heart for others
**4)****Tawbah:**Since the purpose of turning to Allah Ta'ala on thesenights is precisely to attain forgiveness from Allah, this actisfundamentalon such occasions.
The procedure for Tawbah is:
a. Perform two rakats of Salah. (Optional)
b. Stop the sin that one is repenting from
c. Regret the sin from the bottom of your heart
d. Make a determined pledge with Allah never to repeat that sin. Besidesthe two rak'ats of Salah, the remainder are all fundamental.
Furthermore, if the sininvolves usurping the right of the next person,one needs to askhim/her for forgiveness too. Without this, we are not guaranteedforgiveness.
5)****Duaa:Duaa is the essence of Worshipand hence cannot be omitted when we engagein worship.More so on occasions when Almighty Allah acceptsDuaassuch as the night of the15thofSha'ban, one shouldspend a long duration in begging from Allah Taala, as we are all in need of it.
**6) Increase in Istighfr:**We should seek repentance from Allh Ta'ala for our sins and the forgiveness of our loved ones.
**7) Increase in Salawt(Durood):**One Hadith states:Hewho sends salutations upon me once, Allah Taala sends ten salutations uponhim.
8) Tilwah- Increase in our recitation of theQurn. Those who recite the Qurn beautifully, smoothly, and precisely,will be in the company of the noble andobedient angels.
**Note:**Theseare mere suggestions intended to make it easy for people. One may engage inwhatever form of ibadah one is comfortable with.
May Allah Taala grant usall complete forgiveness and steadfastness on Deen, Aameen.
(Reference Credit:https://www.al-miftah.com/a-simple-format-for-ibadah-on-auspicious-nights/)
JazakAllah Khair
Muhammadi Masjid
681 Elmont Road
Elmont, NY 11003
Tel: 516-285-3439
http://www.muhammadimasjid.org