What is shab e barat and Shab e barat namaz?

What is shab e barat , or Laylatul Barat, or the “Night of Forgiveness,” is a night observed by some Muslims on the 15th night of Sha’ban, the eighth month of the Islamic calendar. Some believe it is a night of utmost importance, on which Allah (SWT) decides the fate of the individual for the next year and pardons sin. But the observance of Shab e Barat and some supplications, rites, and celebrations are questionable in Islamic scholar perceptions. The past, rituals, and Islamic legislation of Shab e Barat will be treated in this article by comparing it with authentic sources of Quran and Hadith.

What is shab e barat : The Shab e Barat in Islamic Tradition

“Shab e Barat” is the Persian and Urdu name given to “Night of Salvation” or “Night of Freedom.” It’s also referred to as “Laylatul Nisf min Sha’ban” in Arabic, the night of the mid-Sha’ban.

Tonight Allah (SWT) forgives a sin, fixes a person’s destiny, and accepts supplication, according to some Muslims. But leaving that aside, the issue is: Is it an open Islamic practice in traditional Islam teachings or innovation (bid’ah)? Shab e Barat in the Light of the Quran

The Quran, Islam’s principal holy book, says nothing regarding Shab e Barat or the virtues of the 15th of Sha’ban at all. The Quran does mention certain nights such as Ramadan’s Laylatul Qadr (Night of Decree), which is over a thousand months old (Surah Al-Qadr, 97:3. The Quran does not mention anything for the 15th of Sha’ban, however, to be given any consideration whatsoever.

Allah (SWT) does tell us in the Quran:

“Indeed, We revealed it on a blessed night.”. Yes, We (ever) wish to warn (mankind).” On that night is made distinct every precise matter.” (Surah Ad-Dukhan, 44:3-4)

The above mentioned scholars have interpreted this verse as pointing towards Laylatul Qadr by some and some to mid-Sha’ban night. But the majority of traditional scholars like Ibn Kathir and others have held the view that the verse points towards Laylatul Qadr and not towards Shab e Barat.

What is shab e barat :  According to Authentic Hadith

Hadith tradition, Islamic guidance’s second source, comprises some hadiths on Sha’ban 15. Such hadiths are weak (da’if) or forged (mawdu’), and hence cannot provide the basis of religious practices.

Weak and Forged Narrations

Such of these widely referenced Hadith include: “Allah forgives more people on the night of mid-Sha’ban than the hairs of the sheep of the Kalb tribe.” It is a weak and unreliable hadith.

The second narration is that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has stated: “When it is night of middle of Sha’ban, pass its night in prayer and fast its day.” The Hadith is weak and also refuted by scholars like Imam Al-Bukhari and Imam Muslim.

True Hadith on Sha’ban

The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to fast in the month of Sha’ban, say Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim. No original Hadith exists, however, to confirm that the 15th of Sha’ban is a redemption or night of prayer.

The Ruling regarding Celebrating Shab e Barat

Celebration of Shab e Barat with some rituals, some prayer, and congregation is an innovation in Islam. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) had announced:

“Whosoever brings a new thing in this matter of ours (Islam) which is not present in it, will have it turned back.” (Sahih Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

Religious innovations are totally against Islam because they defile the purity of Islamic traditions. Sectarianism and any other deed out of those found in the Sunnah were also forbidden by the Prophet (PBUH).

What is shab e barat : The Dangers of Bid’ah

What is shab e barat : Shab e Barat as a religious act is a bid’ah (innovation). Bid’ah is dangerous since:

It implies that Islam’s religion is not complete, in contradiction to the Quranic verse:

“This day have I perfected for you your religion and completed My favor to you and have approved for you Islam as a religion.” (Surah Al-Ma’idah, 5:3)

It causes Islamic instruction to lose its potency and practices of non-Quranic or non-Sunnah nature to be followed.

It distracts people from genuine acts of worship like five obligatory prayers, fasting in the month of Ramadan, and paying Zakat.

The Right Way of Worship

Rather than going into innovations such as Shab e Barat, Muslims must focus on worship actions long ago set in the Quran and Sunnah. They are:

Five Times a Day Each day has five prayers of a Muslim.

Fasting in Ramadan: Fasting during Ramadan is one of the core practices of Islam and of most rewarding nature.

Night Prayers (Tahajjud): The voluntary night prayers are strongly recommended and can be performed throughout the year.

Dhikr and Dua: Remembering Allah (SWT) and supplications are forms of worship that can be made at any time.

Conclusion

According to the Quran and true Hadith, there is no evidence that verifies the celebration of Shab e Barat as an Islamic practice. The act for this evening, similar to some of the prayers and practices, is bid’ah and not Islam. Muslims are asked to observe the Quran and Sunnah in letter and not enforce or adopt something that is not part of the true teachings of Islam.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) has proclaimed:

“Best speech is the speech of Allah, and the best guidance is the guidance of Muhammad (PBUH). Worst are the matters newly invented; all newly invented things are noveltiees, and every noveltiey is leading into astray, and every leading into astray is in the Fire.” (Sahih Muslim)

Let us try to follow the clean and righteous Islamic teachings and not be misled by innovations that lead us astray from the right path. Allah (SWT) guide us to the straight path and protect us from all types of bid’ah. Ameen.

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