[Quaganoca]

The 15th of Shab’an, Don’t Waste the Night!




The 15th of Shab’an has officially started! Which is termed in Shariah as “Laylatul-bara’ah” (The night of freedom from Fire)
Which means you should make some extra ibadah on your own and ask yourself where you stand with Allah (swt). It’s important we make an individual assessment of ourselves and do something about it by taking advantage of this special night in the Islamic calender.

The Prophet Muhammad (s) used to fast very frequently in Sha’ban and the proof for that is The blessed companion Anas, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, was asked,“Which fast is the most meritorious after the fasts of Ramadan?” He replied, “Fasts of Shaban in honor of Ramadan.”

So what’s so special about the 15th of Shab’an?

In the Sunan of Ibn Majah, it is narrated with a weak chain, on the authority of ‘Ali that the Prophet, may blessings and peace of God be upon him, said the following:

If it is the night of the middle of Sha’baan, then enliven its night and fast its day, for in it, God descends to the heaven once the sun sets and says, “Is there anyone seeking forgiveness so that I can forgive him? Is there anyone seeking provision so that I can give him? Is there anyone tribulated that I can relieve his tribulation? Is there? Is there?” until the entrance of dawn.
Another tradition is as follows:

Ummul-Mu’mineen ‘Aishah, Radi-Allahu anha, is reported to have said, “Once Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, performed the Salah of the night (Tahajjud) and made a very long Sajdah until I feared that he had passed away. When I saw this, I rose (from my bed) and moved his thumb (to ascertain whether he is alive). The thumb moved, and I returned (to my place). Then I heard him saying in Sajdah: ‘I seek refuge of Your forgiveness from Your punishment, and I seek refuge of Your pleasure from Your annoyance, and I seek Your refuge from Yourself. I cannot praise You as fully as You deserve. You are exactly as You have defined Yourself.’ Thereafter, when he raised his head from Sajdah and finished his salah, he said to me: ‘Aishah, did you think that the Prophet has betrayed you?’ I said, ‘No, O Prophet of Allah, but I was afraid that your soul has been taken away because your Sajdah was very long.’ He asked me, ‘Do you know which night is this?’ I said, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ He said, ‘This is the night of the half of Sha’ban. Allah Almighty looks upon His slaves in this night and forgives those who seek forgiveness and bestows His mercy upon those who pray for mercy but keeps those who have malice (against a Muslim) as they were before, (and does not forgive them unless they relieve themselves from malice).’”

Here are some recommendations for the night:

• Pray extra (Mufti Taqi Usmani said it’s advisable that each part of the Salah like qiyam, rukoo’ and sajdah should be longer than normal)
• Make Dua
• Do Dhikr
• Tilawa (recitation of the Holy Qur’an)

Somethings to be careful about: (According to Mufi Taqi Usmani)

In this night some people indulge in some activities which they regard as necessary for the celebration of the Night of Bara’ah, like cooking some special type of meal, or illuminating houses or mosques, or improvised structures. All such activities are not only baseless and innovated in the later days by ignorant people, but in some cases they are pure imitation of some rituals performed by non-Muslim communities. Such imitation in itself is a sin; performing it in a blessed night like the Night of Bara’ah makes it worse. Muslims should strictly abstain from all such activities.
Yea so there you have it, insh’Allah make your fast tomorrow and get your halal hustle on.


Source: http://chillyoislamyo.com/the-15th-o...ste-the-night/