Shab-e-Barat
 | It has been suggested that this article be merged into Mid-Sha'ban. (Discuss) Proposed since July 2010. |
 | This article has multiple issues. Please help improve it or discuss these issues on the talk page. (Learn how and when to remove these messages)
|
Laylat al Baraat (Arabic: ليلة البرات) is a Muslim holiday celebrated on the 15th night of the month of Sha'aban, the eighth month of the Islamic calendar.
Description
The night of mid shaban is known as Laylatul Bara’ah or Laylatun Nisfe min Sha’ban in the Arab world, and as Shab-e-barat (شب برات) in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran and Afghanistan. These names are translated to the night of records, the night of assignment and the night of deliverance, and the observance involves a festive nightlong vigil with prayers. In some regions, this is also a night when one's deceased ancestors are commemorated.
Origins
Sunnis observe Mid-Sha'ban as a night of worship and salvation. Various hadiths have been transmitted in this regard, some weak and others graded hassan or sahih. Scholars including Imam Shafii, Imam Nawawi, Imam Ghazzali and Imam Suyuti have declared praying on the night of mid shaban as acceptable.
In his Majmu`, Imam Nawawi quoted Imam al-Shafi`i's Kitab al-Umm that there are 5 nights when dua (prayer) is answered, one of them being the night of the 15th of Sha`ban.[4]
The hadith by Imam Ibn Hajr Haythmi, states:Narrated by Muadh bin Jabal (RA) from Prophet (salallaho alaihi wasalam) who said: Allah turns towards his creation in the Night of "MID-SHABAN" and He forgives all of them except for a Mushrik and one who hates other people [Az Zawaid #12860]. Classed sahih by salafi scholar Nasiruddin Albani in his silsilah Al-Sahihah.
Another hadith in Musnad Ahmed hanbal "Allah looks at His creation during the night of the 15th of Sha'ban and He forgives His servants except two- one intent on hatred (mushanin) and a murderer (qatilu nafs). Classed Hassan by Albani in his silsilah Al-Sahihah.
Hadith classed sahih by Ibn Hibban "Allah looks at His creation in the night of mid-Sha`ban and He forgives all His creation except for a mushrik (idolater) or a mushahin (one bent on hatred)." [sahih Ibn Hibban 7/470]. Also reported by Tabrani [Al muajamul Kabir 20/108-9] and Al Bayhaqi [Shubul Iman 2/288]
‘Aisha is reported to have said that Muhammad said,“This is the middle night of Sha’ban. Allah frees in it a large number of the people from the Hellfire, more than the number of the hair growing on the sheep of the tribe, Kalb. But He(swt) does not even look at a person who associates partners with Allah, or at a person who nourishes malice in his heart (against another muslim), or at a person who cuts off the ties of womb-relations, or at a man who leaves his clothes extending beyond his ankles (as a sign of pride), or at a person who disobeys his parents, or at a person who has a habit of drinking wine.” [Baihaqi, At-Targheeb wat-Tarheeb]
Customs in different countries
This occasion is celebrated with great reverence, pomp and gaiety all over South Asia, including India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Central Asia including Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Kirghistan.
In Iran and Azerbaijan the festival is celebrated differently. In Shia Islam the day is celebrated as the birth date of Imam Al Mahdi, the twelfth Imam.
In the Arab world the festival is celebrated with enthusiasm by Shias and Arabs with Sufi heritage. The Salafi Arabs do not celebrate this holiday.
Sunni Muslims in Iraqi Kurdistan celebrate this holiday 15 days before Ramadan, and during which people give children candies as they walk around their neighborhoods.
Some Muslims in Indonesia do communal zikr in mosques followed by a lecture (ceramah) lead by an ustadz or otherwise known in Java and Madura as a kyai. This tradition is rarely followed in Indonesia, but it is widely followed in Aceh, West Sumatra and South Kalimantan.
Significance and traditions
According to Muslim tradition, this night is called Shab-e-Baraat ("the night of freedom") because Allah frees His sinful servants who were destined for Jahannam (the Muslim notion of Hell). A person's life in the coming year, his sustenance, and whether or not they will have the opportunity to perform Hajj (pilgrimage) shall be decided on this night. The names of the souls of all those who are born and of all those who are to depart from this world are determined. One's actions are raised and sustenance sent down.