Virtues of Laylatul Baraat

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The Virtues of Laylatul-Baraat

The following Ahadeeth emphasize the virtue of the fifteenth night of Sha’baan. In the hadith Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) referred to this night as ‘the middle of Sha’baan’. The numerous statements and events narrated by the Sahaaba (radhiyallahu anhum) regarding its superiority leave no room to doubt the sanctity and virtue of this night, which the Ulema have termed Laylatul-Bara’at (the Night of Freedom), for on this night those who earned the forgiveness of Allah are entitled to freedom from Hell.

1) Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (radhiyallahu anhu) reports that there are five nights in a year when duas are not rejected: The night of Juma (Thursday night), the first night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Sha’baan, and the nights of the two Eids.

2) Hazrat Ayesha (radiyallahu anhaa) states: “One night I discovered that Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) was missing from his bed. I went out looking for him and found him in Baqee (the cemetery of Madinah), with his head raised to the heavens (while making dua). The messenger of Allah then said to me: “Verily Allah descends to the first heaven on the middle night of Sha’baan (15^th) and forgives more people than the amount of hair on the flocks of the kalb tribe.(Baihaqi) The following people are excluded from this widespread maghfirat of Allah: a) The Kaafir and Mushrik (one who associates partners with Allah). b) One who is disobedient to parents. c) Two Muslims who bear enmity towards each other. Allah waits for them to make up and seek each other’s pardon before enveloping them with his Mercy and forgiveness. d) The robber. (Narrated by Imam Baihaqi)

3) Hazrat Uthman bin Abul-Aas (radhiyallahu anhu) narrates from the messenger of Allah : When it is the 15^th night of Sha’baan then an announcer proclaims: ‘IS THERE ANYONE SEEKING RIZQ (SUSTE-NANCE) SO THAT I MAY GRANT RIZQ? IS THERE ANYONE SEEKING FORGIVENESS SO THAT I MAY FORGIVE HIM? IS THERE ANYONE IN NEED SO THAT I MAY FULFIL THAT NEED? Consequently, anyone who asks from Allah that night will be granted his/her request, except the prostitute and the Mushrik

4) Another hadith narrated by our mother Hazrat Ayesha (radiyallahu anhaa) states that on this night Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said to her: “Jibreel came to me and said: ‘This is the 15^th night of Sha’baan. Allah has taken upon Himself to free from Jahannum as many people as the hair on the sheep of Kalb. On this night Allah does not look (with special Mercy) at the following people: The Mushrik; One who breaks family ties; One who wears his garments below the ankles; One who is disobedient to parents; A habitual consumer of wine; “Thereafter Rasoolullah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) sought my permission to offer Ibadat on this night, which I naturally granted. He then offered salaah and made such a long sujood that I feared his soul had been seized. But when I drew near, I could hear him reciting the following dua in his sujood:

(Click on dua to enlarge)

The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said that ‘Jibreel commanded me to recite this dua repeatedly in the sujood of Tahajjud Salah’.

5) Hazrat Ayesha (radhiyallahu anhaa) reports that Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said of the virtue of this night: “This is the fifteenth night of Sha’baan. Verily Almighty Allah turns His Special Attention to His servants on this night. He then forgives all those who seek forgiveness, and bestows Mercy on all those who seek Mercy. However, he leaves the people of enmity as they are.”

6) Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (radhiyallahu anhuma) narrates that Almighty Allah casts His Special Gaze on the Holy Ka’bah once every year, and this is on the 15^th of Sha’baan. When this happens then the hearts of the believers yearn for the Holy Ka’bah. (Kanzul-Ummal)

7) Hazrat Ali (radhiyallahu anahu) narrates that The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: “When the fifteenth night of Sha’baan comes then offer ibadat on that night and fast during the day, for most certainly Allah comes down to the first heaven at sunset and announces: Is there anyone seeking forgiveness, for I shall grant forgiveness. Is there anyone seeking rizq, for I shall provide rizq. Is there anyone in difficulty, for I shall alleviate that difficulty. Is there anyone who is in need, for I shall fulfil that need. These announcements continue until the break of dawn.”

From the above sayings of Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) the following important points are learnt:

• On the 15^th night of Sha’baan, when the entire ummat will be blessed with extensive forgiveness and mercy, nine unfortunate souls will be deprived of this benefit. These are, the kaafier, the mushrik, one who disobeys parents, the alcoholic, one who breaks ties with family members, a man who wears his garments below his ankles, the robber, a woman who commits adultery or fornication, and one who has malice or hatred in his heart towards another Muslim. For these people to be included in the sweeping mercy of Allah on this auspicious night, they must make sincere taubah and stop the sin that they are committing, restore relations with family members, seek forgiveness from their parents, make good relations that were damaged, and give back the rights of those from whom these rights were usurped. This is an indication of how evil these sins are. Furthermore, similar to the sin of wine is the consuming and/or smoking of drugs, dagga, and other intoxicants. People who indulge in this evil habit will also be deprived of Allah’s Special Mercy and Forgiveness, unless they repent and make a sincere effort to reform.

• Allah promises to make provisions for our Rizq on this night. What a great opportunity to secure this area of our lives. Today Muslims throughout the world are facing financial problems, loss of income, drop in earnings, poverty, hunger, etc. All these difficulties can be resolved by making sincere dua to Allah on this night, when He appeals to us to ask Him for our rizq. In order to achieve their income and alleviate money problems, Muslims are resorting to methods which are haraam, such as gambling in horse-racing, casinos, lotteries, etc., indulging in interest-related businesses, working at places which are haraam, and so forth. What need is there to adopt such drastic measures which endanger our Iemaan when we can secure our rizq and income by making dua to Allah on these special nights. We therefore, appeal to all Muslims to utilize the valuable moments of Laylatul-Bara’at to earn the forgiveness and the sustenance of Allah.

• There is no special salaah to be made on the 15^th night of Sha’baan nor is there any special congregation. Observe recitation of the Holy Quran, zikr of first and third kalimah, durood, istighfaar, nafl salaah (in no fixed amount), tahajjud salaah, and mainly, dua. Ask Allah for all your needs as well as dua for the rest of the Ummat.

• Endeavour to fast on the 15^th of Sha’baan.

• It is also a sunnah act to visit the qabrastan (Muslim cemetery) on this night, to make dua for the dead. (Narrated in Al Fataawa Al-Hindiyya)

May Allah assist us all in our preparations for the glorious month of Ramadaan, Aameen.