Shaban and Shabe-Barat

By Mawlana Abdul Malek

For a long time a class of people have been exaggerating Shabe Barat. They are engaging in unwanted deeds and practicing wrong customs at this occasion. The Ulamah (Islamic Scholars) have always been protesting these. Now there seems to be a newer class, who are completely abandoning and underestimating it. The later group’s claim is:
‘There is no basis of Shabe Barat in Islam. All the ‘Rewayat’ or
descriptions about the matter is ‘Mawzu’ (obsolete) and ‘Zayeef’ (weak). Performing deeds according to these descriptions and relating Shabe-Barat a night of special benefit is not permitted by Shariah.’
This group publishes small books and leaflets and spread them out
among general people in this regard.
In fact, just as the pervious exaggeration was incorrect, the present underestimation regarding Shabe- Barat is neither correct. Islam is the ‘Deen’ (complete roadmap of life) of balance, and all its lessons direct the straight way without any flaws.
The right and balanced position of Shabe Barat is: it has been proved
by authentic Hadith. Without the appearance collective Ibadat, which
has not been prescribed in Shariah and not inventing any new way in this occasion, individually performing a lot of Ibadat has also been proved by ‘Rewayat’ or descriptions. Assuming this night to be similar like others and supposing all the Hadith relating to it are ‘Mawzu’ and ‘Zaeef’ is wrong. Similarly, assuming this night to be sacred like Shabe- Qadr or more sacred than Shabe-Qadr both the creeds is baseless.
Here, we mention some authentic Hadith (appended with the reliable sources) on Shabe Barat –
which depict its benefits and deeds to be performed.

Hadith:
Mu-az Ibne Jabal (RA) quotes
Rasulullah SallallahuAlaiyhiwaSallam: “Allah Ta’la looks on to His creation at
the half of Shaban, and without ‘mushrik’ (who make partners with Allah Taala and jealous people – He forgives all.” (Shahih Ibne Hibban)
This Hadith proves that at this night the Rahmah (bounty) and forgiveness is broadly opened up by Allah Ta’la. But people absorbed in ‘shirk’ and jealousy are still deprived from this broad Rahmah (bounty) and forgiveness.
Whenever at a particular time there is an announcement of Rahmah (bounty) and forgiveness by Allah Ta’la – we need to be caring in performing good deeds. Because, through such deeds we become eligible for achieving the Rahmah (bounty) and forgiveness and we need to refrain from those sins, which deprive us from Allah Ta’la’s Rahmah (bounty) and forgiveness.
As the aforementioned Hadith and other Hadith includes the announcement of widespread forgiveness, since long – the 15th Shaban’s night has got popular by the name of Night of Salvation. Because at this night sins are pardoned) and we this is how we are set free from the unfortunate outcome of sins.
If there had been no second Hadith regarding the benefits of Shabe Barat, only this Hadith would have been sufficient to prove that this night is full of benefits, and it also sufficiently proves the importance of good deeds which make us entitled to be forgiven. Whereas, in the Books of Hadith, there are more AHadith relating to the subject with reliable sources.
Discussion on ‘Sanad’ (chain of description) of the Hadith
The aforementioned Hadith has been described in many authentic Hadith Books including its reliable Sanad (chain of description). Imam Muhammad Ibne Hibban, in his ‘Kitabus Sahih’ (which is also known as Sahih Hibban) had mentioned this Hadith (13/481A). This is Hadith No. 5665 of the mentioned Book. Apart from this, Imam Baiyhaqi R has described this Hadith in Shuabul Iman (3/382, Hadith 3833), ‘Al Muj’jamul Kabeer’ and ‘Al Mujamul Aswat’. Many other Imams of Hadith have mentioned this Hadith in their Books.