Laylatul Bara`ah

Another significant feature of the month of Sha’baan is that it consists of a night which is termed in Shariah as “Laylatul-bara’ah” (The night of freedom from Fire). This is the night occurring between 14th and 15th day of Sha’baan. There are certain traditions of Nabi ﷺ to prove that it is a meritorious night in which the people of the earth are attended by special Divine mercy.

It is reported from Hadhrat Muadh bin Jabal (R.A.) that Rasulullah (S.A.W.) said: “On the fifth night of Sha`baan Allah bestows his special attention on His entire creation. He then pardons His entire creation except an idolater and one who harbours enmity.’ – Tabrani has recorded this Hadith in Awsat, Ibnu-Hibaan in his Sahih and Baihaqi – Targhib-wat-Tarhib Page 118 V2, Page 459 V3

It is narated from Makhool who narrates from Katheer bin Murrah (R) that Nabi ﷺ said: ‘On the fifteenth night of Sha’baan Allah forgives all the inhabitants of the earth except an idolater and one who harbours hatred for others.” Baihaqi has narrated this Hadith and says that it is an acceptable “Mursal – Targhib-wat-Tarhib Page 461 VJ

Ummul-Mu’mineen Aishah (R.A.) is reported to have said, “Once Rasulullah ﷺ performed the Salaah 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 in Your forgiveness from Your punishment, and I seek refuge in Your pleasure from Your annoyance, and I seek Your refuge from Yourself. I cannot praise You in the manner that You deserve. You are exactly as You have defined Yourself.’ Thereafter, when he raised his head from Sajdah and finished his salaah, 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 what night it is?’ I said, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ He said, ‘This is the night of the half of Shábaan. Allah Ta’ala looks upon His slaves in this night and forgives those who seek forgiveness and bestows His mercy upon those who pray for mercy but leaves those who have malice (against a Muslim) as they were before, (and does not forgive them unless they free themselves from malice).’” Targheeb wat tarheeb (vol 2 pg.119) on the authority of Imam Bayhaqi (rah)

The virtue of this night that is established from the Ahaadith is that from the very beginning of the night Allah turns with special mercy and attention towards the creation and forgives those who repent and seek forgiveness. Every Muslim should therefore value this night. Turn towards Allah with sincere regret and shame over sins committed and make a promise never to return to sin again and seek forgiveness from Allah.

The special virtues of the night of Bara’ah are:

1. Contrary to other nights wherein the last third of the night has special blessings and Allah descends to the lowest Heaven during this section of the night, on the night of Bara’ah the special rain of the mercy and forgiveness of Allah begins to shower down right from the beginning of the night and continues right up till dawn.
2. The sins of countless of people are pardoned. As already mentioned, Allah’s dissension during this night to the nearest Heaven occurs from the very beginning, unlike the other nights. Furthermore, the number of pronouncements seeking out those who want forgiveness far supersede those which occur on other nights. This is the opinion of Hafiz Zaynuddeen Iraqi – Faydhul Qadeer Page 317 V2)