Research on Different Hadiths Regarding Shab-e-Barat (The Night of Mid-Sha'ban)

Abstract

Islam is a complete and perfect religion that provides solutions to all aspects and problems of human life. It is a natural faith that offers comprehensive guidance for mankind. More than fourteen centuries ago, Allah Almighty declared the perfection of this religion in the Holy Qur’an:

> “Today I have perfected for you your religion, completed My favor upon you, and have chosen Islam for you as your religion.”

The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:

> “Whoever introduces into this religion of ours something that is not part of it, it will be rejected.”

The religion sent by Allah Almighty was fully practiced and demonstrated by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ himself. The noble Companions also acted upon it and conveyed its teachings to the people exactly as instructed by the Prophet ﷺ. True Islam and religion are only that which the Messenger of Allah ﷺ practiced and approved. Apart from this, whatever is introduced into our society in the name of religion is neither true religion nor an act of righteousness.

Allah Almighty says:

> “Whatever the Messenger gives you, take it; and whatever he forbids you from, refrain from it. And fear Allah; indeed, Allah is severe in punishment.”

In our society, there are many practices that people perform considering them to be acts of religion and worship. Likewise, there are certain days and nights that are regarded as highly significant and virtuous. However, when we examine these practices and occasions in the life of the Messenger of Allah ﷺ, we find neither evidence for these specific days in his Sunnah nor support for many of the practices that people today regard as sources of reward and virtue, performing them enthusiastically and encouraging others to do the same.

One such occasion is the fifteenth night of Sha‘ban, which is widely regarded among us as a night of great virtue and importance. Many scholars and religious speakers mention numerous virtues associated with this night. In support of its significance, they often cite verses from the Holy Qur’an and narrations from the Prophet ﷺ. The verses commonly presented from the Qur’an are verses 3 and 4 of Surah Ad-Dukhan. Allah Almighty says:

> “Indeed, We revealed this Qur’an during a blessed night. Surely, We have always been warning mankind. In that night, every matter of wisdom is decreed.”

Some people interpret the “blessed night” mentioned in these verses as the fifteenth night of Sha‘ban (Shab-e-Barat). They claim that this is the night in which Allah Almighty determines the destinies of human beings.

However, the Holy Qur’an itself clarifies that it was revealed during Laylat al-Qadr in the month of Ramadan. Therefore, the “blessed night” referred to in these verses is Laylat al-Qadr. Allah Almighty says:

> “Indeed, We revealed it during the Night of Decree.”

Laylat al-Qadr occurs during the last ten nights of Ramadan, specifically on the odd-numbered nights. It is called the Night of Decree because matters concerning the coming year are decreed during this night. There is no verse in the Holy Qur’an that specifically mentions the virtue or significance of Shab-e-Barat.