Significance of the Night of Salvation

Moulana Uwais Ahmed Akhtarul-Qaderi Razvi

We live in a time, in which the destruction of Shaytaan prevails to such an extent, that fulfilling the orders of Allah have become difficult for this weak human being to fulfil. Yet, Allah, due to His intense Mercy and Love for His Beloved Prophet Muhammad Mustafa (Sallalahu Alaiyhi Wasallam), has given this Ummah (nation) a night in which we can gain salvation from all calamities which have befallen us as result of our sins. This salvation comes in a night occurring in the middle of this month of Shaban and is called Laylatul Baraat (The Night of Salvation). It is narrated by Ali radiyallahu anhu that Rasoolullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said: When the fifteenth of Shaaban occurs, then stand (in worship) at night and fast during the day, as Allah (subhanahu wata'aala) descends in this night at sunset to the first heaven and says: Is there any seeker of forgiveness that I may forgive him? Is there any seeker of sustenance, that I may sustain him? Is there anyone in affliction, that I may remove his affliction? Is there anyone like this, or like that (and so on)? This co ntinues until Fajr. (Ibn Mjah). Fortunate are those who sacrifice this night as advised to do by the hadith narrated by Hazrat Ali radiyallahu anhu i.e. in worship of Allah, as this is a great favour bestowed upon us by our Creator.

What should be done on this auspicious occasion?

Forty years sins forgiven with glad tidings: After sunset, one should recite "La Hawla walaa Quwwata illa Billahil-aliyil Azeem" forty times with three times Durood Shareef before and after. It is mentioned, that by reciting this, Almighty Allah will forgive forty years of your sins and forty Hoors (damsels of paradise) will wait to serve you in Jannatul Firdous. Protection of Imaan: After performing Maghrib Salaah, read 2 rakaahs of Nafil with making the intention that Allah should protect your imaan. After Salaam, recite sura yaseen once and make Du'a asking Allah to protect your Imaan. Blessings in wealth (barakah): thereafter read 2 rakaahs of Nafil again with the intention of attaining blessing in wealth for the coming year. After Salaam, recite sura yaseen once and make Du'a asking Allah for Barakah (blessings) in Rozi (wealth) and to keep you independent in life and not to make you dependent on anyone but Him. Long life with good spiritual and physical health: thereafter read 2 rakaahs of Nafil again with the intention of attaining a long life filled with piety and health for the coming year. After Salaam, recite sura yaseen once and make Du'a asking Allah for a long life filled with piety and health. Then read Du'a Nisf Shabaan once after which you should ask Allah for any lawful need and whatever wishes you desire to be fulfilled. Visit the deceased: Hazrat Ayesha Siddiqa (radi Allahu anha) reports: "One night, which was the 15th of Shabaan, I did not find the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) in the house so I went in search of him. After a long search, I found him in Baqi (the cemetery of Madinah) offering Du'a for the deceased and praying for their forgiveness". (Baihaqi) Other nawaafil (voluntary) prayers: Multiple Rewards: Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is reported to have said that Allah Ta'ala instructs and assigns 100 angels to the person who performs 100 Nafil Salaahs on this auspicious night - 30 of which will bring the good news of Jannat, 30 angels to protect one from the Azaab (Punishment) of Dozakh (Hell), 30 to remove all misfortunes and miseries of this world and 10 angels to protect one from Shaitaan. Salaatul Tasbih: The Holy Prophet (Sallalllahu Alayhi Wasallam) told his uncle Hazrat Abbas (radiyallahu anhu) that after performing the 4 rakaats of Salatul Tasbih one's sins- past or future, minor or major, hidden or open, intentional or unintentional- all of them are forgiven. Fasting: According to the Hadith Shareef which is narrated by Ibne Habaan (radi Allahu anhu) that Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "When the night of 15th Shabaan arrives spend the night awake and keep fast the next day". Ask fellow sunni muslims for forgiveness: "On this occasion, it should be the duty of all Sunni Muslims to forgive one another and to make sure that whatever debts owed to one another is settled. The importance of Huqooq-ul-Ibaad cannot be over-emphasised as this is among the prerequisites for proper Ibaadat. I pray that all Muslims humbly remember this night and try as much as possible to perform Ibaadat and other pious deeds so that their Record of Deeds be presented in all dignity. (Ala Hazrat)

A few significant events that occurred in Shabaan.

1. 2. 3. "Qibla", the direction to be adopted within salaah, was reverted back to the "Ka'aba" in Makkah (after being coverted to Baitul Muqaddas in Jerusalem for a short period of time). This took place two years after Hijraah on the 15th of Shaban. Fasting in the blessed month of Ramadan was made compulsory in the year 2 A.H. on the 25th of Shaban. In this very month forty two years later Hadhrat Hafsa Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anha took leave from this world. The birth of the Prophet Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alayhi Wa Sallam's grandson Hadhrat Hussain Radi Allahu Ta'ala Anhu took place on the fifth of Shaban.

Hazrat Ghousul Azam, Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jilani (radi Allahu anhu) has mentioned in his famous "Gunyat-ut Taalibeen" that the month of Shabaan according to some narrations is related to Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). So, it is our duty, as the Ummat of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) to love and respect this month more than any other month (besides Ramadaan). We should also offer abundant salutations (Salaat-o-Salaam) upon the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). May Allah make us recipients of His Mercy and increase us in sincerity and love for our Master, The Prophet Sallal Laahu Ta'ala Alayhi Wa Sallam.