* * 27th of Rajab and 14th of Sha'baan

* * Question:
I have to question concerning the month of Rajab and Sha'ban.
Somepeople say that the 27th Rajab and 14th of Sha'ban nights of
worship. Please explain in detail, so I can help myPakistani community
to understand this, because in our country they said that it is a
special night and I don't see any evidence in the Hadeeth why they
said that also. Is there is a difference in belief?
Fatwa:
All perfect praise be to Allaah, The Lord of the Worlds. I testify
that there is none worthy of worship except Allaah, and that Muhammad
is His slave and Messenger.
There are several kinds offasting. Among these kinds are:
1) Obligatory: observing the fast during the wholemonth of Ramadhaan
is an obligation for all Muslims.
2) Supererogatory: this category embraces fasts on particular
occasions such as the 9th and 10th days of Muharram, the day of
Arafah, fasting three days each month, fasting of Monday and Thursday
each week. It is Sunnah to observing fasting on those days.
As for fasting on the day of al-Israa and al-Mi'raaj, it is not proved
in the Sunnah of the Prophet . If it was recommendable, the Prophet
would have stated so as we have seen concerning supererogatory
fasting.
Thus, it is not correct to observe fasting on this specific day. Then,
there is difference among scholars concerning specifying the day of
al-Israa. Ibn Hajar in al-Fat'h mentioned that there are more than ten
opinions in this concern. This disagreement indicates that this day
has no special significance for fasting orspending its night in
performing prayers. If so, the Prophet and his companions would not
have missed it.
Basing on the above-mentioned, we state thatit is Bid'ah (innovation)
to fast this day as an observance since there is no correct Prophetic
narration in this concern. But, if fasting on this day coincides with
any supererogatory fasting orone's regular fasts (Monday or day after
day)then it is legal to fast thisday (the 27th Rajab).
As for spending the nightof 15th of Sha'baan in prayers and other
forms of worship, there are several Ahadeeth (Prophetic narrations) in
this concern, but there is disagreement among scholars concerning the
authenticity of these Ahadeeth. Some scholars consider those Ahadeeth
weak; other scholars consider them sound. Thus, according to some
Fuqahaa (jurists), it is desirable to spend this night in optional
forms ofworship such as prayer …
According to Ibn Taymiyyah some of as-Salaf (our righteous
predecessors) were used to spending this night (15th of Sha'baan) in
prayers and other forms of worship. But, some of as-Salaf disliked
gathering people at Mosque for this night andconsidered that as
Bid'ah(innovation). Nowadays, many Muslims perform a special prayer
with special recital on this night. This form certainly is Bid'ah.
Imaam al-Nawawi said: 'A prayer that is known asSalaat ar-Raghaa'ib,
which is of 12 Raka'hs, performed between al-Maghrib and al-Ishaa at
the 1st Friday night of Rajab and a prayer of the 15th of Sha'baan
(100 Raka'hs) are two forms of Bid'ah and are abominable actions. We
should not observe them... Then, their Hadeeth is false.'
The Hadeeth that indicated to by al-Nawawi in the above paragraph is
as follows: 'Whoever prays a 100 Raka'hs at the night of 15th of
Sha'baan, Allaah will send a hundred angels for him. Thirty ones give
him glad tidings concerning Paradise; thirty others give him more
confidencethat he will be safe from entering the Hell; thirty keep him
safe from the evils of this present life; the last ten ward the wiles
of the devil off.' This Hadeeth is invalid, al-Nawawi said.
Finally, a Muslim is required to adhere to obedience at this night
(15th of Sha'baan) and allother nights, to avoid all forms of
polytheism and to pardon his brothers sothat he may gain the
bestexcellence and favor. Then, he is required to avoid all forms of
Bid'ah, since good lies in following the Sunnah and evil lies in
innovations.
Allaah knows best./