Imp of Month Shaban - The 15th Night of Shabaan ul Moazzam

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The 15th night of Shabaan is a very blessed night. According to the Hadith Shareef, the name of this Mubarak night is "Nisf Shabaan" which means 15th night of Shabaan. The reason for this special night to attain its name of Laylatul Baraa'ah, meaning the Night of Salvation, Seeking Freedom from Azaab and Calamity, is that in this night the Barkaat and acceptance of repentance may be accomplished. Laylatul Baraa'ah in Persian, as well as in Urdu, is called Shabbe Baraat.
It is the night of seeking pardon and repenting to Almighty Allah, remembering our past sins and sincerely settling the mind that one will never commits sins in the future. All the deeds that are against Shari'ah must be totally avoided so that our Du'a and Istighfaar, hopefully, will be accepted.
Advise from Imam of Ahlus Sunnah:
Muslims should check themselves and A'la Hazrat, Imam Ahmed Raza Bareilvi (radi Allahu anhu) has given a beautiful advise in this regard. This great Imam said:
"Verily the auspicious night of Shabbe Baraa'a is drawing near when the deeds of the slave will be presented to the Almighty Allah. I humbly supplicate in the Darbar-e-Aqdas of the Almighty Allah that through the Wasila-e-Uzma of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) He forgives the sins and transgressions of all Muslims. Aameen.
"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 pre-requisites 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.
"Finally, I pray that the Almighty Allah assists you and I and the Muslim Ummah wherever you may be. Muslims should be aware of sincerity and honesty in all their deeds. May Almighty Allah forgive all of us. Aameen." Faqeer Ahmed Raza Qaaderi (may Allah forgive him)
HOW TO WELCOME THIS NIGHT
On this auspicious night, you should perform fresh Ghusal and Wudhu and perform the two Rakaat of Tahhiyatul Wudhu. In every Rakaat, after the Suratul Fatiha, you should read Ayatul Kursi once and Surah Ahad three times. Also perform eight Rakaats of Salaah with four Salaams. In each Rakaat after the Surah Fatiha, you should read the Ayatul Kursi (once) and Surah Ahad fifty times.
WHAT TO RECITE IMMEDIATELY AFTER SUNSET
After sunset, you 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 will await to serve you in Jannatul Firdous.
COUNTLESS MERCIES
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has stated: "Verily! Almighty Allah directs His Special Grace on the world on this Night. He forgives my Ummah more than the number of wool that is found on the sheep of the Bani Kalb". We should remember that in those days the Bani Kalb possessed the most number of sheep that any other tribe.
How great is the Mercy of Almighty Allah on this night that He forgives millions of Muslims. We also realise from this that these numbers can only pertain to the Ahle Sunnah Wa Jamaah collectively, for the righteous followers of the Hanafi, Shaafi'i, Maaliki and Hambali indeed number millions of Muslims.
THE VISITORS OF THIS NIGHT
It is narrated that the departed souls (Arwaah) of the Muslims visit the houses of their friends and relatives on this night and proclaim: "O people of the house! You stay in our houses and enjoy the wealth that we have left behind. You use our children and take work from them, please perform our Esaale Sawaab. Verily our deeds have become complete, while your record of deeds is still spread".
If the people of the house perform the Esaale Sawaab and Khatam Shareef on this night, then the Arwaah depart will the Sawaab extremely happy and overjoyed all the time making Du'a for the people.
VISIT TO THE CEMETERY
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 Baqiah (the cemetery of Madinah) offering Du'a for the deceased and praying for their forgiveness". (Baihaqi)
A special point must be made to visit the cemetery during this night and pray for the deceased buried therein, as the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is been reported as having visited the cemetery on this night and spending a long time therein, lamenting, reading and praying for the deceased.
TO KEEP FAST
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".
Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) reports that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said often in his Khutba (sermon): "O people! Lighten and cleanse your bodies by way of fasting during Shabaan, so that it shall be easy and helpful to you for the fast during Ramadaan. Whoso fasts for three days during Shabaan, all his past sins are wiped off". (Baihaqi) Fasting is also recommended on the 13th, 14th and 15th of Shabaan.
HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHT
On this night, perform Nawaafil, recite the Quran Shareef, recite abundant Durood Shareef, Istighfaar and Kalima Tayyibah. It is also mentioned that if one reads Surah Dukhaan seven times on this night, Almighty Allah will reward you with 70 worldly needs and 70 deeds for the Hereafter.
DO NOT BE AMONGST THOSE DEPRIVED OF MERCY
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Almighty Allah forgives all Muslims on this night, besides the fortune tellers, the magicians, the alcoholics, those who disrespect their parents and those who take part and encourage adultery".
In another narration, the following people have also been mentioned:
1. One who deals in usury (Riba),
2. One who wears his trousers below his ankle with pride and arrogance (In Arabia, people displayed their wealth and boasted in this manner),
3. One who creates disunity among two Muslims,
4. The person who unjustly takes away the right and property of another Muslim and has not yet rectified himself.
All these persons are not shown Mercy on this auspicious Night.
A HUMBLE APPEAL TO SEEK PARDON AND ASK ALLAH'S FORGIVENESS
Dear Muslim brothers, the Bountiful Allah in His Infinite Mercy has provided us with such an auspicious night so that we may take advantage of it and repent for our sins, and thus obtain His Grace and Favour. It is for us to take full advantage of it. During this night, offer special prayers and repent sincerely for our past sins and ask for His Forgiveness.
Also on this night the Doors of Mercy and Forgiveness are opened wide, and those who sincerely grieve over and repent for their past sins and seek forgiveness from Allah are pardoned and forgiven by the Grace of Allah the Merciful.
Each Tasbih or Du'a should begin and terminate with the recital of Durood Shareef and one who wishes for the acceptance of his Du'as should use the Wasila of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
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 abundantly salutations (Salaat-o-Salaam) upon the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam).
While we are praying and asking for ourselves and family, we should also remember in our Du'as the Muslim Ummah facing calamities in many parts of the world, that may Allah Ta'ala grant them the strength and Istiqaamat (steadfastness) in Deen. Those weak Muslims who are under pressure from the West and modernisation, may Allah Ta'ala guide them and show them the right path so that they be in touch with their glorious past. Aameen. May Almighty Allah guide us on the path of the Ambiya and the Awliya. Aameen.
NAFIL SALAAH TO BE READ ON SHABBE BARAAT
BASHARAT OF JANNAT: 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.
THE GUARDING OF IMAAN: After performing Maghrib Salaah, read 2 rakaahs of Nafil. In the first rakaah, after Surah Fatiha, recite Surah Ikhlaas 3 times and Surah Falaq once. In the second rakaah, after Surah Fatiha, recite Surah Ikhlaas 3 times and Surah Naas once. After Salaam, make Du'a and ask Allah to protect your Imaan.
BARAKAH IN RIZQ: After Maghrib Salaah, read 2 rakaahs of Nafil. Thereafter, read Surah Yasin once, Surah Ikhlaas 21 times and Du'a Nisf Shabaan once. Then, make Du'a for Barakah in Rozi and ask Allah not to make you dependent on anyone.
LONG LIFE FILLED WITH PIETY: After Maghrib Salaah, read 2 rakaahs of Nafil. Read Surah Yasin once. Then read Du'a Nisf Shabaan once. Thereafter, make Du'a for long life filled with piety and righteousness.
REWARD FOR TEN THOUSAND GOOD DEEDS: Anyone who performs 20 rakaahs of Nafil after Maghrib in such a way that after Surah Fatiha, recites Surah Ikhlaas 10 times in every rakaah, will be rewarded abundantly by Allah Ta'ala, and ten thousand good deeds will be recorded in his Amal Namaa (Book of Deeds).
DEATH WITH COMPLETE FAITH/IMAAN: Anyone who performs 2 rakaahs of Nafil on the last Friday of Shabaan between Maghrib and Esha will die with full faith and Imaan. After Surah Fatiha, one should read Ayatul Kursi once, Surah Ikhlaas 10 times and Surah Falaq and Surah Naas once in both rakaahs. If the person who reads Nafil in such a way dies until the next Shabaan, will die with Imaan, Insha-Allah.
The performing of Salaatul Tasbeeh on this night is also very virtuous.

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Dought & clear, - There is nobasis for the so-called sevenmunjiyaat (things that could save a person from the Hellfire)

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What are the seven munjiyaat?.
Praise be to Allaah.
The phrase “the seven munjiyat” is given to seven soorahs or verses of the Holy Qur’aan, which were chosen by some ignorant people and given this name. There is no basis for that in the Book of Allah or the Sunnah of His Messenger (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him); rather the entire Qur’aan is healing, guidance and salvation for the one who adheres to it.
The scholars of the Standing Committee for Issuing Fatwas were asked: Some students came to Dar al-Hadeeth in Madeenah al-Munawwarah with a paper which listed the soorahs that could save a person from Hellfire (munjiyaat), which included al-Kahf, al-Sajdah, Ya-Seen, Fussilat, al-Dukhaan, al-Waaqi‘ah, al-Hashr and al-Mulk. Many copies of it have been distributed. Is there any evidence for singling out the soorahs in this way and giving them this name?
They replied:
All the soorahs and verses of the Holy Qur’aan are healing for what is in the hearts, and they are guidance and mercy for the world; for the one who clings to it and follows its guidance, it is salvation from kufr, misguidance and painful torment. The Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) explained in his words, deeds and what he approved of that ruqyah is permissible, but there is no proof from him that he singled out these eight soorahs or called them al-munjiyaat; rather it is proven that he used to seek refuge for himself with Allah by reciting the three Mu‘awwidhaat: Qul Huwa Allaahu Ahad, Qul a‘oodhu bi Rabbi’l-Falaq and Qul A‘oodhu bi Rabbi’l-Naas [i.e., the last three soorahs of the Qur’aan], reciting them three times and blowing into his palms after each recitation when going to sleep, then wiping his face and whatever he could reach of his body. Abu Sa‘eed recited al-Faatihah as a ruqyah for the chief of a tribe of kuffaar who had been stung, and he recovered by Allah’s leave, and the Prophet (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) approved of that. He also approved of reciting Aayat al-Kursiy when going to sleep, and said that if a person recited it, no devil would come near him that night. The one who singles out the soorahs mentioned in the question as munjiyaat is ignorant and an innovator, and the one who compiled them in this order, separate from other soorahs in the Qur'aan, in the hope of salvation or protection or seeking blessing from them, has done a bad deed and committed sin thereby, because he has gone against the order in which they appear in the ‘Uthmaani Mushaf on which the Sahaabah (may Allah be pleased with them) were agreed. He has forsaken most of the Qur'aan and singled out part of it which was not singled out by the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him) or by any of his Companions. Based on that, it should be prevented from being distributed and what has been printed of these papers should be disposed of, so as to denounce and remove the evil.
End quote.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah(2/478)
Shaykh Bakr ibn ‘Abd-Allah Abu Zayd (may Allah preserve him) said inTasheeh al-Du’aa’(p. 287): The munjiyat are eight soorahs: al-Kahf, al-Sajdah, Ya-Seen, Fussilat, al-Dukhaan, al-Hashr, and al-Mulk.
Firstly: Describing or calling these soorahs al-munjiyaat is something for which there is no basis.
Secondly: Singling them out for recitation in some situation or at some time or in some place is something for which there is no basis. Hence it is not permissible to recite them like this as an act of worship, because there is no evidence to single them out in this manner at all. End quote.
This applies to these soorahs and verses which are claimed to be munjiyaat.
And Allah knows best.

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Dought & clear, - Questions about an imam

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Q#1.In our company camp, there is a Imam, who is leading every prayer, he is from XXXX. about his qira'ath, like he giving "madd" upon every kalima, reciting like song. we asked him which type of qira'ath is this? He is saying that his ustad have teached him like this. sometime we can't pray behind him because his sound will arise with different tune.
Kindly we want know, is allowed to recite such type of tune and very high sound? what is the rule of reciting qur'an in the obligatory prayer (Fajr, Magrib & Esha)?
Q#2. After prayer he will put his hand (palm) on his forehead and saying "ya hayyun, ya qayyoom" for seven time. we asked him "why are you doing this?" he answered: Scholars said that our brain become will be braight, if you do this after every obligatory prayer and he told us it is in the Sahih Muslim also. but we didn't find that.
Please, for the sake of Allah, answer to us for the above question to correct our deeds on right path, if he is doing wrong, how we can correct him? he never agree anything, because he is saying what I am doing it is correct according to Islam. so, we can't say anything against him.
Praise be to Allaah.
Firstly:
Making one’s voice beautiful when reciting Qur’aan is something good and there is nothing wrong with it; rather this is part of the teaching of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him).
It was narrated that al-Bara’ (may Allaah be pleased with him) said: “I heard the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) recitingWa’l-teeni wa’l-zaytoonin ‘Isha prayer, and I never heard anyone with a more beautiful voice (or recitation) than his.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 735; Muslim, 464
And the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) praised the recitation of Abu Moosa al-Ash’ari, who had a melodious voice. But the kind of making the voice beautiful which is encouraged should not distort the meaning of the words and it should not resemble the way that the evildoers sing songs.
It was narrated that Abu Moosa said: The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said to Abu Moosa, “If only you had seen me when I was listening to you last night, you have been given a beautiful voice like that of Dawood.”
Narrated by al-Bukhaari, 4761; Muslim, 793; this version narrated by Muslim
Al-Nawawi said:
Al-Qaadi said: The scholars are unanimously agreed that it is mustahabb to make one's voice beautiful when reciting Qur’aan and to recite properly (tarteel). Abu ‘Ubayd said: The ahaadeeth narrated concerning that are to be understood as meaning that it should be done with solemnity and feeling. He said, But they differed with regard to reciting it with a tune. Maalik and the majority regarded that as makrooh because that is contrary to the purpose for which the Qur’aan was revealed, whichis to be recited with humility and understanding. Abu Haneefah and a group among the Salaf regarded it as permissible because of the ahaadeeth and because that is a means of softening people’s hearts, provoking fear and making people receptive towards listening to it.
I say: al-Shaafa’i said in one place, I dislike reciting Qur’aan with a tune; and elsewhere he said, I do not dislike it. Our companions said: there is no contradiction in this case, rather it has to do with two different situations. When he said that he disliked it, he meant if it was excessively elongated and the meanings of the words were changed by adding or taking away or elongating something that is not to be elongated, etc.; and when he said that it was permissible, he meant if it does not change the meaning of the words. And Allaah knows best.
Sharh Muslim, 6/80
Secondly:
With regard to what your imam does, putting his hand on his forehead and sayingYaa Hayyu, Yaa Qayyoomseven times, there is no basis in sharee’ah for doing this, and it is not inSaheeh Muslimor any other book of saheeh Sunnah. It is a reprehensible bid’ah (innovation) and you have to advise him to stop doing that and explain the shar’i ruling on innovated forms of dhikr.
With regard to praying behind this imam: it is permissible but it is preferable if you can look for an imam who will establish the Sunnah and teach it to you, because there is the fear that some of the worshippers may be influenced by him and may imitate him and spread his bid’ah. But before doing that, do not forget to advise him and teach him the correct Sunnah for dhikr in particular and for worship in general. Then if he insists on his bid’ah, there is nothing wrong with you taking action to prevent him from leading the prayer.
The scholars of the Standing Committee said:
As for praying behind those who follow innovation, if their innovation involves shirk, such as calling upon someone other than Allaah, or making vows to someone other than Allaah, or believing that their shaykhs have characteristics which belong to no one but Allaah, such as having complete knowledge or knowledge of the unseen or influence over the universe, then it is not correct to pray behind them. But if their bid’ah does not involve shirk, such as reciting dhikr that was narrated from the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) but in unison and swaying, then prayers offered behind them are valid, but the Muslim should look for an imam to pray behind who is not an innovator, because that will bring him a greater reward and is farther removed from evil.
And Allaah is the Source of Strength. May Allaah send blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his family and companions.
Fataawa al-Lajnah al-Daa’imah, 7/353
And Allaah knows best.

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Dought & clear, - Ruling on distributing food when an infant reaches the age of forty days

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We have a custom and I do not know whether it is Sunnah or bid’ah. When an infant reaches the age of forty days, the family cooks a large amount of food and distributes it among relatives and neighbours. This is what we call al-tuloo’. Is this action prescribed in sharee’ah? Is it Sunnah or is it a bid’ah which we should avoid?.
Praise be to Allaah.
What is prescribed when a child is born is for the family to slaughter the ‘aqeeqah on his behalf, on the seventh day. Two sheep should be slaughtered for a boy and one for a girl. The family can distribute the meat or part of it, or they can cook it or some of it and distribute it to family, relatives and neighbours.
If the family is unable to slaughter the ‘aqeeqah on the seventh day, then they may do so on the fourteenth, if they cannot do that then on the twenty-first, and if they cannot do that then on whatever day they can after that.
See the rulings on ‘aqeeqah in the answer to question no. 20018. It is permissible to distribute the meat of the ‘aqeeqah raw or cooked, as it says in the answer to questions no. 26046, 8423and 8388.
The fortieth day after birth or death is of no significance; this is a Pharaonic custom and it is not permissible for the Muslim to seek out this day for anything that has to do with worship.
In the answer to question no. 12552we have quoted the comments of Shaykh Ibn Baaz on the “arba’eeniyyah” (fortieth day ceremonies). This is originally a Pharaonic custom which was observed by the Pharaohs before Islam, then it spread from them and became widespread among other peoples. It is a reprehensible innovation (bid’ah) for which there is no basis in Islam. It is rejected by the hadeeth of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him): “Whoever innovates anything in this matter of ours that is not part of it will have it rejected.” Saheeh – agreed upon.
The Messenger (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) warned us against innovations when he said: “Beware of newly-invented matters, for every newly-invented matter is an innovation and every innovation is a going astray.” Narrated by Abu Dawood, 4607; classed as saheeh by al-Albaani inSaheeh Abi Dawood. Al-Nasaa’i (1578) added: “And every going astray will be in Hellfire.”
And Allaah knows best.

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