Shab is an Urdu/ Arabic word for the night and Barat stands for “Luck” Shaban, the 8th month of the Islamic calendar, is held as a prestigious month. The most significant reason behind this supremacy and prominence is Shab e Barat, one of the most celebrated events of the Islamic calendar in the month of Shaban.
The night of 15th of Shaban is when Muslims collect the blessings of forgiveness in prayers, make Duas and offer Allah Almighty their Muslims celebrating of 15th of Shaban is an issue that is still sensitive and arguable on the account of its authenticity.
On one side of the fence stand people who claim that the night has no or weak proof from hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Quran, hence, it should not be celebrated, the people on the opposite side of the fence hold the opposite school of thought.
They believe this special night should be celebrated as it is the reverenced night and has considerable proof from hadith of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This piece of writing does not intend to hurt people’s emotions or shatter their belief. The main objective is to strike balance between the two sides and bring about tolerance for each other.
This post addresses those believers who celebrate this night by staying up at night and gives some major prayers which Muslims can undertake to gain maximum benefits from this Holy night from Almighty Allah.
Many people want to inquire why the majority of Muslims consider the night of the 15th of Shaban as one of the Holiest nights in the Muslim lunar calendar. Some Muslims think that on this auspicious night, Allah decides the fate of all people and He is closest to his creation.
So all supplications are grafted and, thus, chance this opportunity should be availed. Keeping in mind this belief about this special night, Muslims make special preparations to pray at night from dusk till dawn.
Moreover, Muslims also keep fast during the consequent day as well to earn maximum rewards from Allah Almighty. Muslims consider Shab e Barat as a chance for increased ajar, as it is believed that praying on the night of Shab e Barat takes special meaning and Allah Almighty blesses the rest of the year along with providing us a good chance of forgiveness.
Having cleared the various notions about Shab e Baraat, it is now time to bring in knowledge of readers the ways to make most of this special night. Given in this article are some worth mentioning prayers and Duas that will help to get more blessings from Almighty Allah.
But it is mandatory to make sure that readers know the nature of this prayer, ie purely Nafal. Nawafil is optional to Muslims and is different from Sunnah and Faraz ibadah. When offering the below-mentioned prayers, the intention of Nafal should be kept in mind.
Salat Tasbih is one of the most eminent Nafal prayers carrying exonerations and absolution for whoever offers it. One should offer Salat ul Tasbih the prayer of forgiveness in Shab e Barat. Make intention for 4 Rakat, Nafal, or Salat ul Tasbih to please Allah (SWT) and then start your Namaz in the normal way. After reciting the Sanaa, the recitation of Tasbih “Subhanallahi Wal Hamdulillahi Walaa Ilaaha Illallahu Wallahu Akbar”. Every Rakat of Salat ul Tasbih should have Tasbih at least 75 times.
After Salat Tasbih, another worth mentioning Ibada’h offering 2 Rakats of Nafal after Maghrib prayer. The first Rakat should have 3 times Surah Ikhlas and one Surah Falaq after the regular recitation of Surah Fatiha. In the second Rakat, keep all the things the same and just replace Surah Falak with Surah Naas. After offering the prayer make dua by asking Allah Almighty for protection of your Imaan (faith).
Another brief and bountiful ibadah is offering another 2 Rakat Nafal prayer after Maghrib prayer. In this Nafal prayer, you must recite Surah Yasin once and read the Dua Nisf Shaban once as well. After that, you can make the Dua for living a righteous life full of piety.
Besides Salat, dhikr can also help us find Allah’s mercy and beneficence. What dhikr can be better than reciting Durood Shareef on Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is forgetful of me that I didn’t mention recitation of the Holy Quran before.
The recitation of the Holy Quran is another form of worship, which can prove to be a way of earning Allah’s clemency in Shab e Barat. After performing Salah, or at any other time, one should recite the Holy Quran as much as he/she can. Quran recitation is always a way to win Allah’s favor and magnanimity.
On the Holy Night of 15th Shaban, read Surah Yasin three times between Maghrib and Isha prayer, and after each time, read the following dua. The intention for the first reading should be for long life. The niyyat for the second reading should be for protection from calamities.
In the end, I would like to highlight that Allah is merciful and He loves His creation. Hurting people’s feelings by looking down on them for how they express their gratitude to Allah may provoke Allah’s anger and displease Him. Whether you believe in Shab e Barat or not, respect the people’s sentiments and persuasion.
Author: Learn Quran Academy Staff
