|
|
[Best viewed with Microsoft Internet Explorer]
nadeem@acm.org
Sha’baan (
), the eighth month of the Islamic
calendar, is associated with various blessings and virtues.
During this month, Muslims should be preparing for the great
month of Ramadaan. It is said that when the month of Rajab
began, the Prophet (
) would
make the following prayer:
Oh Allâh! Bless us in Rajab and Sha’baan and cause us to reach Ramadaan. [Bayhaqi]
It is also reported that the Prophet (
) used to fast more during
Sha’baan than any other month besides Ramadaan [Abu
Dawood; Hadith 2425]. He also advised the Muslims to be
diligent in sighting the moon of Sha’baan, in order to be
sure about the beginning of Ramadaan. [Tirmidhi; Hadith
665]
The fifteenth night of Sha’baan is a
blessed occasion. Hadrat ‘Ali (Allâh be pleased with him)
reported that Allâh’s Messenger (
) said: “When it is the
fifteenth night of Sha’baan, observe prayer during the night
and observe fast during the day; for Allâh, the Exalted and
Glorious, descends to the heaven of the world as the sun sets and
says: Is there anyone to seek forgiveness so that I should
forgive him? Is there anyone to seek sustenance so that I should
provide him? Is there anyone in trouble so that I may relieve
him? And so on and so forth, until the dawn breaks.” [Ibn
Mâjah]
Hadrat ‘Â’ishah (Allâh be
pleased with her) reported: I missed Allâh’s Messenger (
) during the night and found
him in the graveyard of al-Baqî. He said: “Did you fear
that Allâh and His Messenger would deal unjustly with you?”
I said: Allâh’s Messenger, I thought that you had gone to
some other wives of yours. He said: “Verily Allâh, the
Exalted and Glorious, comes down to the heaven of the world in
the middle night of Sha’baan and forgives sins even more
abundant than the hair of the goats of Kalb. [Tirmidhi,
who said that Bukhâri considered it weak]
She also reported Allâh’s Messenger (
) as saying: “Do you know
(how rewarding) is this night?” – meaning the fifteenth
night of Sha’baan. She said: Allâh’s Messenger, what
lies therein? Thereupon he said: “It is in this very night
that the record is prepared of every human being who has to be
born during the year and the record is prepared of every human
being who has to die during the current year, and (it is during
this night) that deeds (of the people) are lifted (to the heaven)
and their provisions descend.” She further said:
Allâh’s Messenger, there would be none who would be able to
get into Paradise except because of the mercy of Allâh, the
Exalted? Thereupon he said: “None would be able to get into
Paradise except by the mercy of Allâh, the Exalted.” He
said it three times. I said: Allâh’s Messenger, not even
yourself? He placed his hand on the crown of his head and said:
“Not even I, but for the fact that Allâh should wrap me in
His Mercy.” He said this to her thrice. [Bayhaqi]
Hadrat
Abû Mûsa Ash’ari (Allâh be pleased with him) reported
Allâh’s Messenger (
) as saying: “Allâh, the
Exalted and Glorious, looks down on the middle night of
Sha’baan and forgives all His creation except a polytheist
or one who is hostile.” [Ibn Mâjah] These ahâdîth
may be found in Mishkaat-ul-Masâbîh, Chapter on Qiyâm-e-Ramadân.
Notes: The descending of Allâh does not mean that He climbs down from the upper heaven to the lower heavens somehow, as He is Omnipresent. What this implies is that His Mercy comes comparatively nearer to the human-beings during that night and they can very easily avail themselves of it if they care to do so by begging pardon of their sins from Him. [Commentary on Mishkaat by Abdul Hameed Siddiqi]
Among some ignorant Muslims, the tradition of lighting lights and engaging in all sorts of frivolous activities during Sha’baan is practiced. This is an ugly innovation which is probably borrowed from the actions of the Christians or Hindus and should be avoided completely. The Islamic method of celebrating such events as the middle night of Sha’baan should be adhered to at all times. [Khutbaat by Ml. Ashraf Ali Thanvi]