Blessings and Deeds of Shab-e-Bara’at

In this universe, the Prophets and the angels are innocent and the Auliya are saved by Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ from sins. Either deliberately or unwittingly, common men end up committing sins. Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ has not only given warnings on committing sins, He has also encouraged people to ask for His forgiveness and Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ has called Himself as Ghaffar (The forgiver), so that people have hope that Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ may forgive them and the height of His benevolence is that in this limited earthly life, He has granted many special days and nights in which the sinners are forgiven.

One among these nights is Shab-e-Bara’at. It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Moosa 'Ash'ari رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ that the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ said: In Shab e Bara'at, Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ casts His manifestation of mercy and forgiveness on the worshippers; and except those who associate others with Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ (Mushrik), those who bear ill will towards others, those who hold the wrong ''Aqida, the whole creation is forgiven.

(Sunan Ibn Majah)

Decision of Life and Death and Rizq in Shab-e-Bara’at

What has happened from the start and what will happen till the end is all written in the Lauh Mahfooz (The protected tablet), but every year in Shab-e-Bara’at angels note down these commandments from the Lauh Mahfooz for one year. It is written in that who will be born in this year and who will leave this world and who will get how much Rizq, as given in this Hadith of Imam Baihaqi It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Ummul Momineen Aisha Siddiqa رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہَا that the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ said: Do you know what is the excellence of this night? She requested: What is the greatness of this night, O Prophet of Allah! صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ ? The Holy Prophetصَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ said: The birth of all the children of this year is decided in this night; the children of Adam who will die this year are also decided this night and in this night, the deeds of the people are presented to the Lord Almighty and their Rizq is brought down.

(MishkaatulMasabeeh)

The Prayer of Shab-e-Bara’at is not rejected

It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُمَا, he said that there are 5 blessed nights in which a prayer is not rejected:

1. The night of Friday (i.e. the night before Friday i.e. Thursday night). 
2. The first night of Rajab.
3. The 15th night of Sha'ban.
4. The night of Eid Ul Fitr.
5. The night of Eid Ul Azha.

 (Shu'abul Iman, Hadith No: 3558)

The Worship of Shab-e-Bara’at – Assurance of the Life of the Heart

Hadhrat Abu Kurdus رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہُ narrates on the authority of his father that whoever stays awake (in prayer) on the nights of the 2 Eid and the 15th night of Sha'ban, that person's heart will not die when the hearts of others will die.

(Kanz Ul Ummal, Hadith No: 24107)

Shab-e-Bara’at and Visiting Graves

Visiting graves is Mustahab. This command is not restricted to any time or place. In the Hadith, apart from the general command to visit graves, there is an evidence of a special command to visit graves in Shab-e-Bara’at. In Jame’ Tirmidhi, Sunan Ibn Majah, Musnad Ahmed, At Targheeb Wat Tarheeb, there is a Hadith: Ummul Momineen Hadhrat Aisha Siddiqa رَضِیَ اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَنْہَا said that one night I did not find the Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ in my house. I saw that he was sitting in Baqe’e. The Holy Prophet صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ said: ‘Were you afraid that Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ and His Rasool will violate your rights?’ I politely replied, ‘Ya Rasoolallah صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ, I thought that you had probably gone to one of your other blessed wives.’ The Beloved Rasool صَلَّی اللہُ تَعَالٰی عَلَیْہِ وَاٰلِہٖ وَسَلَّمَ said, ‘Without doubt, on the 15th night of Sha’ban, Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ reveals His special manifestation on the sky of the world and forgives more people than even the number of hairs of the goats of the tribe of Bani Kalb.

Stay Away from Unislamic things, especially in Shab-e-Bara’at

Islam is a way of life which assures peace and security and teaches refinement. The rules and guidelines provided in this religion provide peace and security. The mark of a Muslim is that he/she does not hurt anyone, neither with speech nor with actions. The creation is safe from a Muslim. There is a Hadith: Muslim is that person from whose tongue and hand other Muslims remain safe and Momin is that person from whom people are unconcerned about their lives and property. Sadly, the vile tradition of fireworks is rapidly spreading amongst Muslims. Every year, Muslims waste millions of rupees buying fireworks. It’s often reported that so many houses have been burnt and so many people have tragically lost their lives as a result of fireworks. It can result in the loss of life and property, and it is a complete wastage of money. Above all, it is disobedience of Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ so we must stay away from fireworks on this blessed night and keep ourselves busy worshipping Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ.

May Allah عَزَّ وَجَلَّ grant us mercy and forgiveness on this special night! Ameen