The

15th Night of Sha’baan

(Laylatul Bara’ah)
Talimi Board, KZN
 The tribe of Kalb was a large tribe, the members of
which owned many sheep. Therefore, the last sentence
of the Hadith indicates the large number of people
Introduction forgiven on this night by Allah Ta’ala.
Allah Ta’ala has afforded His servants certain selected
opportunities whereby they may reap His infinite The virtue of this night established from these
mercy and forgiveness. Some examples of these Ahaadith is that from the very beginning of the night
occasions are the month of Ramadhaan and Laylatul Allah Ta’ala turns with special mercy and attention
Qadr. The night of the 15th of Sha’baan is also one such towards the creation and forgives those who repent
opportunity. and seek forgiveness.

Several Ahaadith explain the tremendous merit of this Every Muslim should therefore value this night. Turn
occasion. Amongst them is the fact that countless towards Allah Ta’ala with sincere regret and shame
people are forgiven by Allah Ta’ala during this blessed over sins committed and make a promise never to
night. It is due to this reason that it is called ‘The Night return to sin again and seek forgiveness from Allah
of Bara’ah’ (i.e. the night wherein judgment of Ta'ala. Seek forgiveness for oneself and all Muslims,
salvation from Jahannam is passed). It is a special night living and deceased. Have firm hope and determination
in which the people of the earth are looked upon by in the heart that Allah Ta’ala will surely show mercy
special divine mercy. and forgiveness.

Allah Ta’ala blesses us with this opportunity to prepare

Announcements
and cleanse ourselves before the blessed month of
On this night, Allah Ta’ala descends to the first sky and
Ramadhaan arrives.
announces, “Is there anyone seeking forgiveness that I
may forgive him? Is there anyone seeking sustenance
Virtues of this night that I may grant it to him? Is there anyone in any
Rasulullah [sallallahu alayhi wasallam] said, ‘This is the difficulty that I may relieve him? These
middle night of Sha’baan. Allah Ta’ala looks upon His announcements continue till the time of Fajar.” [Ibnu
slaves in this night and forgives those who seek Majah Page 99]
forgiveness and bestows His mercy upon those who
make dua for mercy but leaves out those who have
Those who are deprived
hatred (against a Muslim) as they were before, (and
It is mentioned in a Hadith that on this night Allah
does not forgive them unless they free themselves
Ta’ala does not cast a glance of mercy at a person who
from malice).
1. Associates partners with Him
Hadhrat Aaisha (radiyallahu anha) has reported that
2. Who harbours hatred in his heart (against
Rasulullah [sallallahu alayhi wasallam] said, ‘This is the
someone)
middle night of Sha’baan. Allah Ta’ala frees a large
3. Who cuts off family ties
number of the people from the fire on this night, more
4. Who leaves his clothes hanging below his
than the number of the hair growing on the sheep of
ankles
the tribe of Kalb.

w w w . t a l i m i b o a r d kz n . o r g Page 1 of 4
 5. Who disobeys his parents 5. Fasting: On the day immediately following the Night
6. Who commits adultery of Bara'ah, i.e. the 15th of Sha’baan, it is mustahab
7. Who commits murder (advisable) to keep fast.
8. Who has a habit of drinking wine.’ (Bayhaqi).

What happens on
What should be done on this night?
In order to obtain maximum benefit from this Laylatul Bara’ah
auspicious night, one should allocate a specific portion By: Shaikhul Hadeeth, Hadhrat Moulana
of the night for solitude and ibaadah to Allah Ta’ala. Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi (RA)
Fervent dua and repentance should be a priority and
make the sole intention of seeking Allah Ta’ala’s The Malaaikah are issued instructions for the whole
pleasure and reformation of the inner self. Other year on this one particular night of the year. They are
observances that may be practiced are: assigned duties for the year and informed that such
and such things have been decreed for such and such
1. Sala
Salaah: Salaah is one of the most preferable acts to be person.
performed during this night. There is no particular
number of Raka'ats, but preferably it should not be less Many a man is engrossed in sports and pastimes while,
than eight. It is also advisable that each part of the in the heavens above, orders have gone out for his
Salaah like qiyaam (standing), ruku and sajdah should arrest. It has been decreed that he will suffer death and
be longer than normal. Also try and recite as much no one can intercede with Allah Ta’ala, or appeal to
Qiraat (Qur’an recitation) in salaah as possible. Him, to change His decree! Nor can the decreed hour of
a man’s death be delayed by even a minute! A Hadith
2. Tila
Tilaawah: The recitation of the Qur’an Shareef is reports Ibne Abbaas (radiyallahu anhu) as saying: ‘You
another form of worship that is very beneficial on this will notice that a person is walking about in the
night. After performing Salaah, or at any other time, bazaars, though his name has been recorded in the list
one should recite as much of the Qur’an Shareef as of those who are destined to die in that year.” Abu
possible. Nadhrah (radiyallahu anhu) says: “On this night, the
angels are assigned their duties for the whole year.
3. Zikr: Engage one’s tongue and heart in the
Orders are issued about the means of welfare
remembrance of Allah Ta’ala. One should also recite
apportioned for the year, about the evils to be suffered,
abundant durood upon Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi
about the sustenance to be provided, about the people
wasallam. Zikr can also be recited while walking, lying
destined to die, about the afflictions and about the high
on the bed and during other hours of work or leisure.
or low prices of commodities.”
4. Dua: The best benefit one can draw from the
blessings of this night is dua. Dua itself is a great form ‘Ikramah (radiyallahu anhu) says, “On the middle night
of worship, and Allah Ta’ala grants a reward for each of Sha’ban (Laylatul Bara’ah), all the events decreed for
dua that a person makes. the year are assigned to the angels. The lists of people
destined to die, and of those who will perform Hajj
Women during menstruation who cannot perform during the year are handed over to the angels. No
Salaah, nor recite the Qur-aan Shareef, should engage changes can be made to these lists’
in reciting any form of zikr, tasbeeh, durood and they
can also ask of Allah Ta’ala for any of their needs in According to another Hadith, Rasulullah [sallallahu
whatever language they wish. They can also recite the alayhi wasallam] once said: “(On this night), the angels
Arabic duas mentioned in the Qur-aan Shareef or in the are given the names of people who are going to die
Ahaadith with the intention of dua. during the year from one Sha’baan to the next, with
the specific hours of death destined for each person.
Many a man gets married in this world and a child is
born to him while, in the heavens above, his name has

w w w . t a l i m i b o a r d kz n . o r g Page 2 of 4
been recorded in the list of the dead.” then do some kitaab reading, then read durood
shareef, etc. and continue your Ibaadat in this
Hadhrat Aaishah (radiyallahu anha) says: “Rasulullah manner.
[sallallahu alayhi wasallam] used to fast very
frequently during Sha’baan, for it is in this month that
a list is prepared of those who are destined to die The following are some of
during the year. And many a man is engaged in getting
married while, in the heavens above, his name has
been recorded among the dead; or, again, a man is
preparing for Hajj while his name has been enlisted
the Ibaadaat we can engage
in on this mubaarak night;
among the dead.”

Another Hadith reports that once Hadhrat Aaishah 1. Recitation of Qur-aan

(radiyallahu anha) asked Rasulullah [sallallahu alayhi 2. Performing of Salaah (Tahajjud, Salaatut
wasallam] why he fasted more frequently in the month Taubah, Salaatush Shukar, Salaatul Hajaat,
of Sha’baan, to which he replied: “In this month, a etc.)
record is made of those who are destined to die during 3. Performing of Salaatut Tasbeeh
the year and I wish that, when my name is recorded in 4. Istighfaar (at least 1000 times)
the list of the dead, I should be fasting.” 5. Zikr of First kalimah, third kalimah, etc.
6. Recitation of Durood Shareef
A Hadith says that, every year, on the middle night of 7. Reading the Hizbul Azam or Munaajaat-e-
Sha’baan, Allah Ta’ala informs Izraeel (alayhis salaam), Maqbool
the Angel of Death, about all those who are destined to 8. Collective ta’leem of Fazaail-e-Ramadhaan
die during the year. 9. Teach your children their Qur-aan lessons.
10. Engage in fervent dua.
[Fazaail-e-Sadaqaat Page 653-654]
11. Do some collective ibaadat with your entire
family e.g. zikr, durood shareef, ta’leem and
Important tips for this dua. You may make the dua and the children
in the home can say Aameen to the dua. May
mubaarak night Allah Ta’ala bless us all with bara’ah
(freedom) from the fire of Jahannam. Aameen.
1. The Mubaarak night starts from Maghrib.
Therefore one should commence whatever
Ibaadat you can from the Maghrib Salaah.
2. Perform the Esha and Fajar Salaah with Jamaat.
It is mentioned in a Hadith that one who
performs the Esha and Fajar Salaah with
Jamaat earns the reward of staying awake the
entire night in Ibaadat.
3. Make as much Ibaadat as possible before going
to sleep. Don’t allow shaytaan to deceive you
saying that, “Go to sleep and wake up early for
Tahajjud.” You may never wake up and the
entire night will be lost.
4. Shaytaan makes one very tired when engaging
in Ibaadat. Hence to combat this, keep on
changing from one Ibaadat to another. e.g.
recite Qur-aan Shareef, thereafter make zikr,

w w w . t a l i m i b o a r d kz n . o r g Page 3 of 4
 Dua for Laylatul Bara’ah
Hadhrat Aaishah says, “I heard Rasulullah  reading this dua in sajdah on this night. Thereafter he
said to me, ‘Learn this dua and teach it to others. Jibra’eel  taught this dua to me.’”

ْ‫اك مِن‬ َ ‫ك َواَ ُع ْو ُذ بر َض‬َ َ ْ َ َْ ُْ ُ َ

ِِ ِ ‫اعوذ بِعفوِك مِن عِقاب‬
ْ ُ َ َ ُ ْ َّ َ
ْ‫ك َواعوذ بِك مِنك جل وجهك اح ِص‬
َ َ ْ َ ُ ْ ُ َ َ َ َ
‫سخ ِط‬
َ ْ َ ٰ َ َ ََْْ َ َ َ َْ َ َْ َ ً ََ
‫سك‬ ِ ‫ نف‬$ ‫ثناء عليك انت كما اثنيت‬
Aauzu bi’afwika min ‘iqaabika wa ‘aoozu bi ridhaaka min sakhatika wa ‘aoozu minka jalla wajuka laa uhsee sanaa an ‘alayka
anta kama asnayta ‘ala nafsik

Translation: I seek protection in Your forgiveness from Your punishment and I seek shelter in Your pleasure from
Your displeasure; and I seek safety in You, from You. Glory be to You. I am unable to fully praise You. You are as you
have praised Yourself. [Shu’bul Imaan # 3556]

w w w . t a l i m i b o a r d kz n . o r g Page 4 of 4