Shab-e-Baraat, also known as the Night of Forgiveness, is an important night in the Islamic calendar. It is believed that on this night, Allah forgives the sins of His followers. This special night falls on the 15th of the Islamic month of Shabaan.
What Happens on Shab-e-Baraat?
It is said that on Shab-e-Baraat, Allah decides the fate of all people for the coming year. He forgives those who seek His forgiveness and grants wishes to those who ask. It’s a night for Muslims to ask for forgiveness for their past mistakes and to pray for a good future.
What to Do on Shab-e-Baraat
On this night, it’s good to:
- Ask for Forgiveness: Say sorry to Allah for any mistakes.
- Remember Allah: Spend time thinking about Allah and saying His name.
- Read the Qur’an: Take some time to read and understand the holy book.
- Send Blessings: Say special prayers for the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
- Learn More: Read Islamic books to increase your knowledge.
- Pray for Needs: Ask Allah for anything you need in this life and the next.
- Pray in a Group: Join others for the evening, night, and early morning prayers.
- Listen to Scholars: Go to talks and learn from religious teachers.
- Catch Up on Missed Prayers: If you’ve missed any obligatory prayers, make them up.
- Do Extra Prayers: Perform additional voluntary prayers.
- Give to Charity: Help those in need, especially orphans and the poor.
- Help Your Parents: Show kindness and help your parents.
- Visit Graves: Pay respects at the graves of your parents and others.
- Avoid Time-Wasting: Stay away from activities that don’t benefit you.
Special Ritual for Protection
It is recommended to perform a ritual bath (Ghusl) after the Maghrib prayer using water boiled with seven berry leaves. After the bath, pray two units of voluntary prayer (Nafl) and recite Ayatul Kursi once and Surah Ikhlas three times in each unit.
Nawafil Prayers for Shab-e-Baraat
Special Nawafil Prayer:
After Maghrib prayer, perform 6 Rakaats of Nawafil prayer (2+2+2). After every two Rakaat, recite Surah Yaseen once or Surah Ikhlas 21 times, followed by the Dua Nisf-e-Shaban. This prayer is believed to bring a healthy and prosperous life for the whole year.
Here are the Namaz to be read:
- For a Long Life: Pray 2 Rakaat of Nawafil, then read Surah Yasin and the Dua Nisfu Shab’aan with the intention of asking for a long and pious life.
- For Protection from Calamities: Pray 2 Rakaat of Nawafil, then read Surah Yasin and the Dua Nisfu Shab’aan with the intention of seeking protection from calamities and misfortunes.
- For Sustenance and Independence: Pray 2 Rakaat of Nawafil, then read Surah Yasin and the Dua Nisfu Shab’aan with the intention of asking for sustenance and not being needy except to Allah.
By the grace of Allah Almighty, these prayers are believed to bring a healthy and prosperous life for the coming year, Inshallah.
Dua-e-Nisf-e-Shabaan
ادب ليلة النصف من شهر شعبان
ادب الطريقة
قراءة يس ثلاث مرات، المرة الاولى بنية طول العمر بالإسلام والإيمان، والمرة الثانية بنية دفع البلاء عنه وعن الامة المحمدية ، والمرة الثلاثة بنية الرزق والإستغناء عن الناس
و بعد كل مرة تدعوا بهذا الدعاء:
اللهم يا ذا المن لا يمن عليه احد يا ذا الجلال والإكرام يا ذا الطول والأنعام، لا إله إلا أنتَ ظهر اللاجئين وجار المستجيرين وامان الخائفين اللهم ان كنت كتبتني عندك في ام الكتاب شقيا أو محروما أو مطرودا أو مقترا عليّ من الرزق فامح اللهم بفضلك شقاوتي وحرماني وطردي واقتار رزقي وثبتني عندك في ام الكتاب سعيدا ومرزوقا للخيرات فانكَ قلت وقولك الحق في كتابك المنزل على لسان نبيك المرسل يمحوا الله ما يشاء ويثبت وعنده ام الكتاب. إلهي بالتجلي الأعظم في ليلة النصف من شهر شعبان المعظم المكرم التي يفرق فيها كل امر حكيم ويبرم ان تكشف عنا من البلاء ما نعلم وما لا نعلم وما أنتَ به اعلم إنكَ أنتَ الأعز الاكرم. وصلى الله على سيدنا محمد وعلى آله وصحبه وسلم.
Dua-e-Nisf-e-Shabaan in English
Allaahumma Yaa Zal-manni wa laa yamunnu ‘alayh, yaa Zal-jalaali wal-ikraam, yaa zat-tawli wal-‘in’aam. Laa ilaaha illaaa Anta Zahrullaajiinaa, wa jaarul-mustajiiriina, wa Amaanulkhaa-‘ifiin.
Allaahumma in kunta katabtanii ‘indaka fii ‘ummil-kitaabi shaqiyyan ‘aw mahruuman ‘aw matruudan ‘aw muqattaran ‘alayyna fir-rizqi famhu..
Allaahumma bi-fazlika shaqaawatii wa hirmaanii wa tardii waqtitaara rizqi, wa ‘asbitnii ‘indaka fii ‘ummil-kitaabi sa’iidam-marzuuqammuwaffaqal-lil-khayraati, fa innaka qulta wa quwlukal-haqqu, fii kitaabikal-munzali, ‘alaalisaani Nabiyyikal-Mursali, yamhullaahu maa yashaa-‘u wa yusbitu wa ‘indahuu ‘ummul kitaab ‘Ilaahi bit-tajallyil-‘a-zami, fii laylatinnisfi min shahri sha’baanal-Mukarrami, ‘allatii yufraqu fiihaa kullu ‘amrin hakiiminw-wa yubramu, ‘an takshifa ‘annaa minal-balaaa-‘i wal balwaaa-‘i maa na’lamu wa maa laa na ‘lamu, wa Anta bi-hii ‘a’lam. Innaka Antal-‘a’azzul-Akram. Wa sallalaahu ta’aalaa ‘alaa sayyidinaa Muhammad-dinw-wa ‘alaaa ‘aalihii wa sahbihii wa sallama Wal-Hamdu lillaahi Rabbil-Aalameen.