The 15th night of Sha’ban is especially important for those wishing to seek closeness to Allah in the month of Ramadan. This is the night of freedom from the hellfire – Laylat ul-Ba’raa. Just as companies take inventory and audit their transactions at the end of every fiscal year, on Laylat ul-Ba’raa, Allah reviews His servants’ deeds over the past year and takes account of His believers.
This is a time to prepare for this annual review of our deeds on the 15th night of Sha’ban and should aim to be in the best state of iman on this night. If we had a video tape of our past deeds, we might be surprised or even shocked at some things we have said or done. While we cannot change the past, we can certainly try to be in a good state of iman on this blessed night and every day moving forward.
Aisha said that she never saw the Prophet fast as profusely as he did in the month of Sha’ban. The blessed companion Usama ibn Zaid reports that he asked Prophet Muhammad: “Messenger of Allah, I have seen you fasting in the month of Sha’ban so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in any other month.” Prophet Muhammadreplied: “That (Sha’ban) is a month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And it is a month in which an account of the deeds (of human beings) is presented before the Lord of the universe, so, I wish that my deeds be presented at a time when I am in a state of fasting.” [Al-Balagh]. Therefore, it is praiseworthy to fast from the first of Sha’ban through the 14th of Sha’ban. The fast on the 14th is mustahab (recommended). It is discouraged to fast in the last 15 days of Sha’ban to preserve one’s energy for the upcoming continuous fasts of Ramadan.
Aisha is reported to have said, “Once Rasulullahperformed the prayer of the night [tahajjud salah] and made a very long sajdah [prostration] until I feared that he had passed away. When I saw this, I rose [from my bed] and moved his thumb [to ascertain whether he was alive]. The thumb moved, and I returned [to my place]. Then I heard him saying in sajdah: ‘I seek refuge of Your forgiveness from Your punishment, and I seek refuge of Your pleasure from Your annoyance, and I seek Your refuge from Yourself. I cannot praise You as fully as You deserve. You are exactly as You have defined Yourself.’ Thereafter, when he raised his head from prostration and finished his prayer, he said to me: ‘Aisha, did you think that the Prophet had betrayed you?’ I said, ‘No, O Prophet of Allah, but I was afraid that your soul had been taken away because your prostration was very long.’ He asked me, ‘Do you know which night is this?’ I said, ‘Allah and His Messenger know best.’ He said, ‘This is the night of the half of Sha’ban. Allah Almighty looks upon His slaves in this night and forgives those who seek forgiveness and bestows His mercy upon those who pray for mercy, but keeps those who have malice [against a Muslim] as they were before, [and does not forgive them unless they relieve themselves from malice].'” [Al-Balagh].
The above hadith shows the importance of keeping our hearts free from ill feelings, as it leads to incurring the wrath of Allah instead of His forgiveness and mercy. This is the time to start fresh.
What is the use of staying up in worship on Laylat ul-Ba’raa if it is not accepted of us by Allah because of the malice we hold for others in our hearts? A person with bad relations with Allah’s creation cannot sustain a loving relationship with Allah’s.
One should also give sadaqah in the name of this person that we have ill feelings towards. Since giving gifts increases the love between two people, we can also pick out a special gift and present it to the person we have malice against. We can also ask Allahto forgive her and make other beneficial du’as for her. When one makes du’a for her fellow believer in her absence, angels will say ‘ameen’ to her du’a and it will be accepted on her behalf as well.
Removing ill feelings from our hearts is crucial for benefiting on the 15th night of Sha’ban and the other blessed days to come. This is why we need to mend our relationships before Ramadan.
Remember that all bad is from our own selves and all good is from Allah. He is the Sublime, the Glorious, and we are the oppressors, oppressing ourselves with our sin. Unfortunately, we like to blame others and call ourselves the oppressed. Our rancor, backbiting, anger, selfishness, and jealousy come from within us. Our rizq (sustenance), wind, rain, clear blue skies, pure water, are good things that come from Him. We cannot blame anything or anyone other than our own selves when bad things come our way, and we should learn from our mistakes. This is a fundamental understanding to help us to grow and improve in character. We need to eliminate the baggage that puts a veil between us and Allah. Once we accept our own faults, it is the beginning of a good relationship with the person whom we have malice against.
On Laylat ul-Bar’aa, one should wake up in the last few hours of the night before fajr. Even if one is in the state of hayd (menstruation), while she cannot offer salah or recite Qur’an, she can still read tasbih and make du’a. Ibadah on this night can include:
Salah: If one has missed prayers, she should make up as many as possible during this night. If she does not owe any prayers, then she can read eight or more rakah of supererogatory prayers with humbleness and concentration. She should make her qiyam, ruku and sajdah as long as possible.
Tilawah: Spend some time in the recitation of the Qur’an. Each letter can be a source of purification, even if read without understanding. Take advantage of the opportunity to make du’a right after the recitation as it is a time of the acceptance of du’as.
Dhikr: Spend some time making dhikr in remembrance and praise of Allah as well as istighfar, durud, and the kalima.
Du’a: The best form of ibadah is du’a. Du’a strengthens the relationship one has with Allah . It shows our dependence on Him as the Owner of all the treasures of the universe and that ‘we only worship Him and ask only Him for help.’
Be prepared for Laylat ul-Bar’aa. Have a list of du’as; a list of things for which to seek forgiveness; a list of your weaknesses; and a list of goals that you would like to accomplish in Ramadan. Show the Most Merciful that you are ready to receive His guidance and take on this challenge!
