Shaban To Fast or Not to Fast

Sha'ban is the eight month of Islamic lunar calendar. The 15th of Sha'ban is also known as Laylatul Bara (Night of Salvation), Laylatul Rahmah (Night of Mercy), or Laylatul Mubaraka (Night of Blessings) or in the Shabe Bara't (Night of Salvation, Persian.)

The month came to be known as the month of supplementary fasting. Umma Salama explains that the Prophet used to observer supplementary fasting for almost the entire month of Sha'ban.  (Abu Dawood: 2336)

There are three positions that people and scholars take on this issue. 1. Those who consider this night a blessed night and recommend that special prayers should be offered from evening to dawn. 2. Those who consider this night as a night of socialization and display of special skills and talents besides considering a night for visiting the cemeteries and graveyards. 3. Those who reject any special significance of this night and describe every act of worship besides obligatory prayers as innovation.

Three Opinions

Conclusion

Those who want to offer special supplementary prayers on this night should do so believing that Allah would respond to their calls and add to their reward as He never disappoints His servants. Those who do not consider this night any different than other nights should at least stay away from passing judgment on the level of Iman of those who observe it. Those who want to show their special skills and talents should direct them to serving the poor and the needy and helpless. Let them spend the night and day visiting the places where the poor live, feeding them and giving them a sense of dignity. As far as those who want to fast, they should remember that the Prophet used to fast on this month more than any other month of the year except the obligatory month of fasting of Ramadan.

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