Precious moments of the 15th of Shabaan

The Kindness, Affection, Love and Mercy of Allah Ta’ala for His servants is unlimited. Such is the love of Allah Ta’ala for His servants, that He looks for opportunities to forgive them and draw them closer to Him. By performing Wudhu for the five daily Salaah, Allah Ta’ala forgives His servants.

Hadrat Uthmaan Bin Affaan Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “Whoever performs a perfect Wudhu (by fulfilling the Sunnan and Mustahab acts of Wudhu), then his sins leave his body to the extent that it exits from beneath his nails.” [Muslim]

Hadrat Abu Hurairah Radiallahu Anhu narrates that Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said, “When a Mu’min or Muslim servant makes Wudhu, then by washing his face, every wrong that he looked at with his eyes leaves his face with the water, or with the last drop of water. When he washes his hands then every sin that he committed with his hands leaves with the water, or with the last drop of water. When he washes his feet, then every sin that his legs walked towards leave with the water, or the last drop of water. This continues until he finally emerges completely purified from sins. [Muslim]    

When Allah Ta’ala is prepared to forgive our (minor) sins by virtue of performing ablution, then can we imagine how Allah Ta’ala will purify and bless the one that humbles himself and cries before his Creator sincerely in repentance? It is for this reason that Allah Ta’ala blesses us with opportunities such as the night of Baraa’at. It is for us now, to take the opportunity and cleanse ourselves spiritually before entering the blessed month of Ramadaan. There were those sinful servants who lived lives of sin and evil, but it was on this night that their lives took a complete turnaround, which resulted in them becoming the greatest saints of the time.

No person is considered as a ‘right off’ in the sight of Allah Ta’ala. If a 99 year old Kaafir, who lived his entire life in a state of Kufr, recited the Kalimah with sincerity and then passed away, he will enter into Jannah. A man had killed one hundred people and was concerned as to whether he will be forgiven or not. He was advised by a scholar to go to a particular town and repent. Whilst  travelling to the place of repentance, he passed away. The Angels measured the distance from the last person he killed and the distance to the place of Taubah. They found that he was closer to the town that he was travelling to, to repent, hence, the angels of mercy extracted his soul and he was forgiven. An evil woman that provided water for a thirsty dog, was pardoned and forgiven. There is hope for every believer to attain the highest degree of Wilaayat (friendship of Allah Ta’ala) until his final breath, hence, no person should become despondent. The moment a person humbles himself, cries and repents before Allah Ta’ala, then he is blessed with the crown of friendship. It is now just a matter of maintaining this friendship with Allah Ta’ala.

There is a famous saying, ‘Every saint has a history and every sinner has a future.’ Many saints experienced a life of sin and disobedience before they were blessed by Allah Ta’ala with the highest level of friendship. The night of Baraa’at is a night of removing ourselves from the gutters of sin and becoming the beloveds’ of Allah Ta’ala. It is just a matter of genuine regret over our past lives, and a firm resolution to obey our Creator in the life that remains. It is recorded in the Hadith that the eyes that shed a tear in the fear of Allah, and the eyes that remained awake guarding the borders of the country, will not be punished in Jahannam. It is for this reason that when the pious used to cry in repentance, they would rub their tears over their faces and hands, so that it may be protected from the fire of Jahannam.

إن لله نفحات فتعرضوا لنفحات الله (المواهب اللدنية ص467 ج2)

Verily there are certain moments for Allah Ta’ala (wherein His mercy descends in great torrence), therefore seek these moments of Allah

ذكره الهيثمى فى «المجمع» (10/ 231) عن أنس وقال: رواه الطبرانى وإسناد رجاله رجال الصحيح، غير عيسى بن موسى بن أياس بن البكير، وهو ثقة.

If one secures a space during these precious moments, he will enjoy perpetual bliss and happiness in this world and the hereafter, as a result of this special connection with Allah Ta’ala.

Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam is reported to have said,

إن الله تبارك وتعالى ينزل ليلة النصف من شعبان إلى سماء الدنيا فيغفر لأكثر من عدد شعر غنم كلب (رواه احمد)

Verily Allah Ta’ala descends on the night of the 15th of Shabaan to the closest heaven and forgives (people) more than the hair on the goats of (the tribe of) Kalb. –

Banu Kalb was a tribe in Madinah Munawwarah famously known for owing a large number of goats. The hair on even a single goat cannot be enumerated. This indicates towards the unlimited mercy of Allah descending on this particular night. It is now just a matter of us rushing forward and grabbing as much as possible.

وروي عن علي رضي الله عنه عن النبي صلى الله عليه وسلم قال إذا كانت ليلة النصف من شعبان فقوموا ليلها وصوموا يومها فإن الله تبارك وتعالى ينزل فيها لغروب الشمس إلى السماء الدنيا فيقول ألا من مستغفر فأغفر له ألا من مسترزق فأرزقه ألا من مبتلى فأعافيه ألا كذا ألا كذا حتى يطلع الفجر رواه ابن ماجه (الترغيب والترهيب للحافظ المنذري، الرقم: 1550)

قال الحافظ جلال الدين السيوطي رحمه الله في بعض أجوبته إذا علمتم بالحديث أنه في تصانيف المنذري صاحب الترغيب والترهيب فارووه مطمئنين. (التعليقات الحافلة على الأجوبة الفاضلة صـ 120)

عن علي بن أبي طالب -رضي الله عنه- قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم: ((إذ كانت ليلة النصف من شعبان، فَقومُوا لَيْلهَا وصوموا نَهَارهَ ، فإن الله ينزل فيها لغروب الشمس إلى سماء الدنيا، فيقول: ألا من مستغفر فأغفر له! ألا مسترزق فأرزقه! ألا مبتلى فأعافيه! ألا كذا ألا كذا، حتى يطلع الفجر (رواه ابن ماجة)

 

When it is the 15th night of Shabaan then stand (in the Ibaadat of Allah Ta’ala) at night and fast on the 15th day, for verily Allah Ta’ala descends to closest heaven at the time of sunset saying, “Is there any person seeking forgiveness so that I may forgive him, is there any person seeking sustenance so that I may sustain him, Is there any person involved in some difficulty that I grant him safety, is there any person that has any need, etc. (and these announcements continue) until the rising of dawn.     

عن أبي موسى الأشعري -رضي الله عنه- عن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم قال: إن الله ليطلع الي خلقه في ليلة النصف من شعبان، فيغفر لجميع خلقه، إلا لمشرك أو مشاحن (رواه ابن ماجة)

Hadrat Abu Musa Ashari Radiallahu Anhu narrates from Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam, who states, “Verily Allah Ta’ala looks at His creation on the 15th night of Shabaan and forgives his entire creation, except for a Mushrik and one that harbours malice (for his Muslim brother/sister). 

شعبان بين رجب وشهر رمضان تغفل الناس عنه) أي عن صومه (ترفع فيه) أي في ليلة النصف منه (أعمال العباد) للعرض على الله (فأحب أن لا يرفع عملي إلا وأنا صائم) أي فأحب أن أصوم) شعبان لذلك (التيسير بشرح الجامع الصغير للعلامة المناوي رحمه الله 2/77)

It is recorded in Tayseer, which is the commentary of Jaamea-us-Sagheer,  Shabaan is a month between Rajab and Ramadaan in regards to which many people are negligent (referring to its fasts), on the night of the 15th the Aamaal of the servants are taken up to Allah Ta’ala. Rasulullah Salallahu Alaihi Wasallam said, “I love that my Aamaal are taken up to whilst I am fasting, hence, I love to fast in Shabaan for this reason.

 

عن عثمان بن محمد بن المغيرة بن الأخنس، قال: تقطع الآجال من شعبان إلى شعبان، قال: إن الرجل لينكح، ويولد له وقد خرج اسمه في الموتى (شعب الايمان للإمام البيهقي رقم 3558)

It is recorded in a narration that the lifespan of a person is fixed from Shabaan to Shabaan, to the extent that a man gets married and a child is born to him, whereas his name has come out from amongst the deceased (those that are to pass away).

A narration of Saheeh Ibn Hibban states that four people will be deprived of forgiveness on this night:

1. A perpetual alcoholic.

2. One who is disobedient to his parents.

3. One who cuts family ties.

4. One who entertains malice for others.

These are such sins which a large portion of the Ummah are engaged in, hence, depriving themselves of the mercy of Allah Ta’ala. Many messages are easily conveyed over Whatsapp and SMS nowadays, so we should make use of these mediums on this occasion, and make it a starting point to reunite with our near and dear ones, whom we are estranged from. It really doesn’t cost anything to make Salaam and request forgiveness, in fact, it is a means of being elevated in the sight of Allah Ta’ala.

Cleanse your heart for every Muslim and forgive every Muslim irrespective of the harm that they may have caused you. Remember, we too, will be in need of the forgiveness of Allah Ta’ala on the day of Qiyaamah to a far greater extent. By forgiving the errors of the servants of Allah Ta’ala, there is hope that Allah Ta’ala will overlook our errors and forgive us on the day of Qiyaamah, when we will be most in need of His forgiveness. Those that hold grudges in their heart for their Muslim brother or sister, are always miserable. They wish that the person (whom they dislike) is harmed, whereas that person is enjoying the bounties of Allah Ta’ala. This, in essence, means that the one holding the grudge suffers the consequence of his own action, whilst the other party is free from his misery. However, the moment he cleanses his heart, he will be relieved and will find great comfort and satisfaction.

Those of us that have our parents with us, should serve them until their very end. If our parents have passed away, then visit their graves weekly (for males) and continuously make Isaal-e-Thawaab for them. By doing so, one will be considered as an obedient child.

Those involved in any form of substance abuse should sincerely repent to Allah Ta’ala for the past, and using the courage and strength within themselves make a resolution never to go close to these substances again. Many drug addicts go to rehabs but shortly thereafter experience a relapse, as they are not sincere in giving up their evil habit and practice. However, if one makes a firm resolution never to return to it and begs Allah to assist him in refraining from it, then with the permission of Allah, he will be able to give it up almost immediately. Many smokers, after smoking for years gave up smoking overnight, which indicates that the human being has unlimited potential within him. It is just a matter of using this will power and ability in the correct direction. Request the pious for Duas as well which will prove extremely beneficial.

May Allah Ta’ala grant us the Taufeeq to treasure this precious night and spend maximum time connecting with our Creator. Ameen