The month of Sha`ban is the eighth month in the Hijri lunar calendar and comes as a timely reminder of the imminence of the blessed month of Ramadan, the most important and most sacred month of the year for Muslims. The month of Sha`ban is thus a prelude and gateway to the blessed month of Ramadan. The classical Mulsim scholar, Abu Bakr Warraq use to say: Rajab is a month of cultivation, Shaban is month of irrigating the fields, and the month of Ramadan is a month of reaping and harvesting.
According to many Muslim scholars the 15th night of the lunar month of Sha`ban (Layla al-Nisfi min Sha`ban) is a “special” night of blessings in which Allah’s forgiveness is more readily available. The night is also known as the “Night of Repentance” (Layla al Bara’ah), the “Night of Mercy” (Layla al-Rahmah) and the “Blessed Night” (Layla al- Mubarakah). Historically however, there has not existed unanimity and consensus amongst Muslim scholars with regard to the significance of this night. Some scholars dispute the authenticity of the Prophetic traditions (ahadith), which deal with the importance of this night. They argue that the 15th night of Sha`ban has no special religious and spiritual significance, and should be treated just as any other night. The majority of Muslim scholars however acknowledge that the night does have a special religious and spiritual significance. One such scholar, ‘Ata Ibn Yasar, purports that it is the second most virtuous night after Laylatul-Qadr. There has been a long-standing debate concerning the authenticity of the ahadith extolling the virtues of laylatunnisfi min sha`ban and particularly the special supplication (du’a) that is made on this night and the theological implications this has for the Muslims’ understanding of the Nature of Allah, the Most High. Whilst it is not our purpose here to enter into the details of this debate, it suffices to say, that both the special supplication was never made by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself. Certain portions of it were formulated by two famous companions (sahabah), `Umar Ibn al-Khattab and `Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with them). They used to supplicate in this manner at various places and occasions such as for example, during the circumambulation of the Ka’bah (tawaf).
I recommend the reading of the most significant supplication for forgiveness recommended by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) known as the sayyidulistighfar.
‘O Allah, You are my Lord; there is no God except you. My Lord You created me and I am Your servant. I am keeping my pledge and promise to you to the best of my ability. I seek refuge with You from the wrongs I have done. I acknowledge the blessings You have bestowed upon me, and I confess my sins to you, so forgive me indeed, no one can forgive sins except You.’
Let us seize this blessed month of Sha`ban as a great opportunity to improve our lives by nourishing our souls. I advise myself first and then you to seek Allah’s forgiveness during this great season and to prepare ourselves for the blessed month of Ramadan by dedicating some of the days of this blessed month of Sha`ban in fasting.
The Significance of the 15th Night of Sha`ban
Imam Dr. A. Rashied Omar
The month of Sha`ban is the eighth month in the Hijri lunar calendar.The month of Sha`ban comes as a timely reminder of the imminence of the blessed month of Ramadan, the most important and most sacred month of the year for Muslims.The month of Sha`ban is thus a prelude and gateway to the blessed month of Ramadan.The classical Mulsim scholar, Abu Bakr Warraq use to say:
Rajab is a month of cultivation,
Shaban is month of irrigating the fields,
and the month of Ramadan is a month of reaping and harvesting.
According to many Muslim scholars the 15th night of the lunar month of Sha`ban (Layla al-Nisfi min Sha`ban) is a “special” night of blessings in which Allah’s forgiveness is more readily available. The night is also known as the “Night of Repentance” (Layla alBara’ah), the “Night of Mercy” (Layla al-Rahmah) and the “Blessed Night” (Layla al-Mubarakah). In the Cape it is known by the traditional Malay name of “Roewa” and in the Northern provinces it is known in urdu as Shab-e-Bharat.
Customarily, in the Cape where it is widely commemorated, on this night congregations gather in the masjid, and sometimes families would meet at homes, to recite Surah Ya Sin (Chapter 36 of the Quran) three times. Each consecutive recital of Surah YaSin, would be followed by the making of a special prayer (known as the RoewaDu’a) and each recitation and supplication is done with a special intention (niyyah). The first recitation is done with the explicit intention of requesting Allah, the Most High, to grant the reciters long life in successful obedience to him (tul al-‘umr). The second request is for abundant provisions and protection against calamities (si’at al-rizqwadaf’ulbala), and the third and final request if for independence from reliance on human beings and reliance only on Allah, the Sublime (al-istighna ‘aninal-nas). The Roewa programme usually took place between the Maghrib and ‘Isha prayers, and in more recent times is accompanied by a lecture explaining the significance of the night.
Historically however, there has not existed unanimity and consensus amongst Muslim scholars with regard to the significance of this night. Some scholars dispute the authenticity of the Prophetic traditions (ahadith), which deal with the importance of this night. They argue that the 15th night of Sh’aban has no special religious and spiritual significance, and should be treated just as any other night. The majority of Muslim scholars however acknowledge that the night does have a special religious and spiritual significance. One such scholar, ‘Ata IbnYasar, purports that it is the second most important night of the year, after LaylatulQadr (the 27th night of Ramadan). The well-known work, TuhfatulIkhwan, records a tradition (hadith) in which the Messenger of Allah is reported to have said that: “Allah’s special mercy and forgiveness is more munificent and available from the very beginning of the night. Such a view is supported by the following hadith contained in the collections of al-Tabarani, Ibn Hibban, al-Bayhaqi.The Companion Mu`adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
“Allah, the Most Compassionate,looks at His creation during the night of the 15th of Sha‘ban and He forgives all His creation except someone who associates others with Allah (mushrik) or one intent on hatred (mushahin) especially towards his parents.”
There has been a long-standing debate concerning the authenticity of the ahadithextolling the virtues of laylatunnisfi min sha`ban and particularly the special supplication (du’a) that is made on this night and the theological implications this has for the Muslims’ understanding of the Nature of Allah, the Most High.Whilst it is not our purpose here to enter into the details of this debate, it suffices to say, that both the special supplication (RoewaDu’a) was never made by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself. Certain portions of it were formulated by two famous companions (sahabah), `Umar Ibn al-Khattab and `Abdullah Ibn Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with them). They used to supplicate in this manner at various places and occasions such as for example, during the circumambulation of the K’abah (tawaf).
It conclusion, is my considered viewpoint that we should continue the tradition of getting together on the 15th night of Sh’aban. For there are innumerous blessings and benefits, which we can derive from meeting together in this manner. If the only blessing of it is that we pray Maghrib and ‘Isha in congregation, then it suffices to justify continuing this traditional practice. Moreover, the recitation of Chapter 36, the Heart of the Glorious Quran, is beneficial at any time. Furthermore, we do not need to recite the traditional prayer (RoewaDu’a). Any other supplications contained in the Quran and recommended by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) could be substituted. It affords us with a wonderful opportunityat re-instituting the efficacy of prayer (du`a), which is so sadly neglected in our secularised world.The night could also be beneficially employed in stressing the important attribute of Allah, as ever an acceptor of repentance (al-Tawwab) and reminding us of central seeking Allah’s forgiveness (istighfar) should be to our practice as conscientious Muslims. I also recommended the reading of the most significant supplication for forgiveness recommended by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) known as the sayyidul istighfar.
رَبِّي أَنْتَ اللَّهُمَّ
O Allah, You are my Lord;
أَنْتَا إِلَهَ إِلا ل
there is no God except you
عَبْدُكَوَأَنَا خَلَقْتَنِي
My Lord You created me and I am Your servant.
اسْتَطَعْتُمَا كَ وَوَعْدِ عَهْدِكَ عَلَى وَأَنَا
I am keeping my pledge and promise to you to the best of my ability.
صَنَعْتُ مَا شَرِّ مِنْ بِك أَعُوذُ
I seek refuge with You from the wrongs I have done.
عَلَيَّ بِنِعْمَتِكَ لَكَ أَبُوءُ
I acknowledge the blessings You have bestowed upon me,
بِذَنْبِي لَكَوَأَبُوءُ
and I confess my sins to you,
لِي فَاغْفِرْ
so forgive me
أَنْتَ إِلا الذُّنُوبَ يَغْفِرُ إِلا فَإِنَّهُ
indeed, no one can forgive sins except You.’
Let us sieze this blessed month of Sha`ban and as a great opportunity to improve our lives by nourishing our souls.I advise myself first and then you to seek Allah’s forgiveness during this great season and to prepare ourselves for the blessed month of Ramadan by dedicate some of the days of this blessed month of Sha`ban in fasting.