Right from the beginning of the month of Rajab, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to make this prayer (Dua):
“O Allah! Bless us in the months of Rajab and Sha’ban, and look after us so we can safely reach the month of Ramadan.”
In the blessed month of Ramadan, Allah’s complete blessings and endless rewards come to us. But before that comes the 15th night of the month of Sha’ban. This special night starts from the evening prayer (Maghrib) on the 15th night and lasts until the dawn prayer (Subah/Fajr) the next morning.
The Prophet (PBUH) said that on the 15th night of Sha’ban, Allah looks at all His creations with mercy and forgives them. However, two types of people are not forgiven:
- Anyone who partners others with Allah (Shirk).
- Anyone who keeps hatred or enmity against others in their heart.
— Tabrani
The Importance of the Month of Sha’ban
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “This month of Sha’ban is full of blessings. During this month, the deeds of people are lifted up up to the Lord of the worlds. Therefore, I love for my deeds to be lifted up while I am fasting.”
— Nasai
Because of this, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to fast a lot during the month of Sha’ban.
The Prophet (PBUH) also said that when the 15th night of Sha’ban arrives, Allah comes down to the lowest heaven and calls out to His servants from evening until dawn:
- “Is there anyone looking for forgiveness? So I can forgive them.”
- “Is there anyone asking for their needs? So I can grant them.”
- “Is there anyone asking for food and wealth? So I can provide for them.”
- “Is there anyone trapped in trouble? So I can remove their pain and make them well.”
— Ibn Majah
The Prophet (PBUH) advised us to stay awake and pray during this 15th night, and to fast during the day.
— Mishkat
He also shared that on this night, decisions are made about who will be born and who will die in the coming year. On this night, peoples’ deeds are lifted up and their sustenance (Rizq) is sent down.
— Mishkat
Visiting the Graveyard (Ziyarat)
Mother Aisha (RA) narrated: “One night, I noticed the Prophet (PBUH) was not in bed, so I went out to look for him. I found him standing at the ‘Jannatul Baqi’ graveyard. He was looking up at the sky with his hands raised, praying for the believers and martyrs buried there.
When he saw me, he said, ‘Aisha! On this 15th night of Sha’ban, Allah comes down to the lowest heaven and forgives more sins than the number of hairs on the sheep of the Banu Kalb tribe (a tribe known for having huge flocks of sheep).'”
— Ibn Majah
Following this, it is a good practice (Sunnah) to visit the graveyard on this night and pray for the dead. We should also do extra prayers, read the Quran, remember God (Dhikr), and ask for blessings, because Allah decides everything—from our food to our death—for the next year on this night.
People Who Miss Out on Forgiveness
Even on this holy night, there are some people who will not get Allah’s forgiveness unless they sincerely change. These are people who:
- Partner others with Allah.
- Are very miserly or stingy.
- Commit murder.
- Commit adultery or fornication.
- Cut ties with their family and relatives.
- Wear their clothes below their ankles out of pride.
- Hurt or disobey their parents.
- Drink alcohol.
— Baihaqi
Instead of wasting this holy night on useless things, we should spend it asking for forgiveness and praying to Allah. This will be highly useful for us in the afterlife.
What to Do on the Night of Bara’at
- For Men: Before the evening prayer (Maghrib), take a bath, wear clean clothes, and go to the mosque for prayers.
- For Women: Set up a clean space at home to sit and pray.
- After the compulsory prayers, join in the good deeds and prayers taking place.
- Visit the graves of parents and relatives to pray for their forgiveness, keeping in mind that one day we too will lie in a grave.
- Give charity to the poor, either as food or money.
- Spend time in special prayers like Tasbih prayer, reading the Quran, remembering God (Dhikr), late-night prayer (Tahajjud), and asking for forgiveness (Istighfar).
How to Perform the Tasbih Prayer (Salatul Tasbih)
The Tasbih prayer consists of 4 parts (Rak’ahs). Make your intention for this prayer, raise your hands, and start the prayer by reciting the opening praise (Thana).
The main phrase (Tasbih) to repeat in this prayer is:
“Subhanallahi walhamdulillahi wa la ilaha illallahu wallahu akbar”
(Glory be to Allah, Praise be to Allah, There is no god but Allah, Allah is the Greatest)
You will repeat this phrase 75 times in each Rak’ah, making a total of 300 times across all 4 parts. Here is the order for each part:
- After reciting Thana (before reading Surah Al-Fatiha) — 15 times
- After reading Surah Al-Fatiha and another short Surah (before bowing down) — 10 times
- While bowing down (Ruku) — 10 times
- After standing up from bowing down — 10 times
- During the first prostration (Sajdah) — 10 times
- While sitting up between the two prostrations — 10 times
- During the second prostration (Sajdah) — 10 times
This completes 75 times for the first part. Repeat this same process for the remaining three parts to finish the prayer.