Nazia Rizvi wrote:

Assalamo alaikum Sir

 I wanted to know whether keeping fast on 15 Sh’aban and doing ibadah the whole night before that is bida’t? People in India and Pakistan believe that on the night of 15 Sh’aban (which they call as Shab-e baraat), Allah comes on 1st sky, and he decides on people's provision, death, and other things on that night; Is this correct or not? If we pray on that night and keep fast on that day, then will we be rewarded for that or not?

 

 

Dear Sister Nazia Rizvi Assalamo Alaikum

 

May Allah increase your desire to learn Islam, and increase your knowledge, Amen!

 

All the ahadith quoted regarding Sh’aban or fifteenth of Sh’aban are either fabricated or weak. They have no sound footing, according to the scholars of Ahadith. Two points are, however, important to note:

1. The Prophet (S) used to fast on 14th and 15th of every month. Any one who wants to follow him can do it. In Sh’aban, he used to fast whole month, but he has forbidden Muslims to do that.
2. Yes, the Prophet (S) used to make duas to Allah on the night of 15th. Sh’aban. What dua did he make? It is not narrated in any hadith. It means he kept it secret. Muslims can also make dua to Allah, not only on the nights of 15th Sh’aban, but on any night, too.

Hope this answers your question. Please pray for us in Ramadan.

May Allah bless you with his mercy, Amen!

Wassalam

Dr. Syed Hasanuddin Ahmad