Shab e Baraat: Part-4

DUA AND WAZEEFA IN SHAB-E-BARAAT

What to Recite immediately after Sunset?

After sunset, you should recite “La Hawla walaa Quwwata illa Billahil-aliyil Azeem” forty times with three times Durood Shareef before and after. It is mentioned that by reciting this, Almighty Allah will forgive forty years of your sins and forty Hoors will await to serve you in Jannat al-Firdous.

SALAT FOR INCREMENT OF {RIZK}SUBSISTANCE: 
In the fifteenth night of Sha'ban, perform two raka'at[cycle]prayer,in each raka'at after Sura-tul-Fatiha recite once Aya-tul-kursi and fifteenth times Sura-tul-Ikhlas.After salam recite 100 times Salat And Salam upon Prophet Muhammad{peace be upon him}. Make Dua for the increment of [rizk]subsistence,Insha Allah,Allah ta'ala will increase his subsistence..

SEVENTY NEEDS IN THIS WORLD AND SEVENTY HEREAFTER ARE ACCEPTED . In the fifteenth night of Sha'ban,if someone recites seven times Sura Dukhan{the 44 sura},Insha Allah,his or her 70 needs in this world and 70 hereafter will be accepted.

SIX NAWAFIL SALAT AFTER THE PRAYER OF MAGHRIB. In the fifteenth night of Sha'ban after the prayer of Maghrib perform six raka'ats with three slalams.
The niyyat [intention] of the first two is for “the long pious life ”,
the niyyat of the second two is for “being safe from the calamities and misfortunes”
and the niyyat for the third two is “for the incrememt of {rizk}subsistence”.
After every two rak'at ,recite once Sura Yaseen and at the end once 

Dua of Sha'ban-Nisf Shaban

SALVATION FROM THE PUNISHMENT OF GRAVE BY THIS SALAT . In the fifteenth night of Sha'ban ,perform eight rak'at[cycle] salat with twosalams.in each rak'at after Sura-tul- Fatiha ,recite ten times Sura-tul-Ikhlas [the 112 sura]. As a result of that ,Allah ta'ala will appoint countless angels,who will give the glad news to receive salvation from the punishment of grave and to enter into the Heaven.

FORGIVNESS FROM SINS BY THIS SALAT . In the fifteenth night of Sha'ban .perform eight rak'at salat with four salams.In each rak'at afterSura-tul-Fatiha once Sura-tul- Qadr [the 97 sura] and twenty five times Sura-tul-ikhlas .Insha Allah,Allah subhanahu ta'ala will forgive his or her all sins .

ANY DUA[SUPPLICATION] WHETHER FOR WORLD OR HEREAFTER IS ACCEPTED BY THIS SALAT. 
In the fifteenth night of Sha'ban ,say fourteen rak'at salat with seven salams.In each rak'at after Sura-tul- Fatiha ,once , Sura Kafiroon [the 109 sura] once, Sura Ikhlas once , Sura Falaq [the 113 sura] once , Sura Naas [the last sura]once.After every salam Ayat-ul-Kursi once and the last three verses of Sura Tauba [the 9 sura] i.e.,from' laqad ja'akum rasoolum to Azeem ”Make Dua after the completion of eight rak'at.Whatever he or she will ask for, Allah subhanahu ta'ala will bestow.Insha'a Allah.

THE UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE : The idolater,drinker,adulterer, prostitute,the breaker of family ties,bearing of malice,the disobedient to his parents,backbitter,who practices majic,who eat interest are not forgiven unless they make Tauba[repentance]. And ask for forgiveness from fellow muslims.

FASTING OF THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF SHA'BAN: Allah's beloved,Rasullah{salallahu alaihi wassallam}said: Worship in the fifteenth night of Sha'ban and fast the following day.Because Allah Ta'ala descends to the lowest heaven from sun set till dawn,He says”Will anyone ask,that his request may be granted?””Will anyone seeks forgiveness,that he may be forgiven?” [IBN-e-MAJAH,VOL :1,P:99]

Shab e Baraat - Part 3

NAFIL SALAAH TO BE READ ON Night of 14th Shaban Laylatul Baraa'ah

BASHARAT OF JANNAT: Sayyiduna Rasulullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is reported to have said that Allah Ta'ala instructs and assigns 100 angels to the person who performs 100 Nafil Salaahs on this auspicious night - 30 of which will bring the good news of Jannat, 30 angels to protect one from the Azaab (Punishment) of Dozakh (Hell), 30 to remove all misfortunes and miseries of this world and 10 angels to protect one from Shaitaan. 

THE GUARDING OF IMAAN: After performing Maghrib Salaah, read 2 rakaahs of Nafil. In the first rakaah, after Surah Fatiha, recite Surah Ikhlaas 3 times and Surah Falaq once. In the second rakaah, after Surah Fatiha, recite Surah Ikhlaas 3 times and Surah Naas once. After Salaam, make Du'a and ask Allah to protect your Imaan. 

BARAKAH IN RIZQ: After Maghrib Salaah, read 2 rakaahs of Nafil. Thereafter, read Surah Yasin once, Surah Ikhlaas 21 times and Du'a Nisf Shabaan once. Then, make Du'a for Barakah in Rozi and ask Allah not to make you dependent on anyone. 

LONG LIFE FILLED WITH PIETY: After Maghrib Salaah, read 2 rakaahs of Nafil. Read Surah Yasin once. Then read Du'a Nisf Shabaan once. Thereafter, make Du'a for long life filled with piety and righteousness. 

REWARD FOR TEN THOUSAND GOOD DEEDS: Anyone who performs 20 rakaahs of Nafil after Maghrib in such a way that after Surah Fatiha, recites Surah Ikhlaas 10 times in every rakaah, will be rewarded abundantly by Allah Ta'ala, and ten thousand good deeds will be recorded in his Amal Namaa (Book of Deeds). 

DEATH WITH COMPLETE FAITH/IMAAN: Anyone who performs 2 rakaahs of Nafil on the Last Friday of Shabaan between Maghrib and Esha will die with full faith and Imaan. After Surah Fatiha, one should read Ayatul Kursi once, Surah Ikhlaas 10 times and Surah Falaq and Surah Naas once in both rakaahs. If the person who reads Nafil in such a way dies until the next Shabaan, will die with Imaan, Insha-Allah. 

The performing of Salaatul Tasbeeh on this night is also very virtuous.

THE SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE MONTH SHA'BAN AND THE DIVINE FORGIVENESS SENT DOWN IN THIS MONTH.

Allah's beloved prophet hadrat MUHAMMAD {peace be upon him}said: "Sha'ban is my month,Rajab is Allah's month and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah[Community]

Sha'ban is expiator,while Ramadan is the prufier." Sha'ban is a month between Rajab and Ramadan.People tend to neglcet it,but that is when the deeds of His servants ascend to  the Lord of all the Worlds,so I would rather mine rose up while i am fasting." 

" The excellence of Rajab over other months is like the excellence of the Quran over all other books, while the excellence of Sha'ban over other months is like my excellence over the rest of the prophets,and the excellence of Ramadan over other months is like the excellence of Allah [Exalted is He] over all His creatures.

FASTING OF HADRAT MUHAMMAD{peace be upon him}IN THE MONTH OF SHA'BAN 

Hadrat Aisha,the wife of our prophet hadrat MUHAMMAD{peace be upon him}is reported,having said: "Allah's Messenger{peace be upon him}used to fast until we would say he was never going to stop fasting, and he would go so long without fasting thet we would say he was never going to fast,but i never saw Allah's Messenger{peace be upon him}continue a fast from the begning to the end of any month except the month of Ramadan and i never saw do more fasting in any month than he did in Sha'ban .So i a sked him "how is it i always see you fasting in Sha'ban?" and he{peace be upon him}said: "O' Aisha,it is the month in which the angel of death has to note down the name of anyone whose soul he must take before the year is out,so i would rather he did not record my name except while i am fasting." Hadrat Aisha{may Allah be pleased with her}said: " The dearest of months to our Prophet hadrat MUHAMMAD{peace be upon him} was Sha'ban,which he would link to Ramadan." 

LAST MONDAY OF SHA'BAN.
Allah's beloved hadrat MUHAMMAD{peace be upon him}said: "Anyone who fasts on the last monday of Sha'ban will be granted forgiveness."

LAILAT-UL-BARA'T {THE NIGHT OF ABSOLUTION},ITS SPECIAL MERCY,GRACE AND MERITS.
Allah almighty said:" Ha-Mim.By this luminous Book. Undoubtedly we sent it down in a blessed night , verily We are to warn.Therein every affair of wisdom is divided." [44:1-3] Hadrat Ibn-e- Abbas{may Allah be pleased with him}said,"Ha-Mim means that Allah has predetermined everything in existance till the day of Resurrection. Book means AL-QURAN,which is a mercy from Allah and provid guidance and was revealed in "blessed night".The 'blessed night' is the night of mid-Sha'ban in which every wise and important work is decided and is made distinct. Mid of Sha'ban is the night of absolution."

THE SPECIAL [IBADA] WORSHIP OF OUR PROPHET HADRAT MUHAMMAD{peace be upon him}IN THIS BLESSED NIGHT.

Hadrat Aisha{may Allah be pleased with her}said,once Allah's Messenger{peace be upon him}asked me, "O Aisha,what night is this?"She replied, "Allah and His Messenger know best."Then he said: This is the night of the middle of Sha'ban ,during which worldly actions and the deeds of mankind are carried aloft.In this night as numerous as the wool of the flocks of the tribe of Kalb,are the slaves of Allah, emancipated from the fire of hell. So will you excuse me tonight?" She said :" I said yes,So he performed his prayer like this : He held the upright position only briefly,and recited AL-Hamd and a short Sura then he stayed in prostration till middle of night .then he stood upto begin the second rak'at[cycle] with a recitation similar to the first,and then his prostration lasted untill dawn."

OUR PROPHET{peace be upon him} WENT TO JANNA-TUL-BAQQI [the blessed cemetry of the city of Madinah-tul-Munwwara]. 

Hadrat Aisha{may Allah be pleased with her}once said: " I could not find Allah's Messenger{peace be upon him}one night,So i went outside there he was in Jannat-ul-baqqi{the blessed cemetry},his hand turned up toward the sky.Then he said to me: 'Were you afraid that Allah and His Messenger would treat you unfairly?' I replied: 'O Messenger of Allah, I thought that you had gone to one of your[other] wives.'He{peace be upon him}said:' On the night of mid-Sha'ban,Allah{Exalted is He} descends to the lowest heaven and forgives more than the number of woolly hairs on the flocks and herds of [the tribe of Kalb]." 

Hadrat Ibn-e-Abbas {may Allah be pleased with him and his father}said: "In the night of mid Sha'ban ,Allah[Exalted is He] arranges the affairs of the year.He transfers[some of] the living to the list of dead,and records those who will make pilgrimage to the house of Allah,neither adding one too many nor leaving a single one of them out."

THREE HUNDRED GATES OF MERCY ARE OPENED IN THE NIGHT OF MID SHA'BAN: 
Hadrat Abu Huraira{may Allah be pleased with him}reported that Rasullullah{salallahu alaihi wassallam}said: "Gabriel {

peace be upon him}came to me on the night of mid Sha'ban and said to me:"Ya RasulAllah,raise your head heavenwards!" I asked him: "What night is this?"and he replied: "This is night when Allah{Glorified is He}opens three hundred of the gates of mercy,forgiving all who do not make anything His partner. The only exceptions are those who practice sorcery or divination,are addicted to wine,or persist in usuary and illict sex; these He does not forgive untill they repent." At a quarter of the night, Gabriel {peace be upon him}came down and said: Ya RasulAllah, raise your head!" So i looked up,to behold the gates of Paaradise wide open.At the first gate an angel was calling: "Good news for those who bow in worship this night!" At the second gate an angel was calling: Good news for those who prostrate themselves in worship this night!" At the third gate an angel was calling: "Good news for those who offer supplication this night!" At the fourth gate an angel was calling: "Good news for those who make remembrance this night!"At the fifth gate an angel was calling: "Good news for those who weep this night from the fear of Allah!" At the sixth gate an angel was calling:"Good news for those who submit this night!" At the seventh gate an angel was calling: "Will anyone ask,that his request may be granted ?" At the eight gate an angel was calling :"Will anyone seeks forgiveness,that he may be forgiven?" Rasullullah{salsllahu alaihi wassallam}said: "O Gabriel,how long will these gates remain open?" He replied: From the beginning of the night until the break of dawn." Then he said: "Ya rasulAllah , tonight Allah has as many slaves emancipated from the fire of hell as the number of wooly hairs on the flocks and herds of tribe Kalb."

Shab e Baraat: Part-2

VISIT TO THE CEMETERY 
Hazrat Ayesha Siddiqa (radi Allahu anha) reports: "One night, which was the 14th of Shabaan, I did not find the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) in the house so I went in search of him. After a long search, I found him in Baqiah (the cemetery of Madinah) offering Du'a for the deceased and praying for their forgiveness". (Baihaqi) 

A special point must be made to visit the cemetery during this night and pray for the deceased buried therein, as the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) is been reported as having visited the cemetery on this night and spending a long time therein, lamenting, reading and praying for the deceased.

TO KEEP FAST 
According to the Hadith Shareef which is narrated by Ibne Habaan (radi Allahu anhu) that Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "When the night of 14th Shabaan arrives spend the night awake and keep fast the next day". 

Hazrat Abu Hurairah (radi Allahu anhu) reports that the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said often in his Khutba (sermon): "O people! Lighten and cleanse your bodies by way of fasting during Shabaan, so that it shall be easy and helpful to you for the fast during Ramadaan. Whoso fasts for three days during Shabaan, all his past sins are wiped off". (Baihaqi) Fasting is also recommended on the 13th, 14th and 14th of Shabaan. 

HOW TO SPEND THE NIGHT 
On this night, perform Nawaafil, recite the Quran Shareef, recite abundant Durood Shareef, Istighfaar and Kalima Tayyibah. It is also mentioned that if one reads Surah Dukhaan seven times on this night, Almighty Allah will reward you with 70 worldly needs and 70 deeds for the Hereafter. 

DO NOT BE AMONGST THOSE DEPRIVED OF MERCY
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) said: "Almighty Allah forgives all Muslims on this night, besides the fortune tellers, the magicians, the alcoholics, those who disrespect their parents and those who take part and encourage adultery". 

In another narration, the following people have also been mentioned: 

1. One who deals in usury (Riba), 

2. One who wears his trousers below his ankle with pride and arrogance (In Arabia, people displayed their wealth and boasted in this manner), 

3. One who creates disunity among two Muslims, 

4. The person who unjustly takes away the right and property of another Muslim and has not yet rectified himself. 

All these persons are not shown Mercy on this auspicious Night.

A HUMBLE APPEAL TO SEEK PARDON AND ASK ALLAH'S FORGIVENESS 
Dear Muslim brothers, the Bountiful Allah in His Infinite Mercy has provided us with such an auspicious night so that we may take advantage of it and repent for our sins, and thus obtain His Grace and Favour. It is for us to take full advantage of it. During this night, offer special prayers and repent sincerely for our past sins and ask for His Forgiveness. 

Also on this night the Doors of Mercy and Forgiveness are opened wide, and those who sincerely grieve over and repent for their past sins and seek forgiveness from Allah are pardoned and forgiven by the Grace of Allah the Merciful. 

Each Tasbih or Du'a should begin and terminate with the recital of Durood Shareef and one who wishes for the acceptance of his Du'as should use the Wasila of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). 

Hazrat Ghousul Azam, Sheikh Abdul Qaadir Jilani (radi Allahu anhu) has mentioned in his famous "Gunyat-ut Taalibeen" that the month of Shabaan according to some narrations is related to Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). So, it is our duty, as the Ummat of Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) to love and respect this month more than any other month (besides Ramadaan). We should also offer abundantly salutations (Salaat-o-Salaam) upon the Holy Prophet (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam). 

While we are praying and asking for ourselves and family, we should also remember in our Du'as the Muslim Ummah facing calamities in many parts of the world, that may Allah Ta'ala grant them the strength and Istiqaamat (steadfastness) in Deen. Those weak Muslims who are under pressure from the West and modernisation, may Allah Ta'ala guide them and show them the right path so that they be in touch with their glorious past. Aameen. May Almighty Allah guide us on the path of the Ambiya and the Awliya. Aameen.

A Letter of Imam al-Ahl as-Sunnah towards All Muslims

Shab-e-Bara'at is about to come. On this night, the deeds of all servants are presented in the Exalted Court of Allah. For the sake of the Most Dignified Rasool (Peace and Blessings of Allah be upon Him), Allah forgives the sins of the Muslims except that of a few. Among these are those two Muslims who bear mutual hostility for some worldly reasons. Allah says: ‘Leave them as they are, until they mend their relations’.

Ahl-e-Sunnat should end discords and mend relations before sunset of 14th Sha’ban. Fulfil the rights of others; else get waiver so at the book of deeds is presented in His court devoid of rights of others. Regarding the rights of Allah, mere sincere repentance is sufficient. It is mentioned in a Hadith:

Whoever repents of his sin, is as if he has not committed the sin at all. [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith 4250]

Shab e Baraat (Part-1)

LAYLATUL BARAA'AH - NIGHT OF SALVATION 

The 14th night of Shabaan is a very blessed night. According to the Hadith Shareef, the name of this Mubarak night is "Nisf Shabaan" which means 14th night of Shabaan. The reason for this special night to attain its name of Laylatul Baraa'ah, meaning the Night of Salvation, Seeking Freedom from Azaab and Calamity, is that in this night the Barkaat and acceptance of repentance may be accomplished. Laylatul Baraa'ah in Persian, as well as in Urdu, is called Shabbe Baraat. 

It is the night of seeking pardon and repenting to Almighty Allah, remembering our past sins and sincerely settling the mind that one will never commits sins in the future. All the deeds that are against Shari'ah must be totally avoided so that our Du'a and Istighfaar, hopefully, will be accepted. Muslims should check themselves and A'la Hazrat, Imam Ahmed Raza Bareilvi (radi Allahu anhu) has given a beautiful advise in this regard. This great Imam said: "Verily the auspicious night of Shabbe Baraa'a is drawing near when the deeds of the slave will be presented to the Almighty Allah. I humbly supplicate in the Darbar-e-Aqdas of the Almighty Allah that through the Wasila-e-Uzma of Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) He forgives the sins and transgressions of all Muslims. Aameen. 

"On this occasion, it should be the duty of all Sunni Muslims to forgive one another and to make sure that whatever debts owed to one another is settled. The importance of Huqooq-ul-Ibaad cannot be over-emphasised as this is among the pre-requisites for proper Ibaadat. I pray that all Muslims humbly remember this night and try as much as possible to perform Ibaadat and other pious deeds so that their Record of Deeds be presented in all dignity. 

"Finally, I pray that the Almighty Allah assists you and I and the Muslim Ummah wherever you may be. Muslims should be aware of sincerity and honesty in all their deeds. May Almighty Allah forgive all of us. Aameen." Faqeer Ahmed Raza Qaaderi (may Allah forgive him)

HOW TO WELCOME THIS NIGHT 
On this auspicious night, you should perform fresh Ghusal and Wudhu and perform the two Rakaat of Tahhiyatul Wudhu. In every Rakaat, after the Suratul Fatiha, you should read Ayatul Kursi once and Surah Ahad three times. Also perform eight Rakaats of Salaah with four Salaams. In each Rakaat after the Surah Fatiha, you should read the Ayatul Kursi (once) and Surah Ahad fifty times.

WHAT TO RECITE IMMEDIATELY AFTER SUNSET 
After sunset, you should recite "La Hawla walaa Quwwata illa Billahil-aliyil Azeem" forty times with three times Durood Shareef before and after. It is mentioned that by reciting this, Almighty Allah will forgive forty years of your sins and forty Hoors will await to serve you in Jannatul Firdous.

COUNTLESS MERCIES 
Sayyiduna Rasoolullah (sallal laahu alaihi wasallam) has stated: "Verily! Almighty Allah directs His Special Grace on the world on this Night. He forgives my Ummah more than the number of wool that is found on the sheep of the Bani Kalb". We should remember that in those days the Bani Kalb possessed the most number of sheep that any other tribe. 

How great is the Mercy of Almighty Allah on this night that He forgives millions of Muslims. We also realise from this that these numbers can only pertain to the Ahle Sunnah Wa Jamaah collectively, for the righteous followers of the Hanafi, Shaafi'i, Maaliki and Hambali indeed number millions of Muslims.

THE VISITORS OF THIS NIGHT 
It is narrated that the departed souls (Arwaah) of the Muslims visit the houses of their friends and relatives on this night and proclaim: "O people of the house! You stay in our houses and enjoy the wealth that we have left behind. You use our children and take work from them, please perform our Esaale Sawaab. Verily our deeds have become complete, while your record of deeds is still spread". 

If the people of the house perform the Esaale Sawaab and Khatam Shareef on this night, then the Arwaah depart will the Sawaab extremely happy and overjoyed all the time making Du'a for the people.