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]