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.

Huzoor Ki Shan by Saqib Raza

Not visiting the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) - A sign of great deprivation

The Holy Quran and the Hadith order one and all to pay their respects to the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  Doing so has been encouraged and staying away from this has been declared to be a sign of the hypocrites. It is given in the Holy Quran:

And when it is said to them: ‘Come so that Allah’s Messenger (blessings and peace be upon him) may seek forgiveness for you,’ these (hypocrites) jerk their heads aside (insolently) and you see them keeping away (from your presence) in arrogance.  Surah Munafiqun (63:05)

Also, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has declared that the person who does not visit the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) in spite of being able to do so has committed an excess against Him.  As given in this Hadith:

Translation: It has been related from the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) that He said:  The person who does not visit me in spite of being able to do so has committed as excess against me.  This Hadith has been narrated by Ibn Farhoon in his Manasik and by Imam Ghazali (May Allah shower His mercy on him) in Ihya Ul Uloom.  (Al Mawahib Al Ladunniya Ma’a Sharh Zurqani, Vol. 12, Pg. No. 180)

There is a similar Hadith in Jame’ Ul Ahadith Wal Maraseel, Jame’ Ul Kabeer and Kanz Ul Ummal:

Translation: The person who performs Haj of the House of Allah and does not visit me has been discourteous to me. (Jame’ Ul Ahadith Wal Maraseel, Hadith No. 21997; Jame’ Ul Kabeer, Hadith No. 4728; Kanz Ul Ummal, Hadith No. 12368)

Reward for 2 accepted Haj for those who visit the grave of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)

There is a Hadith:

Translation: Whoever performs Haj, then comes to My mosque to visit me, for him (or her) the reward of 2 accepted Hajj is written.  (Sunan Dailami, Jame’ Ul Ahadith Wal Maraseel, Hadith No. 21996; Jame’ Ul Kabeer, Hadith No. 4727; Kanz Ul Ummal, 12370)

The Blessings of the Ten Days of Dhul Hijjah

Once more a period of divine blessing has dawned upon us, bringing with it its zephyrs of divine mercy and opportunity. For truly, it is not that one sacred season of devotion ends, except that another opportunity for attaining Allah’s forgiveness, bounty, and self-purification begins. In these cycles of sacred times, we find the heavenly gift of a renewed chance to replenish our souls and seek Allah’s reward and proximity.

Among the reports transmitted regarding the sanctity of the first ten days of Dhul Hijjah, the following has been related on the authority of Hadrat Sayyiduna Ibn Abbas (Radi Allahu Anhu) that the Prophet (SallAllahu Alayhi wa Sallam) said: “There are no days in which actions are superior than in these days.” It was asked, “Not even fighting for the sake of Allah?” He replied, “Not even fighting for the sake of Allah, except that a person sets out with his life and his wealth and returns with neither.”
[Musnad al-Imam Ahmad,Vol. 1, Page 346]

The call for Hajj and its reasons

On orders from the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam), the announcement for Hajj was made that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is going for Hajj this year.  With this announcement, the Companions also resolved to go for Hajj along with the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam).  There were various reasons to make this special announcement:

One of the reasons was that the majority of the Companions should see the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) performing the different rites and articles of Hajj and learn the correct method of performing Hajj.  For this reason, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) ordered all the mothers of the believers (the blessed wives of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) travel along with Him.

Another reason was that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) wanted to give some advice to the Ummah while wishing them farewell.

In the months of the Hajj, Muslims started arriving in large numbers to Madina, so that they could have the privilege of performing Hajj along with the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) and to benefit from His blessed company.

At the end of Dhul Qa'ada, on a Thursday, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) bathed and wore aTahband and a chador.  He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) then offered Salaat Ul Zuhr in Masjid Nabawi and started for Makkah from Madina.  Six miles from Madina, at Dhul Hulaifa, the Meeqat for the people of Madina, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) wore Ihraam, offered 2 Raka’at of Salaat, recited the Talbiya with the intention of Hajj Qiran, then mounted Qaswa, the she-camel and recited Talbiya in a loud voice.

He offered the Salaat Ul Fajr of 4th Dhul Hijjah at Dhi Tuwa, then took a bath and entered Makkah and entered the Masjid Haraam at the time of Salaat Ul Chaasht.  When the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) came before Hajjr Aswad, He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) placed His blessed hands on it and kissed and performed the circumambulation (Tawaaf) of the Ka’aba after it.  In the first 3 rounds, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) performed Raml and in the remaining 4 rounds performed the Tawaaf without Raml. 

Sometimes, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) kissed the Hajjr Aswad with His blessed lips, sometimes the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi w sallam) performed Istelaam, i.e. kissed it with a gesture of His blessed hands, sometimes with a gesture of His blessed stick.  After the Tawaf, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) performed 2 Raka’at of Salaat.  Then again performed Istelaam of the Heavenly Black Stone (Hajr Al Aswad) and started for Safa.  He then performed the Sae’e of Safa and Marwah.  As this Hajj was Hajj Qiran and the animals for slaughter were along with Him, the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) did not open His Ihram after Umrah.

Part8 "How to Taste the True Beauty of Salah"

A Little Shake-Up

We now come to “Maaliki Yaumi-Deen” (Master of the Day of Judgment!)…Why does Allah choose the word “Maalik” (Master, Lord, sovereign)? This is because any authority or power that was granted to creation in this life will be neutralized completely then! All dominion and power will now belong to the real King!

In fact, no one can even utter a word or intercede for anyone else until He permits it. There are two recitations for this word: Maaliki (from ownership) and 

 Maliki 

(from the sovereignty of a king) Two meanings to demonstrate Allah’s sole and absolute control and authority on that dreaded day: 

When the sky is cleft asunder... When the sun is folded up... When the 

stars dim and fall... When the mountains vanish.. When the oceans boil 

over... When the earth is pounded... When the beasts are herded... When 

 the graves are overturned... (see 81; 82; 84; 89)

When man will flee from his own brother, and from his mother and his 

father, and from his spouse and his children... (80:34). 

On that day you will see it, every nursing mother will forget the child she 

was nursing, and every pregnant woman will drop her load, and it will 

seem to you that all mankind is drunk- although they will not be drunk, 

 but the punishment of Allah is severe!(22:2)

On that day, the heavens will be rolled up like written scrolls! (See 

21:104) ...And the heavens will be rolled up in His right hand...(39:67)

And the trumpet will be sounded and all that are in the heavens and the 

earth will fall senseless… (39:68)

 Who is left? The angel of the trumpet. o Allah takes his soul. Who is left? No one. And Our Lord calls, “To 

 Whom does the dominion belong today?!”

No answer. “To Whom does 

 the dominion belong today?!”

No answer. “To Whom does the

dominion belong today?!” Dead silence. Allah finally answers Himself and declares,

“To Allah, The One, The Overpowering!” (40:16)

Then a second (trumpet) is sounded, when, behold, they will stand and 

look on.. (39:68)

And the earth will shine bright with the light of its Lord! (39:69)

And your Lord stands revealed, and His angels, rank upon rank! And 

Hell, on that day, is brought face to face.. (89:22)

And the sun draws near above the heads, on a day the length of which will be 50,000 years! How can we be saved from the horrors of that day?? The answer, coming up next.

In the meantime, let’s call upon these real images with “ Maaliki Yaumi-Deen”. As you recite it in your prayer, pause upon it for a while. These words should not fall upon deaf ears and closed hearts, for a true Muslim’s heart always oscillates between hope and fear. Hope for Allah’s mercy and fear of Allah’s displeasure and punishment.

Excellence of the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah

Allah has expressed the superiority and excellence of the first 10 nights of Dhul Hijjah by swearing by them in these verses of Surah Fajr:

By the Nights twice five; Surah Fajr (89:2)

The clarification about which nights are meant by these is mentioned in the exegesis of the Holy Quran and the Hadith.  There is a Hadith:

Translation: Hadhrat Jabir (May Allah be well pleased with him) narrates from the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) that He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  The 10 nights mentioned here are the 10 nights of Dhul HIjjah, Witr means 9th Dhul Hijjah, the day of ‘Arafaat and the word “..” means 10th Dhul Hijjah, the day of sacrifice.  (Musnad Imam Ahmad Bin Hambal, Hadith No. 14885)

There is a Hadith in Jame’ Tirmidhi about the worship of the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah:

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (May Allah be well pleased with him) and he narrates from the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) that He said: The worship of the first 10 nights of Dhul Hijjah is more liked by Allah than the worship of other days. 1 fast in this month has the reward of fasting for the whole year and worship of 1 night in Dhul Hijjah has the reward of standing up in worship for the whole year.  (Jame’ Tirmidhi, Vol. 1, Pg No. 158, Hadith No: 763)

There is a Hadith in Sahih Bukhari:

Translation: Hadhrat Abdullah Bin ‘Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them) narrates from the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) that He (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:  There is no good deed which is superior to the deeds done in these days.  The Companions asked:  What about Jihad?  The answer was:  Not even Jihad except the person who strives in the path of Allah endangering his life and property and does not return with anything.  (Sahih Bukhari, Hadith No. 926)

There is a Hadith in Shu‘abul Iman:

Translation: Hadhrat Harun Bin Moosa says:  I heard Hadhrat Hasan (May Allah be well pleased with him) narrating on the authority of Hadhrat Anas Bin Malik (May Allah be well pleased with him):  Every single day of the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah is equal to 1000 days in reward and the day of ‘Arafah is equal to 10,000 days.  (Shu‘abul Iman, Hadith No. 3607)

Ghouse Azam Hadhrat Shaykh Abdul Qadir Jilani (May Allah be well pleased with him) has recorded a Hadith in “Al Ghunya Li Talibi Tareeqil Haqqi”:

Translation: Whoever sends a night in worship among the first 10 nights of Dhul Hijjah will get the reward of performing Haj that year and the reward of performing ‘Umrah for the whole year and whoever fasts for a day in it has as if performed worship of Allah for the whole year.  (Al Ghunya Li Talibi Tareeqil Haqqi, Vol. 2, Pg No. 25)

The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said:

Translation: When the first 10 days of Dhul Hijjah start, perform worship of Allah, as these are the days, which Allah has granted superiority and has made its nights sacred like its days.  (Al Ghunya Li Talibi Tareeqil Haqqi, Vol. 2, Pg No. 25)

Some special acts of worship for these 10 days

In these blessed days Haj is performed and those who are performing Haj are in a state of Ihraam.  Thus, to develop some kind of resemblance to them, it is commendable not to cut their hair or trim their nails those people who are performing Qurbani.  The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) has prohibited us from doing so.  There is a Hadith in Sahih Muslim:

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat ‘Umar bin Muslim bin’Ammaar (May Allah be well pleased with him), he says:  I heard Hadhrat Sa‘eed bin Musayyib (May Allah be well pleased with him) say:  I  heard the mother of the believers Hadhrat Umm Salma (May Allah be well pleased with her) say that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: The person who has an animal for slaughtering, on seeing the moon of Dhul Hijjah, should neither remove/cut hair nor cut nails until he performs the Qurbani (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 5236)

From the Fajr of 9th Dhul Hijjah to the ‘Asr of 13th Dhul Hijjah, after every Salaat, every Muslim man and woman should perform Takbeer Tashreeq as well.  As given in Fatawa A’alamgiri, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 152.

To say the Takbeer Tashreeq once is Compulsory (Wajib) and saying it thrice has more excellence.  The Takbeer Tashreeq is this:

Transliteration: Allaahu Akbar Allaahu Akbar Laa Ilaaha Illallaahu Wallaahu Akbar Wa Lillaahil Hamd.

Muslims should also fast in the first 9 days of Dhul Hijjah.  At the very least, one should fast on 9th Dhul Hijjah at least, which is recommended by the Sunnah and has much excellence.

Thus, there is a Hadith in Sahih Muslim:

Translation: Fasting 3 days of every (Islamic) month, fasting in one Ramadhan after the last one has reward of fasting for the whole life.  By fasting on the day of ‘Arafah (9th Dhul Hijjah), I have hopes that Allah will forgive the sins of the year prior to it and the year following it.  I have hopes that by fasting on the 10th of Muharram, Allah will forgive the sins of the year gone by.  (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 2803)

Those whose wealth reaches the prescribed limits should compulsorily perform the sacrifice of an animal.