Significance of Shaban
Alhamdulillah, Summa Alhamdulillah, in less than two weeks we shall Insha-Allah be blessed once again with
the coming of the month of Ramadan, the month of Allah wherein He has ordained
all His submitted servants to observe fasting and to observe His Remembrance
more than in any other month so that they may be admitted into His mercy and
proximity. Like you all know, before the month
of Ramadan, there is the month of Shaban which we are currently living and
which is also an important month in the life of a Muslim.
Hazrat Abdul Qadir
Jilani (ra) once described the letters forming the word Shaban as thus:
1. Sheen for Sharaf –
Respect
2. ‘Ayn for ‘Uluu –
Elevation
3. Baa for Bir – Goodness
4. Alif for Ulfat –
Friendship
5. Nun for Nur – Light.
It is in the month of Shaban, the
eighth month of the Islamic calendar that our beloved Holy Prophet Hazrat
Muhammad (pbuh) used to prepare himself physically, morally and spiritually to
welcome the month of Ramadan. He (pbuh) said: “Many people are unaware of this month’s significance; it is between
Rajab and Ramadan. In this month the deeds of people are lifted to the Lord of
the worlds. I like my deeds to be lifted while I am in a state of fasting.”
(Nasai).
Imam Bukhari reports in his Book of Hadiths a narration from Hazrat Aisha (ra) in which she said: “The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) used to fast until we thought he would never break his fast, and he would not fast until we thought he would never fast. I never saw the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) fast for an entire month except in Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more than he did in Shaban.”
It is not advisable for a Muslim to
welcome Ramadan by fasting the last one or two days of Shaban. Hazrat Abu
Huraira (ra) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) said: “Do not anticipate Ramadan
by fasting one or two days before, except for a man who has a
habitual pattern of fasting, in which case let him fast.” (Bukhari)
This Hadith gives us the notion to distinguish
the Obligatory from the Voluntary, for in another Hadith found in An-Nasai and
narrated by Hazrat Umm Salama (ra), it is reported that the prophet (pbuh) would
not fast any month of the year in full except Shaban and he used to join it to
Ramadan. This means that as a man used to fast on a regular basis, the Holy
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) would occasionally also observe the fast and join it to
the first and complete days of Ramadan, or he would prefer to skip fasting the
ending days of Shaban and fast only in the month of Ramadan as it was not an
obligatory act, but rather a voluntary act. But he liked honouring the month of
Ramadan by beginning his preparations for it in Shaban.
15th of Shaban: Shab-e-Baraat
In addition to fasting, Nabi Kareem
(pbuh) used to maximise his time in additional prayers (Nafl Salat), supplications (dua)
and Remembrance of Allah (Zikrullah).
Furthermore, in many ahadiths though not in the famous Sahih Hadith books,
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) has been reported to give the importance to the night of
mid-Shaban.
Hazrat Aisha (ra)
reported:
“The Messenger of Allah stood up in prayer during part of the night
and made his prostration so lengthy that I thought his soul had been taken
back. When I saw this I got up and went to move his big toe; whereupon he
moved, so I drew back. When he raised his head from prostration and finished
praying, he said: “O Aisha, O fair little
one (Humayra)! Did you think that the prophet had broken his agreement with
you?”
She replied: “No, by Allah, Oh
Messenger of Allah, but I thought that your soul had been taken back because
you stayed in prostration for so long.”
He said: “Do you know what night this is?”
She said: “Allah and His Prophet know best.”
He said: “This is the night of mid-Shaban! Verily Allah the Glorious and
Majestic look at His servants on the night of mid-Shaban, and He forgives those
who ask forgiveness, and He bestows mercy on those who ask mercy, and He gives
a delay to the people of envy and spite in their state.” (Baihaqi)
Though there is no doubt that the
importance of the month of Shaban is unquestionable in the history of Islam,
yet throughout the centuries some innovations have crept into the pure
teachings of Islam and the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), more
specifically during the mid-Shaban which people have skyrocketed its importance
more than necessary. The Ibadah of Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) was not restricted to
the 15th of Shaban. There is no specific form of Ibadah prescribed for this night. There
is no specific prescribed Salah
reserved for this night. But some scholars and Mujaddids of Islam received signs
of Allah on the night of 15th Shaban.
One example: It was during that night that
Hazrat Umar ibn Abdul Aziz (ra) after having completed his prayers saw a piece
of green paper. Light emanated from that paper and illuminated the sky and on
it was written that this was from the part of Allah for His servant Umar ibn
Abdul Aziz (ra), and Allah gave him the assurance of salvation from the fires
of hell.
Even if the night of mid-Shaban may
be filled with blessings and observed by the Holy Prophet of Islam (pbuh), it
is however a misconception among a section of the Muslim Ummah to state that
the blessing of mid-Shaban is mentioned in none other than the Holy Quran, in
Chapter 44, Ad-Dukhan. They quote the following verse to state that the blessed
night mentioned is that of mid-Shaban whereas it is not so.
Allah says:
“By the clear Book, Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn (mankind). On
that night is made distinct every precise matter – (Every) matter (proceeding)
from Us…” (44:
3-6)
When we study the Holy Quran we
find that Allah has already mentioned in His Holy Book (in Chapter 2) that the
Holy Quran was revealed during the month of Ramadan, and thus the “Lailatin Mubaraka” can only be
referring to the Laila-tul-Qadr, the
Night of Decree and blessed night (mentioned in Chapter 97) during which the
Holy Quran was revealed and that also more precisely during the holy month of
Ramadan.
Moreover, like reported in Sunan
Nasai, Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) is reported to have said: “…In this month the deeds of people are lifted to the Lord of the worlds.
I like my deeds to be lifted while I am in a state of fasting.” Here,
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) has not mentioned a specific night but rather the whole
month of Shaban where the deeds of man are taken up, and thus that is why
Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) preferred that his deeds be lifted for Allah’s scrutiny
when he is in a state of purity and agreeable to Allah, for the reward of
fasting is none but Allah Himself.
Furthermore, the custom of cooking
a specific food (Halwa-Roti) for the
15th night of Shaban or the belief that the connection with the dead
is open on this night and the following day has no basis in the Quran or
Sunnah. Neither these nor the lighting of lamps or the illuminating of lights
outside the Mosques, as practised by some people till this day.
It was the noble practice of the
Messenger of Allah (pbuh) to engage in Ibadah
during the last portion of every night. Ibadah
was not restricted to the 15th of Shaban or any other specific
night. Hazrat Aisha (ra) reports that Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) used to go to bed
during the first portion of the night and he would stay awake the last portion
of the night (spending it in worship). (Bukhari & Muslim)
Allah (swt) descends to the nearest
heaven during the last third of every night. (Bukhari).
This is not restricted
to the 15th night of Shaban. And visiting the graveyard is not a
special characteristic of this night; it is proven from other authentic
narrations that Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) would visit the graveyard during the
last portion of many nights.
Mind you, it is not at all a sin to
pray a lot (Farz & Nafl) during the night of mid-Shaban, or even throughout
the month of Shaban, but it is a sin to add innovations to the teachings of the
Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and attribute to his practices that which he did
not do or commanded to do.
It is most unfortunate that our
brothers and sisters of the same faith as us, being Muslims and believing in
the Shahada: Laa-Ilaaha Illallah
Muhammadur Rassullullah have twisted out of proportion such practices of
our beloved prophet Hazrat Muhammad (pbuh) and to give credence to their own
beliefs sought to invent such practices which are out of the pale of Islam. Had
the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) really known the special blessings of
mid-Shaban and done a lot of worship thereafter, then this have been blown out
of proportions by those who call themselves Muslims to state according to their
own opinions that such a night is worth even more than the Night of Decree or
the days of the blessed month of Ramadan, thus establishing such school of
thoughts in Islam which contradict the basic teachings of Islam.
Allah judges His servants according
to their good intentions. Those who really seek Him, then Allah forgives them
and embraces them with His mercy, and makes them submissive to Him. And the
best example to have graced this world with his presence is none other than the
best of mankind who came to teach us the true value of religion and the means
and ways to accede to Allah. And he also taught us how to rid us of all evils (Satan
and his army) which seek to come in our way to twist our deeds and thoughts
according to his liking, and not that of Allah (twa).
May Allah protect us from any evil
innovation which may prove fatal to our faith as Muslims. And may Allah grant
us shelter in His mercy and give us the Tawfiq
to derive the divine blessings of the forthcoming month of Ramadan, with a
sound faith devoid of any satanic inclination. Ameen, Summa Ameen, Ya Rabbul Aalameen...
A Distinguished Scientist/Muslim Lady President for Mauritius
Dr. Amina Bibi Firdaus Gurib-Fakim
is sworn in as President of the Republic of Mauritius today
Friday, 05 June 2015 and yesterday there was a parliamentary session convened
by the Prime Minister Sir Jugnauth Aneerood at 11.20am to elect Dr. Amina Bibi
Firdaus Gurib-Fakim as President of the Republic, and she
was elected unanimously.
In my name (as the Khalifatullah of
this era) and the name of Jamaat Ul Sahih Al Islam National and International,
we send her our sincere congratulations. May Allah help her in her duties, and through
the way she will serve the country, we hope that through this honour she will
demonstrate the teachings of Islam (in her behaviour and principles) before one
and all. Insha-Allah.
The post itself is an honour for
this world, but Insha-Allah, may Allah
(swt) gives her the ability to act as a believer first. It should not be that her
position makes her forget the teachings of Islam because she has to implement
these teachings and not let this be a dishonour to the Creator. This honour
does not mean that because we live in a non-Muslim country we must go against
the teaching of the Quran and of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). On the contrary,
we must give others lessons on the beauty of Islam, preserving the dignity of
women. So tomorrow if there is disobedience to Allah, who is the one who must
bear the burden of that responsibility on his back? There shall be disobedience
to the Creator when it comes to diversity. The message of the Quran is clear:
cooperate in good deeds but do not cooperate in evil.
Although we know that the position
of chief of state is a very respectable position, but without power,
nevertheless we want our sister Gurib-Fakim to
reflect on the position she will occupy as from today! Which is better?
Obedience to the Creator and His Prophet (pbuh), or to the Government of
Mauritius and the Prime Minister? So, the future will tell. Insha-Allah, we pray for her that she may accomplish her duties
according to the divine teachings. Ameen.
-Extracts from the Friday Sermon of 05 June 2015 (17 Shabaan 1436 Hijri) delivered by the Khalifatullah Hadhrat Munir Ahmad Azim Saheb (atba) of Mauritius.