Shaban 15th Night Virtues and Blessings - Authentic and Sahih by Shaykh Ninowy

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,=' -=' - --
-- '' --=- '--,- _'= `-' `-' ''- '`=' --, '- - --='

The speciIic virtues oI NisI-Shabaan; the midde oI Shabaan
which makes that day and night special and distinguished, according to the Book, authentic Sunnah, and the
statements oI the Imams oI the Ummah
Allah Taala, The Generous,The MerciIul, granted His worshippers many opportunities
throughout the year to spiritually cleanse ourselves, puriIy our hearts, and nourish our souls by
opening doors Ior us to get close to Him Subhanahu wa Taala. He promised those who stay up
the nights because oI His Love and devotion to Him to grant them with His Munajat (speaking to
Him), Iorgiven sins, and many other prizes. Similarly, to those who Iast during the days (other
than only Ramadan), to give them blessings, puriIication, and many inconceivable rewards to the
human mind. Allah Taala promised to puriIy them and reward them in a non-imaginable way to
us, consistently so with His Mercies and Generosity. Furthermore, Allah Taala bestowed special
honour, Iorgiveness and privileges onto special days and special nights throughout the time span
oI this earth, such as the night oI Laylatul Qadr, the nights and day oI both Eids, and the day in
which our Beloved Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam, was born, the night oI
MuzdaliIah, and many many other very special days/nights, among them the night oI the middle
oI Shaban and its day.

Ahadith on the night of Nisf- Shabaan
1-
- '--' =-=' --' -+,-' = -=' --= - = ,' --= - ,=- =
'' - - '-`= = -=' = '-= - '- ,'= - _'- --' = '' ' '- :
) V -= '~- >- -=-'- J-'~ Q- J - ,--'- ,--~- Q- J '-- '- '-~ Q- ~~-- --- '
,~- ')=,-- -- V =- .( -,-= - '-` ''= _,=- .
Imam Bayhaqi narrated in the Shuab, and Al Kharaiti in Masawe Al Akhlaq, through
Marhoom bin Abdul Aziz through Dawud bin Abdur Rahman through Hisham bin Hassan,
through al Hasan (Al Basri), through Uthman bin abil-Aas, that the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa
aalihi wa sallam, said:
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( During the night oI the middle oI Shabaan, a caller will call: is there anyone who is asking Ior
Iorgiveness so I Iorgive? Is there anyone who is asking, so I grant?. Anyone who asks will be
granted, except an adulterer and a Mushrek).

The Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam, tells us explicitly and directly that anyone
who asks Allah Taala in the night oI NisI-Shabaan, will be granted, except a Iew catagories.
This calls Ior us to devote ourselves Ior Dua and prayers that night and to ask Allah Taala
Iorgiveness and other needs, speciIically that night.

2-
- ,= --' -+,-' =,=- '-= - =-` ,-' --=' = = -
= '-,` - --'` - -=' --= =` = '-= - --= -,'= ,- '-`-= ' ` -''= - '-
, - =''- = ,=- = ,- -'= -= - - .-= - '- = ,'= - _'- --' = '' '-
' ) : ,--- '-~ Q- ~~-- --- - --= _- = -=- Q='~- ,~-- V --= --=- .(
_,=- -,-=' . ' --,+' == - ='=' --' _-=- ) 8 / 65 " :( =-` ,-' --=' -
'-` '-+''= ." '- -' _'= .--- = -=-' - .-- --' ' - `,=- ' ', - =''-
- -'=, --' = .--' _- _,=- ,= . -'--= _'= .,' , '-= - -,-=' _=- --
,=- '--- = -, ` -,-='' =''- - ,=- '-- --- -'-' -- - -= -, ' - '-
.- -=' , '= - _,=- .
Imam Tabarani in his Mujam Kabir and Awsat, Ibn Hibban in his Saheeh, Bayhaqi in the
Shuab, and others narrated Irom diIIerent ways to Hisham bin Khaled Al Azraq, he said were
were told by Abu Khulayd Utbah bin Hammad, through Al awzaiy andAbdur-Rahman bin
Thabet bin Thawban, through his Iather, through Makhool, through Malek bin Yukhamer,
through Muath bin Jabal (radiyaAllahu anhu) said that The Prophet oI Allah, sallallahu alayhi
wa aalihi wa sallam, said:
( Allah shows (His Mercies) to His creation in the night oI the middle oI Shabaan. He Iorgives
all His creation except a Mushrek or a hateIul person).
This Hadith is authentic/Saheeh. HaIeth Ibn Hajar said in Mujama Az-Zawaed 8\65 aIter
mentioning this Hadith: Al Tabarani narrated it in Al Kabir and Al Awsat, and the narrators oI
both chains are trustworthy. Some people were skeptical about this narration because oI what
Ibn Al-Muhibb allegedly attributed to Al HaIeth Ath-Thahabi saying that Makhool did not meet
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Malek bin Yukhamer. This statement, howeer, is incorrect, iI it is authentically attributed to Ath-
Thahabi. This is because Imam Ibn Hibban authenticated the narration indicating his belieI that
Makhool did inIact hear Irom Malek. Besides there is no narration than any oI the imams oI the
Pious predecessors negated Makhools hearing Irom Malek. Hence, the Hadith does not go
below the level oI Hasan (good), but actually it is Saheeh (authentic), and Allah knows best.

3-
- = '-' - --= - ,= '-` ,+' - '-` _-,- - -= ,= - -,= ----' --= =
,'= - _'- - ,- -= - - --= = '-=' -=' --= - '' '- ' :
) _- J= ,- = -=- --= Q-- J-'- Q='~- Q---V V -'-- ,--- '-~ Q- ~~-- --- .(
' ='=' ,+' - --' _-=- - 8 / 65 : " ''= ,-- -,-=' ,' , ,+' - , --= -
,-` ." -= '- --= -=-' - , `' -- --= -- ='-= -` '- ,+' -
=- =' ' `='- -',- ,- - - - . ,,,= - --= '- _-,- - ,+' - '
= == -- `,-= ,= = -- - ,-- - --= - ` -,-='' - -=' = -, '= - .
Imam Ahmad narrated in his Musnad amongst others, through Hasan bin Musa, he said we were
told by Ibn Lahiah, he said we were told by Huyayy bin Abdullah Al MaaIiri, through Abi
Abdir-Rahman Al Hbli, through Abdullah bin Amru, that RasoolulAllah, sallallahu alayhi wa
( Allah Azzawajall shows (His Mercies) to His creation on the night oI the middle oI Shabaan.
He Iorgives (all) His creation except Ior two; a HateIul person, and a murderer
Al HaIeth ibn Hajar Al Haytami said in Mujama Az-Zawaed 8\65: Ahmad narrated it, and in
the chain is Ibn Lahiah who is weak in Hadith, but the rest oI the narrators have been deemed
trustworthy. Ibn Lahiah is a trustworthy Imam, who simply got mixed up aIter his books were
burned. Talk is known about him, and Muhaddith Ahmad Shaker has an opinion oI accepting all
oI his narrations with no exception, which must Iurther researched and looked into. But the
narration oI Ibn Lahiah has been Iollowed (Mutaabaah) by Rashdin bin Saed to Huyayy with
the above isnaad, as in the book oI Hadith oI Ibn Haywayaih. Hence, the degree oI the Hadith
does not go beyond being Hasan (good) at least, and Allah knows best.
In this Hadith, again, there is a call to seek Allahs Iorgiveness in this speciIic night to be
exposed to showers oI Mercy oI Allah on His creation that night. But also, how the hadith
sometimes couples the HateIul (jealous/Iighting) person with a Murderer and a Mushrek,
etc..May Allah puriIy our hearts Irom such evil and ill-Ieelings. One who may have such ill-
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Ieelings should immediately repent, restore the rights to people whose rights he violated, and beg
Allahs Iorgiveness in the NisI-Shabaan night.

4-
,--,-' --'= -,-' = ,` = - ,= -,- - - ='- - ---' --= -
:' '- '' ,'= - _'- --' '+-= - -
) ~- ;-- ,~ -- Q- ,-V ,--- '---- '-~- _- '-~ Q- ~~-- --- ,-- J= ,- = ( .
',- -,=-' ---' ='=' , ) : V ,~- _- ')-- = ,=-- V ='- _- V Q='~- _-
,-= Q--- _- V ---;- '- _- V J-~- _- V ;= .(
-=' _' --- '-,- '+=,-=-- '+-' '= - ,'=- ` -'-=- ,` =- -,-='
'= _''- - _,=-' .
Imam Ahmad, Tirmithi, Ibn Majah, Ibn Abi Shaybah, and others, narrated Irom diIIerent ways to
the Lady Aisha, Ummul Muminin, radiyaAllahu anha, that the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa
( Allah Mercies (or a ambiguous meaning-mutashaabeh- to us, which Allah knows, suitable to
His Majesty and non-similar to the creation in anyway)} descend the night oI the middle oI
Shabaan to the earthly heavens. He (Allah Taala) Iorgives Ior more (people) than the hair oI the
sheeps oI Kalb). In the narration oI Al Munthiri in At-Targhib, there is an addition which says;
Allah does not look (prohibits Irom His Forgiveness) a Mushrek, a HateIul person, a person
who is not kind to his Iamily, a person with long clothing (An ostentatious person who shows
oII), a person who disrespects his/her parents, and an Alcoholic).
This Hadith has been narrated with lots oI diIIerent chains oI transmitters, none oI which is
problem-Iree, Irom a Hadith point oI view. However, those entire narrations along with
corroborating evidences combined together may alleviate the weakness oI the Hadith and eleate
it to Hasan (good), or even Sahih (authentic), and Allah knows best.

One should try to avoid being in any oI those catagories, the Ahadith have so Iar mentioned.
Repentance and praying on the night oI NisI-Shabaan to be exposed to the Showers oI Allahs
Mercies, are important.

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5-
- ' _,=- '--'- ----- -'- - - '=' : - --= '-` -,-= ,- '-` ,= - - --= '-`-=
' - - ,` = -- - -''= '-` : - _'- - ,- ' '- ,'= ) : Q- ~~-- --- -=- ;--
'-'~- ',~- ;-- V ;)- ;)- ,--- --= _- '-~ (
- '- - _-- ',-- ,-- ,+-- -'- , .- - ,` _' '--` _,=- .-- -,-='
'=- ' = .,-'-' '- - , '-- _-, ` -'=-' -' --= -= - - .-=
.'=-' --'
Al Hareth bin Abi Usama narrated in his Musnad, with an authentic Isnaad saying: we were told
by Abdullah bin Awn, he said we were told by Abu Ubaydah, he sad were told by Abdullah, he
said we were told by Khaled bin Madan, through Kathir bin Murrah, he said: The Prophet oI
Allah, sallallahu alayhi wa sallam, said:
Your Lord shows (His Mercies) the night oI the middle oI Shabaan onto His creation. He
Iorgives them all, except a Mushrek or a HateIul person}.
This Hadith is Mursal. But the Isnaad to Kathir is Sahih (Authentic). Kathir is a great TabiI
(Iollower oI Sahabi). He inIact met more than 70 Sahaba oI Badr, heard Irom Muath bin Jabal,
and Al Marwazi counted him among the Sahaba, which is incorrect. He is, however, a big Tabii.
From this narration, you see at least the understanding the oI pious Tabiin and their students.

6-

- '-,` -- -+,-' _,=- '--'- -`-= =' - -=' '- ,'- - , ,= -
' ,=- :
) Q='~- ,-' V Q--=,- V ;)- ,--- '-~ Q- ~~-- - V J _-- -=- = .(
,-'-' '- - , ,=- _' _,=- -'-- .-- -,-=' .
Al Bayhaqi narrated in Shuab Al Iman, with an authentic Isnaad through Zuhayr bin Muawiyah,
he said we were told by Al Hasan bin Al Hurr, who said I was told by Makhool:
Allah shows (His Mercies) to the people oI earth on the night oI the middle oI Shabaan. He
Iorgives them (all) except Ior two; a disbeliever and a hateIul person}.
This Hadith is Mursal. Yet its isnaad is authentic to Makhool, who is among the biggest Tabiin.
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7-
- ,- -''`' -'--= _,=- '--'- - --- ' --- '-` ' -,' - --=- ,=
' ,=- = -=, - :
) = -=- -- Q---'-- _-- ;-- Q-,--~--- ,--- '-~ Q- ~~-- --- --= _-- _-'- '--
Q='~- ,~-- V ,--- ;--=- --=- J ( .
- -= ,=- _' _,=- -'-- .-- -,-=' .
Al-Lalakaaiy narrated in his Usul with an authentic Isnaad through Muhammad bin kulayb, he
said we were told by Mutamer, he said I heard Burd narrating Irom Makhool:
Allah Taala shows (His Mercies) onto His creation the night oI the middle oI Shabaan. He
Iorgives the ones who are asking Ior Iorgiveness, grants repentance Ior those asking Ior it, and
leaves the hateIul people in their hate. So He Iorgives (all) except a Mushrek and HateIul
person}.
This narration is Mursal, yet the isnaad to Makhool is authentic.

Further evidence on worshipping on Nisf-Shabaan night, including staying
up the whole night (ihya) worshipping and praying:
Based on the ahadith I mentioned above regarding the specific honor of the night of Nisf-Shabaan and
its great importance, one deduces the emphasis of maximizing the benefit of this night by devoting as
much time in it as possible to pray for forgiveness and tranquility.
No specific evidence is needed to stay up any night of the year, because the prophet, sallallahu alayhi
wa aalihi wa sallam, was specifically commanded to stay up all the nights of the year. Nisf-Shabaan is
one of those nights too.
Allah Taala said in Surat Al Muzzamil:
1 . >- - - V J- -- ; -
2 . >- - - - - -- -~ -
3 . >- -, - ', -- J - - - -
Which means: Stay up the night (in worship) except a little. A half thereof, or abate a little thereof. Or
add (a little) thereto - and chant the Qur'an in measure.
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a- The Ayah calls for staying up the nights throughout the year, and the night of Nisf-
Shabaan is one of the nights of the year. In fact, Nisf-Shabaan is one of the specified
nights and extremely honorable nights as sanctioned by the authentic Hadith of the
Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam. Hence staying up in worship during this
night is more called for; filling it with prayers , Dua, and asking forgiveness, so one can
be exposed to the forgiveness from Allah. The Hadithi texts mention: forgiveness for
those who are asking for it, etc.
b- There is no specific textual evidence from the Quran or Sunnah prohibiting staying-up
the night of Nisf-Shabaan specifically. Those who go to such extremes, base their
conclusion on their own understanding, not on a specific text prohibiting worship on
Nisf-Shabaan night.
Such understanding is manifested by the practice of some of the great Tabiieen and the majority of the
scholars of Ahlus Sunnah. Below are a few examples:
1- Imam Al Hafeth Ibn rajab said in Al Lataaef, page 196; narrating the act of some of the Tabieen
like Makhool and those with him, along with great Imams such as Ishaaq bin Rahoyah:
=-- --'='' -= - ='=' ' 196 :
) '+-',= ' ,, - '=- '+-=` -- - +- - -=--' ='-= '-- --- ',' ',= -=--, -
=-- =' ,' ='-= -='--' .(
( It is encouraged that one stays up the night of the middle of Shabaan at the Masjid. From the Imams
of Ijtihad; Ishaaq bin Rahoyah, agreed with them (Makhool and the Tabiieen with him) and stated that
staying up the night on that night- in a congregation is not Bida).
The attributed saying to Imam Ibn Rahoyah and others in the permissibility of gathering people in the
Masajed to commemorate the night of Nisf-Shabaan falls under general principals, such as:
a- No specific text (Quran or authentic Hadith) specifically prohibiting gathering a congregation in
the Masjid to do worship, Dua, on Nisf-Shabaan night, or any other night.
b- The prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam, said in what Imam Muslim narrated in his
Saheeh:
'- , '' , , - - -, - , _ - -= '- -=' +- , - = -, -' +, ' = - ' - ` + -, - -, -- - , '' '- ,
--- = -, '' -` -' +- - =.
Which means: (not a group of people, who gather in one of the houses of Allah, reciting the
book of Allah, studying it amongst themselves, except that tranquility will descend onto them,
mercy will overwhelm them, angles will surround them, and Allah will mention them).
This hadith and other similar authentic Ahadith and Quranic Ayahs such as in Sura Al Baqara:

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Which means: Mention me, I will mention you, did not exclude the night of Nisf-Shabaan out
of such honor.
Similarly, what imam Muslim narrated in his Saheeh on the authority of Abu Hurayra that the
Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam, said:
- -' = , - = '- '' ,'= - _'- ' : ) ` - ' , - -` - _ '' - ' - - '' . '' = - , -- ,
-' . '- '= - - = ' + - - , . + - = -=' - '- - + - - - = . ' ,--' ' - -' , - + -, - ' - `- , _ - = .
' - -' _ ' - - , = = , - - ' . ' : '= , . = = '' + ''- , + - : , ', - , -- = , - : - ' -- =
= -, ''- , = -- = - , = -, ' ' + , = - - , = -, = - - , ` = ' ' - = -- = . ' : , '' -, ''- , ' - : = -, ''- ,
= - - = . ' : . , '' - - = : ` . ' : - - = , ' -, . , '' : = -, = -- , . ' : -
, '' - -, = -- , : ' - - . ' ' , : , '' ' - . : ` . ' : ' - , ' -, . , '' : = - - -- , .
' : , - , : + ' - = - . ' = -- ' - - + - = , '' - ' - + -, ==' . ' : , ', - , : ` +, . ' = = -- = . ' - -
+ - ' = - . ' : , - , : - = ' . + -, ' = + - _ -- , ` , -' .(
Which means: (Allah Taala has angels circulating everywhere looking Ior sessions oI
remembrance oI Allah on earth-. Once they Iind one, they will sit in it and surround it
with their wings until they Iill the distance between earth and heavens. When they Iinish
and return back to heavens, Allah asks him, though He is more knowledgeable than them:
where did you come Irom? They reply: we came Irom a session- with some oI your
worshippers on earth, they are doing Tasbeeh oI you (SubhanaAllah means: gloriIying
Allah taala that nothing is like Him, not attributing Him Taala with the attributes oI the
creation such as being in a place, or contained/limited by space or direction, or any other
attribute oI the creation, but rather attributing Him Taala with the glorious attributes oI
His, the Lord oI the worlds), Takbir oI you, Tawheed oI you, GloriIying you, and asking
you. He (Allah Taala tells the angels): what are they asking me?. They reply: your
Paradise. He tells them: have they seen it. They reply: no OLord. He tells them: what iI
they had seen it?. They say: -OLord and they seek your reIuge. He tells them: Irom
what?. They reply: Irom your hellIire OLord. He tells them: did they see it?. They reply:
No. He tells them: what iI they had seen it?. They say: they are asking your Iorgiveness
OLord. He tells them: I have Iorgiven them. I shall grant them what they asked me, and
grant them reIuge Irom what they are seeking reIuge Irom. They the angles- say:
OLord; there is a person amongst them, who is a continuous sinner. He was not
regularly among them- just passing by, saw them and just sat with them. He- Allah
Taala- tells them: and him I Iorgave too. Because oI them, anyone who sits with them,
shall not be miserable/looser).

All such texts are general and open, and the night oI NisI-Shabaan was not mentioned as
not covered by such texts. Hence, principally speaking, it is, and Allah knows best.

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2-
-= '--=' -= - ='=' ' '-' --'=' -'- - 195 :
) -+-=, '+-,-=, ,= -'= - '--' ,=- -- - -''= '-' . - ,-'-' ' '-- - ---' ','
+-,=- '+'- '-' -= +-= '-' '+, ' (
Imam Al-HaIeth Ibn Rajab Al-Hanbali said in his book LataaeI Al MaareI, page 195:
(The Tabiieen Iollowers oI the Sahaba- Irom the people oI Shaam like Khald Ben Ma'daan,
Makhool, Lokman bin Amer and others, used to gloriIy the night oI the middle oI Shabaan, and
strive in it with worship. From them (the Tabiieen) people took the gloriIication and virtues oI
the middle oI Shabaan).
From the above evidences, the texts clearly point to the speciIic honour oI the night oI the middle
oI Shabaan, indicating that it is a special night, thereIore one should be relentless in seeking
Allah Taalas Iorgiveness and generosity during this night speciIically.

3-
` '- '-' '-` ' 2 \ 485 :
) - '-'- '-, ' : ',' -= '=--, '=-' : -=' ',' ',' -= - ',' =-' ',' _=-` ','
---' '-- - . ' '-' '--= ' _,-' '--= ' --=- - ,- '--= : -,--' . ',= - =,-- -,
.,'' - ='- --- _-= - -, ,=-, -,' ',' '- ,'= - _'- --' -=-- _'= +=, . -= - '-'-
_-= ',' ,=, ' . ,' _-= ',' =-' '+-=,-- ` -,' ' . '-' ' : - '','' -- -,= '- . -=-- '-
'- ,, ,= (
Imam ShaIiiy (radiyaAllahu Anhu) said in his book: Al Umm, vol 2, page 485:
(We received that it was said that prayer\Dua is answered on Iive nights: the night oI Friday, Eid
nights, the Iirst oI Rajab and the night oI the middle oI Shabaan. Al-Rabi said; ShaIiiy told us:
We were told by Ibrahim ibn Muhammad: I saw the chieItain oI the most pious oI the people oI
Madina come to the Masjid oI the Prophet peace be upon him the night oI Eid. They mention
Allah and pray until some time oI the night passes. We received that Ibn Umar used to stay-up
the night oI Jam. The night oI Jam is the night oI Eid, Ior in its morning you oIIer sacriIice.
ShaIiiy said: I like to do that in all the above mentioned nights, without it being an obligation.
Summary:
The vast majority oI the Scholars Irom the Iour Sunni Mathhab expressed their encouragement
to stay up the night in worship on the Nights oI the Eid and the night oI NisI-Shabaan, etc.
They, however, disagreed on two issues:
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a- Whether individual or Group gathering are encouraged to stay up those nights.
b- Whether the gathered group oI people should do it in a Masjid or at another place.
Most oI the Scholars who mentioned this topic, did not object to group gathering, but in Iact
encouraged it. Some scholars, however, preIerred that staying up the night in those speciIic
honorable nights is an individual task. Then among those who encouraged group gathering oI
people to stay up those honorable nights split into two groups. Most oI which preIerred that such
gatherings do not occur at the Masjid and considered having the stay-up all night gathering at the
Masjid as a Bida (bad innovation), while other scholars in that group encouraged gathering
people at the Masjid to stay-up the night.
- -' =-' ,=- - ' 56 \ 2: 4
) - '- '-- - ---' ',' ==' -= '',' ,-,' -',' '-- - -' '',' ',= '----' -
,'=` -''= , ,=, ',--` -'= .,'' ',='- -' '--- -,-' -,=-' ' - . -,
'- _,-' ,= ='-=- ,=- _'-, ` ---' '=' ' -='--' '','' -- - ',' ',= _'= '--=`
--' ',' -,-' '` ,'-' - _'-- ',= -=' = -,' -',' '-- - ---' ',' (
Imam Ibn Nujaym Al HanaIi said in Al Bahr Ar-Raaeq 2\56:
(Among the encouraged things is to stay up the last 10 nights oI Ramadan, the night oI the Two
Eids, the 10 nights oI Thil Hijjah, and the night oI NisI-Shabaan, as was transmitted in the
Ahadith and mentioned in details in the Targhib and Tarhib. What is meant by staying up the
night is apparently the whole night, and it could be most oI it. It is, however, discouraged to
gather (in groups) to stay up a night oI the above mentioned nights at the Masjid. As it was said
in Al Hawi Al Qudsi; no optional prayer other than Taraweeh should be prayed in congregation,
and what was narrated about prayers in honourable nights such as the Night oI Qadr, NisI-
Shabaan, night oI two Eids, AraIah, Jumua, and others , should be prayed individually).

- ,-'=' ,--'= - ' 2 \ 25: 5
" ) '-- ==' -= ---' ,-,' '',' ',= -'=- : ) ,' ',= ', ' ,-,' ( ,-`-''- -',' _'` :
_=-` -,= ',' =-' -,= ',' ) . ---' ', ( '-- - ---' ',' ',= ) . ` ', ( '','
_' ` -' . = '+' '','' -- .- '= '- --` '`---' =-- - ) . '-= .- ,, ',
-` .,'' - ."(
Ibn Abidin mentioned in the Hashiya 2\25:
(Chapter: Staying up the nights oI the two Eids, the Middle, the 10 oI Hijjah, and Ramadan.
(Saying staying up the night oI the two Eids) preIerably the two nights ; the night oI Eid Al-Fitr
and the night oI Eid Al-Adha. (Saying the Middle) means staying up the night oI the middle oI
the Shabaan. (saying the Iirst) means the Iirst ten nights etc. Sharnablawi has explained the
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virtues oI all those nights in details in Al-Imdad, so reIer back to it. (Saying it shall be a worship
that spans over all the night or most oI it).
- '-=-' -- '-' -,--' -`' ' 1 \ 591 ,-,' -',' ',= = '- -- : 6
) '-' `-- '-+-= _''- - - '-= - = -- ='-- ., _--- -,--'' .,'' =-- ',=` .-=,
-' `- _'= ' ='-= '=--- '-- --- -= -',' -=' ',' '-+, '=-' ='-= _-
-' .- - - '- -=--, .(
Allama Sharbini Al-ShaIiiy in Mughni Al Muhtaaj 1\591 said aIter talking about staying up the
night oI the two Eids:
( Staying up the night is done by staying up the whole night such as in Mina, and some said
partial oI the night, even an hour oI it. On the authority oI Ibn Abbas radiyaAllahu anhuma :
praying Isha in congregation and intending to pray Fajr in congregation as well. Praying/Dua in
them (the night oI the two Eids), and in the night oI Jumua, the Iirst oI Rajab, and NisI Shabaan
is answered, so it is encouraged as mentioned in the Rawdah (oI Imam Nawawi) ).

- '-=-' ,'+- - -= '-' '-' ,-' -- '-` ' 2 \ 397 -- ,-,' -',' ',= = '- : 7
) -=--, '=--- '-- --- -= -',' -=' ',' '-+, '=-' .(
Al Allama Ar-Ramli said in Nihayatul Muhtaj 2\397 aIter talking about staying up the night oI
the two Eids:
(Supplication in them, and on the night oI Jumua, and the two nights; oI the Iirst oI Rajab and
NisI-Shabaan is answered, so that is encouraged).

- '--' '- '--=' -,+-' -`' ' 1 \ 444: 8
} ) ' .- '+,- '-- - ---' ',' '- ( ) '+-',=` '+' '--=` ' '+, '-, - -'-' -='--'
=-- ) ( '+-', '-=-- ( '-- - ---' ',' ) '- ( ',= ) ` _-- - -,' ',' ( - -=' --=
--= ) -= - ( ----' ` --' ) ( _---' -'- ) --'='' ( --'=,' . -,-= ---, " -',' ',= -
- ',= '-- - ---' ',' ,-,' ,'-' ,-- ,, -' " - = ----- =,'- ---' -
',' -= ',' ,-'= ',' ='-= ' ,- = '-- --- .
Allama Al Buhuti Al Hanbali in KashaI Al Qina 1\444:
(about the night oI NisI-Shabaan, it has virtues, and) among ( the SalaI -pious predecessors-
used to oIIer prayers in it, but gathering in group to staying up the night at the Masjid is Bida) (
On the encouragement oI staying up in it) meaning the night oI NisI-Shabaan (is similar to what
is in) staying up (the night oI the Eid. This is what is meant by the statement oI) Abdur-Rahman
12

bin Ahmad (ibn Rajab) Al Baghdadi then Al Dimashqi (in) his book that is named ( Al LataaeI)
Iil WathaaeI. It is strengthened by the hadith: whosoever stays up the night oI the two Eids and
the night oI NisI-Shabaan, Allah will revive their heart when the hearts die. It was narrated by
Al Munthiri in his Tarikh with his Isnaad through Ibn Kardous through his Iather. Others said
also the night oI Ashura, and the night oI the Iirst oI Rajab, and the night oI NisI- Shabaan).
- =-- '-' --'=' '--=' -= - ='=' ' 263 : 9
) ' '-, - '== = , - --=- '= - = -- ,- '-`-= ,--- - -,- : ' - '- ',' -- ',
'-- - ---' ',' - .- --' .(
Al HaIeth Ibn Rajab Al Hanbali said in lataaeI Al MaareI page 263:
( Said bin Mansur narrated; we were told by Abu Mashar, through Abi Hazem and Muhammad
bin Qays, to Ata bin Yasaar said: No night aIter Laylatul Qadr is better than the night oI NisI-
Shabaan).

- ,='-' -`--' == - ='=' ' 2 \ 160: 10
) `=' ' -= .- '- - ' -- - -''= ,= - : +,'= -= - --' ',' -=
-=' - '= -=,- '-,--- +-,` '= : ',' =-' ',' ''+- ,-, '+',' ,-, -= - ','
'-- --- ',' ,-'= ',' _=-` .(
Al HaIeth Ibn Hajar Al Asqalani said in his book Al Talkhis 2\160:
( Al Khallal narrated in his book about the virtues oI Rajab- through Khaled bin Madan
saying: Five nights in the year, whosoever consistently seeks them hoping in reaping their
reward, believing in that, Allah will enter him into Paradise; the Iirst night oI Rajab; staying up
its night and Iasting its day, the night oI Eid Al Fitr, the night oI Eid Al Adha, the night oI
Ashura, and the night oI NisI-Shabaan).
=--' -- == - ='=' ' : -11
) '= - -= _' -- - ,' --= - -= _' '--'- --'-' ,-= -,==' " : ',' _-'- =,'=
-=' +, -, - ' --' : ,' =-' ',' =-' ',' '-- - ---' ',' -= - ' .(
Al HaIeth Ibn Hajar said in the same book and page number:
( Al Khatib narrated in Ghunyatul-Multames with an isnaad to Umar bin Abdul Aziz that he
wrote to Adai bin Artaa saying: You should be concerned with Iour nights in the year, Ior
Allah showers His Mercies in them; the Iirst night oI Rajab, the night oI NisI-Shabaan, the night
oI Eid Al Fitr, and the night oI Eid oI sacriIice).

13

Fasting on the day of Nisf-Shabaan:
1- In general: Iasting in other than Ramadan is recommended and is a
conIirmed Sunnah. In Iact, Allah Taala tells us in the Quran, surat
Baqara:
,-'- -- ' ,= ,-,--
Which means: II you Iast, it is better Ior you, iI you knew.
2- In the authentic Hadith in Bukhari and Muslim:
. = = '' ' : - = ' - ' -' ' , -' ` ' ' - . - = .
Which means: Allah said: All the deeds oI the oIIspring oI Adam are Ior
him/her. Except Fasting, it is Ior me and I reward Ior it.
Summary:
1- Non-Ramadan Fasting is highly encouraged all the time except the Iorbidden days such
as the days oI Tashriq and the day oI the Eids. The middle oI Shabaan day is one oI the
year days where optional Iasting is permissible.
2- There is no speciIic text (Quran or Hadith) prohibiting Iasting on the 15
th
oI Shabaan.
3- In Iact, Iasting the 3 days in the middle oI Shabaan; the 13
th
, 14
th
, and 15
th
oI Shabaan
are highly encouraged because oI the Authentic Ahadith that the Prophet, sallallahu
alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam, encouraging Iasting these 3 days oI every month.
4- Since the month oI Shabaan has many emphasized honors and speciIicities as indicated
by authentic Ahadith. Fasting the three days oI the middle oI Shabaan including the 15
th

(including NisI-Shabaan) is even more beneIicial.
5- Among such speciIicities:
A- The prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam, used to Iast in Shabaan
more than any other month throughout the year aIter Ramadan:
= -= '--'- -,= -'--' = --' '- - '-+-= - - -, - -'-
,'= - _'- '' '- '- :
,'= - _'- '- '-- ,-- '- ,+-' - +- ,-- ' - ,- ',
'- ) : - ,)~ 4- '--V -- -,- ,)~ ; '~- ~= Q-- '-- -- J-
;-'~ '- --- -,- ~='- _-'- = _- ( ..
Imam Nasaiy and others narrated with a Hasan Isnaad on the authority oI Usamah bin Zayd,
radiyaAllahu anhuma, that he asked the Messenger oI Allah saying:
O Prophet oI Allah, I have not seen you Iast in any other month like you Iast in Shabaan. He,
sallallahu alayhi wa salam replied: (That shabaan- is a month that people Iorget, being between
14

Rajab and Ramadan, and it is a month where the deeds are taken to Allah Taala, so I like Ior my
deeds to be taken while Iasting).
- _'- --' = -'' '+-= - - --'= -,-' -,-= - '-- '=-' =
'- '' ,'= :
) '-~ Q- -'-~ Q- ,- =- ,)~ Q- '--'~ - ;- . - '-~ ;~- ' .
'-~ ;~- ' >--- V ( .
Bukhari and Muslim narrated on the authority oI the Lady Aisha radiyaAllahu anha saying
about the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam:
( I have never seen him Iast any month more than he Iasts in Shabaan, he used to Iast all oI it, he
used to Iast all oI Shabaan except a Iew (days) ).
Hence, Iasting in Shabaan is highly emphasized, and the middle oI Shabaan is part oI the
month oI Shabaan. But the 15
th
oI Shabaan, i.e. NisI-Shabaan is even more emphasized to be
Iasted along with day 13
th
and day 14
th
oI it, because oI the Iollowing authentic narrations:

a- The Sunniyyah (authentic Sunnah basis) oI Iasting the day oI NisI-Shabaan is authentically
narrated and generally covered in the authentic Hadith that is narrated by Al Bukhari and
Muslim through Abu Hurayra:
- = '-- '=-' = ' -= - - , :
> -- ; -~ --- = _-~ --- = -'~ : _= ~- - ,)~ J Q- '- ->- '-~
'- J-- , -
Which means: my companion told me to do three things: Iast three days
oI every month, 2 rakah oI duha, and Witr beIore I sleep.

b- In an Authentic Hadith as per Ibn Hajar Al Asqalani in his Fath Al Barai, Allama Ayni in
his Umdatul Qari, and Ibn Al Mullaqn in his Sharh oI Bukhari, and the hadiths isnaad
cannot be under Hasan under any present circumstance:
' '- '' ,'= - _'- --' = - --= - ,= = :
,~- - ,~- >- =--~ --- '- ,-- '-~ ,)~ J Q- '- ->- '-~
,~- Q-=
=- -,-= , = -`' '-' _- == - -'-' - '-' --= -,'
'=- -=' = = -, ` -,-=' '=-'' =- .

15

On the authority oI Jarir bin Abdillah, the Prophet sallallahu alayhi wa
Fasting three days oI every month is like Iasting the whole time, the
days oI light (ayyamul beedh the lunar nights in which the nights are
lit because oI the Iull moon lighting them) the morning oI day 13, day
14
th
, and day 15
th
(oI the lunar month).

c- Imam Tirmithi narrated and graded at Hasan. The Hadith is Saheeh/Authentic however.
_,=- -,-=' --= ---' == - -= - - '-' - '`,-= :
- ,- ' '- '' ,'= - _'- :
,~ - Q- = ,~ - - ,~ - >- ; ~ - '- ->- ,) ~- Q - ~- ~ '- '-
The Prophet oI Allah, sallallahu Alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam, said:
O Aba Tharr, iI you Iast in the month three days, then Iast the 13
th
,
the 14
th
, and the 15
th
.
'-, - = ---' ='='' -,-' -,=-' _,=- -,-=' :
In Imam Munthiris Tarqheeb and Tarheeb, on the authority oI
Abu Tharr. The Hadith is Authentic/Saheeh, in which the Prophet,
sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam, said:
~-~ -'- - 4- _--~- = ,-'- ,~- Q-= ,~- - ,~- >- ;~- '->- ,)~- Q- ] '= Q-
')-'-- ,~- -- -~=-'- '- ,~- ;--'-
Which means: (II you Iast in a month three days, then Iast the 13
th
, the
14
th
, and the 15
th
. Allah Taala conIirmed that in his book (in an ayah
which means) whoever does a good deed, its multiplied by ten, and the
day is multiplied by ten (i.e. Iasting 3 days per month means Iasting all
year, as 3 days per month30 days reward).
Furthermore:
1- Imam Al HaIeth Ibn Rajab said in his Book Al-LataaeI page 194:
_- ---- ,- --- '-V --= Q- -'- -- )-- ,-- -- ~~-- ;- '-~ '-
'-~'- ='- Q- Q-~ -- ~;~=- '-~ Q- -'-~- ,-V -- ,)~ J Q- ')-'-~
;-~ --- = _-~ --- Q- -- = ~ -- Q- ~-~ ": Q- ~~-- --- '
'')- ;-;~ ')--- ;-;-- '-~ ."
Which means: (Fasting the middle day oI Shabaan is not prohibited, Ior
it is among the (whitelit) nights (Ayyam beedh), which are encouraged
to be Iasted everymonth. And the instruction to Iast the middle day oI
Shabaan came in the Sunnan oI Ibn Majah with a weak Isnaad on the
authority oI Ali radiyaAllahu anhu to the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa
16

sallam, said: II the night oI the middle oI Shabaan comes, stay up its
night, and Iast its day).

2- The speciIic Hadith that emphasizes Iasting the middle oI Shabaan speciIically,
according to the understanding oI many scholars. Imam Muslim narrated in his Saheeh:
=` ' ' '' , - '- +- = '' - , - = - - = = :
' - ' - ~ , ~ Q - ~- ~ : V . - ' : Q- -; - ; ~ - , =- ' -
Which means: RasululAllah asked Imran bin Hussayn or other person:
Did you Iast Irom the Surar oI Shabaan? He said: no. The Prophet said:
once you Iinish your Iast, Iast two days.

Many Scholars mentioned that the meaning oI the word Surar is middle. Hence the hadith oI
Saheeh Muslim here speciIically emphasizes the Iasting oI the middle oI Shabaan. Below are
some statements oI the scholars in that regard:
a- Imam Nawawi said in his Sharh on Sahih Muslim, chapter oI Fasting 8\41 explaining the
above Hadith:
' ,-' '-` =- _'= _,=- ',-' '- '-- 8 \ 41 :
,-, -' : ```' , '-=-- , -'-=-- _'= --- - =- +-' - - ```' ',` ,- -=--,
-'`' ., -,= ---' '- -,-= '+, '= - -= -'=' -= _-' -= -''`' ,-' ',
_-' -= -''`' -= -=
Which means: (as iI he imam Muslim- is saying: it is liked/encouraged (mustahabb) that the
three days oI Surra oI the month, which are the middle oI the month. Encouragement to Iast the
middle oI the month- is agreed on its merits, which is encouragement oI Iasting the three lit
(beedh) days, which are the 13
th
, the 14
th
, and the 15
th
).
b- Imam Ibn Hajar said in hi Fath-ul Bari, chaper oI Fasting 4\752:
' ,-' '- '-' _- == - ='=' 4 \ 752
) ,+-=' -,-= ,- ' : _-- ,-= '-` ',' '+, --' ---` ='-- -,-- +-' =' '- -''- -'
,``` ,-= . ,+-='' =` = -'==' .-- ' -- ,' --= - -,- =` = ,- .--
., : ,- -'= +-' =- -' --,,, =- -' - - _-= -' '- += +-- == '-,
-' '-- =' , '= +- '+, .- -- +-' =' ',- , ' - +-' =- ,-' ',- _' --'
- = +-' - - '+, -' ,' '-'-- '- ,-' == '-- .=` -'- ',' '+- ',' ,-
'- +-' =- ,-' ',- _'= =' '+, -' --- .(
Which means: (Abu Ubayd and the Jumhur said: Surar means the end oI the month. It was
called surar because it means that the moon hides on the nights oI the end oI the month, and
those nights are the 28
th
, the 29
th
, and the 30
th
. Abu Dawud narrated Irom Al-Awzaaiy and Said
17

bin Abdul Aziz that the Surar oI the month is its beginning. Al-Khattabi narrated Irom Al
Awzaaiy a similar opinion to the Jumhur, however. It was said, however, that the Surar oI the
month is its middle. This is what Abu Dawud said and some scholars gave this view more
priority than the others. It was directed that the Surar is pluar oI Surrah (navel or bellybutton),
and the Surrah oI something is its middle. That is strengthened by the encouragement to Iast the
lit (beedhwhite) days which are in the middle oI the month, and that there is no encouragement
to Iast the end oI the month (oI Shabaan), but what was transmitted is a speciIic prohibition oI
Iasting the end oI Shabaan Ior those who Iast it Ior Ramadan. Al Nawawi prioritized this
understanding because Muslim separated the narration containing the Surra oI this month Irom
other narrations, and Iollowed it up by other narrations which encourage Iasting the lit
(beedhwhite) days, which are in the middle oI the month as stated).
c- Imam Suyuti said in his Dibaaj on Sahih Muslim, chapter oI Fasting vol 3\249:

- '-,-' =,,-' '-` ' ',-' '- '-- _,=- _'= 3 \ 249
) _--- -,=-- '-- - ., '+, --' ---` ,+-=' '' +-' =' -' - _-= '+-- '- ,-'
-'- , ` _'= ,'= -,-=' .-=, ` -- +-' =' ',- ', ' '+-,- -- ,-' ', ` =-
,-,, ` ,, ,-- '-- ,---- ` -,-=' .(
Which means: (From the Surar oI Shabaan, which is pronounced either Sarar, Sirar, or Surar. A
plural oI Surrah, and what is meant is the end oI the month, as the Jumhur said, because the
moon is non-apparent then. And it was said that the Surar- is the midde oI the month, because
the lit (beedh white) days have narrations indicating the encouragement to Iast them, and no
such narration is Iound about the end oI the month. Hence the hadith cannot be understood as the
end oI the month, Ior also this would contain a contradiction due to the Hadith stating: Do not
Iast one or two days beIore Ramadan ).
d- Because there are authentic Ahadtih such as the one in Sahih Al Bukhari explicitly
prohibiting Iasting the end oI the month oI Shabaan, the above narration oI Sahih
Muslim lands perIectly as speciIic emphasis on Iasting the middle oI Shabaan, as its
Surar, as indicated by the Prophet, sallallahu alayhi wa aalihi wa sallam.
The hadith oI Bukhari says:
= ' '- ,'= - _'- --' = -= '' - , - :
---- , ` ,,' =' - ,' -,- ,-, ' . = ,, ` , -,, ,, ,-- '-- -=
On the authority oI Abu Hurayra radiyaAllahu anhu, RasululAllah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam
said: ( Do not Iast one or two days beIore Ramadan, except iI a person was doing his (regular or
mandated make-up) Iast, then it should be continued).
18

Final Conclusion:
Based on the Quranic and Hadithi evidences, supplemented by the statements oI the scholars,
one is:
1- Encouraged to Iast the Surar or Middle oI Shabaan.
2- Encouraged to stay-up the whole or most oI the night oI Shabaan asking Ior Iorgiveness
and making supplication to maximize the beneIit out oI this speciIic honorable night and
be exposed to all the Mercies oI Allah that may come anytime during that night. One
should repent to Allah Taala and make lots oI Dua. Among the beautiIul Duas one can
make - not limited to or speciIied hereon- is the Dua oI Umar radiyaAllahu anhu, as
narrated by Ibn Al Munther and Imam Al Tabari in his TaIsir with an authentic isnaad
IulIilling the conditions oI Imam Muslim, that Umar bin Al Khattab radiyaAllah Taala
anhu used to say:
-- '- '=' '-' --= --`- '-- '- ,=-- =-' =-' '-- ,-- '= --- -- +''
O Allah, iI you have written on me misery or sins, please erase it, Ior you erase
whatever you want and aIIirm whatever you want, and to you belong Ummul Kitaab (the
mother oI the books), please make it happiness and Iorgiveness instead.

By:
the most needy to the Mercy oI his Lord,
Muhammad bin Yahya bin Muhammad Al-Husayni An-Ninowy,
May Allah Iorgive him, his Iamily and the believers.


Shaban 15th Night Virtues and Blessings - Authentic and Sahih by Shaykh Ninowy

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