The Night of the 15th of Sha’ban

The Night of the 15th of Sha’ban

According to Imam Ahmed (r) and the Hanbali school, the night of the 15th of Sha’ban is a virtuous night in which it is recommended to increase in acts of worship. Various narrations have been transmitted that relate to this, many weak, and others authenticated or worthy of being acted upon. Imam Ahmad, Imam al-Awza’i, Mak-hul, Ishaq, Ibn al-Salah, Ibn Taymiyyah, Ibn Rajab, and others were from amongst the scholars who recommended extra worship on this night.

Imam Ahmad narrates that the Messenger (peace be upon him) said:

❝Allah, the Exalted and Glorious looks down at His creation in the middle night of Sha’ban and forgives all His creation except two people, the mushahin (the one who holds a grudge and enmity towards others) and the murderer.❞ This was authenticated by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih (5665).

As for congregating in the Masjid for worship on this night, then most scholars did not consider this recommended, and the Hanbali position is that doing so is disliked. Similarly the great Shafi’i jurist and Muhaddith Imam Ibn al-Salah said:

❝The middle night of Sha‘ban does have merit. To spend its night in acts of worship is recommended (mustahabb); but on an individual basis, not collectively.’❞

And Allah knows best

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