Is It Recommended to Perform Extra Worship on the Night of the 15th of Sha‘ban?

Answered by Shaykh Faraz Rabbani

Question

Is it a sunna or bida to worship on the night of the 15th of Sha‘ban?

Answer

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful

A Blessed Opportunity

The majority of Sunni scholarship considers the 15th of Sha‘ban to be a blessed day and night. It is recommended to fast and spend some or all of the night in worship.

It is clearly stated in the fiqh works of the madhhabs that it is recommended to worship on this night. Even Ibn Taymiyya says this.

No specific worship has been authentically established for this night; however, Imam Nawawi (in al-Majmu‘), Imam Buhuti (in Kashshaf al-Qina‘), Imam Shurunbulali (in al-Shurunbulaliyya), and others have mentioned that prayers such as the 100-rakat Salat al-Raghaib are blameworthy innovations.

Finding the Balance

Imam Haskafi, one of the primary references in the Hanafi school, said:

“Among the recommended (prayers) are on. . . . the nights of the two Eids, the middle of Sha‘ban, the last ten of Ramadan, and the first [ten] of Dhu al-Hijja.” [Haskagi, al-Durr al-Mukhtar]

Note that in the Hanafi school, it is disliked to perform non-obligatory prayers (besides tarawih) in congregation, as well as to gather at the mosque for these special nights. [Ibn ‘Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar; Shurunbulali, Hashiyat al-Durar (al-Shurunbulaliyya)]

Ibn Taymiyya was asked about the prayer of mid-Sha‘ban [i.e., the night of].

He answered:

“If a person prays that night alone, or in a select congregation, as many groups (tawa’if) of the Early Muslims used to do, it is very good.

As for gathering in the mosque for a particular fixed prayer, such as gathering for 100 rakats in which 1,000 QulhuwaAllahuAhad are read every time, this is a reprehensible innovation, which none of the imams have allowed. [Ibn Taymiyya, al-Fatawa al-Kubra]

This corresponds to what Imam Nawawi mentioned in his Majmu‘, where he also quoted Imam Shafi‘i from the latters al-Umm that it has reached him that there are 5 nights when dua is answered, one of them being the night of the 15th of Sha‘ban.

Note, of course, that the night of the 15th is the night before the day of the 15th.

The Prophetic Invitation

It is reported from Sayyiduna ‘Ali (Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:

“Let all of you spend the night of mid-Sha‘ban in worship (i.e., partly) and its day in fasting. Allah descends to the nearest heaven during this night, beginning with sunset, and says: Is there no one asking forgiveness that I may forgive them? Is there no one asking for sustenance that I may grant them sustenance? Is there no one under trial whom I may relieve? Is there not such-and-such, is there not such-and-such, and so forth until dawn rises. [Narrated by Ibn Maja with a weak chain.]

Numerous other narrations from the Companions and early Muslims confirm this matter, as mentioned by Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali in his Lataif al-Ma‘arif, among others.

There is a general consensus that weak hadiths may be acted upon for virtuous acts, such as voluntary fasting and prayer, as long as the hadith is not excessively weak, returns to a general basis in the Shari‘a, and one is not convinced that the Prophet (Allah bless him and give him peace) specifically prescribed it.

And Allah alone gives success.

[Shaykh] Faraz Rabbani

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani is a recognized specialist scholar in the Islamic sciences, having studied under leading scholars from around the world. He is the Founder and Executive Director of SeekersGuidance.

Shaykh Faraz stands as a distinguished figure in Islamic scholarship. His journey in seeking knowledge is marked by dedication and depth. He spent ten years studying under some of the most revered scholars of our times. His initial studies took place in Damascus. He then continued in Amman, Jordan.

In Damascus, he was privileged to learn from the late Shaykh Adib al-Kallas. Shaykh Adib al-Kallas was renowned as the foremost theologian of his time. Shaykh Faraz also studied under Shaykh Hassan al-Hindi in Damascus. Shaykh Hassan is recognized as one of the leading Hanafi jurists of our era.

Upon completing his studies, Shaykh Faraz returned to Canada in 2007. His return marked a new chapter in his service to the community. He founded SeekersGuidance. The organization reflects his commitment to spreading Islamic knowledge. It aims to be reliable, relevant, inspiring, and accessible. This mission addresses both online and on-the-ground needs.

Shaykh Faraz is also an accomplished author. His notable work includes “Absolute Essentials of Islam: Faith, Prayer, and the Path of Salvation According to the Hanafi School,” which was published by White Thread Press in 2004 and is a significant contribution to Islamic literature.

His influence extends beyond his immediate community. Since 2011, Shaykh Faraz has been recognized as one of the 500 most influential Muslims. This recognition comes from the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Center. It underscores his impact on the global Islamic discourse.

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani’s life and work embody a profound commitment to Islamic scholarship. His teachings continue to enlighten and guide seekers of knowledge worldwide.