shared by Shumaila Siddiqui
Growing up in Pakistan, the month of Sha'baan would bring in a lot of excitement and celebration. And that was because celebrating the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan was a big thing and considered a very virtuous act, indeed. Men would gather in the masjid while the women prepared 'Halwas' and sweets, preparations were made for all night vigils or "Shabeenas" as they were called, buses were made available to take the men to visit the graveyards and flyers were distributed to everyone containing a long list of 'special prayers' so that they could stay up all night praying.
But, Alhamdulillaah, how Allaah Subhaanahu wa Ta'ala protects His Deen. When Allaah enabled me to study this beautiful religion of ours, all that changed. I realized that all those 'special prayers', all those night vigils, all those Halwas and all those graveyard visits were really not the way of the Prophet . In fact all that was far...far away from his Sunnah and the Sharee'ah that he brought.
And so I thought I would bring to attention some of the misconceptions and wrong ideas attached to this month as this ignorance and innovation has become so rampant, that it has become a sort of an epidemic, not only in Pakistan but in practically every Muslim community that exists.
Misconception # 1: The night of the 15th of Sha'baan should be singled out for worship, prayer, etc.
Clarification: Our best example and role model is the Prophet and he never, ever singled out this night for worship or qiyaam nor did his Sahaba.
Shaykh Ibn Baaz said:"There is no saheeh hadeeth concerning the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan. All the ahaadeeth that have been narrated concerning that are mawdoo' (fabricated) and da'eef (weak), and have no basis. There is nothing special about this night, and no recitation of Qur'aan or prayer, whether alone or in congregation, is specified for this night. What some of the scholars have said about it being special is a weak opinion. It is not permissible to single it out for any special actions. This is the correct view. And Allaah is the Source of strength." (Fataawa Islamiyyah, 4/511)
Misconception # 2: There are special prayers to be offered on this night.
Clarification: The truth of the matter is that there are NO special prayers to be offered on this night specifically. And all those 'ahaadeeth' giving you long lists of special 'formulas' that are "supposed to guarantee you Allaah's forgiveness and Jannah" are all fabricated, false and innovations in our Deen. If there were such prayers, the Prophet (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam) would have told us about them and we would have had evidence of him and the Sahaba doing it.
Misconception # 3: Allaah descends to the first heavens on this night to forgive us.
Clarification: Allaah's descending to the first heaven does not only happen on the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan. Rather it happens every single night of the year.
The Prophet said: "Every night when it is the last third of the night, our Lord, the Superior, the Blessed, descends to the nearest heaven and says: Is there anyone to invoke Me that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone asking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?. " (Bukhaari)
Thus, when 'Abd-Allaah ibn al-Mubaarak was asked about the descent of Allaah on the night of the fifteenth of Sha'baan, he said to the one who asked him: "O weak one! The night of the fifteenth?! He descends every night!"
Misconception # 4: This is the night when our fate, lifespan, and provisions are decreed.
Clarification: Some people think that the "blessed night" (laylatim-mubarakah) mentioned in Surah ad-Dukhaan (44): 3, refers to the night of 15th Shabaan, when Allah decrees our lifespan, provisions and fate. In fact, they even pray 6 rakahs, 2 for each of these things. However, all that is fabricated and far, far away from the Sunnah. And, in reality, the "blessed night" mentioned in Surah ad-Dukhaan, actually is referring to Laylatul Qadr that comes in Ramadhaan. (Tafseer Ibn Kathir of Surah al-Qadr)
Misconception # 5: One should fast on the day of the fifteenth.
Clarification: Here again, there is no saheeh reports that tell us that the Prophet or his Sahaabah ever picked this day specifically to fast. The Sunnah of the Prophet was to fast most of this month and not just the 15th. However, if the fifteenth of Sha'baan coincides with a Monday or Thursday, or with the three white days or if a person is generally fasting, without associating seeking extra rewards to fasting this specific day, then it is allowed. (Sheikh Muhammed Salih Al-Munajjid)
Misconception # 6: This is the night when the souls of departed ones return to their families.
Clarification: Here again, some people misunderstand the ayaat in Surah al-Qadr and think that the 'sending down of the Ruh' as mentioned in this Surah refers to the souls of dead people returning to see their families, even though it refers to Jibreel (Tafseer Ibn Kathir). And that is why we see women preparing the sweets, the Halwas and other 'goodies' for the souls of their loved ones.
Not only is that in itself an erroneous, deviant belief and bid'ah, but to believe that the souls of the dead can return back to the world and meet with their relatives is also totally incorrect and false. The teachings of the Qur'aan and the Sunnah clearly state that the souls of the dead do not return back to the world. Besides, they don't even eat the Halwas. It is actually you who eats it!
Misconception # 7: Visiting graveyards especially this night is something good.
Clarification: Although the Prophet encouraged visiting graves, he forbade singling out any day or night for any kinds of good deeds if it is not prescribed in the Sharee'ah. And he did not specifically visit the graveyard on the night of the 15th of Sha'aan. The hadeeth of Aisha that mentions that the Prophet visited the graveyard this night is not authentic and thus does not have any proof for visiting graves specifically on this night of Shabaan.
Misconception # 8: Even if the ahaadeeth about worship on this night are weak, one can still do it.
Clarification: The correct scholarly view is that weak ahaadeeth should not be followed at all, even if they speak of righteous deeds or of targheeb and tarheeb (promises and warnings). The saheeh reports are sufficient and the Muslim has no need to follow the da'eef reports.
Shaykh Ahmad Shaakir said: "There is no difference between rulings or righteous deeds; we do not take any of them from da'eef reports, rather no one has the right to use any report as evidence unless it is proven to be soundly narrated from the Messenger of Allaah in a saheeh or hasan hadeeth."
Misconception # 9: Look at all those people doing it. How can they all be wrong?
Clarification: The Muslim is supposed to refer to Allaah and His Messenger (Sal Allaahu Alayhi wa Sallam)'s Sunnah, if there is any confusion or dispute about matters and NOT what the rest of the world is doing.
"O you who believe! Obey Allaah and obey the Messenger and those of you who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allaah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allaah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination [al-Nisaa' 4:59]
Shaykh Ibn Jibreen said: "These reports (about worship and fasting an the 15th of Sha'baan) became very well known in some countries which were overwhelmed by ignorance; One should not be deceived by the large numbers of ignorant people who do these things."
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:“Whoever does an action that is not part of this matter of ours will have it rejected.” Narrated by Muslim (1718). Al-Nawawi (may Allaah have mercy on him) said in Sharh Muslim (12/16):
May Allah save us from falling into any kind of innovated matter in this Deen.(Aameen)
And Allah knows best
Source : Note from'Let's all learn Quran' page
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Monday, July 26, 2010
INNOVATIONS | Celebrations | Other celebrations |
Standing the night of the 15th of Sha'baan in prayer and fasting during it's day
Question: Is standing the night of the 15th of Sha'baan in prayer and fasting during it's day legislated?
Response: Nothing firm and reliable has been established on the authority of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) that he stood in prayer in the night and fasted during the day of the 15th of Sha'baan. So the night of the 15th of Sha'baan is like any other night, and if someone is a regular worshipper during other nights, then he may stand the night in prayer on this night without assuming anything special (because of it being the night of the 15th of Sha'baan). This is because specifying a time for any act of worship requires a authentic proof, so if there is no authentic proof then the act is regarded as an innovation and all innovations are misguidance. Likewsie, regarding specifically fasting during the 15th day of Sha'baan, then no (authentic) proof has been established on the authority of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) to indicate the legislation of fasting on that particular day.
As for that which is mentioned from the ahaadeeth regarding this subject, then all of it is weak as the people of knowledge have indicated. However, whoever has the habit of fasting the 13th, 14th and 15th (of every month), then he can continue and fast during Sha'baan as he fasts during the other months, without assuming anything special about the 15th of Sha'baan. Also, the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) used to increase in fasting during this month (Sha'baan), however, he did not particularise the 15th day, rather proceeded as per norm.
Shaykh Ibn Fowzaan
al-Bid'u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa asla lahu - Page 614
Noorun alad-Darb Fataawa Shaykh Saalih Ibn Fowzaan - Volume 1, Page 87
Question: Is standing the night of the 15th of Sha'baan in prayer and fasting during it's day legislated?
Response: Nothing firm and reliable has been established on the authority of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) that he stood in prayer in the night and fasted during the day of the 15th of Sha'baan. So the night of the 15th of Sha'baan is like any other night, and if someone is a regular worshipper during other nights, then he may stand the night in prayer on this night without assuming anything special (because of it being the night of the 15th of Sha'baan). This is because specifying a time for any act of worship requires a authentic proof, so if there is no authentic proof then the act is regarded as an innovation and all innovations are misguidance. Likewsie, regarding specifically fasting during the 15th day of Sha'baan, then no (authentic) proof has been established on the authority of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) to indicate the legislation of fasting on that particular day.
As for that which is mentioned from the ahaadeeth regarding this subject, then all of it is weak as the people of knowledge have indicated. However, whoever has the habit of fasting the 13th, 14th and 15th (of every month), then he can continue and fast during Sha'baan as he fasts during the other months, without assuming anything special about the 15th of Sha'baan. Also, the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) used to increase in fasting during this month (Sha'baan), however, he did not particularise the 15th day, rather proceeded as per norm.
Shaykh Ibn Fowzaan
al-Bid'u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa asla lahu - Page 614
Noorun alad-Darb Fataawa Shaykh Saalih Ibn Fowzaan - Volume 1, Page 87
Different levels of Innovation
Question:
Is there a difference between the innovation that is considered a sin and the innovation that takes a person outside the fold of Islam?
Answer:
Yes; there is innovation that takes a person outside the fold of Islam such as denying that ALLAH will be seen in the afterlife, denying that ALLAH is above His creation, making supplication to other than ALLAH, sacrificing to other than ALLAH, these are all types of innovation that take a person outside the fold of Islam, but we don’t declare a person to be outside the fold of Islam until we have established the proof against him. This is because some of the people have had the doubts heaped upon them and they are far removed from the era of the Prophet Hood and far removed from the light of Prophet Hood. As a result they fall into innovations such as these; and these innovations take the person outside the fold of Islam. We say, denying that ALLAH will be seen in the afterlife is disbelief, as is denying that ALLAH is above His creation, and claiming that the Koran is created is also disbelief, major disbelief. But as for the one who says, I bear witness that no one has the right to be worshipped except and ALLAH and Muhammad is the Messenger of ALLAH and he prays and he fasts and he desires paradise and he believes in it etc, etc; then perhaps some of the doubts of the people of falsehood came to him and piled up upon him until he fell into the aforementioned innovations. Then we say to him, you fell into disbelief and the proof is this and that and we make it clear to him. So if ALLAH gives him the success to return to the truth then all praises belong to ALLAH, if not then we will say he is a disbeliever only after the proof has been established against him. As for the innovation that is sin then it is different than this. For example I see him with rosary beads (dhikir beads) these rosary beads, oh my brothers, there origin is taken from the Christians and the Hindus! These beads are something which is foreign to the Muslims. Who were they taken from? (They were) taken from the Hindus and the Christians, the Christians took them from the Hindus. And I have seen for myself a Christian monk wearing these beads and a Hindu monk wearing these beads and they were using these beads and now the innovators from the Muslims have taken these beads from them. And other than this from the different types of innovations such as the different types of remembrance that have in them deviation from what is correct as for these types of innovations we don’t say they remove someone from the fold of Islam. We don’t say that a person has left Islam except with proof, and we don’t say that a person is a sinner (fasiq) except with proof. So although it is bida you don’t automatically make him a sinner because of it, but he becomes a sinner after it has been made clear to him after it has been made clear and he stays upon this bida then he becomes a sinner (fasiq).
Fatwa by Sheik Rabee' ibn Haadee Al-Madhkalee
Translated by Abu Qayla Rasheed Barbee
Is there a difference between the innovation that is considered a sin and the innovation that takes a person outside the fold of Islam?
Answer:
Yes; there is innovation that takes a person outside the fold of Islam such as denying that ALLAH will be seen in the afterlife, denying that ALLAH is above His creation, making supplication to other than ALLAH, sacrificing to other than ALLAH, these are all types of innovation that take a person outside the fold of Islam, but we don’t declare a person to be outside the fold of Islam until we have established the proof against him. This is because some of the people have had the doubts heaped upon them and they are far removed from the era of the Prophet Hood and far removed from the light of Prophet Hood. As a result they fall into innovations such as these; and these innovations take the person outside the fold of Islam. We say, denying that ALLAH will be seen in the afterlife is disbelief, as is denying that ALLAH is above His creation, and claiming that the Koran is created is also disbelief, major disbelief. But as for the one who says, I bear witness that no one has the right to be worshipped except and ALLAH and Muhammad is the Messenger of ALLAH and he prays and he fasts and he desires paradise and he believes in it etc, etc; then perhaps some of the doubts of the people of falsehood came to him and piled up upon him until he fell into the aforementioned innovations. Then we say to him, you fell into disbelief and the proof is this and that and we make it clear to him. So if ALLAH gives him the success to return to the truth then all praises belong to ALLAH, if not then we will say he is a disbeliever only after the proof has been established against him. As for the innovation that is sin then it is different than this. For example I see him with rosary beads (dhikir beads) these rosary beads, oh my brothers, there origin is taken from the Christians and the Hindus! These beads are something which is foreign to the Muslims. Who were they taken from? (They were) taken from the Hindus and the Christians, the Christians took them from the Hindus. And I have seen for myself a Christian monk wearing these beads and a Hindu monk wearing these beads and they were using these beads and now the innovators from the Muslims have taken these beads from them. And other than this from the different types of innovations such as the different types of remembrance that have in them deviation from what is correct as for these types of innovations we don’t say they remove someone from the fold of Islam. We don’t say that a person has left Islam except with proof, and we don’t say that a person is a sinner (fasiq) except with proof. So although it is bida you don’t automatically make him a sinner because of it, but he becomes a sinner after it has been made clear to him after it has been made clear and he stays upon this bida then he becomes a sinner (fasiq).
Fatwa by Sheik Rabee' ibn Haadee Al-Madhkalee
Translated by Abu Qayla Rasheed Barbee
Thursday, July 22, 2010
INNOVATION ALERT - 15th Sha'baan 1431 / Tuesday 27th July 2010
http://www.fatwa-online.com/innovations/celebrations/cel005/index.htm
Specifying the day of the 15th of Sha'baan by fasting or reciting the Qur.aan or performing naafilah prayers
ref: http://www.fatwa-online.com/fataawa/innovations/celebrations/cel005/0001102_2.htm
Question: We see some people specifying the 15th of Sha'baan with particular supplications and reciting the Qur.aan and performing naafilah prayers. So what is the correct position concerning this, and may Allaah reward you with good?
Response: That which is correct is that fasting the 15th of Sha'baan or specifying it with reciting (the Qur.aan) or making (particular) supplications has no basis. So the day of the 15th of Sha'baan is like any other 15th day of other months. So from that which is known is that it has been legislated for a person to fast the 13th, 14th and 15th of every month, however, Sha'baan is characterised unlike the other months in that (except for Ramadhaan) the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) used to fast more in Sha'baan than any other month . So he used to either fast all of Sha'baan or just a little. Therefore, as long as it does not cause difficulty for a person, it is befitting to increase in fasting during Sha'baan in adherence to the example of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam).
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen
al-Bid'u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa Asla lahu - Page 612
Fataawa Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-'Uthaymeen - Volume 1, Page 190
Standing the night of the 15th of Sha'baan in prayer and fasting during it's day
ref: http://www.fatwa-online.com/fataawa/innovations/celebrations/cel005/0001102_3.htm
Question: Is standing the night of the 15th of Sha'baan in prayer and fasting during it's day legislated?
Response: Nothing firm and reliable has been established on the authority of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) that he stood in prayer in the night and fasted during the day of the 15th of Sha'baan. So the night of the 15th of Sha'baan is like any other night, and if someone is a regular worshipper during other nights, then he may stand the night in prayer on this night without assuming anything special (because of it being the night of the 15th of Sha'baan). This is because specifying a time for any act of worship requires a authentic proof, so if there is no authentic proof then the act is regarded as an innovation and all innovations are misguidance. Likewsie, regarding specifically fasting during the 15th day of Sha'baan, then no (authentic) proof has been established on the authority of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) to indicate the legislation of fasting on that particular day.
As for that which is mentioned from the ahaadeeth regarding this subject, then all of it is weak as the people of knowledge have indicated. However, whoever has the habit of fasting the 13th, 14th and 15th (of every month), then he can continue and fast during Sha'baan as he fasts during the other months, without assuming anything special about the 15th of Sha'baan. Also, the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) used to increase in fasting during this month (Sha'baan), however, he did not particularise the 15th day, rather proceeded as per norm.
Shaykh Ibn Fowzaan
al-Bid'u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa asla lahu - Page 614
Noorun alad-Darb Fataawa Shaykh Saalih Ibn Fowzaan - Volume 1, Page 87
...
Giving sadaqah specifically on the night of 15th of Sha'baan
ref: http://www.fatwa-online.com/fataawa/innovations/celebrations/cel005/0001102_1.htm
Question: When my father was alive, he entrusted me to give sadaqah (charity) according to my means on the 15th of Sha'baan every year, and likewise I have been doing this ever since. However, some people have admonished me for doing so saying it is not permissible. So is giving sadaqah on the night of the 15th of Sha'baan permissible according to the willment of my father or not? Kindly advise us and may Allaah reward you with good.
Response: To specify the giving of sadaqah on the night of the 15th of Sha'baan every year is an innovation, and despite your father having entrusted you with that, it is not permissible. It is befitting you give this sadaqah without specifying the night of the 15th of Sha'baan, rather do so every year and in whichever month, but without particularising any one month (on a consistent basis). However, it is permissible to do so in the month of Ramadhaan (for the evidence which indicates so).
And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.
The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa
al-Bid'u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa Asla lahu - Page 611
Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa. - Fatwa No. 9760
Specifying the day of the 15th of Sha'baan by fasting or reciting the Qur.aan or performing naafilah prayers
ref: http://www.fatwa-online.com/fataawa/innovations/celebrations/cel005/0001102_2.htm
Question: We see some people specifying the 15th of Sha'baan with particular supplications and reciting the Qur.aan and performing naafilah prayers. So what is the correct position concerning this, and may Allaah reward you with good?
Response: That which is correct is that fasting the 15th of Sha'baan or specifying it with reciting (the Qur.aan) or making (particular) supplications has no basis. So the day of the 15th of Sha'baan is like any other 15th day of other months. So from that which is known is that it has been legislated for a person to fast the 13th, 14th and 15th of every month, however, Sha'baan is characterised unlike the other months in that (except for Ramadhaan) the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) used to fast more in Sha'baan than any other month . So he used to either fast all of Sha'baan or just a little. Therefore, as long as it does not cause difficulty for a person, it is befitting to increase in fasting during Sha'baan in adherence to the example of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam).
Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen
al-Bid'u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa Asla lahu - Page 612
Fataawa Shaykh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-'Uthaymeen - Volume 1, Page 190
Standing the night of the 15th of Sha'baan in prayer and fasting during it's day
ref: http://www.fatwa-online.com/fataawa/innovations/celebrations/cel005/0001102_3.htm
Question: Is standing the night of the 15th of Sha'baan in prayer and fasting during it's day legislated?
Response: Nothing firm and reliable has been established on the authority of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) that he stood in prayer in the night and fasted during the day of the 15th of Sha'baan. So the night of the 15th of Sha'baan is like any other night, and if someone is a regular worshipper during other nights, then he may stand the night in prayer on this night without assuming anything special (because of it being the night of the 15th of Sha'baan). This is because specifying a time for any act of worship requires a authentic proof, so if there is no authentic proof then the act is regarded as an innovation and all innovations are misguidance. Likewsie, regarding specifically fasting during the 15th day of Sha'baan, then no (authentic) proof has been established on the authority of the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) to indicate the legislation of fasting on that particular day.
As for that which is mentioned from the ahaadeeth regarding this subject, then all of it is weak as the people of knowledge have indicated. However, whoever has the habit of fasting the 13th, 14th and 15th (of every month), then he can continue and fast during Sha'baan as he fasts during the other months, without assuming anything special about the 15th of Sha'baan. Also, the Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) used to increase in fasting during this month (Sha'baan), however, he did not particularise the 15th day, rather proceeded as per norm.
Shaykh Ibn Fowzaan
al-Bid'u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa asla lahu - Page 614
Noorun alad-Darb Fataawa Shaykh Saalih Ibn Fowzaan - Volume 1, Page 87
...
Giving sadaqah specifically on the night of 15th of Sha'baan
ref: http://www.fatwa-online.com/fataawa/innovations/celebrations/cel005/0001102_1.htm
Question: When my father was alive, he entrusted me to give sadaqah (charity) according to my means on the 15th of Sha'baan every year, and likewise I have been doing this ever since. However, some people have admonished me for doing so saying it is not permissible. So is giving sadaqah on the night of the 15th of Sha'baan permissible according to the willment of my father or not? Kindly advise us and may Allaah reward you with good.
Response: To specify the giving of sadaqah on the night of the 15th of Sha'baan every year is an innovation, and despite your father having entrusted you with that, it is not permissible. It is befitting you give this sadaqah without specifying the night of the 15th of Sha'baan, rather do so every year and in whichever month, but without particularising any one month (on a consistent basis). However, it is permissible to do so in the month of Ramadhaan (for the evidence which indicates so).
And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his companions.
The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa
al-Bid'u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa Asla lahu - Page 611
Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa. - Fatwa No. 9760
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