The 15 th night of the month Sha'baan, commencing with sunset, is a highly auspicious night. It is known as Shab-e-Baraat-the Night Of Deliverance from sins.
Allah's Messenger ( s.a.w ) says : " When the middle night of Sha'baan comes, spend the night in prayer and fast during the day, for in it Allah Most High comes down at sunset to the lowest heaven and says,
" Is there any seeker of deliverance from sins ? Then I forgive him his sins.
" Is there any seeker of provisions ? Then I provide him with provisions.
" Is there any seeker of happiness ? Then I make him happy.
" Is there any seeker ? Is there any seeker ? till the dawn comes." ( Ibne Maaja )
The giver is bent upon giving in this night. Where is the taker ? if the taker is sleeping, he/she is loser. Therefore, Allah's Messenger ( s.a.w ), the Mercy for the universe, has advised us to keep awake the whole night and occupy ourselves for every second therefore in the recitation of the Holy Qur-an, voluntary namaaz ( Nafl ), visiting the graveyard and putting forth supplications before the Almighty Allah for the fulfillment of our material as well as spiritual desires. It is set out in tradions that 300 hundred gates of Allah's Mercy are opened this night and all supplicants are granted their prayers except the polytheist, the sorcerer, the astrolonger, the miser, the drinker of wine, malicious, the usurer and adulterer.
Therefore, let everyone repent conscientiously for his past misdeeds and wrong beliefs, makea vow to Allah that he/she shall never indulge in these and other vices and then stick to his vow in order to derive the utmost benefit of the Divine Gifts showered in this night.
A few minutes before sunset, recite :
" LAA HAV-LAA WA-LAA QUV-VA-TA IL-LAA BIL-LAA HIL A-LIY-YIL A-ZEEM "
At least forty times. Continue it till the Maghrib Azaan. This will show credit entries at the end and beginning of your old and new accounts respectively. From sunset your life's new year begin. Begin it with prayers. After Maghrib Namaaz, offer six raka'at Nafl, two at a time.
Offer the first 2 raka'at with the intention ( Niyyat ) of seeking Allah's favour for granting you long and prosperous life :" Daraazi-e-umr bil khair."
The second two raka'a with the intention of warding off all calamities " Daf-e-Balaa "
and the third two raka'at with the intention what you may not be subjugated to the will of the creation for your needs. " Makhlook kaa muhtaaj na honaa."
After every two raka'at, recite Suratul Yaseen once or Suratul Iklaas 21 times and then Du'aa ( Supplication ) for the night. After the first recitation of the du'aa, seek Allah's favour for granting you long, prosperous life, after the second, pray for warding off all calamities and after the third pray that you may not be subjugated to the will of the creation for your needs.
Take permissible food and drink in the night till dawn. Then observe fast for the next day, the 15 th of Sha'baan ( you may observe fast on the 14 th as well ). This will bring you happiness and Allah's favour in both lives.
May Allah Guide All Of Us Ameen !
Anupamaa
