A NIGHT when everyone can be forgiven except those who are full of grudges.

Laylat al-Bara'ah is a time when Allah manifests with His extra mercy, grace, and forgiveness, widely opening the doors of forgiveness to His servants. It is a period when the prayers of the believers are answered, their sins are forgiven, and their acts of worship are rewarded far more than at other times.

 

Laylat al-Bara'ah/The Night of Berat – The Middle Night of the Month Sha’ban

 

Throughout Islamic history, there have been discussions between those who view religious texts and practices, like the Quran and Sunnah, as mere sources of information, and those who deeply live and exemplify religion in their lives, regarding sacred days and nights. As a Muslim, setting aside these debates, the sacred days and nights that have been universally accepted and valued by Muslims for 14 centuries should be seen as a means to attain God’s pleasure.

Ramadan is a complete month of worship and obedience, characterized by fasting, Tarawih prayers, and giving of Zakat and Fitr. Proper observance of the preceding two months enhances the experience of Ramadan and makes it more profound and complete. In fact, this sacred time period, starting with the month of Rajab, offers us the opportunity to prepare for Ramadan, the Night of Power (Laylat al-Qadr) towards its end, and Eid.

First and foremost, it should be clearly understood that the value and blessing of time and space only emerge through the significance attributed to them by Allah and His Messenger. The Night of Berat is one of these blessed nights the religion attributes value to.

The indication in the Quran (some scholars interpret the 3rd verse of the Surah Ad-Dukhan as a reference to this night), the practices and statements of the Prophet Muhammad, the evaluations of Islamic scholars, the general acceptance (talaqqee bil qabool) by Muslims from the earliest days to the present, all point to the significance and meaning of the “Night of Berat / The middle night of the month Sha’ban.”

The Arabic word “berat” means liberation from debt, being acquitted, or being freed from punishment or responsibility. The Night of Berat is a time when Allah’s extra mercy, grace, and forgiveness manifest, opening wide the doors of forgiveness to His servants. It’s a time when believers’ prayers are answered, sins are forgiven, and acts of worship are rewarded far more than at other times.

{حم} {وَالْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ} {إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنْذِرِينَ} {فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ}

“Ha, Meem. By the Book clear in itself and clearly showing the truth. We sent it down on a night full of blessings; surely We have ever been warning (humankind since their creation). In that night every affair is identified and made distinct for wise purposes.” (Surah Ad-Dukhan, 1-4)

While most commentators agree that this “blessed night” refers to Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Power), some scholars interpret it as the Night of Berat. This difference is explained as follows: The Quran descended in two phases. The first was from the Preserved Tablet to the lowest heaven, and the second was its revelation to Prophet Muhammad. The Quran was collectively sent down to the lowest heaven on the Night of Berat and began to be revealed to Prophet Muhammad on the Night of Power.

The practices and statements of the Prophet Muhammad

عن أُسَامَةُ بْنُ زَيْدٍ قَالَ قُلْتُ:

يَا رَسُولَ اللهِ لَمْ أَرَكَ تَصُومُ شَهْرًا مِنَ الشُّهُورِ مَا تَصُومُ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ، قَالَ: ذَلِكَ شَهْرٌ يَغْفُلُ النَّاسُ عَنْهُ بَيْنَ رَجَبٍ وَرَمَضَانَ، وَهُوَ شَهْرٌ تُرْفَعُ فِيهِ الأَعْمَالُ إِلَى رَبِّ الْعَالَمِينَ فَأُحِبُّ أَنْ يُرْفَعَ عَمَلِي وَأَنَا صَائِمٌ .

Usama bin Zaid (may Allah be pleased with him) once asked the Prophet Muhammad,

“O Messenger of Allah, I have never seen you fasting in any other month as much as you do in the month of Sha’ban. What is the reason for this?” The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) replied, “Sha’ban is a month people neglect, falling between Rajab and Ramadan. It is a month in which deeds are raised to the Lord of the Worlds, and I like that my deeds be raised while I am fasting.” (Narrated by Nasa’i, Sawm 70)

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ قَالَتْ: قَالَ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:

 إِنَّ اللهَ تَعَالَى يَنْزِلُ لَيْلَةَ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا فَيَغْفِرُ لأَكْثَرَ مِنْ عَدَدِ شَعَرِ غَنَمِ كَلْبٍ.

According to a narration from Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“On the night of the 15th of Sha’ban, Allah manifests Himself to the world with His mercy, forgiveness, and grace. He forgives a number of people greater than the number of hairs on the sheep of the tribe of Kalb.” (Narrated by Tirmidhi, Sawm 39; Ibn Majah, Iqama 191; Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad 6/238)

عَنْ عَلِيِّ بْنِ أَبِي طَالِبٍ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى الله عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ:

إِذَا كَانَتْ لَيْلَةُ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَقُومُوا لَيْلَهَا وَصُومُوا نَهَارَهَا، فَإِنَّ اللهَ يَنْزِلُ فِيهَا لِغُرُوبِ الشَّمْسِ إِلَى سَمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا فَيَقُولُ: أَلا مِنْ مُسْتَغْفِرٍ لِي فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ؟ أَلا مُسْتَرْزِقٌ فَأَرْزُقَهُ؟ أَلا مُبْتَلًى فَأُعَافِيَهُ؟ أَلا كَذَا؟ أَلا كَذَا؟ حَتَّى يَطْلُعَ الْفَجْرُ.

According to a narration from Ali (may Allah be pleased with him), Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“When you reach the middle of Sha’ban, spend its night in worship and its day in fasting. Allah descends to the nearest heaven in a manner that suits His Majesty when the sun sets on that night. He remains there until the break of dawn, saying: ‘Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness so that I may forgive them? Is there anyone seeking sustenance so that I may grant them provision? Is there anyone afflicted so I may relieve their affliction? Is there such and such...?’” (Narrated by Ibn Majah, Iqamah 191; Ahmad ibn Hanbal, Musnad, 2/258)

عَنْ مُعَاذِ بْنِ جَبَلٍ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ :

يَطَّلِعُ اللهُ إِلَى جَمِيعِ خَلْقِهِ لَيْلَةَ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَيَغْفِرُ لِجَمِيعِ خَلْقِهِ إِلَّا لِمُشْرِكٍ أَوْ مُشَاحِنٍ.

According to a narration from Muadh bin Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him), Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“On the middle night of Sha’ban, Allah shows a special kind of forgiveness and mercy, forgiving everyone except who associate partners with Him and those who harbor enmity and hatred in their hearts (people who are constantly confrontational and bear grudges against their Muslim brothers).” (Narrated by Tabarani in Mu’jam al-Kabir, 20/108; Awsat, 7/36; Ibn Majah, Iqamah 191)

عَنْ أَبِي ثَعْلَبَةَ أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ قَالَ:

يَطَّلِعُ اللهُ إِلَى عِبَادِهِ لَيْلَةَ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَيَغْفِرُ لِلْمُؤْمِنِينَ وَيُمْهِلُ الْكَافِرِينَ وَيَدَعُ أَهْلَ الْحِقْدِ بِحِقْدِهِمْ حَتَّى يَدَعُوهُ.

According to a narration by Abu Sa’leba (may Allah be pleased with him), Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) said,

“On the middle night of Sha’ban, Allah shows a special kind of forgiveness and mercy. On this night, He forgives the believers, grants respite to the disbelievers, and leaves those who act with malice and hatred in their state of malice and hatred until they abandon these qualities.” (Narrated by Tabarani in Mu’jam al-Kabir, 22/224; Bayhaqi, Sunan al-Sughra, 3/431)

 

The narrations indicate that the Night of Berat is filled with abundant mercy and forgiveness. It is a night when prayers are answered, so this opportunity should not be missed. To avoid being among the excluded in these narrations, one must keep a pure heart, especially avoiding malice, hatred, grudge, and hostility towards fellow believers.

عَنْ عَائِشَةَ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ:

كَانَ رَسُولُ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَصُومُ حَتَّى نَقُولَ لَا يُفْطِرُ وَيُفْطِرُ حَتَّى نَقُولَ لَا يَصُومُ وَمَا رَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللهِ صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ اسْتَكْمَلَ صِيَامَ شَهْرٍ قَطُّ إِلَّا رَمَضَانَ وَمَا رَأَيْتُهُ فِي شَهْرٍ أَكْثَرَ صِيَامًا مِنْهُ فِي شَعْبَانَ.

Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), who knew the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) best, said,

“Sometimes the Prophet would fast so continuously that we thought he would not break his fast, and sometimes he did not fast until we thought he would not fast at all. I never saw him fasting for a whole month except Ramadan, and I saw him fasting in no month more than Sha’ban.” (Narrated by Bukhari, Sawm 52; Muslim, Siyaam 175)

 

The testimony of Muslim scholars:

Umar ibn Abdulaziz wrote to his governor in Basra, Adiyy ibn Ertaa, emphasizing the importance of four nights during the year when Allah’s mercy abundantly descends. These nights are the first night of Rajab, the middle night of Sha’ban (the Night of Berat), the nights of Ramadan and Eid al-Adha. (Munawi, Fayz al-Qadir, 3/454; Ibn Hajar, Telhisu’l-Habir, 2/80)

Imam Shafii also mentioned five nights when prayers are particularly answered, which include the nights of Friday, Ramadan, Eid al-Adha, the first night of Rajab, and the middle night of Sha’ban (the Night of Berat). (Munawi, Fayz al-Qadir, 3/454; Ibn Hajar, Telkhisu’l-Habir, 2/80)

Bediuzzaman Said Nursi emphasized the importance of the Night of Berat, stating that the rewards for good deeds and reciting the Quran are greatly multiplied on this night. He explained that the Night of Berat is spiritually significant, similar to Laylat al-Qadr, and that worship during this night could be equivalent to fifty years of worship.

 

What should be done?

Firstly, one should intend to be a Muslim not only on this night but a Muslim at all times and places and be determined in this regard. If we do not become Muslims at all times, blessed nights come and go, but we will continue our lives as if we haven’t been soaked in the downpour of mercy and blessings. One should become thoroughly soaked in this downpour.

Those with missed prayers (qadha) should strive to fulfill their obligations as much as possible so that they do not carry debts into the hereafter. Debt in terms of missing prayers is a heavy burden on a person, both in this world and in the hereafter.

One can embellish this night by performing the salaat et-tasbeeh, taking advantage of the blessed time.

Salatul Hajat can be offered for those in need, both in our immediate surroundings and throughout the world. On this night, one can seek relief and solutions to difficulties through supplication.

In preparation for the month of Ramadan, one can seek ways to become more familiar with the Quran.

 

... The Night of Berat is indeed a blessed and auspicious night; there is no doubt about it. What we should pay attention to is whether we have benefited from the blessings of that night. Those who recognize its blessings and seek them will attain them to the extent of their pursuit...