Thursday 17th March 2022 (at Maghrib) will mark the night of 15th Sha’ban.
It is believed that the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) stated:
“Shaban is my month, Rajab is Allah’s month, and Ramadan is the month of my Ummah.” [Suyuti]
The night of ‘Nisf Sha’ban’, or the 15th of Sha’ban is often a subject of debate among Muslims. Some celebrate the night with additional prayers and fast the following day, while others say that this action is not from the Sunnah.
However due to the fact that there are a great number of Hadith’s, and the weakness of many of the Hadith’s is not severe, the significance of this night is accepted as authentic by scholars.
One narration reported by Ali ‘ibn Abi Talib (RA) states:
“When it is the night of the middle of Sha’ban, spend its night in prayer and observe a fast on that day. For Allah descends at sunset on that night to the lowest heaven and says: ‘Is there no one who will ask Me for forgiveness, that I may forgive him? Is there no one who will ask Me for provision, that I may provide for him? Is there no one who is afflicted by trouble, that I may relieve him?’ And so on, until dawn comes.” [Ibn Majah]
Similarly:
“On the night of mid-Sha’ban, Allah looks at His creation and forgives all of them except for the polytheist and the quarrelsome.” [Ibn Majah]
As a result of narrations such as these; if someone has the opportunity, they should spend at least some portion of this night in worship and prayer. One can pray for whatever he wishes, but of course the best supplications are the ones made by the noble Prophet Muhammad (SAW). These are after all, comprehensive and inclusive prayers satisfying all the human needs of this world and the Hereafter. A great example of the praise of Allah (SWT) is the following dua:
لاَ إِلٰهَ إِلاَّ ٱللَّهُ وَلاَ نَعْبُدُ إِلاَّ إِيَّاهُ مُخْلِصِينَ لَهُ ٱلدِّينَ وَلَوْ كَرِهَ ٱلْمُشْرِكُون
Translation: There is no God save Allah. We do not worship save, ‘He’ alone, making religion pure for Him (only). However, the disbelievers are averse.
Any additional acts of worship such as recitation of the Qur’an, or giving extra in Sadaqah to charities of your choice, can naturally be done for further rewards.