Key Takeaways
- Shab-e-Barat is the name commonly used in South Asia for the night of the middle of Sha'ban, known in Arabic as Laylat al-Nisf min Sha'ban.
- A hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah (1390) says Allah looks down on the night of the middle of Sha'ban and forgives His creation, except for the one who associates partners with Him and the one who harbours enmity.
- Scholars differ over the grading of the reports and over what practices, if any, are established for that night.
- Sincere repentance, making peace with others, and dua are welcome at any time, and need no special ritual.
- For guidance on how to mark the night, ask your local imam.
Shab-e-Barat is a common name for the night of the middle of Sha'ban. A hadith in Sunan Ibn Majah speaks of Allah's forgiveness on that night, while scholars differ over how to grade the reports and over what practices are established. The safest, most agreed way to use the night is sincere repentance, making peace with others, and dua.
What the Hadith Says
Abu Musa al-Ash'ari reported that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, "Allah looks down on the night of the middle of Sha'ban and forgives all His creation, apart from the idolater and the one who harbours enmity" (Sunan Ibn Majah 1390). The Arabic word translated here as one who harbours enmity is "mushahin." Al-Albani graded this narration hasan, and scholars differ in how they assess the reports about the night.
Where Scholars Differ
Some scholars view the night as one that deserves extra worship. Others say that specific fixed prayers or rituals for the night are not established. Because views differ, it is best to ask your local imam how you should approach it, rather than assuming one view is the only one.
What Is Widely Agreed to Be Good
The hadith names two things that keep a person from forgiveness: associating partners with Allah, and harbouring enmity. That points to something that everyone can act on: check your heart, repent, and make peace with anyone you have fallen out with. Also keep your regular prayers, read the Quran, and make dua.
Duas You Can Make
You can use duas from the Quran. For repentance, the words of Adam and Hawwa: "Our Lord, we have wronged ourselves, and if You do not forgive us and have mercy upon us, we will surely be among the losers" (Quran 7:23, Sahih International). For the good of both worlds: "Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire" (Quran 2:201, Sahih International). See our collection of duas from the Quran for more.
Advice for Families
Keep the night simple and sincere. If you have children, explain the meaning of forgiveness and making peace, and keep it warm and short. Avoid stress about doing everything a certain way.
Learning More
If you would like to read duas with confidence, our Tajweed course helps you pronounce them correctly, and our Islamic Studies course covers worship and belief. A free trial lesson is an easy place to start.