Rulings about 15th Sha'baan (Shab-e-barat)

from Fatwa-Online.com

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


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 


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"I put my trust in Allah, my Lord and your Lord! There is not a moving creature, but He has a grasp of its forelock. Verily, my Lord is on the straight path. (The truth)"
(11:55-56)

[This message has been edited by Sadiaa (edited October 25, 2001).]