FASTING ON THE 15TH OF SH’ABAAN
Fasting On The 15th of Sh’abaan:
From among the meritorious acts of the 15th of Shabaan is to observe the fast of the 15th of Shabaan.
In this regard, Ali (R.A) narrates that the Prophet (S.A) said ‘when it is the 15th of Shabaan, spend the night in pray and the day in fasting, for surely Allah descends at the time of sunset to the lowest heaven and says ‘Is there anyone seeking forgiveness that I may forgive him? Is there anyone asking for sustenance that I may provide him with sustenance? Is there anyone in a calamity that I may give him comfort?’ This continues till the break of dawn.’ (Shuabul Imaan, Hadith No.3542, Pg.354, Vol.5, Maktaba Rushd, ما جاء في ليلة النصف من شعبان / Targeeb wa Tarheeb, Hadith No.14, Pg.133, Vol.2, Darul Fajr wa Turath, الترغيب في صوم شعبان وما جاء في صيام النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم له وفضل ليلة نصفه / Ibn Majah, Hadith No.1388, Pg.344, Darussalam, باب ما جاء في ليلة النصف من شعبان)
The above hadith shows that the Prophet (S.A) encouraged his followers to spend the night in salah; to observe the fast of the 15th of Shabaan and also to supplicate to Allah earnestly during the night, since He is all willing to fulfil the needs of his servants. While supplicating to Allah on this blessed night, the believers should beg Allah for His forgiveness; request Him to bless them with sustenance and also beg Him to remove calamities which have befallen them. In fact, Allah continues to call out to the believers promising to fulfil their needs and necessities. The believers should therefore take advantage of this special night and ensure that they receive the virtues of this night.
With respect to above hadith, some scholars have stated that the Sanad (chain of narrators) of this hadith is weak because one of its narrators Ibn Abi Saburah is a weak narrator against whom some scholars of hadith have written. However, many scholars of hadith have accepted this tradition and have not criticized it. While speaking about the narrator Ibn Abi Saburah, Adh Dahabi has stated ‘Ibn Abi Saburah is Abu Bakr Bin Abdullah Bin Abi Saburah from Madinah, and was the Qadhi and Faqeeh (Jurist) (Al Meezan Vol.4, Pg-504). Abu Dawood said about him ‘He was the Mufti of the people of Madinah.’ In As Siyar A’lam An Nubala, it is mentioned, ‘He (Ibn Abi Saburah) was a great jurist and the Qadhi of Iraq. It is narrated that Abu Ja’far Al Mansoor asked Imam Malik ‘Oh Malik who are the great Shyukh (Mashaikh) who have remained in Madinah?’ Imam Malik said ‘Ibn Abi Zaid, Ibn Abi Saburah and Ibn Abi Salmah Al Maajishoon.’ (As Siyar Vol.7, Pg.331, Al Resalah Publishers).
The great scholar and jurist expert Allama Sharambalali writes ‘there are five nights on which duas (supplications) are not rejected. These are: the night of Jumuah; the first night of Rajab; the night of the 15th of Shabaan and the night of the two Eids.’ The Shaikh then quoted the hadith and said, ‘The Prophet (S.A) said ‘When it is the 15th night of Shabaan, then stand at night in pray and fast the day. Verily Allah descends at the time of sunset to the lowest heaven and says ‘Is there anyone seeking forgiveness that I may forgive him? Is there anyone asking for sustenance that I may provide him with sustenance? Is there anyone in a calamity that I may give him comfort?’ This continues till the break of dawn.’ (Maraqi Al Falah Pg-154).
Hafiz Ibn Hajar Al Haithami, after narrating several narrations regarding the 15th of Shabaan, and speaking of the statements of the scholars, writes ‘The summary of the discussion is that, there are virtues for this night. On it there is the special forgiveness from Allah and also a special acceptance of duas, and account of this, Imam Shafi (A.R) said ‘Certainly duas (supplications) are accepted on this night.’ (Fatawa of the Ibn Hajar Al Haithami Vol.1, Pg.80).
Based on these authentic information, it is well established, that the 15th night of Shabaan is one which is very virtuous and it has a great significance in light of the traditions which have been quoted.