Topic:
Ruling on Engaging in Specific Forms of Worship on Shab e Baraat
(No-22701)
A special routine of prayers and duas is followed on Shab e Baraat in our local mosque. The routine is as follows: after Maghrib, 6 rak’ahs are prayed, two for a long life filled with khair, two for protection from evils and diseases, and two for increase in rizq (provisions) and protection from poverty and reliance on others. After each pair of rak’ahs, Surah Al-Ikhlas is recited 21 times, and Surah Yaseen is recited once. At the end, the Dua of Shab e Baraat is recited.
Then after Ishaa, Surah Al-Mulk is recited. After that two rak’ahs of Salat ul-Tawbah are performed to ask for forgiveness of minor and major sins, with the intention of repentance. Afterward, Salat ul-Tasbeeh is performed, then a series of naats, munajaats and hamds are recited. Then after zikr, dua and durood upon the Prophet (peace be upon him), food is distributed.
Is there any evidence for these actions in the Quran and Sunnah?
It is important to note that the fazeelat of Shab e Baraat has been highlighted in numerous hadiths. However, there is no specific method or acts of worship prescribed for this night by Shariah. Instead, each person should make the most of this night according to their convenience by performing nafil prayers, reciting the Qur'an, engaging in zikr, and making duas.
A person should try to stay awake during this night and worship for as long as possible, but not to the extent that they miss the Fajr prayer in congregation.
It is narrated in a hadith that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:
“Whoever prays Ishaa in congregation, it is as if he spent half the night in prayer, and whoever prays Fajr in congregation, it is as if he spent the entire night in prayer.” (Sahi Muslim, Hadith no. 1491)
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دلائل:
صحیح مسلم: (رقم الحدیث: 1491)
مَنْ صَلَّى الْعِشَاءَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ فَكَأَنَّمَا قَامَ نِصْفَ اللَّيْلِ، وَمَنْ صَلَّى الصُّبْحَ فِي جَمَاعَةٍ فَكَأَنَّمَا صَلَّى اللَّيْلَ كُلَّهُ۔
Allah the Almighty knows best.
Darul ifta Al-Ikhlas, Karachi.