Shab e Barat

WHEN IS SHAB-E-BARAT 2020

This year, Shab e Barat 2020 is expected to be on the night of Wednesday, April 8, 2020. However, the exact date is subject to the sighting of the moon of Shaban, 1441.

WHAT IS SHAB-E-BARAT

Shab e Barat is an important night in the Islamic calendar and it is celebrated in the mid of Shaban (on the night in between the 14th and 15th of Shaban). This is the reason why it is called Nisf Shaban. This blessed night starts at sunset on the 14th of Shaban and ends at dawn on the 15th of Shaban.
Different countries have different ways of celebrating this day and each has a different name for it. Nisf Shaban is known as Shab e Barat or Shabe Barat in South Asia, especially in Sub-continent, Lailatul Barat in Arabic, Nisfu Syaban (Malam Nisfu Syaban) in Indonesia and Malaysia and Berat Kandili in Turkey.
Shab e Barat is a night which many Muslims revere as the night of forgiveness, praying the whole night asking Allah to bestow them with His blessings.

THE MONTH OF SHABAN


Shaban is the 8th month of the Islamic Calendar. It is a month of blessings and asking Allah for forgiveness. The same is also evident from the following Hadiths about this blessed month:
Aishah bint Abu Bakr (R.A.) reported that:
"The Messenger of Allah did not fast in any month of the year more than he did in Shaban. He used to fast all of Shaban." (An-Nasai: 2180)
Our beloved Prophet (S.A.W.) used to fast all days during this month. Only this fact clearly states the virtues and importance of the month of Shaban.

SHABE BARAT ACCORDING TO HADITH

First of all, there are no Sahih Hadiths or verses in the Quran that clearly point-out or talk about the significance of the night. However, especially in South Asia, many people celebrate the night, spending time in worship of Allah.
However, there are some Daaif Hadiths that mentions the importance and virtues of this night.
Aishah (R.A.) narrated that:
".... He (S.A.W.) said: 'Indeed Allah, Mighty and Sublime is He, descends to the lowest Heavens during the night of the middle of Shaban, to grant forgiveness to more than the number of hairs on the sheep of (Banu) Kalb.'" (Tirmidhi: 739)