Laylatul Bara'ah and fasting on 15th of Sha'ban
Another significant feature of the month of Sha'ban is that it consists of a night which is termed in Shariah as "Laylatul-bara'ah" (The night of freedom from Fire). This is the night which occurs on the 14th night of Sha'ban. There are certain traditions of Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, to prove that it is a meritorious night in which the people of the earth are attended by special Divine mercy. Some of these traditions are quoted as follows:
1) Sayyidah' Aishah, Radi-Allahu anha, has reported that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, has said, "Allah Almighty descends (in a manner He best knows it) in the night occurring in the middle of Sha'ban and forgives a large number of people more than the number of the fibers on the sheep of the tribe, Kalb."
Kalb was a big tribe the members of which had a very large number of sheep. Therefore, the last sentence of the hadith indicates the big number of the people who are forgiven in this night by Allah Almighty.
2) Sayyidna Mu'adh ibn Jabal, Radi-Allahu anhu, reports that Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, has said: "Allah Almighty looks upon all those created by Him in the middle Night of Sha'ban and forgives all those created by Him, except the one who associates partners with Him or the one who has malice in his heart (against a Muslim)".
What (Amal) can be done on this night?
(a) Salah - Nafl salah such as tahajjud or qiyamul layl can be performed. It is preferable to prolong the qiyam, sajdah and ruku as well as reciting lengthy surahs from the Quran.
(b)Recitation of the Quran
(c)Dhikr- one may recite the name of Allah abundantly and well as Sending peace and salutations (salawaat) upon our beloved Nabi (Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam), any salawaat one may know.
(d) Istighfar, Taubah and dua. The best benefit one can draw from the blessings of this night is prayers and supplications. One should seek Allah's forgiveness, turn to Allah in repentance for all his/hers sins and wrong doing and promise Allah not to commit them ever again. It is hoped that all the prayers in this night will be accepted by Allah.
On the day immediately following the Night of Bara'ah, i.e. the 15th of Sha'ban, it is mustahabb (advisable) to keep fast. Prophet Muhammad, Sall-Allahu alayhi wa sallam, is reported to have recommended this fast emphatically.
Please note: Whoever intends on fasting, he should fast tomorrow and day after (14th & 15th). It is undesirable to keep fast after the 15th of sha'ban due to the fear that one may find it difficult to fast in the entire thirty days in Ramadhan, unless one has made a pledge to Allah to fast or he generally fasts on every Mondays and Thursdays.
contribution: albalagh.net+personal editing
