Fussing Over the 15th of Sha‘ban

Blurb here…

Historically, jurists have differed over whether the 15th night of Sha‘ban has any distinctive merit or not. Some uphold its merit and consider the night to be laylat al-bara’ah- “the Night of Emancipation [from the Fire].” Other scholars are of the opinion that the night in question has no merit or distinction at all over any other night of the year. Based on these two views, the first group of jurists rule that singling-out the night for the performance of superogatory acts of devotion – prayer (salat), invocation (dhikr), supplication (du’a), etc – is sanctioned by the Sacred Law and is meritorious. The latter group declare that, laudable as the intention may be, to specify the night for acts of worship and devotion is not sanctioned by the Sacred Law, or shari‘ah, at all.

The objective of this paper is twofold. Firstly, to discuss why such differences have arisen in this issue, and how each stance has its legitimacy in the canons of Islamic jurisprudence. Secondly, and more importantly, the issue serves to lay down a golden principle in areas of legitimate differing – a principle which, if contravened, constitutes a clear-cut deviation from the Islamic norm and the teachings of the blessed Sunnah. The paper is entitled: Fussing Over the 15th of Sha’ban & the Golden Rule of Differing and may be read here.

It is hoped that the paper will help remove some of the schisms that oftentime surround this matter – what with certain factions of the Muslims claiming that their view alone constitutes ‘true’ or ‘authentic’ Islam. Indeed, schisms always thrive when sustained by the murky waters of bigotry!

SURKHEEL (ABU AALIYAH) SHARIF