The Signifance of Shab-e-Barat

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Islam
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Feb 04, 2026
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Why Is Shab-e-Barat Blessed?

In Islam, after the major occasions and festivals such as Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, and Shab-e-Qadr, another significant observance is seen to be practiced, and that is Shab-e-Barat. However, this observance is mainly prevalent in Iran and the Indian subcontinent—namely India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. Outside these regions, including the Arab world and other Muslim-majority areas, it is not given much importance.
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The night of the 15th day of Sha‘ban (i.e., the night following the 14th) is called Shab-e-Barat. The term “Shab-e-Barat” comes from Persian: shab means night, and barat means liberation. Therefore, Shab-e-Barat means “the Night of Liberation.” In Arabic, Shab-e-Barat is known as Laylatul Bara’ah, meaning the night of deliverance. In Hadith, it is referred to as Nisf Sha‘ban, or the night of the midpoint of the month of Sha‘ban. Among speakers of Persian, Urdu, Bengali, Hindi, and many other languages across Iran, the Indian subcontinent, and several parts of the world, it is widely known as Shab-e-Barat.
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In Surah Ad-Dukhan, verse 3, Allah says: “Indeed, We sent it down on a blessed night; indeed, We are ever warning.” Some exegetes state that the term Laylatun Mubarakah (the blessed night) here refers to the night of the full moon of Sha‘ban (Tafsir-e-Mazhari, Ruh-ul-Ma‘ani, and Ruh-ul-Bayan). However, there are differing opinions on this matter. Others argue that the Qur’an clearly states the night of its revelation in Surah Al-Qadr, and therefore this verse does not refer to this night.
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Nevertheless, regarding Shab-e-Barat, it is mentioned in Hadith that the Noble Messenger (S.A.W) said that on the night of mid-Sha‘ban, Allah Almighty looks upon His creation with mercy and forgives everyone except the polytheist and the one who harbors hatred (reported by Ibn Hibban from Mu‘adh ibn Jabal (ra); Hadith no. 5665; also reported by Ibn Majah, Razin, and Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah). It is also narrated from Abdullah ibn ‘Amr (ra) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said that on this night Allah forgives all His servants except one who harbors hatred and one who unjustly kills an innocent person (Musnad Ahmad ibn Hanbal, vol. 4, p. 176). Many Hadith scholars have classified most of the narrations regarding Shab-e-Barat as mursal (having broken chains).
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Regarding the history of observing Shab-e-Barat, Professor Mohammad Ibrahim of the Department of Islamic History and Culture at Dhaka University told the BBC: “It is mentioned in many Hadith that the Prophet Muhammad used to spend the entire night of the 14th of Sha‘ban offering voluntary prayers and visiting graveyards. He observed these practices as preparation for the month of Ramadan, which would begin fifteen days later, and he encouraged his followers to do the same.”
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Mufti Taqi Usmani, in his various speeches and writings, has mentioned the virtues of Shab-e-Barat, stating: “Although many exaggerated claims about Shab-e-Barat are prevalent, it is also not correct to consider it entirely baseless. When several weak (da‘if) Hadith come together, they form a certain level of strength. It is proven by authentic Hadith that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to go to Jannatul Baqi‘ on this night and make supplications. Therefore, dedicating this night to worship and seeking forgiveness from Allah is a commendable act.”
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In the Indian subcontinent, the earliest documented reference to the observance of Shab-e-Barat is found in the writings of Khwaja Shamsuddin Mira. Born in Kashgar in the Uyghur region of China, Khwaja Shamsuddin came to Muratazabad in present-day Uttar Pradesh, India, in the mid-13th century and settled there.
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Professor Mohsen Saidi Madani of Yazd University in Iran, in his 1993 research book Impact of Hindu Culture on Muslims, also mentions evidence of preparing and distributing halwa and roti on Shab-e-Barat in the Indian subcontinent during the 12th–13th centuries. Quoting Khwaja Shamsuddin’s writings, Mohsen Saidi Madani writes: “The earliest record of the grand observance of Shab-e-Barat during the reign of Sultan Firoz Shah Tughlaq of Delhi is found in the writings of Shamsuddin Mira.” (Source: BBC)
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For the Shi‘a, this day holds special significance because they believe it to be the birthday of Imam Mahdi (peace be upon him). According to them, Imam Mahdi was born on the night of 15 Sha‘ban in the year 255 Hijri. They believe that he is currently in occultation and will reappear at the appointed time. In Arab countries, however, a very different picture is seen—far from observing Shab-e-Barat, many people there are not even aware of this night.
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Shi‘a historians explain the Sunni Arabs’ non-observance of this day by claiming that the Abbasids sought to prevent the birth of Imam Mahdi, as his emergence would mark their downfall, and thus they disregarded the day out of hostility. In reality, there is no definitive evidence that Imam Mahdi was born in 255 Hijri; it is possible that the Messenger of Allah mentioned the 15th of Sha‘ban as his birth date, but beyond Shi‘a belief, there is no clear proof available to us.
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However, to the Mujahid men and women of Hezbut Tawheed, this night holds a special significance. Although the information found in Islam regarding Shab-e-Barat includes differing opinions, ultimately this night has gained particular importance for us and for all of humanity. This is because a new chapter in human history began on this very night.
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The founder of Hezbut Tawheed, Imam-uz-Zaman, Muhammad Bayazeed Khan Panni, was born in the final moments of the night of Shab-e-Barat. Allah granted the honorable Imam-uz-Zaman the true knowledge of Islam. By forming Hezbut Tawheed, he presented that knowledge to humanity. He demonstrated through the Qur’an, Hadith, and history that the current population of two billion Muslims stands far removed from true Islam, which is why we are unable to bring peace to humanity. He clearly presented which Islam it was that once, through being established over half the world, opened the doors of peace and prosperity in human life.
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His arguments are so irrefutable that in the past 31 years, not a single one has been refuted. This clearly proves that this ideology is rightful and true, and that peace will soon descend upon the entire world. He is the symbol of this great fortune. Therefore, his birth night is undoubtedly a night of great blessing for us.
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Moreover, this good fortune is not only for Muslims—it is for all of humanity. When true Islam is revived worldwide, all injustice and oppression will disappear, and peace will prevail across the globe. Forgetting all forms of division, humanity will become one single nation. Therefore, this night is indeed a night of great blessing—Laylatul Bara’ah.

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