The Mercy of Allah

Allah Ta’ala has, due to his infinite grace and mercy, presented to His bondsmen some special occasions wherein they have a golden opportunity of earning the mercy and forgiveness of Allah. Some explicit examples of these special occasions are the month of Ramadaan and Laylatul Qadr. In the same mould is the fifteenth night of Sha’baan. Several Ahaadith extol the tremendous merit of this occasion. Amongst them is the fact that countless people are forgiven by Allah during this blessed night. It is due to this reason that this night is called “The night of Bara’at” (i.e. the night wherein judgement of saviour from Jahannam and punishment is passed).

Let us take a look at some of the Ahaadith concerning this night.

1. It is reported from Hadhrat Mu’adh bin Jabal (R.A.) that Rasulullah ﷺ said:

“On the fifteenth night of Sha’baan, Allah bestows his special attention on His entire creation. He then pardons His entire creation except an idolater and one who harbours enmity. ” [Tabrani, Ibnu-Hibaan, Baihaqi]

2. It is narrated from Hadhrat Abdullah bin Amr (R.A.) that Rasulullah ﷺ said:

“Allah looks with special attention towards His creation on the fifteenth night of Sha’baan and forgives all his servants except two categories of people; the person who harbours enmity and a murderer.” [Targhib-wat-Tarhib]

3. It is related from Makhool who narrates from Katheer bin Murrah (R) that Nabi ﷺ said:

‘On the fifteenth night of Sha’baan Allah forgives all the inhabitants of the earth except an idolater and one who harbours hatred for others.” [Baihaqi]

4. It is narrated from Makhool who narrates from Abu Tha’labah (R.A.) that Nabi ﷺ said:

“On the fifteenth night of Sha’baan, Allah devotes special attention towards His bondsmen. He then pardons the believers and grants respite to the disbelievers (i.e. he delays their punishment), and he leaves the spiteful ones as well, until they abandon their spite (malice) (i.e. no decision of their mercy and forgiveness is made until they resolve their differences). [Tabrani, Baihaqi]

5. It is reported from Alaa bin Harith (R.A.) that Hazrat Aisha (R.A.) said: ‘One night Rasulullah ﷺ woke up and performed Salaah. He prolonged the Sajdah to such an extent that I wondered whether he had passed away. Seeing this, I got up and shook his foot. Perceiving movement, I felt at ease. When Rasulullah ﷺ lifted his head from Sajdah and completed his Salaah, he said:

“O Humairah! Did you think that the Nabi had deceived you?” I replied in the negative and said: “I swear in the name of Allah, due to the length of your Sajdah I thought that you had passed away.” Nabi ﷺ said: “Do you know what night this is?” I said: “Allah and his Rasul ﷺ know best.” He said: “This is the fifteenth night of Sha’baan. Allah looks at His servants in this night and forgives those who seek forgiveness, shows mercy upon those who seek mercy and delays the decision of those who harbour feelings of hatred for others” [Baihaqi has narrated this Hadith as well and says that this is also an acceptable Mursal].