The 15th Sha’ban is an opportunity for seeking Allah’s mercy and being forgiven for past and future sins, as well as one’s need being fulfilled if we turn to Allah.

The fifteenth of Sha’ban stands as a night of immense spiritual opportunity. Whether observed through prayers, supplications, fasting, or acts of charity, this sacred occasion embodies the essence of seeking closeness to Allah, renewing one’s commitment to righteousness, and embracing the transformative power of divine mercy. Its historical and theological importance, particularly within Shia Islam as the birth anniversary of Imam al-Mahdi, adds depth to its observance, serving as a reminder of hope, justice, and the ultimate triumph of truth. As believers engage in acts of devotion during this blessed night, they not only seek personal growth but also contribute to the spiritual vitality of the Muslim Ummah.

Night and day of the 15th of Sha’ban are very special times

Both the night and day of the 15th of Sha’ban are very special times due to various events that have occurred on this day.

The fifteenth of Sha’ban is one of the special and great day in the month of Sha’ban. Meanwhile, it is pertinent to mention that both the day and its eve are considered the most favorable periods for supplications, acts of worship (Ibadah) and gaining proximity to Almighty Allah. In fact, the eve of the fifteenth of Sha’ban is considered the best night after the night of Majesty [Laylat al-Qadr] in the month of Ramadan. It is a night when the destiny is changed, supplications are accepted and the requests of supplicants therein are favorably fulfilled by Almighty Allah.

Night of the 15th of Sha’ban

This is one of the Nights of Power (Lailatul Qadr) and it is on this night in which the sustenance and the life span of everyone is written down, just as it has been mentioned in many ahadith. It some of the narrations it has been mentioned that, “Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) has decreed this night as the Night of Power for the Ummah of Islam just as He decreed the Night of Power (in the month of Ramadhan) for the Messenger of Allah (PBUH).”

This is also the night in which the special Ziyarat of Imam Husain (AS) should be performed (there is a specific Ziyarat to be read on the 15th of Sha’ban) since in addition to the Angels, 100,000 Prophets (PBUH) also visit the Imam on this night and this event as well shows the importance of this night.

This is one of the times where we have been encouraged to stay awake the entire night in worshipping and servitude to Allah (Glorified and Exalted is He) which has a great reward such that we can say that there is not a single night – whether it be the night of Qadr or otherwise that is equivalent or greater than this night for worship.

It is also the night of the birth of our Imam Zaman(AJ) who, when he makes his glorious advent, will fill the world with justice, cleanse the Earth of all evil and sin and who will rule over the entire globe.

It is certainly not a coincidence that this same night of the 15th is also the night which the Almighty (SWT) takes decisions in the matters of sustenance, life and death and welfare of the people for the next year.

Next to the Night of Qadr, the 15th night of Sha’ban is the most auspicious night of the Islamic calendar (also known as Night of Bara’at). According to both Imam Al Baqir (AS) and Sadiq (AS), Allah (SWT) has promised to fulfill every legitimate desire put forward to Him on that night and He (SWT) bestows on His creation from His bounty and forgives them out of His grace and generosity.

With that in mind, the servant calls to Allah (SWT) by the sanctity of these divine luminary guides and prays to attain the pleasure and forgiveness of Allah (SWT) by the blessings of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) who is the owner of this holy month.

The Ahl al-Bayt (AS) have honored and glorified this exceptionally blessed night. For example, Imam Sadiq (AS) has reported that when Imam Baqir (AS) was asked about the merits of the eve of mid-Sha’ban, he said:

It is the most favorable night after the Night of Qadr. On this night, Almighty Allah bestows His favors upon His servants and grants them His pardon out of His conferral of benefit to them. Therefore, you should exert all efforts to seek nearness to Him on this night, because He—the Majestic and Honorable—has decided not to reject any asker as long as he does not ask for an act of disobedience to Him. Almighty Allah has chosen this night for us, the Ahl al-Bayt, in the same way as He has chosen the Night of Qadr for our Prophet, peace be upon him. You should thus pray and thank Him diligently.

Important Acts of ‘Ibadat on Night and day of the 15th of Sha’ban

The first thing that that Salik (the Wayfarer on the path towards Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He) must perform on this night is that he must remove the material pleasures and enjoyments of this world from in front of his eyes (and from his heart) and in order to make the most of this special night and ensure that all of his actions are performed properly, he must think to himself that tonight is his last night on this Earth (meaning that tomorrow he shall die) and thus, he will no longer have the opportunity to perform any more good deeds and that tomorrow the Day of Judgment will take place.

Important acts on Night of the 15th of Sha’ban

1) Of the important acts on this night is the following Salat (Namaz):

One hundred Rak’at of Salat in which Surah al-Ikhlas is recited one thousand times in each Rak’at. The greatness and reward of this Salat is even more than the next Salat that we will mention.

Four Rak’at of Salat and in each Rak’at, Surah al-Ikhlas is recited either 50, 100 or 250 times. After this, the following supplication should be recited once:

اللهم إني إليك فقير، ومن عذابك خائف مستجير، اللهم لا تبدل اسمي، ولا تغير جسمي، ولا تجهد بلائي، ولا تشمت بي أعدائي، أعوذ بعفوك من عقابك، وأعوذ برحمتك من عذابك، وأعوذ برضاك من سخطك، وأعوذ بك منك، جل ثناؤك، أنت أثنيت على نفسك وفوق ما يقول القائلون

2) Of the important acts that have been mentioned in the Ahadith is staying awake this night in prayer and worship.

This is a night in which not a single person supplicates to Allah (SWT) except that his prayers are accepted. Nobody asks for a single thing on this night except that it will be given to him. No one asks Allah (SWT) for forgiveness except that his sins are wiped out. No one turns in repentance to Allah (SWT) except that God accepts their repentance. Whoever is deprived of the goodness of this night has been deprived of something great.”

3) This is also the night on which the special Ziyarat of Imam Husain (AS) should be performed (there is a specific Ziyarat to be read on the 15th of Sha’ban) since in addition to the Angels, 100,000 Prophets (AS) also visit the Imam (AS) on this night and this event as well shows the importance of this night.

4) Recite Dua Kumayl

This special Dua, taught by Imam Ali (AS) to Kumayl ibn Ziyad, is recommended typically to be recited every Thursday night. It is also recommended to be recited on this holy night.

5) Recite the special Salawat Sha’abania

This is a special Dua focusing on praising and sending our Salaams to the Ahlul bayt (AS). It is recommended to be recited throughout the holy Month of Sha’ban and also on this special night.

Important acts on day of the 15th of Sha’ban

1) Celebrate 15th Sha’ban by giving Sadaqah

One of the most virtuous acts of worship on the 15th Sha’ban is to help our Muslim brothers and sisters who are in need across the world.

2) 15th Sha’ban fasting

The 13th, 14th, and 15th days of each lunar month are called “Al-Ayyam Al-Beed” (ٱلْأَيَّامُ ٱلْبِيضُ), which translates to “The White Days” or “The Luminous Days”, and the nights are called “Al-Layali Al-Beed” (اللَّيَالِي ٱلْبِيضْ), which translates to the “The White Nights” or “The Luminous Nights.”

Imam Ali (AS) is reported to have said, “Fasting on the Luminous Days of every (lunar) month raises the stations and magnifies the rewards.” (Ghurar al-Hikam, n.5457).

The pinnacle for these is the 15th of Sha’ban. After we spend the night worshipping Allah (swt) and praying for Imam Mahdi (AJ) during Laylatul Bara’at (Shab-e-Baraat), the worship continues in the day by fasting.

The Prophet (PBUH) recommended to fast on the 15th Sha’ban.

3) Pray to Allah for hastening Imam Mahdi (AS) advent

On the fifteenth of Sha’ban, the twelfth Imam al-Mahdi, the Patron of the Age (Ṣāḥib al-Zaman), was born (may Almighty Allah’s blessings be upon him and his immaculate ancestors). It is recommended to visit him at each time and place and to pray to Almighty Allah for hastening his advent. His Ziyarah at the Vault (sirdab) in Samarra’ is more favorable. Beyond any dispute, Imam Mahdi (AS) shall appear, overcome, and fill the earth with justice and equality in the same way as it would be filled up with injustice and bias.

Sources: 

www.shafaqna.com