Any significance for the mid of Sha'aban?

Some Muslims celebrate the mid of the Hijri month of Sha'aban, or at least signify it with special acts of worship like fasting, extra prayers and special Duaa's. They rely on Hadiths that were claimed to be narrated on behalf of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. Many scholars have looked into this to verify the allegations, no evidence was to be found.

Dr. Yahia Baej

Last update
March 6, 2024
ﷺ means: Allah's Peace and Blessings be upn him
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It is not Sunnah

Praise be to Allah and may peace and blessings of Allah are sent upon his Prophet Muhammad ﷺ (peace be upon him) and his family, companions, and those who follow them in righteousness until the day we meet Him. It was never mentioned in Hadith that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ celebrated or signified the middle night of Sha’ban with any act of worship. Therefore, the occasion has no base. All Hadiths in this regard are unauthentic.

Allah Subhanaho wa Ta'ala says in the Quran:


"قُلْ إِن كُنتُمْ تُحِبُّونَ اللَّهَ فَاتَّبِعُونِي يُحْبِبْكُمُ اللَّهُ وَيَغْفِرْ لَكُمْ ذُنُوبَكُمْ ۗ "
"Say (O Muhammad): If you love Allah, then follow me and Allah will love you and forgive your sins"
Surat Al `Imran | 31


In Hadith (Sayings confirmed to be said by Prophet Muhammad ﷺ), it was confirmed that the Prophet ﷺ said:


"من عمل عملا ليس عليه أمرنا فهو رد"
"Whoever invents something in this matter of ours that is not a part of it will have it rejected"
Reported by Al-Bukhaari, Fath al-Baari, no. 2697

So what happens if someone celebrates it?

Celebrating this night or signifying it with any extra acts of worship - knowing it is a religious invention - is exactly as claiming that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ didn’t convey his message in full. This is due to the fact that if it is for the benefit of this Ummah, our Messenger Muhammad ﷺ would have celebrated it or signified it with further attention, let alone that he would have taught his companions accordingly.

Having that said, Allah Subhanaho wa Ta'ala, told us in the Quran:


"ٱلۡیَوۡمَ أَكۡمَلۡتُ لَكُمۡ دِینَكُمۡ وَأَتۡمَمۡتُ عَلَیۡكُمۡ نِعۡمَتِی وَرَضِیتُ لَكُمُ ٱلۡإِسۡلَـٰمَ دِینࣰاۚ"
"This day I have perfected for you your religion and completed My favor upon you and have approved for you Islam as religion"
Surat Al-Maedah | 3


This Ayah (verse) clearly states that Prophet Muhammad ﷺ has fully and perfectly conveyed the message from Allah. Therefore, performing an act of worship that was not mentioned in the Quran or the Hadith, even if the act of worship itself is legitimate but the context is not, is considered Bidaah (a religious invention) in Islam.

May Allah Subhanaho wa Ta'ala make us from those who precisely follow the Sunnah of Muhammad ﷺ.

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