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One of our brothers/sisters has asked this question:

 Ass salam Alykum.

I had just read a mail regarding Washeq Bida.

Question:What does Islam say about Shab e Barat is it also a bida, are there any related Hadiths about Shab e Barat. 

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Answer:

Shabe e baraat bida innovation

In the name of Allah, We praise Him, seek His help and ask for His forgiveness. Whoever Allah guides none can misguide, and whoever He allows to fall astray, none can guide them aright. We bear witness that there is no one (no idol, no person, no grave, no prophet, no imam, no dai, nobody!) worthy of worship but Allah Alone, and we bear witness that Muhammad (saws) is His slave-servant and the seal of His Messengers.

Your Question: What does Islam say about Shab e Barat

There is absolutely no evidence in the authentic Sunnah whereby the Messenger of Allah (saws) or his noble companions or family ever celebrated or commemorated the night of ‘Shabe-Baraat’, nor did he (saws) ever offer any special prayers on this night, nor did he (saws) ever command the believers to do anything special on this night!

It is the absolute unanimous opinion of all the good jurists and scholars in Islam that there is to be no special commemoration or celebration of the so-called ‘Shabe-Baraat’ night; and if anyone offers or ordains any special prayers for the commemoration of this night, it would be against the guidance and Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws).

It is indeed unfortunate that many amongst the Ummah have started celebrating and commemorating this night with special gatherings and prayers, something which was neither performed by the Messenger of Allah (saws) nor endorsed by him; and any act of worship which was not endorsed by the Noble Prophet (saws) can be nothing but an innovation (bidah), and every innovation in the deen of Islam is a grave error.

Sunan of Abu-Dawood Hadith 4515 Narrated by Ali ibn AbuTalib

That the Prophet of Allah (saws) said: “If anyone introduces an innovation (in religion), he will be responsible for it. If anyone introduces an innovation or gives shelter to a man who introduces an innovation (in religion), he is cursed by Allah, by His Angels, and by all the people.”

Sahih Muslim Hadith 1885 Narrated by Jabir ibn Abdullah

That the Prophet of Allah (saws) said in a sermon: “The best speech is that which is embodied in the Book of Allah, the Al Quran; and the best guidance is the guidance given by me, Mohamed (saws). The most evil affairs are the innovations, and every innovation is an error.”

Your Question: is it also a bida, are there any related Hadiths about Shab e Barat. 

The definition of a thing being a ‘bida’ or ‘innovation’ is that it is not part of the deen revealed on Prophet Mohamed (saws), but was added to the deen without the endorsement of Allah and His Messenger (saws).

Dear and Beloved Brother, logic dictates that proof and evidence can only be presented when one wishes for the Truth to be confirmed; there can be no proof or evidence presented for a thing based on falsehood!

Besides, it is the ones who practice the ‘bida’ or innovation who should be asked to present the evidence or proof for their act, if indeed they believe that they are following the truth!

If one claims to believe in Allah and His Last and Final Messenger (saws), then it is incumbent upon them to follow the Quran and the Sunnah in all their acts of the deen. If one follows an act which is not endorsed by the Quran and the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws), then it is obvious that it is an innovation or a ‘bida’ of man and nothing to do with the Truth. Allah is our witness, there is absolutely nothing in the Holy Quran or in the Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (saws) whereby he (saws) ever celebrated or commemorated the night of the so-called ‘Shabe-Baraat’!

The single biggest logical proof to prove that ‘Shabe-Baraat’ is not a part of the deen is that the term or word ‘Shabb’ is not even an Arabic word!!! The Arabic term for ‘night’ is ‘layl’, and ‘shabb’ is actually a Persian (Farsi) term meaning ‘night’! It is neither logical nor possible nor conceivable that the Messenger of Allah (saws) who was an Arab and only spoke the Arabic language, would ever term or name a night in the Persian language!!!

If one trusts, obeys, and follows the guidance and commands of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of never ever being misled; but if one believes, obeys and follows any other guidance, other than that of Allah and His Messenger (saws), one can be assured of being led astray.

Whatever written of Truth and benefit is only due to Allah’s Assistance and Guidance, and whatever of error is of me alone. Allah Alone Knows Best and He is the Only Source of Strength.

Your brother and well wisher in Islam,

Burhan