Lailatul Bara’ah is the Night of Absolution and is a vessel for Mercy, Blessing, Benefit, Pardon and Forgiveness that descends upon the people of the earth.
On this great night, the Almighty reveals a special Divine Revelation to the first heaven and proclaims, “Is there anyone who seeks forgiveness so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone who seeks sustenance so that I may grant him sustenance? Is there anyone who seeks freedom from his problems so that I may remove his problems?” This announcement continues until the break of dawn. [Sunan Ibn Majah]
Rasoolullah (SAW) has said, “On the night of the middle of Shabaan, the Almighty reveals a special Divine Revelation to the sky of this lower world and forgives every Muslim, except a Mushrik (one who associates partners with the Almighty), the bearer of malice, the breaker of family ties, the adulterer, the miser, the one who is disobedient to his parents and the one who consumes alcohol. He (SAW) has also stated that during this night the Almighty opens 300 doors of Mercy unto his servants and that the slaves of the Almighty are emancipated from the fire of hell, as many as the hairs on the flocks of the tribe of Bani Kalb.
The Almighty states in the Holy Qur’an, “Therein all matters of wisdom are sorted out for Decree.” [Surah 44, Verse 4]. This Aayat refers to Lailatul Bara’ah and it is stated that on this great night, the entire year’s programme of sustenance, death, life, honour and disgrace, in short every affair of man is listed from the Divine Tablet and handed over to the angels of each area on the earth in the form of a book. For example the Angel of Death is given a list of the names of those who would be dying in the coming year. [Tafseer Noorul Irfaan] Hazrat Aisha Siddiqah (RA) reports that once on the 15th night of Shabaan Rasoolullah (SAW) went into prostration for a long time and she watched him until she thought that the Almighty had taken His Messenger (SAW) from this world. After a long time had elapsed, she got close enough to touch the soles of his feet. He stirred, and she heard him say in his prostration, “I take refuge with Your pardon from Your punishment. I take refuge with Your approval from Your displeasure. I take refuge in You from You. Glory be to You. I cannot fully praise You, as You have praised Yourself.” After this incident Hazrat Aisha Siddiqah (RA) asked Rasoolullah (SAW), “O Messenger of the Almighty, tonight I
have heard you utter something during your prostration that I never heard you mention before.” Rasoolullah (SAW) then asked, “Have you learnt it?” When she said yes, he replied, “Study those words and teach them, for Jibra’eel (Alaihis Salaam) asked me to repeat them during the prostration.”
[Ghuniyatut Taalibeen ]
This Dua is given below and we must try to recite it as much as possible, IA, according to the Sunnah of the Beloved Rasool (SAW).
Allahumma A’oozu bi Afwika Min Iqaabika Wa A’oozu Biradaaka Min Sakhatika Wa
A’oozu Bika Minka Jalla Wajhuka Laa Uhsi Thanaa’an ‘Alayka Anta Kama Athnaita ‘Ala Nafsik
Hereunder are some other Ibaadaat that may be performed during this night: After Asr Salaah the following should be recited 70 times:
Astaghfirullaha Rabbi Min Kulli Zam Bew Wa A’tubu Ilaih
Just before sunset the following should be recited 40 times:
Laa Hawla Wala Quwata Illa Billa Hil ‘Aleeyil ‘Azeem
After Maghrib Salaah 6 rakaats of Nafl Salaah should be read as three sets of two rakaats. Before the first 2 rakaats, make Dua to receive a long life through the barkat of those 2 rakaats. For the second set make Dua to be saved from all types of problems and for the third set make Dua for The Almighty not to make you needy of anyone besides Him. After each set of rakaats, recite Surah Yaseen once, Surah Ikhlaas 21 times and thereafter Dua-e-Nisfe Shabaan.
One should also try to fast on the 15th of Shabaan as this is the Sunnah of Rasoolullah (SAW). It is also better to fast both on the 14th and 15th (if possible) so that one would enter the blessed night of Lailatul Bara’ah in a state of fasting.
One should also try to visit the Qabarastan (graveyard) on this night to make Dua of Maghfirah (Forgiveness) for the deceased, as this is the Sunnah of our beloved Rasool (SAW). This is an opportunity that everyone needs to take advantage of. We do not know if our names will be written on the list given to the Angel of Death this year, and whether we will have the opportunity of experiencing this blessed night again. We must make Tauba (repent) for our sins and ask the Almighty for Forgiveness. We are such wretched sinners but the Mercy of The Almighty is boundless. No matter how sinful we are, it is never too late to fall down in prostration before our Lord and to cry in shame for our insolent behavior in disobeying His commands. The Almighty’s Mercy overcomes His anger therefore we should not lose hope in His Mercy, no matter how wretched we might be. The Almighty just wants an excuse to forgive us but it is we who are too lazy to humble ourselves before Him, to ask for His Mercy. On this night when the Almighty calls out, “Who is there who seeks forgiveness so that I may forgive Him?” the whole night, let us respond to that call by crying in the Court of the Almighty and saying, “Ya the Almighty, this wretched sinner seeks Your forgiveness. I am present in Your Court and I humble myself in shame before You. Through the Sadaqah and Wasilah of Your Beloved Messenger, Muhammad Mustafa (SAW) please forgive me.” Nothing is stopping us besides our nafs and Shaitaan. Remember that the Almighty loves those who cry in His Court out of shame and repent for their sins, so do not let this blessed night go by in vain. May the Almighty grant us the Taufeeq to take full advantage of the blessings of Lailatul Bara’ah, to repent from our sins and to make as much Ibaadat as possible on this blessed night, Ameen.