What it is
Shab-e-Barat is the Persian and Urdu name for the night of the middle of Sha'ban, called Laylat an-Nisf min Sha'ban in Arabic. A hadith, graded authentic by some scholars and weak by others, says Allah looks at His creation on this night and forgives all except those who associate partners with Him or hold hatred. Scholars differ on singling it out for special worship.
Also spelled Laylatul Bara'ah, Nisf Sha'ban, 15 Shaban, Shab e Barat, Malam Nisfu Syaban, Berat Kandili.
What Muslims do
In South Asia and elsewhere, many Muslims spend the night in prayer, Quran recitation and asking forgiveness, visit graves to pray for the dead, and some fast the following day. Other Muslims do not mark it, holding that the reports about it are weak. Both views are found among scholars.
Dates in the coming years
| Date | Islamic date |
|---|---|
| The night begins at sunset on Friday, 22 January 2027 | 15 Shaban 1448 AH |
| The night begins at sunset on Tuesday, 11 January 2028 | 15 Shaban 1449 AH |
| The night begins at sunset on Saturday, 30 December 2028 | 15 Shaban 1450 AH |
| The night begins at sunset on Thursday, 20 December 2029 | 15 Shaban 1451 AH |
Shab-e-Barat is the night of the 15th of Sha'ban, about two weeks before Ramadan.
Dates follow the Umm al-Qura calendar used in Saudi Arabia. Many countries set their own dates by local moon sighting or a national authority, as in Pakistan, India, Indonesia and Malaysia, so the date where you live can be a day later.
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Visit Duskford DigitalPhrases and duas for Shab-e-Barat
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Astaghfirullah
I ask Allah for forgiveness.
أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ
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Allahumma Innaka Afuwwun (Laylatul Qadr Dua)
O Allah, You are the One who pardons, and You love to pardon, so pardon me.
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
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Allahumma Ghfir Lahu
O Allah, forgive him and have mercy on him.
اللَّهُمَّ اغْفِرْ لَهُ وَارْحَمْهُ
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La Ilaha Illa Anta Subhanaka (Dua of Yunus)
There is no god but You. Glory be to You. I have indeed been one of the wrongdoers.
لَا إِلَٰهَ إِلَّا أَنْتَ سُبْحَانَكَ إِنِّي كُنْتُ مِنَ الظَّالِمِينَ
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Ramadan Mubarak
Blessed Ramadan.
رَمَضَانُ مُبَارَكٌ
Common questions
What do Muslims do on Shab-e-Barat?
Those who mark it pray at night, read the Quran, ask Allah for forgiveness and make dua for the dead. Some fast the 15th of Sha'ban. There is no fixed prayer for the night.
Is Shab-e-Barat in the Quran?
No. Some people connect it with the "blessed night" in Surah Ad-Dukhan, but most scholars of tafsir say that verse refers to Laylatul Qadr in Ramadan.