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Deeds Depend Upon The Intention

Rasulullah (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) has said:

“Verily Allah does not look to your faces and your wealth, but He looks to your heart and to your deeds.“ (Muslim)

Umar bin Khattab (RA) relates that Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) said: “All deeds depend on intention (i.e. the reward of performance of an act depends on the intention). Therefore a person, who migrated (with a pure intention) for the sake of Allah and His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam), his migration will then be for Allah and His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam). And if someone migrated for the sake of the world, or to marry a woman, then his migration will be for whatever he had intended.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

Meaning of 'Intention'

Whenever Islamic scholars talk about intentions, they mean one of two things; the action a person wishes to do, or what a person intends to achieve by doing that action.

Common Intentions for daily routines

(For all good and beneficial deeds)

· I am doing this deed to attain Allah’s pleasure.

· Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) has also performed this act, and I am following his (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) Sunnah.

· By performing these acts, I want to achieve all those rewards and blessings, which are mentioned in the Holy Qur’an and traditions of Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) [irrespective of my knowledge or ignorance about them].

· I am doing this to practice those Sunnah and supplications which apply to this act/deed.

· I am doing this deed/act to obey Allah’s command and follow the Sunnah of beloved Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) in all aspects of life, whether they belong to belief, worship, dealings, social life and morals.

· I also make intention to save myself from sins and time wasting frivolities.

Going to sleep

Common Intentions:

· I am going to sleep to seek Allah’s pleasure.

· Since our beloved Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) has done this, therefore I am following his Sunnah.

· I am doing this to practice those pertinent supplications, which are advised to us by our beloved Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).

· Whichever aspect of Islam (belief, worship, dealings, manners) applies to this act, my intention in doing this is to obey the command of Allah, and to follow the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).

· I intend to avoid all useless and frivolous things, while doing this act.

Specific Intentions:

· I intend to get up for Tahajjud prayers.

· To sleep in accordance to Sunnah is also worship. I intend to sleep for making one third of my life as worship.

· I intend to perform good deeds the next day (worship, service, education and invitation to Islam/ Dawah) and to take rest to regain strength for the same.

· Human body is trust from Allah. I am sleeping to provide the necessary rest to my body and organs.

Getting up in the morning

[Common Intentions listed above]

Specific Intentions:

· Intention to offer Tahajjud, recitation of the Holy Qur’an, remembrance of Allah and making Du’a.

· Preparation for Fajr Salah.

· To fulfill my obligations and duties.

· To earn a fair/ Halaal livelihood and earning.

· To thank Allah for having given me a new day of life.

Dressing

· Intention to cover those parts of the body which have been commanded by Allah and his Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).

· To protect Allah’s given body from all harmful effects of the environment, accidents and mishaps.

· To dress up nicely and to look neat for prayers according to the Islamic etiquette.

· Thank Allah for his abundant blessings of comfortable dress.

· To show due respect to the household members, relatives and visitors. [Note: Muslim women must observe Hijab from non-Mahram men].

· Intention to wear Islamic dress as a form of ‘silent’ Da’wah to people of other faiths and a motivation and identity for Muslims.

Ablution (Wudu)/ using restroom

· Intention to remove impurities from my body to keep the body clean and fresh

· Intention to seek Allah’s love and pleasure, by increasing purity and cleanliness

· To purify the self from the sins through ablution/Wudu.

· To increase the reward and blessings through ablution, (for example, recitation of the Holy Qur’an while in the state of Wudu brings more reward).

· To prepare to attend a gathering of knowledge and Zikr.

· To refresh through ablution and shower for better performance of virtuous deeds.

· To increase sustenance while in the state of wudu

Leaving home

· Intention to participate in masjid’s or a gathering of knowledge and Zikr.

· To visit another Muslim.

· To look for opportunities for making charity.

· To safeguard the eyes, and protect the self from all evils and temptations of the Shaitan.

· To earn Halal livelihood

· To do Da’wah, worship, learning/teaching, community services

Going and entering into the Masjid

· Intention to pray in congregation (27 times reward).

· To learn solution to daily problems and to increase knowledge about Deen.

· To pray Ishraaq (stay in the masjid after Fajr until after-sunrise to do Ishraaq prayer) and be in the remembrance of Allah. (Reward equal to Umrah and Hajj.)

· To join the gathering of pious people, at a place which is the dearest to Allah.

· To increase the reward of deeds like Zikr and Qur’an recitation.

· To earn a reward and getting a sin forgiven at every step, while going to the Masjid.

· To make Du’a between Azan and Iqamah.

· To make Sunnah Du’a and send Salawaat (invoke blessings) upon the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) when entering the masjid.

· Intention to hold the self accountable for sins, contemplation on the Hereafter, and to seek forgiveness.

· To wait for next Salah (the wait-time is rewarded as worship)

· To do Nafl Aetikaaf

· To meet a scholar and to pray behind him in congregation

· To join the gathering of knowledge and Zikr (earn special blessings of Allah)

· To give Da’wah

· To meet and serve fellow Muslims (meeting with good manners brings extra reward)

· To hear the Azaan and to recite Du’a after Azaan

· To give charity (to find opportunities of giving Sadaqah)

· To listen to Qur’an recitation

· Allah is Kareem and He will bless the slave who visits His house (Intention to attain this blessing)

· Walking to the masjid with Wudu/Ablution brings extra reward

· To protect the ear, eyes and tongue which are under temptations outside the masjid

Friday’s Congregational Prayer

(include all intentions of going to masjid listed above)

· Intention to listen to the Friday Khutbah quietly and learn from it (reward of learning a chapter of knowledge).

· To listen to the Holy Qur’an and traditions of Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).

· Remembering and spreading the good, and persuading others to do the same.

Acquiring knowledge and teaching it to others

· Acquire love of Almighty Allah

· Intention to learn a new chapter of knowledge (reward of praying 1000 rak’a of Nawaafil).

· Intention to acquire the excellence of a student (in the path of Allah until return).

· Intention to visit a scholar

· To join the gathering of knowledge and Zikr (earn special blessings of Allah)

· Learn the wisdom and skills for Daw’ah and self-correction

· Help the follow students in revising their lessons

· Bring 100% Islamic ways in my daily life

Entering the house

· Intention to protect myself from Shaitaan (Devil) by entering the house reciting BismillahhirRahmannirRahim, Dua and making Salaam.

· To serve the household members.

· To look with respect and love towards parents, wife and children and the rest of the relatives of the household.

· To teach Deen to the family members and to motivate them for good deeds.

· Human body is trust from Allah. I am entering home to provide the necessary rest and peace to my body.

· To protect my eyes (from seeing any non-Mahram, if any)

· To prepare for next opportunity for serving Deen (Dawah, worship, learning and serving others)

Going to the School or Office

· Intention to acquire new technology, skill and knowledge for personal benefit and imparting the same to the rest of the humanity and making them more useful for the society. To discover hidden potential in human mind for the progress of humanity.

· Prepare for earning Halal income, to fulfil rights of my dependants and achieve peace of mind for worship.

· Intention to earn Halal income, to spend in charity.

· To create an environment of Deen at work or school where everyone is motivated to learn and practice Deen, with sound knowledge, accurate mutual dealings, sincerity and trustworthiness.

· To fulfill the rights of the management and subordinates and thus indirectly making Dawah by being an example of an ideal Muslim.

Going to the marketplace

· Intention to serve my household members, fellow travelers and neighbors.

· To make Zikr of Allah in marketplace

· Intention to return home quickly after doing the needful and getting busy in good deeds and remembrance of Allah.

· Looking after the needs of the poor and beggars (by giving charity).

· To help poor shopkeepers by buying from their shops.

· To protect eyes from seeing non-Mahram

· To revive Islamic practices related to dealings and trade

· To give Dawah, motivate others to do good and stop from evil.

Eating and drinking

· Intention to thank Allah for His blessings of different kinds of delicious food.

· To have food and drink with family members, thus increasing love and affection while eating together.

· To ponder over the blessings of Allah that He has made so many universal forces and creations to serve mankind

· To teach Islamic etiquette for eating and drinking to children.

· To motivate one towards paradise and good deeds leading to it – by enjoying a sample of blessings of paradise in this world.

· To prepare to fulfill rights and to perform good deeds (worship, service, education and invitation to Islam/ Dawah).

· Human body is a trust from Allah. I am eating to provide the necessary energy and strength to my body and organs.

Visiting and meeting people

· Intention to say the Salam first, and a warm handshake.

· To make a Muslim happy.

· To visit the sick.

· To remember Allah in a gathering of people.

· To visit a scholar or elderly pious person to request for Dua and advice.

· To look after the needs of Muslims and children of Adam (peace be upon him).

· To protect eyes from seeing non-Mahram

· To give Dawah, motivate others to do good and stop from evil.

Visiting the sick

[Note: Many intentions listed above also apply here]

· To visit the sick, say things to comfort him to request for supplications. To hope to get the Duas of 70,000 angels and to attain gardens of Paradise.

· To fulfill the needs of the family of the sick person.

· To motivate them by saying virtues/rewards of patience at the time of difficulty.

Serving the parents

· Intention to obey the command of Allah and His Messenger (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) with regards to looking after the parents, and getting all the promised rewards including the Paradise.

· To get the reward of a Hajj and Umrah by looking kindly at parents.

· To fulfill the rights of kinship to serve a Muslim and elderly relative.

· To revive Islamic etiquette of social living.

Recitation of the Holy Qur’an

· Intention to get reward of just looking at the Qur’an.

· To memorize the verses of the Holy Qur’an.

· To get reward on each letter, and the rewards associated with each selected special individual Surah.

· To listen to the Ayat, understand the meaning and translating them into good actions.

· To achieve peace of heart and the descent of the angels.

· To memorize the Holy Qur’an and use its verses in making Dawah and teaching.

· To learn what Almighty Allah wants me to do.

· To make several organs (eyes, ears, mouth and hands) busy in the Zikr of Allah.

Nikah / Marriage

· Intention to achieve purity of heart and piety by leading a successful married life.

· To protect eyes from looking at non-Mahram

· To raise good children on Islamic values and improve the number as well as quality of Muslims.

· To have children as a source of Sadaqa-e-Jaariya (continuing reward) who will be doing Da’wah, worship, learning/teaching, community services for future generations as well as making Du’a for parents.

· To complete my Deen and to revive Islamic way of living

· To make my home a model of learning institute and place of remembering Allah.

· To help the spouse become a good Muslim and have a positive influence on the community by helping in Da’wah, teaching and community service.

· To have positive influence on in-laws to revive Islamic way of life.

· To celebrate the marriage ceremony in a very simple manner to promote simplicity and modesty in the society.

Taleem at home (Teaching and learning Islam)

· Intention to bring complete Deen into my home and community.

· To help the family members increase knowledge of the Holy Qur’an and Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).

· To bring mercy of Allah and the descent of the angels.

· To attain virtues of recitation of the Holy Quran

· To attain virtues of listening and propagating Hadith of our beloved Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).

· To attain virtues of learning a chapter of knowledge.

· To attain virtues of good deeds, desire for the Hereafter and paradise.

· To attain virtues of repentance and search for the truth

Cooking food and house work

Intention for husband and wife to render mutual service to each other and family and to develop understanding through love and loyalty.

· To extend hospitality to others (neighbors, relatives, guests) and make them happy.

· [For wife] to take care of household work to get reward of outside good deeds performed by the husband.

· [For husband] To help wife in the household responsibilities as practiced by Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).

· To make Zikr of Allah while cooking and household work.

· To give some food to the needy and to feed the hungry.

· To feed the birds and animals with the left over food.

Husband- wife love relationship

· Intention to become the best person (by offering best treatment to spouse).

· To be kind, polite and soft towards wife as practiced by Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).

· To look after all legitimate needs and desire of the spouse.

· To make a Muslim happy.

· To achieve purity of heart and mind- to protect one from evil gazes and immorality of outside society.

· To motivate one towards paradise and good deeds leading to it – by enjoying a sample of blessings of paradise in this world.

Intention of raising the children

· Training, and educating them to be useful to their own selves, to their parents, relatives, community, the Ummah and the world at large.

· To make them scholars and Haafiz-e-Qur’an and enable them to live Islam.

· To raise children as a source of Sadaqa-e-Jaariya (continuing reward) who will be doing Da’wah, worship, learning/teaching, community services for future generations as well as making Du’a for parents.

Traveling

[Intention for “Visiting and meeting people” listed above]

· Intention of acquiring knowledge and teaching knowledge.

· To earn Halal livelihood.

· To fulfill the rights of family, dependants and others.

· To get the reward of the supplication of the traveler.

· To achieve health through travel. (Tradition of Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam)).

· To participate in the effort of Deen.

· To remove obstacles from the path.

· To visit religious scholars, parents and pious people and seek their advice to acquire love of Allah.

· To gain experience, and learn lessons by seeing Allah’s world and contemplating on His creation.

· To protect the eyes from seeing non-Mahram.

· [For men] To make Etikaaf in the masajid.

· To engage in Salah, zikr, recitation of Quran at every stop.

· To study Islamic teachings at centers of learning.

· Preparation for Hajj or Umrah.

Service to the humanity

· Intention to help and strengthen the Muslim brotherhood.

· To get reward of assisting a Muslim (and making him happy) as well as serving the children of Adam (peace of upon him).

· To get reward of saving a human life.

· To spread virtues, and to establish and work for peace.

· To volunteer to help the poor, needy and the homeless.

· To find the way to Allah by serving His creation. To have mercy on Allah’s creation and to help them live in peace.

· To remove someone’s sufferings so that s(he) can worship Allah with peace.

· To cure myself from evil desires and bad manners (Tazkiyyah - cure of diseases of heart)

Da’wah (Inviting everyone towards Allah)

· Intention to increase my own faith in Allah and have a strong connection with Him.

· To propagate Allah’s Deen and the mission of the Prophets (peace be upon them).

· To save people from Hell and enable them to deserve Paradise.

· To have mercy on the children of Adam (peace be upon him)

· To spread the truth and eradicate disbelief from society.

· To correct my own deeds, manners and character to become an ideal Muslim.

· To increase the number of pious and righteous people in a community.

· To revive the Sunnah of the Prophets (peace be upon them).

· To learn the wisdom to motivate others and to stop them from evil.

· To have firm belief in the promises of Allah and the Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam).

· To invite everyone towards mercy, forgiveness and treasures of the Creator.

· To search for pious people more suitable (than me) to make effort of Deen and to learn from them.

· To achieve regular practice on good deeds (Da’wah, worship, learning/teaching and community services).

· To engage in constant remembrance of Allah, renewing good intentions, making Du’a and following the Sunnah at every step.

· The name of Allah, book of Allah and invitation to Allah becomes alive in every place.

· Bring devotion to my own prayers, acquire knowledge of Deen, fulfill rights of everyone and achieve sincerity in all my actions.

· To increase reward of good deeds while in the path of Allah and service to mankind.

Death Of Prophets:

There are those misinformed people who believe that the Ahl as-Sunnah Wa’l Jama actually believe that the Prophet Muhammad (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) did not die!! What a gross accusation!! The true belief of the Ahle Sunnah wa’l Jama, is that the Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), did die, but he is alive in his grave.

It is in the grave, that the Prophet Muhammad, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), is presented with our deeds, and makes supplication on behalf of the Ummah. This will be looked into further in another chapter of the book, Insha Allah. There are also instances, where the Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) will appear in our dreams and comfort us with good news and glad tidings. We also believe, that to send Salaam [salutations] to our Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), will be met with a reply back. There are many narrations that support this, which will be discussed later on in this book.

Blasphemic Belief

A great Scholar of the Ahl as-Sunnah wa’l Jama, Sayyid Ahmad Sa’eed Shah Kaazmi, writes:

'The one who states that the Soul of the Prophet, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), was not taken and he never died, is a Kafir and is out of the circle of Islam.

[Hayaat-un-Nabi, p8 by Sayyid Ahmad Sa’eed Shah Kaazmi]

This is the belief of the Ahle Sunnah wal Jammat but the people who say the Ahle Sunnah believe, that Prophet Muhammad, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace). has not passed away is a false accusation on us.

Shaykh ul Makkah, Shaykh Alawi says that the meaning of the Anbiya (Prophets) passing away, means that they have been taken away from us and we cannot see them just like the Angels are.

(Mafaheem page 165 by Shaykh Alawi Malki).

Proof that Prophets are alive.

Allah most High says in the Qur’aam,

“…those who have been slain in the way of Allah never think of them as dead; but they are alive with their Lord, get their subsistence” [Surah Al-Imran verse 169]

Of course, it goes without saying that the position of the Prophets, (May Allah bless them and grant them peace) is above and beyond the status of those who are martyred in Allah’s way. This however implicates, that nevertheless, he (May Allah bless him and grant him peace) is alive too.

Qadi Shawkawni writes:

In the Qur’an it is mentioned that martyrs are alive and food is provided for them; The Prophets and Righteous people are a lot higher in status than them so what will be their place? It has been proven through Ahadeeth that Prophets are alive in their graves. Both Imam Tirmizi and Imam Bayhaqi have said that this is an authentic Ahadith.

[Nayl al-Awtar vol 3 page 82 by Qadi Shawkani]

Proof from the Hadith that Prophets are alive in their graves

Our Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), said: On the night of Mi'raj when I passed Prophet Musa’s (Alay hissalaam) grave. He was standing in his grave and offering Salaah.

[Muslim chapter Fadhail Musa]

Qadi Shawkawni writes:

Scholars agree that our Prophet, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), is alive in his grave and the earth does not eat the bodies of the Prophets.

[Nayl al-Awtar chapter Hajj by Qadi Shawkani]

Hafidhh Ibn Qayyim writes:

Our Prophet, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), has said that on Fridays send as much Blessings as you can on me. If when-one sends Blessings to me, where-ever he may be his voice will reach me. The Companions said even after your death, our ‘Prophet, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), replied affirmative. This is because Allah most High, has made the bodies of the Prophets haram (forbidden) for the earth to eat.
[Jala ul Afham page 63 by Hafidhh Ibn Qayyim]

Imam Darimi writes

'Sa’eed Ibn Al-Musayyib says, “In the days of Harrah (When Yazeed attacked Madina.) For three days in Masjid-e-Nabavi there was no Adhan, or Iqamah, I was in the Mosque alone. I heard from the grave our Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), grave the Adhan, and that's how I knew the time of Salaah”

[Darimi Chapter Fadhail Sayedul-Mursalin by Imam Darimi]

Hafidhh Ibn Taymiyyah says:

A group of people heard the answer of their Salaam. And Sa’eed Ibn Al- Musayyib in the days of Harrah heard the voice of our Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), saying the Adhan, from the grave. And there are more events like these and they are all true.

[Iqtidah Siratul-Mustakeem page 373 by Hafidhh Ibn Taymiyyah]

Hafidhh Ibn Kathir writes:

Abdullah Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with Him, said that in his dream he saw the Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), and upon him there was dust from travelling. In his hand’ was a bottle in which there was blood, I asked him: “what is this?” He replied, “My grandson Hussain and his companions have been martyred, and I have collected the blood spilt by them and I shall present this blood to Allah Ta'ala.” This is an authentic narration.

Ummul Mu’ mineen Salma states: I saw the Messenger of Allah, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), in my dream, there was dust upon his hair and beard, I asked him: “O Messenger of Allah why is there dust on you?” He replied: 'I am returning from Kerbala.

[Tarikh Ibn-e-Kathir, chapter Karbala]

The pious can talk after passing away.

Hafidhh Ibn Kathir writes:

Zaid bin Kharjah was one of the pious that talked after his death. When he died and was placed in his coffin, he started to talk, and he said I bear witness that Muhammad is Prophet of Allah and his name Ahmad was mentioned in the previous scriptures. (Old Testament and New Testament) and Abu Bakr and Umar were two Caliphs and now it is Usman’s government. Four years have passed and there are two years to go and conflicts will come and Muslims will become weak. A lot of scholars verify this narration including Imam Bukhari and Imam Bayhaqi. There was another pious person who talked after his death. Abdullah Ansari reports that in the time of Ali’s caliphate I was walking among the martyred and a person spoke: That Muhammad (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), and

Abu-Bakar and Usman are all true. A group of Scholars says that talking after passing away is true and these are authentic narrations.

[Tareek Ibn Kathir and Sirat un-Nabi, chapter Al-Mujazaat by Hafidhh Ibn Kathir. Also Tareekh ul Kabeer, Tareekh Bagdad, Al-Jahrhu-Tadeel, Tahdeed al Tahdeeb, Usdul Gaba, Al Asabah biography of Zaid bin Kharjah by Imam Bukhari, Khateeb Ibn abi Hatam, Hafidhh Ibn Hajr Asqalani, Imam Ibn Atheer].

Hafidhh Ibn Kathir writes:

That there was a Tabi’ee called Ribee bin Harraash, and he said I will not laugh until I know whether I am going to go to Heaven or Hell. When he died, and was bathed and placed in the coffin, he started to smile and started to talk. He said, “I met Allah and He was pleased with me and I asked him to give me permission to go back to the people and tell them that Allah is pleased with me, and He gave me permission. I am going back. “This is in accordance with saying of the, Prophet (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), he said that, there will be a follower and after his death he will speak and he will be the best among the tabi’een.

[Tareekh Ibn Kathir, Sirat un Nabi chap on Miracles, Tareekh e Bagdad, Tahdeeb at Tahdeeb, Al Jahr hu wa Ta’deel by Hafidhh Ibn Kathir, Khateeb Baghdadi, Hafidhh Asqalani, Imam Ibn abi Khatam, biography of Ribee bin Harraash].

Hafidhh Ibn Kathir writes: that;

Ata Bin Khalid stated: My Aunt went to the grave of Hamza (May Allah be well pleased with him) and said, “Asslam u alaikum!” She heard the answer of the Sallam and the voice was coming from under the earth. She said, “I recognised the answer of my Salaam, as I recognise that Allah most High has created me. As I recognise the differences between day and night, that is how clear it was. Besides my slave and I there was no other person, which is why I was frightened.”

[Sirat un-Nabi chapter War Uhad by Hafidhh Ibn Kathir]

Hafidhh Ibn Kathir writes:

A young person used to come to the Mosque for his prayers. One day a woman with bad intentions invited him to her house, when he was in her house he recited a verse from the Holy Qur’an loudly and collapsed and died from the fear of Allah. The people prayed the funeral prayer and buried him. Umar may Allah be well pleased with him, asked: ‘Where is that young individual who used to come to the Mosque for his prayers?' They replied: 'He passed away and we have buried him'. Umar May Allah be well pleased with him, went to his grave and called out to him and recited a verse from the Holy Qur’an: ‘But for him who fears to stand before his Lord there are two Paradises' (Surah Al-Rahman, verse 46) The young man replied from his grave ‘Indeed Allah has given me two Paradises’. [Tafsir Ibn Kathir under Surah Al-’Araf, verse 202]

It is proven that our Prophet, (May Allah bless him and grant him peace), is alive in his grave.Sheikh ul Makkah, Shiekh Alawi says that the passing away of the Prophets only means that they have been taken away from us and we cannot see them, just as we cant see the angels. (Mafahim page 165 Sheikh Alawi Malki)

From the above we can conclude that the Prophets and the Righteous people are alive and can talk after they have passed away, and they can answer our Salaams after passing away. They are fully aware of the worldly matters, through the power that Allah most High, has granted them. Their life is much better than ours.

Whatever I have said may Allah Ta'ala accept this and if there is any mistakes may He forgive me. (Amin)

For all the Muslims who spend their lives in the shade of Islam, every year there are a few blessed nights come, each of them has separate blessings and every night has different characteristics. The Holy Quran especially mentions 3 nights:
1. Shab Meraj, in which the Lord and His best worshipper met. The verse of Surah Isra:
Holy (free of any imperfection, weakness and insufficiency) is He Who took His (most beloved and intimate) Servant in a small portion of a night from the Sacred Mosque to the al-Aqsa Mosque, whose surroundings We have blessed, in order that We might show him (the Perfect Servant) Our Signs. Surely He is the One Who is All-Hearing, All-Seeing. Surah Isra (17:1)

Here "the night" mentioned is by consensus Shab Bara'at.

2. Shab Qadr, which is the night of the revelation of the Holy Quran, in which angels descend and on this night, the worshippers of the Lord are given the reward of more than 1000 months of worship.
The Night of Destiny is better than a thousand months (in merit of excellence, blessings, reward and recompense). Surah Qadr (97:3)

3. Shab Baraat: This is the night in which the glad tidings of forgiveness and pardon are given to the worshippers of Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala). This night is mentioned in the following verses of the Holy Quran: Dukhan 1-4. A group of the Mufassirin and the scholars interpret this “Lailatul Mubarakah” as the 15th night of Sha’abaan, which is called as Lailatul Baraat.
“Lailatul Mubarakah” in the light of the Tafseer:

The excellence of Shab Baraat is mentioned in many Hadith. What does “Lailatul Mubarakah” mentioned in the Holy Quran is clearly written down by the scholars that the Lailatul Mubarakah means Shab Baraat.

Imam Shaykh Ahmed Bin Muhammad Saavi (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) (deceased 1427 Hijri) writes in his book: Haashiya As Saavi Alal Jalalain under the above mentioned verse in Vol. 4, Pg No: 57, Tafseer Kabeer, Surah Dukhan:

Translation: Lailatul Mubarakah means the 15th night of Sha’abaan. This is the opinion of Hadhrat Akrama and a group (of scholars) and this is acceptable because of some reasons. One among them is that the 15th of Sha’abaan has 4 names:

1. The blessed night.

2. The night of deliverance.

3. The night of Mercy.

4. The night of reward.

Imam Syed Mahmood Alusi (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) (D. 1270 Hijri) writes in Ruh Al Ma'ani:

Translation: Hadhrat Akrama and one group said that this is the 15th night of Sha’abaan and this night is also called as the night of mercy, the blessed night, and night of reward and the night of freedom.

The author of Ruh Al Bayan (D. 1127 Hijri) writes:

Translation: Lailatul Mubarak means the night of Sha’abaan. (Ruh Al Bayan, Vol. 8, Pg No: 448)

The King of the saints, Hadhrat Ghawth ul A’adham (D. 561 Hijri) (May Allah be well pleased with him) in the Tafseer of Lailatul Mubarakah:

Translation: That is the 15th night of Sha’abaan and it is Shab Baraat. (Ghuniya Lit talibi tariqil haqqi Vol. 1, Pg No: 189)

The Holy Quran says about the Lailatul Mubarakah

In this (night) judgment is given on all matters of wisdom (separately). Surah Dukhan (44:4)

This verse shows that Lailatul Mubarakah is the night of decisions and about the 15th night of Sha’abaan, it is mentioned in the Hadith that all the affairs of the coming year are decided. This way the mentioned Hadith become the details of Lailatul Mubarakah, as mentioned in the narration of Hadhrat Abdullah bin Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them) in Ruh Al Ma'ani, Vol. 4, Pg No: 174:

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Ibn Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them) that the decisions of all the matters are taken on the 15th night of Sha’abaan.

One Final Explanation:

What does Lailatul Mubarakah mean:

In this connection, the Mufassirin have related 2 opinions. One that Lailatul Mubarakah means Shab Baraat and the other that it means Shab Qadr. To reconcile (Tatbeeq) these 2 interpretations, it is said that about Lailatul Mubarakah, it is said: Dukhan-4

This shows that in this blessed night decisions are taken and it is mentioned in the Hadith that decisions are taken on the 15th night of Sha’abaan and they are given to the respective angels in Lailatul Qadr. Thus, if Lailatul Mubarakah is interpreted as Shab Qadr, it means that the angels are given the orders on that night and if Shab Baraat is taken, then it means taking the decisions.

It is given in Hashiya Al Jaml alal Jalalain, Vol. 4, Pg No: 100 and in Ma'alim Ut Tanzeel:

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah Bin Abbas (May Allah be well pleased with them): Verily! Allah (Subhanahu wa Ta’ala) makes the decisions in Shab Baraat and passes them on to those who are responsible in Shab Qadr.

Interpretation by Shah Abdul Aziz (May Allah shower His Mercy on him):

On interpreting Lailatul Mubarakah as Shab Baraat, a question might be raised that it is clearly given in the Holy Quran that it was revealed in Shab Qadr, then what revelation of the Holy Quran mean in Shab Baraat?

Hadhrat Shah Abdul Aziz Muhaddith Dehlwi (May Allah shower His Mercy on him) writes about this in Tafseer Azeezi, 30th para Surah Qadr, Pg No: 259:

Translation: Here a question is raised. That is the Holy Quran was revealed completely over a period of 23 years, this began in the month of Rabe’e ul Awwal. Then, the 40th year of the blessed life of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was just starting. Whereas in the Holy Quran, 3 separate occasions are indicated. One among them is the month of Ramadhan, second Shab Qadr, which comes in the last 10 days of Ramadhan and third, Lailatul Mubrakah, which according to most Ulema is the 15th night of Sha’abaan, which is also called as Shab Baraat. Then how do you reconcile all these 2 opinions with what has happened?

The answer to this is that after a thorough research in the Hadith, what we get to know is that the revelation of Holy Quran from “Lauh Mahfooz” to “Bait Ul Izzat,” which is a high station in the heavens was done in Shab Qadr. The same year, the decision to do so was made in Shab Baraat. Now all the 3 are correct. The actual revelation was in the month of Ramadhan in Shab Qadr. The decision to do so was made in Shab Baraat and the revelation of it on the blessed tongue of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) was started in Rabe’e ul Awwal and it was completed before the passing away of the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam). After this interpretation, there is no contradiction.

A beautiful interpretation by Hadhrat Muhaddith-e-Deccan (May Allah shower His mercy on him):

Hadhrat Abul Hasanaat Syed Abdullah Shah Naqshbandi Mujaddidi Qadri writes about the excellence of Shab Baraat:

Translation: Allah Ta’ala has named Shab Baraat as the blessed night and revealed the Holy Quran this night. In the same way the Lord has also said for Shab Qadr: We have revealed the Holy Quran

The truth is that the decision to reveal the Holy Quran was made in Shab Baraat and on Shab Qadr, it was taken to the 1st heaven (the sky closest to our physical universe), then for 23 years, it was revealed bit by bit to this world. This blessed night comes on the 15th of Shabaan (i.e. the night after the 14th). Every night Allah Ta’ala graces the worldly skies with His presence and on Shab Baraat, the Lord does so from sunset itself. All the angels gather in the presence of the Lord Almighty Allah Ta’ala. This night, a special radiance of Allah Ta’ala is expressed, which is not done in other nights. The mercy of Allah Ta’ala is spread in the world. This night the petals of union and closeness (Wisaal wa Qurb) are showered on those who remember Allah Ta’ala. The doors of the skies are opened. The Jannah are decorated and opened. Those who live in Jannah like the damsels of Jannah, etc. come to the edge of the edge of Jannah to watch those who worship Allah Ta’ala. The blessed souls of the Prophets and the martyrs are very happy in the highest stations. The matters of this physical world (Alam Nasut) are revealed to the angels in the spiritual worlds (Alam Malakut). For e.g. somebody’s dying, somebody’s birth, becoming wealthy, becoming poor, becoming ill or healthy, occurring of famine, losing value, the changing of ruler/government, in short the whole agenda for the year is decided and given to the angels for implementation. The prayers of those who make them are accepted, those who ask are given whatever they ask for, those who make efforts are helped i.e. those who make efforts are remunerated, those who obey are given the reward for obedience, the punishment for those commit sins is reduced, those who love Allah Ta’ala are awarded honor.

Then the Lord Almighty declares for the whole night: Who is stuck in difficulties that I should grant relief? Who asks for Maghfirah (forgiveness) that I may forgive? Who asks for sustenance (Rizq) that I may grant it?

People think that by obeying Allah Ta’ala, less sustenance is received. By obeying Allah Ta’ala and asking for Maghrifah, blessings are granted in the Rizq. Then I would say human nature is also taken into account. Even if someone doesn’t ask, he is also granted. Even if you say, Allah don’t give me roti, even then this Dua is not accepted. Whatever is in fate will be given. If one doesn’t take what is in fate, then it will be given forcefully. (Fadhaail Ramadhan, Pg. No. 23/24)

Calling Shab Baraat Lailatul Mubarakah:

Shab Baraat is a blessed night. Every moment is a treasure of Allah’s mercy and each instant is full of Allah’s divine radiance. That is why it is called Lailatul Mubarakah – The blessed night.

The author of Ruh Al Bayan, Shaikh Ismail Haqqi (May Allah shower His mercy on him) writes:

Translation: This night is blessed because blessings descend in abundance on those who perform good acts this night and from the ‘Arsh to the lowest bottom of the earth, even the smallest particle receives the blessings of the divine beauty of Allah Ta’ala. (Ruh Al Bayan, Vol. 8, Pg. No. 447)

Spending the night of Shabaan in prayer:

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Ali Murtuza (May Allah Ta’ala be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: When the 15th night of Sha'aban comes, stand in prayer in the night and fast in its day, because that night Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) graces the skies of this world with His presence right from sunset and says: Is there anyone who desires forgiveness that I may forgive him (or her)? Is there anyone who desires Rizq (sustenance) that I may grant it? Is there anyone plagued by some difficulty that I may grant comfort? Is there anyone like this? So on until the Fajr dawns.

(Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadith No. 1451, Shu’abul Iman, Hadith No. 3664, Kanz Ul Ummal, 35177, Akhbaaru Makkah Lil Fakihan, Hadith No. 1773, Jame’ Ul Ahadith Lis Suyuti, Hadith No. 2621, Jame’ Ul Kabir, Hadith No. 2632, Tafseer Durre Manthur, Surah Dukhan, verse no: 4)

This Hadith shows the praying in the night of Sha'aban and fasting the next day to be a Sunnah. That Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) graces the skies of this world means that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) spreads His mercy or that He turns from His attributes of "Jalal" to His attributes of "Jamal," as He wishes to. (Mirqatul Mafateeh, Babi Qiyami Shahri Ramadhan)

In Shab Bara'at, Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) forgives everybody. That is why it is called Shab Baraat – The night of forgiveness.

Those special slaves of Allah Ta’ala who remain in the presence of Allah Ta’ala and turn to Him with all their being, they receive the assurance of forgiveness even in this physical world also.

It is given in Ruh Al Bayan:

Translation: When Hadhrat Umar bin Abdul Aziz (May Allah shower His mercy on him) raised his head after finishing Salaat in Shabaan, he saw a green paper, whose radiance was reaching the sky and it was written on it: This is a guarantee of safety from hell from the Supreme King to His slave Umar bin Abdul Aziz. (Ruh Al Bayan, Vol. 8, Pg. No. 447)

Special radiance on the Ka’aba:

Translation: Verily, Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) casts a look of mercy at the Ka'aba and that is on the 15th night of Sha'aban. At that time, the hearts of the Momineen are desirous of the Ka'aba. (Kanz Ul Ummal, Hadith No. 34713)

Shab Bara'at – Night of Forgiveness:

In this universe, the Prophets and the angels are innocent and the Auliya are saved by Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) from sins. Either deliberately or unwittingly, common men end up committing sins. Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) has not only given warnings on committing sins, He has also encouraged people to ask for His forgiveness and Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) has called Himself as Ghaffar (The forgiver), so that people have hope that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) may forgive them and the height of His benevolence is that in this limited earthly life, He has granted many special days and nights in which the sinners are easily forgiven. One among these special days and nights is Shab Bara'at.

It is given in the Hadith:

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abu Moosa 'Ash'ari (May be well pleased with him) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: In Shab Bara'at, Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) casts His radiance of mercy and forgiveness on the worshippers; and except those who associate others with Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) (Mushrik), those who bear ill will towards others, those who hold the wrong ''Aqida, the whole creation is forgiven.

(Sunan Ibn Majah, Pg. No. 99, Hadith No: 1380; Musnad Ahmed Hadith No: 6353; Shu'abul Iman Vol. 2, Pg. No. 121, Hadith No: 3672; Al Mojam Kabeer, Vol. 2, Pg. No. 109; Hilyatul Auliya, Vol. 5, Pg. No. 191; Musannaf Ibn Abi Shaiba, Vol. 7, Pg. No. 139 Hadith No: 150; Al Matalib Ul A'aliya li ibn Hajr Asqalani, Hadith No: 1133; Mojam Ausat Tabarani, Hadith No: 6967; Mojam Kabeer Tabarani, Hadith No: 16639, Musannaf Abdur Razzaq, Vol. 4, Pg. No. 317, Hadith No: 7923, Majma Uz Zawaid, Vol. 8, Pg. No. 65, Kanz Ul Ummal, Hadith No: 35175, Subul Ul Huda War Rashad, Vol. 8, Pg. No. 433, Tafseer Durre Manthur, Vol. 5, Pg. No. 741- Surah Dukhan)

Explaining the Arabic word" Mushahin" which is mentioned in the Hadith, Imam Auza'i (May Allah Ta’ala shower His Mercy on him) writes that this word means those who hold the wrong 'Aqida and have gone outside the 'Aqida of the Ahle Sunnah, as given in Sunan Ibn Majah, Pg. No. 99.

Hadhrat Shah Abdul Haq Muhaddith Delhwi (May Allah Ta’ala shower His Mercy on him) writes the meaning of the abovementioned word: Those who hold the wrong 'Aqida which is outside the 'Aqida of the Ahle Sunnah. (Mushahin)

This word comes from "Shahna," which also means wrongly hating somebody and having enmity.

In Shab Bara'at, Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) forgives everybody. They include those who commit major and/or minor sins and those who do something against the preferred way as well. The word forgiveness here has vast meaning. It means forgiveness of sins for the sinners and granting Qurb to those who are virtuous.

As per this Hadith, 2 kinds of sinners will not be forgiven even on this night. One is a Mushrik, i.e. those who associate somebody with Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala). This is such a major sin that Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) has called it a great wrong:

And (recall) when Luqman said to his son, and he was advising him: ‘O my son, do not set up partners with Allah. Verily associating partners with Allah is a very grave injustice.’ Surah Luqman (31:13)

This (coming) verse also mentions that the Mushrik will never be forgiven.

Surely, Allah does not forgive setting up of partners with Him, and He forgives (any other sin) lesser in degree whom He wills. And whoever sets up partners with Allah certainly fabricates a horrible sin. Surah Nisa (4:48)

The one who loves for the sake of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) and hates for the sake of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala); who gives for the pleasure of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) and withholds for Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) achieves the perfection of Iman. (Sunan Abu Dawood, Hadith No: 4061)

Those who harbor jealousy and enmity for the love of this world, for the love of position and power, for their own sake and out of whisperings of Satan will not be forgiven on this night until they repent.

As mentioned in other Hadith, backbiters, those who are disobedient to their parents, those who let their lower garments fall below the ankle will also not be forgiven. In this Hadith, only 2 have been mentioned as these are the sources of all sins. Those who commit these 2 sins normally are not safe from the other sins as well.

Pg 10

Decision of Life, Death and Rizq in Shab Bara'at

What has happened from the start and what will happen till the ends is all written in the Lauh Mahfooz (The protected tablet), but every year in Shab Bara'at Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) takes separate decisions and gives commands, which the angels note down from the Lauh Mahfooz. It is written in that who will be born in this year and who will leave this world and who will get how much Rizq, as given in this Hadith of Imam Baihaqi in Ad Da'awatul Kabeer:

Translation: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Ummul Momineen Aisha Siddiqa (May Allah Ta’ala be well pleased with her) that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: Do you know what is the excellence of this night? She requested: What is the greatness of this night, O Prophet of Allah! (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam)? The Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) said: The birth of all the children of this year is decided in this night; the children of Adam who will die this year is also decided this night and in this night, the deeds of the people are presented to the Lord Almighty and their Rizq is brought down.

She requested: O Prophet of Allah! (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) is there none who will enter Jannah without the mercy of Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala)? She repeated this thrice. Then she said: Not even you, O Prophet of Allah! Then the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) kept His hand on His head and repeated thrice: No. The truth is that out of His benevolence, Allah (Subhanahu Wa Ta'ala) covers Me with His mercy?

(Ad Da'awatul Kabeer, Zujajatul Masabeeh, Vol. 1 Pg. No. 367, Mishkaatul Masabeeh, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 114)

In this Hadith, there is a mention of Rizq being given. It means 2 kinds of Rizq, one which nourishes the body and the other which nourishes the soul. Hadhrat Mulla Ali Qari says:

Translation: This includes the physical and spiritual Rizq. (Mirqat, Vol. 1, Pg. No. 176)

The Prayer of Shab Bara'at is Not Rejected

Translation of Hadith: It has been narrated on the authority of Hadhrat Abdullah bin Umar (May Allah Ta’ala be well pleased with them), he said that there are 5 blessed nights in which a prayer is not rejected:

1. The night of Friday (i.e. the night before Friday i.e. Thursday night, same for all nights)

2. The first night of Rajab.

3. The 15th night of Sha'aban.

4. The night of Eid Ul Fitr.

5. The night of Eid Ul Azha.

(Shu'abul Iman, Hadith No: 3558)

The Worship of Shab Bara'at – Assurance of The Life of The Heart

Translation of Hadith: Hadhrat Abu Kurdus (May Allah Ta’ala shower His Mercy on him) narrates on the authority of his father that whoever stays awake (in prayer) on the nights of the 2 Eid and the 15th night of Sha'aban, that person's heart will not die when the hearts of others will die. (Kanz Ul Ummal, Hadith No: 24107)