Misconception # 1: The night of the 15th of Sha’baan should be singled out for worship, prayer, etc.

Clarification: Our best example and role model is the Prophet (small SAW) and he never, ever singled out this night for worship or qiyaam nor did his Sahaba.

Shaykh Ibn Baaz said: “There is no saheeh hadeeth concerning the night of the fifteenth of Sha’baan. All the ahaadeeth that have been narrated concerning that are mawdoo’ (fabricated) and da’eef (weak), and have no basis. There is nothing special about this night, and no recitation of Qur’aan or prayer, whether alone or in congregation, is specified for this night. What some of the scholars have said about it being special is a weak opinion. It is not permissible to single it out for any special actions. This is the correct view. And Allah (Allah Subhanahu-wa-Taala) is the Source of strength.” 1

Misconception # 2: There are special prayers to be offered on this night.

Clarification: The truth of the matter is that there are NO special prayers to be offered on this night specifically. And all those ‘ahaadeeth’ giving you long lists of special ‘formulas’ that are “supposed to guarantee you Allah’s forgiveness and Jannah” are all fabricated, false and innovations in our Deen. If there were such prayers, the Prophet (small SAW) would have told us about them and we would have had evidence of him and the Sahaba doing it.

Misconception # 3: Allah (Allah Subhanahu-wa-Taala) descends to the first heavens on this night to forgive us.

Clarification: Allah’s descending to the first heaven does not only happen on the night of the fifteenth of Sha’baan. Rather it happens every single night of the year.

The Prophet (small SAW) said: “Every night when it is the last third of the night, our Lord, the Superior, the Blessed, descends to the nearest heaven and says: Is there anyone to invoke Me that I may respond to his invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone asking My forgiveness so that I may forgive him?. ” 2

Thus, when ‘Abd-Allah ibn al-Mubarak was asked about the descent of Allah (Allah Subhanahu-wa-Taala) on the night of the fifteenth of Sha’baan, he said to the one who asked him:

“O weak one! The night of the fifteenth?! He descends every night!”

Misconception # 4: This is the night when our fate, lifespan, and provisions are decreed.

Clarification: Some people think that the “blessed night” (laylatim-mubarakah) mentioned in Surah ad-Dukhan, 44: 3, refers to the night of 15th Sha’baan, when Allah decrees our lifespan, provisions and fate. In fact, they even pray 6 rakahs, 2 for each of these things. However, all that is fabricated and far, far away from the Sunnah. And, in reality, the “blessed night” mentioned in Surah ad-Dukhan, actually is referring to Laylatul Qadr that comes in Ramadhan. 3

Misconception # 5: One should fast on the day of the fifteenth.

Clarification: Here again, there is no saheeh reports that tell us that the Prophet (small SAW) or his Sahabah ever picked this day specifically to fast. The Sunnah of the Prophet (small SAW) was to fast most of this month and not just the 15th. However, if the fifteenth of Sha’baan coincides with a Monday or Thursday, or with the three white days or if a person is generally fasting, without associating seeking extra rewards to fasting this specific day, then it is allowed. 4

Misconception # 6: This is the night when the souls of departed ones return to their families.

Clarification: Here again, some people misunderstand the ayat in surah al-Qadr and think that the ‘sending down of the Ruh’ as mentioned in this surah refers to the souls of dead people returning to see their families, even though it refers to Jibreel 5. And that is why we see women preparing the sweets, the Halwas and other ‘goodies’ for the souls of their loved ones.
Not only is that in itself an erroneous, deviant belief and bid’ah, but to believe that the souls of the dead can return back to the world and meet with their relatives is also totally incorrect and false. The teachings of the Qur’an and the Sunnah clearly state that the souls of the dead do not return back to the world. Besides, they don’t even eat the Halwas. It is actually you who eats it!

Misconception # 7: Visiting graveyards especially this night is something good.

Clarification: Although the Prophet (small SAW) encouraged visiting graves, he forbade singling out any day or night for any kinds of good deeds if it is not prescribed in the Sharee’ah. And he did not specifically visit the graveyard on the night of the 15th of Sha’baan. The hadeeth of Aisha that mentions that the Prophet (small SAW) visited the graveyard this night is not authentic and thus does not have any proof for visiting graves specifically on this night of Sha’baan.

Misconception # 8: Even if the ahadeeth about worship on this night are weak, one can still do it.

Clarification: The correct scholarly view is that weak ahadeeth should not be followed at all, even if they speak of righteous deeds or of targheeb and tarheeb (promises and warnings). The saheeh reports are sufficient and the Muslim has no need to follow the da’eef reports.

Shaykh Ahmad Shakir said: “There is no difference between rulings or righteous deeds; we do not take any of them from da’eef reports, rather no one has the right to use any report as evidence unless it is proven to be soundly narrated from the Messenger of Allah (small SAW) in a saheeh or hasan hadeeth.”

Misconception # 9: Look at all those people doing it. How can they all be wrong?

Clarification: The Muslim is supposed to refer to Allah and Sunnah of His Messenger (small SAW) if there is any confusion or dispute about matters and NOT what the rest of the world is doing.

“O you who believe! Obey Allah and obey the Messenger and those of you who are in authority. (And) if you differ in anything amongst yourselves, refer it to Allah and His Messenger, if you believe in Allah and in the Last Day. That is better and more suitable for final determination.” 6

Shaykh Ibn Jibreen said: “These reports (about worship and fasting an the 15th of Sha’baan) became very well known in some countries which were overwhelmed by ignorance; One should not be deceived by the large numbers of ignorant people who do these things.”

The REAL Sunnah regarding Sha’baan:

If you truly and sincerely want to please Allah (Allah Subhanahu-wa-Taala) and do deeds that will be acceptable to Him, then follow the REAL Sunnah of the Messenger (small SAW). Here is what is proven in the authentic sunnah:

1. Fast most of this month as much as you can.

Aa’ishah (FEMALE Radi Allahu Anha) said: “I never saw the Messenger of Allah (small SAW) fasting for an entire month except in Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more than he did in Sha’baan.” 7

2. However, if you are weak or do not fast habitually and feel that this nafil fasting may be a hindrance to your obligatory fasting in the month of Ramadan, then the person may stop the nafil fasting in the last few days of this month. And for that person, the Prophet (small SAW) said:

“When Sha’baan is half over, do not fast.” 8

3. If you have fasts left over from last Ramadan to make up, then hurry up and do so in this month of Sha’baan before the next Ramadan comes. It is not permissible to delay missed fasts until after the following Ramadan, except in cases of necessity (such as a valid excuse that continues between the two Ramadans). Aa’ishah (FEMALE Radi Allahu Anha) said:

‘It used to be that I had days to make up for Ramadan and I would not be able to do so except in Sha’baan.” 9

By Asma bint Shameem

Source: Alhuda Institute
http://blog.islamiconlineuniversity.com/shabaan-misconceptions-and-realities/