(Also known as Laylat ul Bara’ah, Nisf Sha’ban, Shab-e-Bara’ah.)
The Imam of Ahlus Sunnah, Ala Hadhrat Imam Ahmad Raza Khan wrote a letter to one of his disciples emphasizing repentance before onset of Shab-e-Bara’at:
“Shab-e-Bara’at is about to come. On this night, the deeds of all servants are presented in the Exalted Court of Allah. For the sake of the Most Dignified Messenger of Allah ﷺ, Allah forgives the sins of the Muslims except that of a few. Among these are those two Muslims who bear mutual hostility for some worldly reasons. Allah says: ‘Leave them as they are, until they mend their relations.’”
Five Blessed Nights
Sayyiduna Abu Umamah narrated that the Beloved Prophet ﷺ said, “There are five nights in which du’a (supplication) is not rejected: the first night of Rajab, the 15th night of Sha’ban, the night between Thursday and Friday, the night of Eid al Fitr and the night of Eid al Adha.” [Tarikh Dimishq li-ibn ‘Asakir, Vol. 10]
Blessed 15th Sha’ban
Sayyiduna Ali reported that the Holy Prophet ﷺ said, “When the 15th night of Sha’ban comes, do qiyam (staying up in worship) in the night, and observe fast in the day. No doubt, Allah reveals special Divine Manifestation on sky above the earth from the time of sunset, and announces, “Is there anyone seeking forgiveness so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone seeking sustenance so that I may grant him sustenance? Is there anyone afflicted so that I may relieve his affliction? Is there so and so..” He keeps announcing it until the time of fajr.” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Vol. 2, Hadith 1388]
Fasting is also recommended on the 13th, 14th and 15th of Sha’ban.
It is mentioned in Gunyah at-Talibeen of Sayyidina Shaykh `Abd al Qadir Jilani that the month of Sha’ban, according to some narrations, is related to Sayyidina RasulAllah ﷺ. Thus, it is our duty, as the Ummah of Sayyidina RasulAllah ﷺ to love and respect this month more than any other month besides Ramadan al Kareem. We should also offer abundantly salutations (durood, salawat) upon the Most Beloved of Creation ﷺ.
It is also mentioned in Gunyah at-Talibeen that, as reported by Sayyidina Abu Bakr Siddiq, the Champion of Truth, may Allah be well pleased with him, that the Prophet ﷺ said: “Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He) descends to the Heaven of this lower world on the night of the middle of Sha’ban (nisf Sha’ban), and He then forgives every soul, excepting only the individual in whose heart there is malice [shahna’], or the attribution of partners [shirk] to Allah (Almighty and Glorious is He).” The same narration with slight variation is reported in Sunan ibn Majah.