Generally, Muslims are aware of the importance and significance of the month of Shaban in Islam. From an Islamic point of view, the month of Shaban is special because it enables Muslims to prepare for Ramadan.

During this month, Muslims should fast, worship Allah and read and recite Quran more than normal because Allah keeps a tab on the deeds of Muslims and listens to their prayers more fervently. This does not mean that Allah is not aware of the deeds of Muslims during other days. This just means that it is a blessed month during which Allah allows them to make up for their past wrongdoings.

15^th Shaban

One of the most important days during this month is the 15^th of Shaban. The day is considered important because during this day, Allah Almighty decides on the matters of life, death, sustenance, wealth and welfare of all the people. Therefore, Muslims are urged to worship Allah a little extra during this day, seek His forgiveness and the forgiveness of other individuals.

After the night of Qadar, the night of 15^th Shaban is considered the most fortunate and favorable night in Islam. It is also known as the night of Barat. It is believed that Allah will fulfill all legitimate desires and wishes that are placed in front of Allah during this night.

Special Prayers and Deeds for 15^th Shaban

On the 15^th of Shaban, following deeds and prayers are preferred.

1. Taking bath and wearing clean and new clothes.
2. Staying up to pray, worship Allah and read Quran all night long till dawn.



3. Recite: Subhanallah, Alhamdulillah, Allahuakbar and Lailaaha illallah 100 times each.
4. Offer a 4 rakaat prayer. In every rakaat, offer Surah Fatiha and Surah Ikhlaas 100 times each. After the salaam, recite the following dua,

“Allaahumma  Innee  ilayka  fa2eerun  wa  min   a’d'aabika  khaa-ifun  mustajeer . Allaahumma  laa   tubaddilismee  wa laa  taghayyir  jismee  wa laa  tajhad   balaa-ee  wa  laa  tushmit  bee  aa’-daa-ee . A-o’ad’u   bi-a’fwika  min  i’qaabika. Wa  a-o’od’u  birah’matika   min  a’d'aabiki  wa  a-o’od’u  bi-riz”aaka  min   sakhat’ika  wa  a-o’od’u  bika  minka. Jallaat   thanaaa-uka  anta  kamaa  athnayta  a’laa  nafsika   wa  fawqa  maa  yaqoolul  qaaa-iloon”

The Holy Prophet (PBUH) would recite the following dua in sajdah usually after the tahajjud prayers.

“Sajada  Laka  Sawaadee  Wa  Khayaalee  Wa   Aamana  Bika  Fuw-Aadee. Haad’ihi  Yadaaya  Wa  Maa  Janaytuhu  A’laa   Nafsee  Yaa  A’z'eem  Turjaa  Likulli  A’z'eemin. Ighfir  Liyal  A’z'eema  Fa-Innahu  Laa   Yaghfirud’d'anbal  A’z'eema Illar  Rabbul  A’z'eem.”

Surah Yaseen

If Surah Yaseen is recited three times a day, it helps earn numerous awards. The three times recitation of Surah Yaseen corresponds to having a long life, having a prosperous life and having safety and precaution from misfortune.

Other Recommended Deeds

Imam Moosa-e-Kazim recommends fasting during the last three days of this month. This is because this month has numerous rewards and blessings for those who submit their selves whole heartedly towards Allah.

Conclusion

Therefore, the night of 15^th Shaban has incredible importance in Islam. Quran recitation and praying all night long is highly recommended during this day. This will allow you to gather as many blessings as you can.

The Holy Quran is the book of guidance from Allah (SWT) and it has everything in it. It gives the solution to the mankind about their problems.  The Holy Quran, Hadith and Fiqh are the sources one must consult in order to practice Islam.

The radical Islam or Islamic fundamentalism is a very confused term.  There is vagueness in these terms. Let’s explore the terms.

The literal meaning of Radical Islam is that the version of Islam which is based purely on the Quran and Hadith, same applies to Islamic fundamentalism.  Islamic fundamentalism is principally a term that refers to explain religious ideologies seen as promoting a return to the “fundamentals” and basics of Islam and the fundamentals of Islam is the Quran and the Sunnah.

The term is different for Muslims and it is altogether different for the anti Muslims.  the Muslims think that Islamic fundamentalism means practicing Islam according to the Quran and Sunnah which includes Quran recitation, Salah(Prayer), Hajj (Pilgrimage) , Zakaat, etc.

The anti Muslims think that Islamic fundamentals are too strict to follow and there are two categories in Muslims, one the hardliners and other the liberals. The hardliners are the ones who are fundamentalists because they “follow the Quran and Hadith”.

The west world doesn’t not promote the “fundamentalists” because they are the ones who threat the west world.  in actual Islam is the religion of peace and harmony, Quran recitation tells us that there is no compulsion in religion, as Allah (SWT) says in the Holy Quran : “Let there be no compulsion in religion: Truth stands out clear from Error: whoever rejects evil and believes in Allah hath grasped the most trustworthy hand-hold, that never breaks. And Allah heareth and knoweth all things”.

Every one of us looks for satisfaction and success.  People find it in materialistic things such as money, cars, luxurious homes etc. Allah has put satisfaction in His Dhikr (remembering of Allah). Allah says in Quran : “Lo! The zikr of Allah provides satisfaction for the hearts.”  If your heart is satisfied then you will be satisfied no mater you are sleeping on a floor or you are sleeping on a luxurious bed.

The best way of remembering Allah is through Quran. There is a Hadith that states:

Hardhat Abu Sa’eed (Radhiyallaho anho) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahotalaihe wasallam) said: “Almighty Allah says; “If anybody finds no time for My remembrance and for begging favours of Me, because of his remaining busy with the Holy Qur’an, I shall give him more than what I give to all those who beg favours of Me. The superiority of the Word of Allah over all other words is like the superiority of Allah over the entire creation.

Although Dua (pray, asking to Allah) is very much liked by Allah and he loves if someone asks to him but still if a person is involved in Quran Recitation then Allah gives him more than others.

Allah Ta’ala loves the people who wake up in the last hours of night, recite Quran and perform Dua. The following Hadith portrays the importance of reciting Quran:

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah (Radhiyallaho anho) narrated that Rasulullah (Sallallaho alaihe wasallam) said,

“Learn the Qur’an and recite it, because the example of one who learns the Qur’an, reads it and recites it in Tahajjud (salaat late after midnight) is like an open bag full of musk, the fragrance whereof spreads over the entire place, and a person who has learnt the Qur’an but sleeps while the Qur’an is in his heart, is like a bag full of musk but with its mouth closed

One of the miracles of Qur’an is that whoever recites it, even if someone doesn’t know Arabic language, will be completely obsessed by the wordings and teachings of Qur’an expressed in tremendous way. The one who hears Quran Recitation feels his heart trembling and quivering by the superiority of Allah (SWT).

The Qur’an is not a new heavenly scripture. It is an authentic edition of the previous heavenly scriptures. In this respect, the Qur’an is a book for all human beings, of all nations. It is the expression of God’s mercy for one and for all. It is a complete message sent by God for every one of us. The Qur’an is a light of guidance for whole world just as the sun is the source of light and heat for whole universe.

There are so many benefits of reciting Qur’an; a single alphabet in Quran earns 10 virtues for Muslims who recites it. The other benefits of Quran Recitation are:

1.    Reflecting over the Quran fulfils an Islamic duty and brings you closer to Allah
2.    Quran will be our evidence on the Day of Judgment and will save us from the fire of Hell
3.    Don’t neglect or retreat from The Quran, it will speak for us on the Day of Judgment
4.    Your status in this life will be raised
5.    When you learn the Quran and teach it to others, you become the best among people
6.    Each letter you recite from the Quran earns you ten rewards. There are ten rewards for each letter you recite from the Quran
7.    Those who recite Quran will be accompanied by the noble and pious angels
8.    Greater the Quran you recite in this life, the greater will be your position in the afterlife
9.    The Quran shows the way you can reach heaven
10.    Quran is a miraculous source of physical and spiritual healing

We are luckily blessed with the prestigious book of Holy Qur’an. We should recite and understand it to get guidance for this life and for the life hereafter. It will not only guide us to the right path but also lead us to our destiny.

The Quran provides us with many specific prayers that we may use for ourselves. The Quran contains the Contact Prayers in Sura 1, as well as other various prayers of supplication and commemoration. A list of Quranic prayers is provided here. God advises us in Sura 2, Verse 186:

“When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me…”

In the name of GOD, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

The very first prayer we encounter in the Qur’an is the Contact Prayers. These are the specific words used by Muslims five times a day for Salat. Sura 1 (The Key), Verses 1-7:

“Praise be to GOD, Lord of the universe. “Most Gracious, Most Merciful, Master of the Day of Judgment”.

You alone we worship; you alone we ask for help. Guide us in the right path; the path of those whom You blessed; not of those who have deserved wrath, nor of the strayers.”

Other Prayers in the Holy Quran are;

• [2:128] “Our Lord, make us submitters to You, and from our descendants let there be a community of submitters to You. Teach us the rites of our religion, and redeem us. You are the Redeemer, Most Merciful.”
• [2:201] “Our Lord, grant us righteousness in this world, and righteousness in the Hereafter, and spare us the retribution of Hell.”

• [2:250] “Our Lord, grant us steadfastness, strengthen our foothold, and support us against the disbelieving people.”

• [2:286] “Our Lord, do not condemn us if we forget or make mistakes. Our Lord, and protect us from blaspheming against You, like those before us have done. Our Lord, protect us from sinning until it becomes too late for us to repent. Pardon us and forgive us. You are our Lord and Master. Grant us victory over the disbelieving people.”

• [3:8] “Our Lord, let not our hearts waver, now that You have guided us. Shower us with Your mercy; You are the Grantor.”

• [3:16] “Our Lord, we have believed, so forgive us our sins, and spare us the agony of the hellfire.”

• [3:26-27] “Our god: possessor of all sovereignty. You grant sovereignty to whomever You choose, You remove sovereignty from whomever You choose. You grant dignity to whomever You choose, and commit to humiliation whomever You choose. In Your hand are all provisions. You are Omnipotent. You merge the night into the day, and merge the day into the night. You produce the living from the dead, and produce the dead from the living, and You provide for whomever You choose, without limits.”

• [3:147] “Our Lord, forgive us our sins, and our transgressions, strengthen our foothold, and grant us victory over the disbelievers.”

• [3:191-192] “Our Lord, You did not create all this in vain. Be You glorified. Save us from the retribution of Hell. Our Lord, whomever You commit to Hell are the ones You have forsaken. Such transgressors have no helpers.”