When is Shab e Barat- (Updated 2021) and its significance

Shab e Barat 2021 Bara'a Night Mid-Sha'ban

Shab e Barat 2021 Bara'a Night Mid-Sha'ban

Is a night in the month of Shaban which many Muslims revere as the night of forgiveness, praying the whole night asking Allah (SWT) to bestow them with His blessings. Shab e Barat is celebrated in the mid of Shaban, on the night in between the 14th and 15th of Shaban.

In sha Allah, Mid-Sha'ban 2021 will begin in the evening of

Sunday, 28 March and ends in the evening of Monday, 29 March

Dates may vary.

People stay up all night and offer voluntary prayers (Nafl) and do constant dhikr; asking Allah (SWT) to forgive any sins they might have committed in the past.

Different countries have different ways of celebrating this day; each having a different name for it. For instance, In South Asia, it is known as Shab e Barat. In Iran, it is called Nim Sha’ban. It is referred to as Nisfy Sya’ban in Malay speaking countries whereas in Turkey it is known as Berat Kandili.

People often tend to distribute sweets to each other on this night. Some people even celebrate the night with fireworks although this is a result of the influence of the local traditions and does not have any religious significance. In Iraq, people often distribute sweets to children. In South Asian countries, people usually distribute a local dessert known as a Halwa or other delicacies to neighbors, family, friends, and the poor and needy. Middle Eastern countries normally do not celebrate the night.

Sunni Muslims believe it to be the night when Allah (SWT) saved Prophet Nuh (AS) and his ark from the flood. On the other hand, Shia Muslims believe it to be the day when the 12th Shia Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, was born.


There are no Ahadith or verses in the Quran that clearly point out or talk about the significance of the night. However, especially in South Asia, many people celebrate the night, spending time in worship of Allah (SWT).

THE SIGNIFICANCE OF MID SHABAN

The 15th of Sha’ban, Shab e Barat also known as Laylatul Bha’rat is the night of seeking pardon and repenting to Almighty Allah, remembering our past sins and sincerely intending to live a life of righteousness in the future. On this auspicious night a person is given an opportunity for a new beginning as a person’s records, fate and destiny is recorded for the following year.  It is an opportunity to end the path of evilness and to start afresh through the means of repentance.Use the time well, this is not just a night of worship but it is a new beginning to our lives, a new leaf, a new beginning to walk towards Prophet peace be upon him’s closeness. Laylatul Bha’rat is the beginning and end to a chapter of our lives. A new chapter is made, to begin the path to closeness and end the path of evilness.  We should remember that we cannot relive the past but we can at least work for the future and strive for a better ending.

Some short Hadiths regarding this blessed night:

“Allah looks to His creation on the middle night of Sha’ban and forgives all of His creation, except for the one who ascribes partners to Him and the one who holds malice against others.”

 [Reported by Mu’adh ibn Jabal RA (Ibn Hibban, Tabarani, Ibn Khuzayma and declared sahih by Shaykh Shu’ayb Arnau’t and Shaykh Nasir Albani].

The mother of the Believers Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her narrates:

“On this night [15th Sha’ban] the Prophet [May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace] went to the graveyard of Jannat-ul-Baqee to make dua, I followed him. The Prophet [May Allah bless Him and grant Him peace] said to me: Allah directs His attention towards the first Heaven, and forgives the sins of the people, even if they were equivalent to the hairs of the goats of Bani Qalb (A tribe who at the time were well-known for their ownership of a large number of goats)”.  
[Tirmidhi, Kitab-us-Siyaam].

On the 15th of Shaban, Allah Azzawajal descends the judgment of the fate of all beings. Their names are added or taken off on the books of the fortunate and unfortunate ones, the book of life to the book of death. This day is a special occasion. Before their judgment, Allah Azzawajal makes an announcement to all beings, Does anyone wants to be forgiven? Is anyone going through hardship and wants their problems to be lifted? An announcement to all people to whatever they wish. With any announcement, one should respond in the best of actions. So, let us use this night to beseech our Lord for His bounty and pardon, prioritizing our good deeds. After all, this is a night of forgiveness so what else better to do but to seek it! 

Remember us in your prayers.

Rest Allah Knows the best
Allah Hafiz