Shab-e-Barat

Religious festival celebrated on 14th of Shaaban, the 8th Islamic month. Prayers, fire works, exchange of sweet dishes and visits.

Sunni view

Sunni observe Mid-Sha'ban as a night of worship and salvation, commemorating when God saved Noah's followers from the deluge. According to Sunni tradition, God determines the destiny of all people, including whether a person lives or dies, in the coming year. For this reason it is sometimes called the "Night of Emancipation".

Imam Ibn Taymiyyah was asked about the importance of the 15th night of Sha’ban. He replied:

As for the 15th night of Shabaan, there are many narrations and Athar (quotes from the Sahabah image) regarding its virtue. It has been reported of the salaf that they prayed in this night. Therefore, praying alone on this night, having precedence in the salaf, is sufficient evidence and something of this kind surely cannot be denied.

Sheikhul Hadith Fazlur Rahman A'azami (a Hanafi scholar) writes in his balanced book titled, "Shabe Baraat: The fifteenth of Sha'ban in light of the Qur'an and Hadith": "Ibnu-Taymiyyah, a scholar notorious for refuting such things, also accepts the virtue of the night of Baraat. He says: 'So many Ahaadith and reports exist regarding the excellence of the fifteenth night of Sha'ban that one is compelled to accept that this night does possess some virtue.' Some of the pious predecessors used to specially devote this night for Salat." only deobandis/Wahabis contend that the day is a bidah and should not have any special status.

Shia view

Shias celebrates the 15th night of Sha'ban as Laylat al Bara'at and observes this night as a night of worship. Being different to sunnis they also believe that on the 15th of Sha'ban, 255 AH (868 CE), Muhammad al-Mahdi was born. Shias believe him to be the twelveth Shia Imam and also the Mahdi, a very important figure who is believed by Muslims to bring absolute peace to the world.