Sha'ban 15
The fifteenth of Sha'ban
Today is the day of the fifteenth of Shaban according to the Islamic calendar. It is also called Nisfu Sha'ban. It means "half".
The most important event at the fifteenth of Sha'ban was the changing of the qiblah which was ordered by God from Masgidil Aqsaa, in Jerusalem, to Masjidil Haraam in Makkah. God said in the Holy Qur-an: 2:144
"Indeed We see the turning of thy face to heaven, so We shall surely make thee master of the qiblah which thou likest; turn then they face towards the Sacred Mosque (Masjidil Haraam). And wherever you are turn your faces towards it."
The month of Sha'ban has also a very important significance to the Muslim because it is the month of the Prophet (s.a.w.). As he said:
"Sha'ban is my month and Ramadhan is the month of Allah."
The fifteenth night and day of this month have specific significance for the auspiousness, grandeur and blessing they posses. The Prophet (s.a.w.) had encouraged the Muslims to keep vigil in that night and to keep fast on that day. In this night, the Prophet (s.a.w.) himself kept vigil, visited the graveyard of Madinah, prayed for the forgiveness of the sins of the dead and kept fast in the day.
It is sunnah to do the following during the Nisfu Sha'ban:
Immediately after Maghrib prayer read Surah Yaa Siin three times, with the following intentions (niyyat):
- In the first reading, ask Allah (s.w.t.) to prolong our life in doing worship to Him and doing good deeds,
- In the second reading, ask Allah (s.w.t.) to prevent and protect us from all misfortunes and calamities and to grant us abundance of lawful sustenance, and
- In the third reading, ask Allah (s.w.t.) that we be made independent from all other creatures of Allah (s.w.t.) and that we be in uprightness at the end of our lives.
DU'A (Prayer)
After finishing the reading each time of Surah Yaasiin, You can pray your own DUA whatever you pray may Allah (SWT) accept our prayer. Ameen.
