Shab-e-Barat and Abstinence from Political Discourse
By: *Mufti Muhammad Abdul Hameed Shakir Qasmi*
Toopran, District Medak, Telangana
Islam has bestowed extraordinary virtue upon certain times, days, and nights so that the believing servant can disconnect from the world's hustle and bustle during these times and strengthen their relationship with their true Creator. Among these blessed times is the fifteenth night of Sha'ban, known as Shab-e-Barat, a night of great eminence and high status. This night is, in reality, a night of forgiveness, mercy, distribution of decrees, returning to Allah, and inner revolution, not a night of worldly disputes, political debates, and intellectual chaos.
The Prophet ﷺ, clarifying the greatness of this night, said:
«يَطَّلِعُ اللَّهُ إِلَى خَلْقِهِ لَيْلَةَ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ، فَيَغْفِرُ لِجَمِيعِ خَلْقِهِ، إِلَّا لِمُشْرِكٍ أَوْ مُشَاحِنٍ»
Translation: Allah Almighty looks with special mercy towards His creation on the fifteenth night of Sha'ban and forgives all of His creation, except for a polytheist or one who harbors malice. (Reference: Sahih Ibn Hibban, Hadith: 5665; Shu'ab al-Iman, Baihaqi)
This hadith reveals the fact that the fundamental requirement of Shab-e-Barat is the purification of hearts and avoidance of mutual animosity, while political discourse generally gives rise to malice, prejudice, and incitement.
The comprehensive and all-encompassing concept of worship is a distinctive feature of Islam. Worship is not merely a matter of outward actions but also includes the state of the heart, the purity of the tongue, and the focus of thought. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«مَنْ كَانَ يُؤْمِنُ بِاللَّهِ وَالْيَوْمِ الْآخِرِ فَلْيَقُلْ خَيْرًا أَوْ لِيَصْمُتْ»
Translation: Whoever believes in Allah and the Last Day should speak good or remain silent. (Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 6136; Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 47)
Political discourse on Shab-e-Barat falls neither into the category of good nor silence, but often it becomes meaningless, inflammatory, and causes heartache, which is contrary to this hadith.
Political discourse is not prohibited at all times in itself, but its use on every occasion is against the wisdom of Sharia. The Prophet ﷺ especially urged controlling the tongue during times of tribulation:
«سَتَكُونُ فِتَنٌ، الْقَاعِدُ فِيهَا خَيْرٌ مِنَ الْقَائِمِ»
Translation: Soon there will be tribulations; the one sitting in them is better than the one standing. (Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 3601; Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2886)
In light of these texts, the elders of the Ummah adopted the same approach: to completely protect the nights of virtue from matters that cause strife. Imam Ghazali ؒ writes in Ihya Ulum al-Din that in a gathering where worldly struggles prevail, the light of the heart is taken away.
Shab-e-Barat is a night of unity of the Ummah, forgiveness, and pardon. The Prophet ﷺ said:
«تُفْتَحُ أَبْوَابُ الْجَنَّةِ يَوْمَ الِاثْنَيْنِ وَالْخَمِيسِ، فَيُغْفَرُ لِكُلِّ عَبْدٍ لَا يُشْرِكُ بِاللَّهِ شَيْئًا، إِلَّا رَجُلًا كَانَتْ بَيْنَهُ وَبَيْنَ أَخِيهِ شَحْنَاءُ»
Translation: The gates of Paradise are opened on Mondays and Thursdays, and every servant who does not associate anything with Allah is forgiven, except for a man between whom and his brother there is animosity. (Reference: Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2565)
When animosity prevents forgiveness on ordinary days, it is difficult to estimate how much deprivation political hatred can cause on a great night like Shab-e-Barat.
Hazrat Shah Waliullah Dehlawi ؒ writes in Hujjat Allah al-Baligha that maintaining the gathering of hearts and intellectual peace during specific times of worship is among the objectives of Sharia. Since political discourse is a means of disrupting the heart and dividing the community, avoiding it on this night is the very essence of wisdom.
This aspect is also very important in the chapter of training. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«كُلُّكُمْ رَاعٍ وَكُلُّكُمْ مَسْئُولٌ عَنْ رَعِيَّتِهِ»
Translation: Each of you is a shepherd, and each of you is responsible for his flock. (Reference: Sahih al-Bukhari, Hadith: 893; Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 1829)
If elders are engaged in political discussions on a night like Shab-e-Barat, the sanctity of these nights will be lost from the hearts of the youth.
Shab-e-Barat and the Misuse of Language
The thing that the Messenger of Allah ﷺ most urged the believer to do during times of tribulation was to control the tongue. Therefore, the Prophet ﷺ said:
«إِذَا كَانَتِ الْفِتَنُ فَالْزَمُوا بُيُوتَكُمْ وَأَمْسِكُوا أَلْسِنَتَكُمْ»
Translation: When tribulations appear, adhere to your homes and restrain your tongues. (Reference: Musnad Ahmad, Hadith: 19612)
This hadith clearly indicates that avoiding unnecessary talk in a turbulent environment is the very essence of piety. Since Shab-e-Barat is a night of the descent of mercy and the repulsion of calamity, political discourse, which fuels tribulations, is considered highly undesirable on this night.
The Danger of Political Discourse and Backbiting and Slander
Backbiting, slander, accusations, and suspicion become common in political gatherings and discussions, while all these matters are considered major sins in Sharia. Allah Almighty says:
«وَلَا يَغْتَبْ بَعْضُكُمْ بَعْضًا»
Translation: And do not backbite one another. (Reference: Surah Al-Hujurat: 12)
The Prophet ﷺ, explaining the reality of backbiting, said:
«ذِكْرُكَ أَخَاكَ بِمَا يَكْرَهُ»
Translation: Your mentioning your brother in a way that he dislikes is backbiting. (Reference: Sahih Muslim, Hadith: 2589)
Mentioning opponents in political discourse generally falls within this realm, so it is very important to avoid it on a sacred night like Shab-e-Barat, because backbiting causes deprivation of forgiveness.
The Interrelationship between Shab-e-Barat and the Acceptance of Prayer
This night is also a night of acceptance of prayers, but the hardness of the heart and malice become a barrier in the way of prayer. The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
«لَا تُرْفَعُ أَعْمَالُ مُتَهَاجِرَيْنِ حَتَّى يَصْطَلِحَا»
Translation: The deeds of two people who are estranged from each other are not raised until they reconcile. (Reference: Sunan Abi Dawood, Hadith: 4915)
When this is the case on ordinary days, those with insight can well imagine how dangerous it can be to keep political differences alive on Shab-e-Barat.
The Practice of the Righteous Predecessors
Hazrat Abdullah bin Masood ؓ said:
«مَا أَنْتُمْ بِأَكْثَرَ صَلَاةً مِنْ قَوْمٍ كَانُوا أَقَلَّ مِنْكُمْ كَلَامًا»
Translation: You are not more prayerful than a people who were less talkative than you. (Reference: Al-Zuhd, Imam Ahmad)
This was the same approach that the righteous predecessors followed on Shab-e-Barat and other blessed nights. They would refrain from worldly, political, and controversial talk and engage in remembrance, reflection, and weeping and supplication.
Summary of Speech
In light of all these Quranic texts, Prophetic hadiths, and traditions of the predecessors, it becomes as clear as day that protecting Shab-e-Barat from political discourse, controversial debates, and inflammatory speech is a requirement of Sharia, a decision of reason, and a summary of the wisdom of religion. This night is for forgiveness, pardon, self-reform, and closeness to Allah. The one who restrains his tongue on this night, purifies his heart, and turns his thoughts towards Allah Almighty is the one who truly benefits from the real blessings of this great night. May Allah Almighty grant us the ability to fully observe the etiquette of Shab-e-Barat and adorn our world and the Hereafter with its light.ji