Is Fasting and Increasing Supplication on the 15th of Sha‘ban Sunnah or Bid‘ah?
Question
Assalamu alaikum warahmatallahi wabarakatuhu shaykh,
Is it a sunnah or bid‘ah to fast and increase in supplication on the 15th of Sha‘ban? I have seen different opinions online. I have also heard that the hadith about the night of mid-Sha‘ban is weak, while others say it is accepted.
The hadith states:
“Allah looks at His creation on the night of the middle of Sha‘ban and forgives all of His creation, except for one who associates partners with Him or one who harbors hatred.”
Narrated by Ibn Majah
Could you clarify this matter?
Jazakallahu khair.
Answer
Alhamdulillah, wassalatu wassalamu ala rasulillah, wa ala alihi wa sahbihi ajmain.
This issue requires distinguishing carefully between what is established, what is recommended generally, and what becomes an innovation when specified without proof.
1. The Shar‘i Context
Islamic acts of worship are of two types:
- Acts that are restricted to specific times and forms, which require clear evidence
- Acts that are general, such as fasting and supplication, which remain permissible at all times unless restricted
Sha‘ban is a month in which the Prophet increased voluntary fasting.
Aishah said:
“I never saw the Messenger of Allah complete a month of fasting except Ramadan, and I never saw him fast more in any month than he fasted in Sha‘ban.”
Sahih al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim
This establishes the virtue of fasting in Sha‘ban generally, without singling out a specific day.
2. The Hadith of the Night of Mid-Sha‘ban
The hadith you cited regarding Allah looking at His creation on the night of mid-Sha‘ban was narrated through multiple chains.
Scholars differed regarding its strength:
- Some scholars graded individual chains as weak
- Others stated that the hadith becomes acceptable due to multiple supporting narrations
A number of hadith scholars, including classical authorities, accepted the meaning of the hadith as reliable, even if none of the individual chains alone reach the highest level.
Thus, many scholars held that:
- The virtue of the night is established
- Allah’s forgiveness on that night is affirmed
- Except for those persisting in shirk or deep enmity
3. Ruling on Worship During the Night of Mid-Sha‘ban
Based on the above, many scholars stated:
- It is permissible to engage in worship on that night
- It is recommended to increase in general acts such as dua, dhikr, repentance, and seeking forgiveness
However, this is done:
- Individually, not as a congregational ritual
- Without specifying a particular form, prayer, or formula as sunnah
Specifying a fixed prayer or ritual with the belief that it is legislated is what scholars warned against.
4. Fasting on the 15th of Sha‘ban
There is no authentic hadith that specifically establishes fasting on the 15th day of Sha‘ban as a distinct sunnah.
However:
- Fasting in Sha‘ban is generally encouraged
- If someone is already fasting regularly, such as Mondays and Thursdays or alternate days
- Or fasting many days in Sha‘ban
then fasting on the 15th falls under general voluntary fasting, and is permissible.
What is discouraged is:
- Believing that fasting the 15th has a special legislated virtue on its own
- Treating it like an established sunnah fast similar to Ashura or Arafah
5. What Is Bid‘ah and What Is Not
- Not bid‘ah:
- Making personal dua
- Seeking forgiveness
- Repenting
- Praying voluntary prayers individually
- Fasting as part of general Sha‘ban fasting
- Bid‘ah:
- Assigning a specific ritual, prayer, or formula to the night
- Declaring the 15th fast as a confirmed sunnah
- Organizing special congregational acts believing them to be legislated
6. Relevant Usul Principles
الأصل في العبادات التوقيف
The default in acts of worship is restriction to what is legislated.
ما ثبت فضله مطلقا لا يجوز تقييده بلا دليل
What is established generally cannot be restricted to a specific form or time without evidence.
العمل بالحديث الضعيف في فضائل الأعمال بشروط
Acting upon a weak hadith in virtues is allowed under conditions.
These principles explain why general worship is allowed, while specific ritualization is not.
Final Ruling
The night of the middle of Sha‘ban has an established virtue according to many scholars based on multiple narrations.
It is permissible and recommended to increase in general acts of worship on that night, such as dua, repentance, and seeking forgiveness, without specifying new rituals or fixed prayers.
Fasting the 15th of Sha‘ban is not an established sunnah by itself, but it is permissible if done as part of general voluntary fasting in Sha‘ban.
Treating the night or the fast as a specifically legislated ritual is not correct.
And Allah knows best.