"Emirates Sharia Fatwa"Explains the ruling on celebrating the night of the middle of Sha`ban and the virtue of marking it with worship
ABU DHABI, 1st February, 2018 (WAM) – The Emirates Council for Sharia Fatwa issued a legal fatwa regarding the ruling on celebrating the night of the middle of Sha`ban, explaining its virtues, and the ruling on commemorating it with worship, within the framework of unifying the fatwa at the state level, and clarifying the legal ruling related to the societal customs associated with this blessed night, known locally as “Haqq al-Laila.”
The Council affirmed in the text of its fatwa that: “It is permissible to celebrate the night of the middle of Sha’ban, known to us as “Haq al-Laila,” according to what is customary among the people. Because the basis is in legitimate customs as long as they do not violate the rules and objectives of Sharia, and it is also permissible to give gifts on this night with the intention of bringing joy and pleasure – especially to children, relatives and neighbors – to strengthen societal bonds and family relations.”
The Council stated that the legitimacy of this celebration is based on a number of legal rules and evidence, including the rule of “the principle of customs being permissibility,” and the rule of “whatever Sharia is silent about is pardon,” in addition to the significant goals it achieves in bringing joy and enhancing affection among members of society, citing prophetic hadiths and authentic traditions on the virtue of this night.
In the fatwa, the Council referred to the hadiths and narrations reported from the Companions and Followers regarding the virtue of the night of the middle of Sha`ban, including what was narrated on the authority of the Mother of the Believers, Aisha, may God be pleased with her, and on the authority of Abu Bakr al-Siddiq, may God be pleased with him, in explaining God Almighty’s knowledge of His servants on this night, His forgiveness of those who seek forgiveness, and the mercy of those who ask for mercy, with the exception of those who ask for mercy.
The fatwa also quoted the statements of a number of imams and scholars regarding the desirability of commemorating this night with worship, such as prayer, remembrance, supplication, and reading of the Holy Qur’an, including what was quoted from Imam Al-Shafi’i, may God have mercy on him, Ibn Rajab, and other scholars, while emphasizing that this is a matter of recommendation, not obligation.
The Council affirmed that: “Celebrating the night of the middle of Sha`ban is lawful, and commemorating it with worship is desirable, and the virtue of this night is known to the imams and scholars. Whoever observes it hopes for reward and based on the aforementioned effects, there is hope for acceptance, and whoever abandons it, there is no blame on him, without denial or dispute.”
- For more: Follow Khaleejion 24 Arabic, Khaleejion 24 English, Khaleejion 24 Live, and for social media follow us on Facebook and Twitter
