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Bismihi Ta’ala

Teaching little children in a maktab is a great blessing of Allah Ta’ala. Allah Ta’ala has favoured us by sending these children to us to learn Deen. Teaching them is an Amaanat regarding which we will be questioned about on the Day of Qiyaamah.
Many a times, as teachers we fall into the sin of favouring pupils we like, or victimising pupils we dislike. Favouritism means giving unfair preferential treatment to one child over another and victimisation is where we single out a student and be cruel or unjust to him for no valid reason.

Allah Ta’ala has commanded us in the Qur-aan Shareef to be fair and kind. Every pupil deserves our fair attention. If we end up favouring or victimising a child because of a problem we had with their parent, no one in the classroom may realise it nor will anyone in the Madrasah know about it. But remember, Allah Ta’ala who is closer to us than our jugular veins, knows what is deep in our hearts;

يَعْلَمُ خَُائِنَةَ اُلْاَعْيُنِ وَمَا تُخْفُِ اُلصُّدوْرُْ

He knows what is deep in your hearts

At times, we award better marks to a child not because of merit but as a favour to him, or we deprive a child of some awards because we dislike them. Is this fair?

On the day of Qiyaamah when we stand before Allah Ta’ala we will have to answer as to why we favoured a particular child or why we mistreated and victimised him. That will take place on the day of Qiyaamah, but many a times in this world also, we will have to face the consequences of our behaviour. Remember, what goes around, comes around. We also have children and grandchildren who may have to suffer at the hands of some teacher because of our doings.
In the Qur-aan Shareef Allah Ta’ala says;

  يَسْتَخْفوْنَ مِنَ النَّاسِ وَلاَ يَسْتَخْفُوْنَ من الله

“They can hide from people, but they can’t hide from Allah.”

Therefore, as a teacher, as an Apa and as a Moulana, we have to be fair to every pupil in our class. We will be rewarded for this by Allah Ta’ala.

Every Sahaabi who learnt under Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) felt as if he was the favourite of Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). This was because of how fair and just Nabi (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) was towards them.

As a maktab teacher, let us be fair to all our students.
One easy, practical way to save ourselves from these kinds of sins is to review our intentions daily and review ourselves on a weekly basis.

Check the following aspects in your life as a teacher. My attitude towards every student;

• Am I polite and nice towards my pupils or am I nasty and bad towards them?
• Am I fair to all the pupils in my class or do I have a few favourites?
• Do all the pupils in my class feel special or there are some who wish they were never in my class?

Give yourself a rating for the above:

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Introduction

Allah Ta’ala has given us many opportunities to enjoy His special mercy and forgiveness. The 15th night of Sha’baan is also one very special opportunity that comes only once a year.

Many Ahaadith explain the tremendous virtues of this night. Countless number of people are forgiven by Allah Ta’ala during this blessed night. It is due to this reason that it is called ‘The Night of Bara’ah’ (i.e. the night wherein Allah Ta’ala makes a decision to save people from the fire of Jahannam). It is a special night in which Allah Ta’ala looks at the people of the earth with mercy.

Allah Ta’ala blesses us with this opportunity to prepare and cleanse ourselves before the blessed month of Ramadhaan arrives.
Virtues of this night

Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has said, ‘This is the middle night of Sha’baan. Allah Ta’ala looks upon His slaves on this night and forgives those who seek forgiveness and bestows His mercy upon those who make dua for mercy but leaves out those who have hatred (against another Muslim) as they were before, (and does not forgive them unless they clean their hearts from malice).

Hadhrat Aaishah (radiyallahu anha) has reported that Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) said, “This is the middle night of Sha’baan. Allah Ta’ala frees a large number of people from the fire on this night, more than the number of the hair growing on the sheep of the tribe of Kalb.”

The tribe of Kalb was a large tribe in Madinah, the members of which owned many sheep. Therefore, the last sentence of the Hadith indicates the large number of people forgiven on this night by Allah Ta’ala.
From the very beginning of this night, Allah Ta’ala turns His special mercy and attention towards the creation and forgives those who repent and seek forgiveness.

Every Muslim should therefore value this night. Turn towards Allah Ta’ala with sincere regret and shame over the sins we have committed and make a promise never to return to sin again. Seek the forgiveness of Allah Ta’ala for oneself and for all Muslims, living and deceased. Have firm hope and determination in one’s heart that Allah Ta’ala will surely show mercy on us and forgive our sins.

Announcements

On this night, Allah Ta’ala descends to the first sky and announces, “Is there anyone seeking forgiveness that I may forgive him? Is there anyone seeking sustenance that I may grant it to him? Is there anyone in any difficulty that I may relieve him?” These announcements continue till the time of Fajar.

Those who are deprived

It is mentioned in a Hadith that on this night Allah Ta’ala does not cast a glance of mercy at a person who:

1. Associates partners with Him. (Commits shirk)
2. Who harbours hatred in his heart (against someone)
3. Who cuts off family ties
4. Who leaves his pants hanging below his ankles
5. Who disobeys his parents
6. Who commits adultery
7. Who commits murder
8. Who has a habit of drinking wine.’
9. What should be done on this night?

In order to obtain maximum benefit from this great night, one should allocate a specific portion of the night for the ibaadah of Allah Ta’ala. Dua and Istighfaar (repentance) should be our main priority. Make intention of seeking Allah Ta’ala’s pleasure and the reformation of one’s inner self. The following are some of the ibaadaat we can practice on.

1. Salaah: Salaah is one of the most preferable acts to be performed during this night. There is no particular number of rakaats, but preferably it should not be less than eight. It is also advisable that each part of the Salaah like Qiyaam (standing), Ruku and Sajdah should be longer than normal. Also try and recite as much Qiraat (Qur-aan recitation) in salaah as possible. If possible perform Salaatut Tasbeeh.

2. Tilaawah: The recitation of the Qur-aan Shareef is another form of worship that is very beneficial on this night. After performing Salaah, or at any other time, one should recite as much of the Qur-aan Shareef as possible.

3. Zikr: Engage one’s tongue and heart in the zikr of Allah Ta’ala. Zikr can also be recited while walking, lying on the bed and during other hours of work or leisure.

4. Dua: The best benefit one can draw from the blessings of this night is dua. Dua itself is a great form of ibaadat and Allah Ta’ala grants a reward for each dua that a person makes.

5. Durood: One should also recite abundant durood upon Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam). If possible, read the 40 Durood and Salaam.

Women who cannot perform Salaah, nor recite the Qur-aan Shareef, should engage in reciting any form of zikr, tasbeeh, durood shareef and dua asking Allah Ta’ala for their needs in whatever language they wish. They can also recite the Arabic Duas mentioned in the Qur-aan Shareef or in the Ahaadith with the intention of dua.

5. Fasting: On the day immediately following the Night of Baraah, i.e. the 15th of Sha’baan, it is mustahab (preferable) to keep a fast.

What happens on Laylatul Bara’ah

By: Shaikhul Hadeeth, Hadhrat Moulana Muhammad Zakariyya Kandhlawi (RA)

The Malaaikah are issued instructions for the whole year on this one particular night of the year. They are assigned duties for the year and informed that such and such things have been decreed for such and such person.

Many a man is engrossed in sports and pastimes while, in the heavens above, orders have gone out for his arrest. It has been decreed that he will suffer death and no one can intercede with Allah Ta’ala, or appeal to Him, to change His decree! Nor can the decreed hour of a man’s death be delayed by even a minute! A Hadith reports Ibne Abbaas (radiyallahu anhu) as saying: ‘You will notice that a person is walking about in the bazaars, though his name has been recorded in the list of those who are destined to die in that year.” Abu Nadhrah (radiyallahu anhu) says: “On this night, the angels are assigned their duties for the whole year. Orders are issued about the means of welfare apportioned for the year, about the evils to be suffered, about the sustenance to be provided, about the people destined to die, about the afflictions and about the high or low prices of commodities.”

‘Ikramah (radiyallahu anhu) says, “On the middle night of Sha’ban (Laylatul Bara’ah), all the events decreed for the year are assigned to the angels. The lists of people destined to die, and of those who will perform Hajj during the year are handed over to the angels. No changes can be made to these lists’

According to another Hadith, Rasulullah [sallallahu alayhi wasallam] once said: “(On this night), the angels are given the names of people who are going to die during the year from one Sha’baan to the next, with the specific hours of death destined for each person. Many a man gets married in this world and a child is born to him while, in the heavens above, his name has been recorded in the list of the dead.”

Hadhrat Aaishah (radiyallahu anha) says: “Rasulullah [sallallahu alayhi wasallam] used to fast very frequently during Sha’baan, for it is in this month that a list is prepared of those who are destined to die during the year. And many a man is engaged in getting married while, in the heavens above, his name has been recorded among the dead; or, again, a man is preparing for Hajj while his name has been enlisted among the dead.”

Another Hadith reports that once Hadhrat Aaishah (radiyallahu anha) asked Rasulullah [sallallahu alayhi wasallam] why he fasted more frequently in the month of Sha’baan, to which he replied: “In this month, a record is made of those who are destined to die during the year and I wish that, when my name is recorded in the list of the dead, I should be fasting.”

A Hadith says that, every year, on the middle night of Sha’baan, Allah Ta’ala informs Izraeel (alayhis salaam), the Angel of Death, about all those who are destined to die during the year. [Fazaail-e-Sadaqaat Page 653-654]

Important tips for this mubaarak night

The Mubaarak night starts from Maghrib. Therefore, one should commence whatever Ibaadat you can from the Maghrib Salaah.
Perform the Esha and Fajar Salaah with Jamaat. It is mentioned in a Hadith that one who performs the Esha and Fajar Salaah with Jamaat earns the reward of staying awake the entire night in Ibaadat.

Make as much Ibaadat as possible before going to sleep. Don’t allow shaytaan to deceive you saying that, “Go to sleep and wake up early for Tahajjud.” You may never wake up and the entire night will be lost.

Shaytaan makes one very tired when engaging in Ibaadat. Hence to combat this, keep on changing from one Ibaadat to another. e.g. recite Qur-aan Shareef, thereafter make zikr, then do some kitaab reading, then read durood shareef, etc. and continue your Ibaadat in this manner.

The following are some of the Ibaadaat we can engage in on this mubaarak night;

1. Recitation of Qur-aan Shareef
2. Performing of Salaah (Tahajjud, Salaatut Taubah, Salaatush Shukar, Salaatul Hajaat, etc.)
3. Performing of Salaatut Tasbeeh
4. Istighfaar (at least 1000 times)
5. Zikr of First Kalimah, Third Kalimah, etc.
6. Recitation of Durood Shareef
7. Reading the Hizbul Azam or Munaajaat-e-Maqbool
8. Collective ta’leem of Fazaail-e-Ramadhaan
9. Learn your Qur-aan lessons for tomorrow
10. Engage in fervent dua
11. Do some collective ibaadat with the entire family e.g. zikr, durood shareef, ta’leem and dua. You may make the dua and the children in the home can say Aameen to the dua. May Allah Ta’ala bless us all with bara’ah (freedom) from the fire of Jahannam. Aameen.

Dua for Laylatul Bara’ah

Hadhrat Aaishah (radiyallahu anha) says, “I heard Rasulullah (sallallahu alayhi wasallam) reading this dua in sajdah on this night. Thereafter he said to me, ‘Learn this dua and teach it to others. Jibra’eel (alayhis salaam) taught this dua to me.’”

اَعُوْذُ بِعَفْوِكَ مِنْ عِقَابِكَ وَاَعُوْذُ بِرِضَاكَ مِنْ سَخَطِكَ وَاَعُوْذُ بِكَ مِنْكَ جَلَّ وَجْهُكَ لَااُحْصِىْ ثَنَاءً عَلَيْكَ اَنْتَ كَمَا اَثْنَيْتَ عَلٰى نَفْسِكَ

Aauzu bi’afwika min ‘iqaabika wa ‘aoozu bi ridhaaka min sakhatika wa ‘aoozu minka jalla wajuka laa uhsee sanaa an ‘alayka anta kama asnayta ‘ala nafsik

Translation: I seek protection in Your forgiveness from Your punishment and I seek shelter in Your pleasure from Your displeasure; and I seek safety in You, from You. Glory be to You. I am unable to fully praise You. You are as you have praised Yourself. [Shu’bul Imaan # 3556]