15th Sha’ban: Shab-e-Barat 2026

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Sha’ban is a precious month for several reasons – specifically, it is an opportunity to prepare for Ram adan.

It is also the month of Shab-e-Barat (the night of 15th Sha’ban) that is narrated to be when Allah (SWT) raises the deeds of his servants. Therefore, it is a revered day for many Muslims, who are encouraged to perform extra acts of sincere worship.

When is Sha’ban 2026?

Sha’ban follows the holy month of Rajab and precedes the holy month of Ramadan. In 2026, Sha’ban is expected to begin on Tuesday 20th January 2026, depending on the sighting of the moon.

There are either 29 or 30 days in Sha’ban, depending on the sight of the moon’s crescent.

What is Shab-e-Barat (15th Sha'ban)?

Many scholars consider Shab-e-Barat (15th Sha’ban), also referred to as mid-Sha’ban, to be a significant day of worship. However, other scholars do not believe that this particular month or day has any sort of significance from an Islamic perspective.

Many south-Asian communities refer to the night of 15th Sha’ban as Shab-e-Barat. In English, this translates to night of forgiveness or night of salvation. Likewise, other communities also refer to this night as Laylat al-Bara’at or Laylat an-Nisf.

When is Shab-e-Barat 2026?

15th Sha’ban (Shab-e-Barat) will start on the evening of Monday 2nd February 2026. This date is subject to change depending on the sighting of the moon.

What is the significance of the night of the Shab-e-Barat (15th Sha'ban)?

It is considered by many, that one of the greatest nights of the year for ibaadah (worship) is on the Shab-e-Barat (15th Sha’ban).

Most importantly, the significance of Shab-e-Barat (15th Sha’ban) rests in the belief that Allah (SWT) raises the deeds of his servants on this day.

Shab-e-Barat (15th Sha’ban) is also an opportunity for seeking Allah’s mercy and being forgiven for past and future sins, as well as one’s needs being fulfilled if we turn to Allah.

The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, on the 15th of Sha’ban, from sunset until dawn, Allah asks His servants, “Is there anyone seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone seeking provision from Me so I may provide for him? Is there anyone suffering so I may relieve his suffering?” [Ibn Majah].*

The Prophet (PBUH) also said:

Allah gazes at His creation on the fifteenth night of Sha’ban and then forgives all His slaves except for 2 types of people: those who attribute partners to Allah and those who have rancour for their fellow Muslims.

Hadith | Ahmad

Importance of 15th Sha'ban

Many Muslims believe that on the night of Shab-e-Barat (15th Sha’ban), Allah brings down people’s destiny from the heavens for the year ahead.

We should aim to spend the night in the most virtuous way possible due to the Shab e-Barat (15th Sha’ban) importance in Islam.

The believer on this night should busy himself in the remembrance of Allah, the Exalted, calling on Him, asking for forgiveness of his sins, for his faults to be hidden, for his difficulties to be lifted, and above all, to make tawbah (repentance).

Hafiz Ibn Rajab (RA), book of Lata’if ul-Ma`arif

When it is the night of the middle of Sha’ban, spend its night in prayer and observe a fast on that day. For Allah descends at sunset on that night to the lowest heaven and says: ‘Is there no one who will ask Me for forgiveness, that I may forgive him? Is there no one who will ask Me for provision so that I may provide for him? Is there no one who is afflicted by trouble, that I may relieve him?" And so on, until dawn comes.’

Hadith | Ibn Majah

The history of 15th Sha'ban

The Prophet (PBUH) was reported to have said to Aishah (RA):

Allah descends on the night of the middle of Sha'ban to the lowest heaven, and He forgives more than the numbers of hairs on the sheep of Banu Kalb (an Arab tribe renowned for their great flocks of sheep).

Hadith | Ibn Majah

*There is a notable difference of opinion on the authenticity of this hadith, however collectively there are several narrations which mention the virtue of this night.

Celebrating the night of Shab-e-Barat (15th Sha’ban)

Many Muslims celebrate the night of Shab-e-Barat (15th Sha’ban), regarding it as a night of great divine blessings, mercy and hope.

Many spend the night in worship, either individually in their homes or collectively in the mosques in night prayers (qiyam-ul-layl). It is believed that all sins will be forgiven except those who have grudges or hatred in their hearts towards other Muslims. Therefore the night of 15th Sha’ban is a good opportunity for communities to come together, ask forgiveness from one another and strengthen the ties of kinship.

Many Muslims give gifts and sweets to one another as a way of building bridges and strengthening relationships.

As Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:

Give presents to one another for this would increase your mutual love.

Hadith | Muslim

If anyone fulfils his brother’s needs, Allah will fulfil his needs; if one relieves a Muslim of his troubles, Allah will relieve his troubles on the Day of Resurrection.

Hadith | Sahih al-Bukhari and Muslim

Dua’s to be offered for forgiveness

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa’fu annee

“O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me”

رَبَّنَا لاَ تُؤَاخِذْنَا إِن نَّسِينَا أَوْ أَخْطَأْنَا

Rabbanā lā tuākhidh’nā in nasīnā aw akh ta’na

“Our Lord! Take us not to task if we forget or fall into error.” [Qur’an 2:286]

Shab-e-Barat (15th Sha’ban) fasting

When it is the night of the middle of Sha’ban then spend the night in [salah/ibadah] and fast the [next] day.

Hadith | Sunan Ibn Majah

Shab-e-Barat fasting is one of the most virtuous forms of worship, and is therefore recommended to gain Allah’s pleasure on this significant day.

Furthermore, Sha’ban is the month in which the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) used to fast his voluntary fasts the most and Sha’ban fasting is therefore very important to Muslims, and can help purify oneself and prepare for Ramadan.

There’s no better way than following the example of our Prophet (PBUH) and fasting in Sha’ban.

Virtues of the night of 15th Sha’ban

The night of 15th Sha’ban is an opportunity for us to gain closeness to Allah and to purify ourselves in order to reap the great rewards of Ramadan.

The best acts of worship on this night are to ask Allah and your friends and family for forgiveness for any wrongdoings, to offer optional (nafl) prayers, engage in the remembrance of Allah and contemplation (dhikr), to read Qur’an and send salutations (salawat) upon the Prophet (PBUH).

It’s also a great opportunity to help our brothers and sisters in need around the world by remembering them in our prayers and giving sadaqah in order to please Allah and gaining the blessings of the night.

Take advantage of the rewards of Sha’ban by donating sadaqah today.