Forgiveness on the 15th Night of Sha’baan
Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Radiyallahu anhu reports that Rasulullah Sallallahu alayhi wa sallam said, “On the 15th night of Sha’baan, Allah Ta’ala’s mercy descends to the first sky and He forgives all except the polytheists and those who harbour enmity for their brethren.” [Musnad Bazzaar] __________________________________
Question:
Concerning the fast on the 15th of Sha’ban, which coincides with a Friday, is it permissible to observe a single Nafl fast on that day? I understand that some scholars say Nafl fasts are typically not recommended on Fridays.
Answer:
In principle, fasting on a Friday within the Hanafi Mazhab is neither prohibited nor deemed undesirable, whether it be a Nafl or a Qadha fast. Consequently, the coincidence of the 15th of Sha’ban with a Friday this year will not affect the fast for those intending to observe a Nafl fast specifically on the 15th of Sha’ban. That said, there exists an opinion that fasting exclusively on a Friday is discouraged. However, in this case, the fast is not being kept because it is a Friday. Rather, one is observing the fast because it is the 15th of Sha’baan. Therefore, there would be no objection to fasting on this day. Observing a Sunnah or Nafl fast on a Friday is entirely permissible. (Bada’i 2/79, al-Fiqh al-Islami 1/1644)
And Allah Ta’ala Knows Best
Mufti Muhammed Hamza Farooqui
Mufti Taahir Hansa
Fatwa Department
Jamiatul Ulama (KZN)
(The answer hereby given is specifically based on the question asked and should be read together with the question asked. Islamic rulings on this Q&A newsletter are answered in accordance to the Hanafi Fiqh unless otherwise stated.)