Khaberni - The UAE Fatwa Council issued a religious ruling on celebrating the night of the middle of Shaaban, explaining its virtues and the permissibility of celebrating it with worship, in an effort to unify the fatwa at the national level. The ruling touched on the religious verdict related to community customs linked to this blessed night, locally known as «Haq Al Laila».
The council asserted in the text of its fatwa that: «It is permissible to celebrate the night of the middle of Shaaban, known to us as «Haq Al Laila» as per the common custom; because the basis for legitimate customs is that they do not contradict the rules and objectives of Sharia. It is also permissible to give gifts on this night with the aim of spreading joy and happiness - especially among children, relatives, and neighbors - to strengthen community ties and family relationships».
The council clarified that the permissibility of this celebration is based on several Sharia principles and evidence, including the principle «customs are inherently permissible» and the principle «what the Sharia is silent about is pardoned», in addition to achieving respected purposes in spreading joy and enhancing affection among community members, citing prophetic sayings and authentic sources on the virtues of this night.
The council referred in the fatwa to the hadiths and narrations about the companions and followers regarding the virtues of the middle night of Shaaban, including what was narrated by Umm Al-Mu'minin Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, and Abu Bakr Al-Siddiq, may Allah be pleased with him, about Allah’s scrutiny of His servants on this night and His forgiveness for those who seek forgiveness, and His mercy for those who seek mercy, except for those who harbor enmity.
The fatwa also conveyed the statements of many imams and scholars on the desirability of reviving this night with worship through prayer, remembrance, supplication, and reading the Holy Quran, as narrated from Imam Al-Shafi'i, may Allah have mercy on him, Ibn Rajab, and other scholars, emphasizing that this is from the perspective of recommendation not obligation.
The council affirmed that: «Celebrating the night of the middle of Shaaban is sanctioned, and reviving it with worship is recommended, and the virtues of this night are well known among the imams and scholars. Whoever revives it hoping for rewards and based on the mentioned traditions, acceptance is hoped for him, and whoever does not, there is no blame on them, without any denial or dispute».
