It has been reported by Anas bin Malik Radiallahu Ta'ala Anhu that “When the month of Shabaan approached, the Muslims devoted themselves whole-heartedly to regular recitation of the Holy and Noble Quran and they gave their Zakaah from their wealth to assist the needy and the destitute during the Auspicious and Holy month of Ramadan. It has been reported by Abu Hurayrah Radiallahu Ta'ala Anhu: "I heard the Beloved of Almighty Allah saying: Purify your bodies with fasting and Ibadah during the month of Shabaan for the coming month of Ramadan; any servant of Allah who fasts three days for the Pleasure of Almighty Allah during the month of Shabaan will be forgiven."

We are told that it will be asked of a person whose scale of good deeds will be light on the Day of Qiyaamah: "Where were you on the first night of Rajab, and on the 15th night of Shabaan? "Why did you not render it heavy by worshipping your Glorious Creator and Sustainer during the sacred nights?” It is also said that a true Muhmin's prayer is accepted and Duas are granted during five sacred nights of the year i.e. the first night of Rajab, the 15th night of Shabaan the night before Eid-ul-Fitr, the night before Eid-ul-Adha and the blessed night of Lailatul Qadr.

It is also said that on the 15th night of Shabaan Almighty Allah Subahanahoo Wata'ala sets the destiny of every human being for the coming year and addresses all true believers by proclaiming: "Is there anyone who will beg for forgiveness for I will surely grant My forgiveness?” Is there anyone who will repent for I will accept his or her repentance - and is there anyone who will ask Me for his or her needs I will grant whatever he or she asks." It is also mentioned in a tradition that Almighty Allah Subahanahoo Wata'ala will forgive the Ummah of His Beloved Nabee Muhammad Sallallahoo Alaihi Wasallam except for seven types of people who will find no reward on the 15th night of Shabaan. The people referred to in this tradition are: a magician, a drunkard, a confirmed adulterer, one who violates relationships, one who is disobedient towards parents, a Fitnah monger, a miser and malicious person who does not speak to a fellow Muslim for more than three days.

During this wonderful and blessed month of Shabaan, let us show our gratitude and love for our Glorious Creator and His Beloved Nabee Sallallahoo Alaihi Wasallam by distributing our Zakaah and remembering our less fortunate brothers and sisters who are suffering under oppression and repression in Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bosnia, Chechnya, Kashmir, the Philippines, Kosovo and Caucasus. It is reported that our Beloved Nabee Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam said: "The worst things in a man are frightened miserliness and unrestrained cowardice." The two go side by side, the miser and the coward.

This is a month for all of us to develop a consciousness, and to develop awareness that when Almighty Allah Subahanahoo Wata'ala blesses us with wealth, there is a share in it for those who are less fortunate. Why? Because that is a necessary ingredient in social struggle: to desire for our brother and sister what we desire for ourselves. We must understand and assimilate that behaviour. Abu Hurayrah Radiallahu Ta'ala Anho reported that our Beloved Nabee Sallallahoo Alaihi Wasallam said: "A generous person is near to Almighty Allah, near to Jannah, near to his or her fellow men and far from Jahannam, but the miser is far from Almighty Allah, far from Jannah far from his or her fellow men and near to Jahannam. Indeed, an ignorant person who is generous is dearer to Almighty Allah than a worshipper who is a miser." So, to understand the reasons for the celebration of the middle of Shabaan (nisfu ash-Shabaan or the night of Barat) we must acknowledge:

It is not a festival for indulgence of the appetites; It is not a purely a religious occasion which requires fasting and prayer. It is most important and imperative that we remember the essential reasons and their significance; that the Muslims were made a distinct Ummah, which our Beloved Nabee Muhammad Sallallahoo Alayhi Wasallam and his Ummah were made an independent entity to lead mankind out of darkness and into the light which leads onto the path of Seerathul Mustaqeem.

HASBUNALLAH WA NIMAL WAKEEL. “Allah is sufficient for us and He is a very good Guardian. Only on Allah do we trust.”

BENEFIT: If there is fear of a calamity or a fearful incident occurring then read this Dua.

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TUNA RICE
Ingredients
3 Cups basic white rice. ¼ cup oil. 1 large onion peeled and chopped. 1 tsp garlic crushed. 3 green chilles chopped. 3 tomatoes chopped. Salt to taste. 2 level tsps fine red chilles. 2 level tsps crushed cumin seeds. 3 cans Tuna drained. 3 tblsp colmans chilli mustard sauce.

Method
Braise the onion garlic and chillies in the oil till onions are transparent. Add tomatoes and spices then allow to cook for 2 minutes or until sauce thickens. Add tuna and cook a further 2 to 3 minutes. Add the mustard sauce and remove from heat. Layer the rice on the two sides of the platter and centre of the platter. Spoon the Tuna in between the rice. Serve with an onion and tomato salad.

Observing the Sunnah and the manners of its obedience
Salamah bin Al-Akwa RA reported: My father said that a person ate in the presence of Rasulullah SAW with his left hand. Rasulullah SAW said, "Eat with your right hand". He said, "I cannot do that.'' Thereupon Rasulullah SAW said, "May you never do that.'' It was pride that prevented him from doing it. And he could not raise it (the right hand) up to his mouth afterwards. [Muslim]

Commentary:
1. To eat with the left hand without a valid reason, is a repulsive act. Besides eating, every other good action was done by Rasulullah SAW with his right hand.
2. To ignore the Injunctions of Allah and the practice of Rasulullah SAW out of pride is a serious offense and can endanger even the Faith of a Muslim.