Q. In relation to mid-Sha’bān…

Q. In relation to mid-Sha’bān, do the Aḥādīth reach a level of authenticity or soundness to be acted upon and followed?

A. There is no Ṣaḥīḥ Ḥadīth (Marfū’) report that speaks of the virtues of the middle of Sha’bān that may be followed, not even in the chapters on al-Faḍā’il (chapters on virtues in books of ḥadīth etc.). Some maqṭū’ reports (reports whose isnāds do not go back further than the Tābi’īn) have been narrated from some of the Tābi’īn, and there are some Aḥādīth, the best of which are mawḍū’ (fabricated) or ḍa’īf jiddan (very weak). These reports became very well-known in some countries which were overwhelmed by ignorance; these reports suggest that people’s lifespans are written on that day or that it is decided on that day who is to die in the coming year. On this basis, it is not prescribed to spend this night in prayer or to fast on this day, or to single it out for certain acts of worship. One should not be deceived by the large numbers of ignorant people who do these things.

Allāh knows best.

~ Sheikh Prof. Muḥammed bin Gamal al-Suyūti al-Hanbalī