I was browsing through articles on Nisfu Syaaban when I chanced upon an old post I’ve once written last year. I just had to take it off as soon as I read it and here I am rewriting my thoughts and share my knowledge I have on this very special night. Also I managed to pull in my partner, Mr.Q to chip in his thoughts. Please pardon us if we differ in opinions, we respect every one of your views and to us the matter of who’s right or wrong is the least we can think of, the important bit is our intention, so fix that and insya Allah we will all gain a little more than what we know 
Nisfu = is ‘Half’ in Arabic
Syaaban = name of the month in Islam
It is a reminder for us that we’re only half a month away from Ramadhan, our fasting month. Some call this night the Night Full of Blessings, the Night Full of Life, the Night of Forgiveness, the Night of Destiny and so on so forth. The amount of blessings this night hold is so much so that if we were to know the real deal behind it we won’t sleep a wink! 
It’s time where our diaries for the year are being raised to replace with new ones to last us till the next Nisfu Syaaban. What diaries? Well in Islam we believe we have two Angels (Malaikat) resting on both our shoulders who are assigned by Allah SWT to watch us close and scribble our deeds –every single one of them, both the good and bad. Malaikat Raqib is in charge to list down all our sins and Malaikat Atid is tasked to ensure he captures all our good deeds. These diaries will be brought upon us on the day of Judgement where all our deeds are being measured and we shall be answerable to each and every one of our actions.
That being said it is encouraged for us to repent as much and seek Allah’s forgiveness before our books are being raised. After dusk tonight, we will all be holding new books. Best time to rewrite our resolutions, our dreams, and start afresh. Talk about change, out of the many occasions like new year and birthdays, I’d say this is the best time to push ourselves and strive to be better servants. Nothing means more than receiving a new book and given the opportunity to be better than we were before.
Mosques celebrate this night by holding sessions after dusk prayers and recite Surah Yassin. It’s been said that by reading Surah Yassin simultaneously for three times each have its own purpose :
- to ask for longevity to enable the faithful to further commit or ‘beribadat’ to Allah SWT.
- to ask for good fortune or ‘rezeki halal’
- to strengthen one’s faith towards Allah & to hope that one would pass away by staying true to Islam.
Usually what happens after such, the teachers will preach more about the benefits of the beautiful night. Though different people have strong views on this, they believe that we shouldn’t celebrate because Rasulullah SAW never mention of celebrating like sort BUT I don’t see where one can go wrong by reciting and praying so as we all can benefit. Praying for the better months to come, kicking start our books fresh and new and seeking His guidance to guide us to the right path. I mean it’s just the same as reciting on our own, just that this time, being in an event with a teacher who can guide us better, why not?
I recall many hadiths which mention How extra merciful Allah SWT is on this night. How forgiving He is, How compassionate He will be, How LOVING He can be to His servants. From Saiyidina Ali R.A from Rasulullah SAW
Apabila Malam Nisfu Sya’ban maka beribadahlah kamu pada malamnya dan puasalahpada harinya, sesungguhnya Allah Taala (MalaikatNya) turun padanya waktu Maghrib hingga kelangit dunia dan bertanya:
Tiadakah ada yang mahu meminta ampun agar Aku ampunkannya, Tidakkah ada yang mahu meminta rezeki agar Aku rezikikan dia, Tiadakkah ada yang terkena Bala bermohon, agar Aku selamatkan dia.
Tiadakkah …….Tiadakkah……. Sehinggalah terbitfajar.
(Hadith Riwayat Ibnu Majah)
This is the night where Allah SWT forgives whoever who asks for forgiveness, gives mercy to those who asks for them and delay mercy and forgiveness to those who are ignorant. It’s the night where He listens to all who asks and grants them their prayers. Would you not want to attain that feeling of being close to Allah and seeking Him while the world sleeps? He asks and asks and asks and gives and gives and gives. Would you want to waste an opportunity like that?
They say Nisfu Syaaban is one out of the many other nights where our prayers are answered and when else will this happen other than tonight?
- Thursday night (Malam Jumaah’)
- The second night of Hari Raya
- Night of Early Rejab
I always make a point to catch these days especially Thursday nights. I’m grateful I am able to meet Nisfu Syaaban this year, to be given a chance to repent and build myself. So how can we make full use of this night? Here’s a few pointers ;
- It is encouraged to do lots of do’a that night. Think of it this way, if you have a secret admirer who would listen and grant you anything that you like, would you waste that chance to speak to Him when you know He is close?
- Apart from Yasin, fill the day with fasting or quran recitations. Don’t just read, understand them.
- ”I don’t know how to read nor can I pray!”, Well, the beauty of faith is, there will always be a light in any darkness. Allah wants to make things easy for us. So even though we can’t read or pray, the least is do Zikr (remembrance). Zikr or selawat is the simplest form of ibadah one can do in any circumstances. You don’t have to sit, alone, or chant it out loud, Just zikr in your heart while working, while walking, while cooking for your love ones, that is considered as pure ibadah, together with whatever actions you do at that moment.
I may be going out to work, but I do zikr along the way. That Zikr is considered ibadah, your journey to work and your act of working (even if it has nothing related to religion, of coz your work should not violate religious rules) every step you take becomes ibadah.
So who says saints are made in jungles and mountains? Islam is THAT FLEXIBLE.
- If you can’t do all that, the least you can do is charity. Donate any where for a good cause. So what if you don’t have money?
- Even if you’re running tight with money, don’t forget – Smile! Rasulullah SAW taught us, even a smile to others is an act of charity
- Nevertheless, you may still be confused in what to do. Here’s the trick, if you are inspired to do something good. Don’t think twice, don’t hesitate. Just do it! Regardless how big or small it is, because if you don’t…thats where satan is at work to stop you from taking a step closer to Allah.
