character. My parents who often used to advise me had also become disappointed. My mother would weep and supplicate for me [but I did not care].

An Islamic brother would casually invited me to attend the weekly Sunnaĥ-Inspiring Ijtimā’, but I would turn a deaf ear. Once, on the night of the Ijtimā’, he politely insisted, ‘Today you will have to go with me.’ I tried to excuse but he was persistent. The next thing I knew, he stopped a rickshaw and requested me to go with him. Finally, I yielded to his perseverance and got in the rickshaw. We went to Jāmi’ Masjid Gulzār-e-Ḥabīb, the first Madanī Markaz of Dawat-e-Islami.

When the lights were switched off, for Żikr and Du’ā session, I got up to leave thinking that the Ijtimā’ had ended. Little did I know that staying for that session would prove to be a turning point in my life. The Islamic brother, my well-wisher, explained to me the situation and made me stay. During Żikr, the uproar of the rhythmic chanting had a deep impact on me. I swear by Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ! I had neither heard nor seen such spirituality in my entire life. This was followed by an inspiring Du’ā. All one could hear were the sobbing and weeping sounds of the attendees. Even a hard-hearted person like me bursted into tears. I repented of my past sins and joined the Madanī environment of Dawat-e-Islami.

Fast of the 15th Sha’ban

Ameer-ul-Mu`minin Sayyiduna ‘Ali کَـرَّمَ الـلّٰـهُ تَـعَـالٰی وَجۡـھَـهُ الۡـکَـرِیۡم has reported that the Prophet of Rahmah, the Intercessor of Ummah, the Owner of Jannah صَلَّى اللهُ تَعَالٰى عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم has said: When the 15^th night of Sha’ban comes, stand (to offer Salah) in it and fast on the day because Allah عَزَّوَجَلَّ reveals His specific attribute on the sky of the world from sunset and says, ‘Is there anyone who seeks forgiveness from Me so that I forgive him! Is there anyone who seeks sustenance so that I provide him with sustenance! Is there any troubled person so that I relieve him from his trouble! Is there anyone like this! Is there anyone like this!’ He عَزَّوَجَلَّ keeps saying this till Fajr.’

(Sunan Ibn Mājah, vol. 2, pp. 160, Hadees 1388)