comparison to the other months, do you prefer to fast in the month of Sha’baan?’ The beloved of Allah, the final Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم replied by saying: ‘Allah Almighty writes the names of those who will die this year, and when my time of passing comes, I would like for me to be fasting.’”^[1]

Aside from fasting on this night, the Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would remain constantly engaged in worship and supplication, to the extent that his blessed and holy feet would swell. Here are some hadith reading this:

1. Spending the entire night in worship

Sayyidatuna Aa’isha رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا states: “The Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would continuously pray, whilst standing and sitting, until the morning. This caused his blessed feet to swell, so I began to press them.”^[2]

2. Feet would swell up

Sayyidatuna Aa’isha رَضِیَ اللهُ عَنْهَا states: “The Prophet صَلَّى اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَاٰلِهٖ وَسَلَّم would stand in prayer for so long that his blessed feet would swell. I humbly asked him: ‘Why do you do this, when the latter and former sins of your nation have been forgiven for your sake?’ He said: ‘Should I not be a thankful servant?’ (meaning, ‘should I not thank Allah for His bounties and blessings?’)^[3]

Dear Islamic brothers! Before this night arrives, we should seek forgiveness from those whom we have hurt. If you have ignored someone’s right, then you should fulfil his right, or ask them to forgive it. Likewise, the one who has been wronged should forgive his Muslim brother on this occasion. Remember, forgiving others is an act beloved to Allah. Let’s now listen to a Hadith extracted from the booklet of Imam Ahmad Raza Khan رَحْمَةُ اللهِ عَلَيْه, “’A’jab-ul-Imdaad”:

A golden palace for the one who forgives

“Two men from my ummah were on their knees before Allah. One of them