Newsletter of the Claremont Main Road Mosque · Roewa Edition - June 2013/1434
Vol.2 No.4
The Significance of the 15th Night of Sha`ban (Roewa) Imam A. Rashied Omar Traditionally in the Cape, the 15th night of the lunar month of Sha`ban (Laylatul-nisfi min Sha`ban) is commemorated as Roewa. The night is also known as the “Night of Repentance” (Laylatul Bara’ah).
it is not our purpose here to enter into the details of this debate, it suffices to say that the special supplication (Roewa Du’a) was never made by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) himself.
Customarily, on this night congregations would gather in the masjid, and sometimes families would meet at homes, to recite Surah Ya Sin (Quran, Chapter 36) three times between the Maghrib and ‘Isha prayers. Each consecutive recital is followed by the making of a special prayer (known as the Roewa Du’a) and each recitation and supplication is done with a special intention (niyyah) – for long life in successful obedience to Allah, for abundant provisions and protection against calamities, and for independence from reliance on human beings and reliance only on Allah, the Sublime.
In conclusion, it is important for Cape Muslims to know that the significance of the 15th night of Sha’ban and the procedure for commemorating it is contested by some scholars who deride it as a bid`a practice (innovation). We concur that there is no evidence that the congregational commemoration and procedure of reciting Surah Ya Sin three times was done by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
Historically however, there has not existed unanimity and consensus amongst Muslim scholars with regard to the significance of this night. Some scholars argue that the 15th night of Sha’ban has no special religious and spiritual significance and should be treated just as any other night. The majority of Muslim scholars however acknowledge that the night does have a special religious and spiritual significance. The well-known work, Tuhfatul Ikhwan, records a hadith in which the Messenger of Allah is reported to have said: “Allah’s special mercy and forgiveness is more munificent and available from the very beginning of this night”. Such a view is supported by the following hadith contained in the collections of al-Tabarani, Ibn Hibban and al-Bayhaqi. The Companion Mu`adh ibn Jabal (may Allah be pleased with him) relates that the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said: “Allah, the Most Compassionate, looks at His creation during the night of the 15th of Sha‘ban and He forgives all His creation except someone who associates others with Allah (mushrik) or one intent on hatred (mushahin) especially towards his parents.” Locally, there has been a long-standing debate concerning the authenticity of the ahadith extolling the virtues of laylatun nisfi min sha`ban and particularly the special supplication that is made on this night. Whilst
“The recitation of Chapter 36 (Surah Ya Sin), the Heart of the Glorious Qur’an, is beneficial at any time.” Notwithstanding this, CMRM have taken a pragmatic position on the customary practice (`urf) of commemorating roewa. It is our considered viewpoint that we should continue the roewa tradition of getting together on the 15th night of Sha’ban. If the only blessing of it is that we pray Maghrib and ‘Isha in congregation, then it suffices to justify continuing this traditional practice. Moreover, the recitation of Chapter 36 (Surah Ya Sin), the Heart of the Glorious Qur’an, is beneficial at any time. Furthermore, we can substitute the traditional prayer (Roewa Du’a) with any other supplications. In particular, we recommend the reading of the most significant supplication for forgiveness recommended by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) known as the sayyidul istighfar. The night affords us with a wonderful opportunity at re-instituting the efficacy of prayer, which is so sadly neglected in our secularised world. The night could also be beneficially employed in stressing the important attribute of Allah, as ever an acceptor of repentance and reminding us that seeking Allah’s forgiveness should be central to our practice as conscientious Muslims.
Editorial Since our last edition, tragic events locally and globally have made many of us hyperconscious of the endemic violence in our society. Locally, we were all stunned by the brutality of the rape and murder of 17 year old Anene Booysen in February this year. In this edition we report on CMRM’s response to the scourge of gender violence in our society. In the past few months in the Western Cape, we have also witnessed a succession of violent deaths involving school children. In his article, Kassiem Adams provides some sobering reflections on the disaffection of our youth that makes them vulnerable to such acts of violence. Globally, we continue to witness violent acts of terror perpetrated against innocent civilians. In his article, Dr. Salih Solomon reflects on his personal experience of being at the Boston Marathon at the time of the recent bombing there. This being the first ‘Roewa’ edition of Al-Mizan, we have led with some reflections by Imam Rashied on the significance of this 15th night of Sha’ban. We hope it will inspire all of us to continue to uphold this tradition in the Western Cape. As usual, we report on a range of CMRM events and activities. One such event that we hope will re-invigorate debates amongst local Muslims, is the recent information workshop on astronomical calculations for establishing the lunar calendar, which CMRM hosted at the South African Astronomical Observatory (SAAO). In our report we provide the dates and times, based on astronomical calculations, of the new crescent moons that will herald the start and end of Ramadan 2013. As the last issue before Ramadan, we want to take this opportunity to wish everybody a blessed and spiritually uplifting Ramadan 2013.
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