Visiting the graveyard on 15th Sha’baan
Q. A Moulana says that visiting the qabristan on the 15th Night of Sha’baan (Shab-e-Baraat) is not mustahab. He avers that there is no special significance to go to the Qabristan on this night as it was the practice of Rasoolullah (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) to go to Jannatul Baqee’ every night. Singling out Shab-e-Baraat for ziyaarat of the qabristan in his opinion is a bid’at. Please comment.
A. Visiting the Qabristan on the 15th night of Sha’baan which is also known as Lailatul Baraat and making Du’aa-e-Istighfaar for the deceased are mustahab acts. It appears in the authoritative Fatwa kitaab, Aalamgeeriyyah: “The most virtuous days of visiting [the Qabristan] are four days; Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Visiting on Friday after [Jumu’ah] Salaat is meritorious…Similarly, on blessed nights, in particular Lailatul Baraat.” The Moulana’s averment is therefore incorrect. If the Moulana had proscribed visiting the Qabristan on Lailatul Baraat in view of bid’aat (anti-Sunnah practices) which he had observed then there would have been merit to what he had said. As long as the visit on this blessed night is unfettered with innovative practices it will be mustahab.
