Preparing the "Halwa" - "Roti" on the occasion of Shabb-e-Baraat

Q. Is it permissible to prepare "Halwa" - "Roti" on the occasion of Shabb-e-Baraat - the 15th night of Sha'baan?

A. According to the recommendations of the hadith, on the occasion of Shabb-e-Baraat, one must perform Ibaadaat that night and observe a (nafl) fast  on the next day.  On this occasion, Islamically speaking, it was not recommended to prepare special food such as "Halwa" or "Roti".  The preparation of "Halwa" or "Roti" is neither necessary nor important because this practice is not supported by any evidence of the Shari'ah.  It must be emphasised that regarding a practice as important or necessary when it is not supported by any evidence of the Shari'ah is equivalent to Bid'ah.  Allah Ta'aala very severely condemned a similar attitude of the Kouffaar of Makkah who tended to impose certain customs that He Himself did not impose.  It is entirely up to Allah Ta'aala to add or modify something in the Shari'ah.

Let's see what the Kuffaar of Makkah used to do in those days.

Firstly, they used to offer the milk of some of their animals as "waqf" to idols.  They called these animals "Bahirah."

Secondly, there were animals known as "Sai'bah” which they freed in the name of idols and people did not take any work from these animals.

Thirdly, when a female camel consecutively gave birth to females, they freed that camel in the name of their idols.  Such a camel was known as "Wasilah"  and also "Haamî."

According to the kufaar practice, after a camel had given birth several times, they freed it in the name of their idols.  And this camel was called "Haamî."

Obviously Allah Ta'aala condemned all these practices.  Indeed in the Qur'aan Sharif, Allah says:

"Allah has made no Bahīrah, no Sā’ibah, no Wasīlah and no Hāmī  (names of animals dedicated to idols on different grounds).  But those who disbelieve coin a lie against Allah, and most of them do not understand." (5: 103)

This verse clearly shows that the establishment of a practice which Allah Ta'aala did not establish is analogous to committing the grave sin of lying against Allah Ta'aala.

Note that many of our brothers and sisters consider the preparation of Halwa and Roti on the occasion of the Shabb-e-Baraat as a necessity and forming an integral part of the celebration of that night.  For these people, there is no Shabb-e-Baraat without Halwa or Roti.  Moreover, they despise and make unwarranted criticisms of those who do not share the same opinion as themselves.  Obviously, this belief and attitude is not in conformity with Islamic principles.

In order to align ourselves with the Ahl-e-Sunnah Wal Jamaa'ah we must at all costs avoid attitudes and practices that are not sanctioned by the Shari'ah.  It should not be forgotten that the Ahl-e-Sunnah Wal Jamaa'ah are the promoters of the principles of Rasulullah (Salallaahu A'laihi Wasallam) and the Salf-e-Saalihin and they were not those who introduced acts that are foreign to Islaam, in the Deen of Allah Ta'aala.

It should be emphasised that we have the right to prepare, eat and distribute halwas or  rotis or any food among neighbours when we want without specifying a day to do so.  And to especially  consider this practice as being instituted by the Shari'ah is not acceptable because in this case, without doubt, it will be considered a Bid'ah, which has no place in Islaam.

 [English version of "Préparer le "Halwa" – "Rôti" à l'occasion de Chabb-e-Baraat" - Al Haadi - Vol.2 No.6]