Shab e Barat, also known as the 15th night of Shaban, is a spiritually significant night for Muslims. 15 Sha’ban 1447 AH (also known as the night of Shab-e-Barat or Laylat al-Bara’ah, the Night of Forgiveness) is expected to fall on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, in the UK. The exact date can vary by 1 day depending on local or regional moon sighting for the start of Sha’ban. Muslims spend the night in prayer, seeking forgiveness, making dua, and giving charity (sadaqah).
For Muslims, questions often arise around when Shab e Barat is observed, whether fasting is recommended, which duas are authentic, and how to prepare spiritually and practically. There is also growing awareness of the powerful role sadaqah and charity play on this night.
This guide explains 15th Shaban 2026 in the United Kingdom clearly and responsibly, based on Islamic sources and UK moon-sighting practices.
In the United Kingdom, 15 Sha‘ban 1447 AH is expected to begin after sunset on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, and end at sunset on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, subject to moon sighting.
Islamic days begin at sunset, not at midnight. This means:
The night of Shab-e-Barat starts the evening before the Gregorian date
Many online calendars mention only one date, which can be misleading
UK mosques follow one of three valid approaches:
Local moon sighting
Global moon sighting
Astronomical calculation
Because of this, the exact date may vary slightly. UK Muslims are advised to follow their local mosque or trusted national Islamic organisations for confirmation.
The 15th of Sha‘ban is associated with divine mercy, forgiveness, and reflection, especially before the arrival of Ramadan.
This night encourages Muslims to:
Seek forgiveness for past sins
Repair broken relationships
Purify intentions
Prepare spiritually for fasting and worship ahead
It is not a festival or obligatory event, but a voluntary opportunity for spiritual renewal.
Several narrations mention the virtue of the 15th night of Sha‘ban, though scholars differ on their individual strengths.
A widely cited narration states that Allah looks upon His creation on this night and forgives many people, except those who persist in major sins such as hatred, arrogance, or severing family ties.
From Aisha (RA): “I could not find the Messenger of Allah one night. So I left and found him at Al-Baqi. He said: ‘Did you fear that you had been wronged by Allah and His Messenger?’ I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah! I thought that you had gone to one of your wives.’ So he said: ‘Indeed Allah, Mighty and Sublime is He, descends to the lowest Heavens during the night of the middle of Sha’ban, to grant forgiveness to more than the number of hairs on the sheep of (Banu) Kalb.'” Source: Jami` at-Tirmidhi 739
No specific compulsory acts are established
No fixed number of prayers is required
Voluntary worship is encouraged without exaggeration
This balanced approach is followed by many UK scholars and mosques.
Fasting on the 15th of Sha‘ban is not obligatory, but fasting during Sha‘ban is recommended based on the Prophet’s ﷺ practice.
Aisha (RA) reported that the Prophet ﷺ used to fast frequently in Sha‘ban, more than in any other month besides Ramadan. ref: Sahih al-Bukhari 1969
You may fast on the 15th of Sha‘ban
You may fast before or after it
Do not believe fasting on this day is compulsory or guaranteed to bring reward on its own
Intention and consistency matter more than selecting a single date.
The best worship on this night is simple, sincere, and private.
Tahajjud
Nawafil prayers
Salaat al-Hajah
Any portion of the Qur’an
Reflective reading rather than rushing
Astaghfirullah
SubhanAllah
Alhamdulillah
La ilaha illallah
There is no single obligatory dua. The best dua is personal, sincere, and humble.
Focus your supplication on:
Forgiveness of sins
Guidance for the future
Protection for family
Relief for those suffering
Acceptance of the upcoming Ramadan
Making dua in your own language is fully valid and encouraged.
Giving sadaqah on the 15th of Sha‘ban is one of the most meaningful ways to seek Allah’s mercy.
Charity:
Cleanses wealth
Softens the heart
Protects from hardship
Continues to benefit others beyond the night
Shab-e-Barat is about forgiveness and fresh beginnings. Charity transforms repentance into real-world impact.
For Muslims, donating on this night helps:
Families facing poverty
Those struggling with food insecurity
Communities in urgent need
Supporting Shab-e-Barat donation and sadaqah campaigns through AlQulub Trust enables worship to reach beyond personal devotion and create lasting change. By giving on this night, Muslims not only prepare their hearts for Ramadan but also help restore dignity, hope, and relief to those who need it most.
Follow your local mosque for date confirmation
Pray quietly at home if mosque attendance is not possible
Involve children with simple duas
Give charity online during the night
Reflect on personal accountability
There is no requirement for public gatherings or cultural rituals.
Shab-e-Barat acts as a spiritual checkpoint:
Clear grudges
Seek forgiveness
Begin regular charity
Reset intentions
Those who prepare in Sha‘ban enter Ramadan with clarity and focus.
The 15th of Sha‘ban is not about rituals alone. It is about repairing the heart, correcting direction, and approaching Ramadan with humility.
For Muslims in the UK, it is also a chance to extend personal worship into collective compassion through sadaqah and service.
The 15th of Sha‘ban is a significant night in the Islamic calendar known as Shab-e-Barat or Laylat al-Bara’ah. It is associated with seeking forgiveness, making sincere dua, and preparing spiritually for the month of Ramadan. Muslims observe it through voluntary worship, repentance, and charity.
In the United Kingdom, Shab-e-Barat 2026 is expected to begin after sunset on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, and end at sunset on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, subject to local moon sighting. UK Muslims should follow announcements from their local mosque or trusted Islamic organisations.
Shab-e-Barat follows the Islamic lunar calendar, which is based on moon sighting. Since lunar months are shorter than the Gregorian calendar, Islamic dates move earlier by about 10–11 days each year, and the exact date may vary by country.
No, fasting on the 15th of Sha‘ban is not compulsory. However, fasting during the month of Sha‘ban is recommended, as the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ frequently fasted in this month. Muslims may fast on this day voluntarily without believing it to be obligatory.
Several hadith mention the virtue of the 15th night of Sha‘ban, indicating Allah’s mercy and forgiveness for many people on this night. While scholars differ on the strength of individual narrations, many agree that voluntary worship and repentance are encouraged without assigning fixed rituals.
There is no specific obligatory dua for Shab-e-Barat. The best dua is one made sincerely from the heart, asking for forgiveness, guidance, protection, and well-being for oneself and others. Muslims are encouraged to make dua in their own language with humility and hope.
No, Shab-e-Barat is not the same as Laylat al-Qadr. Laylat al-Qadr occurs in Ramadan and has a clearly established status in the Qur’an. Shab-e-Barat is a virtuous night, but it does not hold the same level of obligation or certainty.
Charity on Shab-e-Barat reflects the spirit of mercy and forgiveness. Giving sadaqah helps purify wealth, supports those in need, and turns personal worship into meaningful action. Many Muslims in the UK choose this night to support charitable causes before Ramadan begins.
Both moon sighting and astronomical calculation are recognised by scholars. In the UK, different mosques may follow different methods. Muslims are advised to follow their local mosque or a trusted national authority to maintain unity and clarity.
The 15th of Sha‘ban (Shab-e-Barat) is a valuable opportunity for Muslims in the United Kingdom to pause, reflect, and realign their hearts before the arrival of Ramadan. While it is not marked by compulsory rituals, its true significance lies in sincere repentance, heartfelt dua, voluntary worship, and acts of compassion.
Understanding the correct UK date, the moon-sighting context, and the balanced scholarly view helps ensure this night is observed with clarity and confidence, free from confusion or cultural excess. Whether through prayer at home, quiet reflection, or fasting during Sha‘ban, each act becomes meaningful when rooted in sincerity.
One of the most powerful ways to honour this night is by turning spiritual intention into practical action. Charity given on Shab-e-Barat carries deep value, as it reflects mercy, humility, and concern for others. Supporting those in need not only benefits vulnerable communities but also prepares the heart for the generosity and discipline of Ramadan.
AlQulub Trust exists to connect faith with action. Through its charitable initiatives and sadaqah campaigns, the trust works to uplift hearts and support individuals and families facing hardship. By giving through AlQulub Trust on Shab-e-Barat, UK Muslims can ensure their worship extends beyond personal devotion and creates a lasting impact where it is needed most.
© Copyright Al-Qulub Trust 2026. | Registered Charity Number: 1201517
