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Shaʿbān 15th is the birthday of the Twelfth Imam (a). According to some hadiths, after Laylat al-Qadr, the night before Sha'ban 15th is the most honourable. Some Shia stay vigilant this night and perform religious practices. Some Sunni Muslims, especially Sufis, also respect the night and stay vigilant.
Celebrations of Sha'ban 15th with illuminations and decorations of streets are the biggest Shia celebrations that are held on the occasion of Imam al-Mahdi (a)'s birthday in Shia areas. In Iran, many people gather in the Jamkaran Mosque, and in Iraq, people go to Karbala and visit Holy Shrine of Imam al-Husayn (a). Sha'ban 15th is an official holiday in Iran called the "World Day of the Impoverished". The night is also known as the night of Barat, Kandili Barat (in Turkish) and Laylat al-Sikk (in Arabic).
Mid-Sha'ban is one of the significant occasions for Shi'a Muslims. According to historical reports and the widely accepted view in Shi'a tradition, Imam al-Mahdi (a) was born on the 15th of Sha'ban in the year 255/869 or 256/870. Imam al-Mahdi (a) is the twelfth Imam of the Shi'a and, according to their belief, is the Promised Savior. On this occasion, some Shi'a groups celebrate this night.
Additionally, the night of Mid-Sha'ban is considered a night of great virtue, and there are recommendations in narrations to perform specific devotional acts on this night.
On the occasion of Sha'ban 15th, the birthday of Imam al-Mahdi (a), Shias hold celebrations by illuminating streets, singing songs for the birthday of the Imam (a), slaughtering animals and feeding the poor people. Such celebrations are more common in Iran, where people in religious places, districts and bazaars hold many. One of the most crowded places where such celebrations are held is the Jamkaran Mosque. Sha'ban 15th is an official holiday in Iran called the "World Day of the Impoverished".
Shias in Iraq also celebrate Sha'ban 15th in the holy shrine of Imam al-Husayn (a). Shias in Bahrain, Yemen, Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and India also hold celebrations of Sha'ban 15th.......
Other featured articles: Al-Tathir Verse – Al-Mawadda Verse – Tawhid
- ... according to a narration from Imam al-Sadiq (a), the night of the 15th of Sha'ban is considered the most virtuous night after Laylat al-Qadr?
- ... Did you know that the Ja'fari madhhab is referred to as Twelver Shia because the foundations of the school, its expansion, and the development of Shia jurisprudence were primarily established during the period of Imam Ja'far al-Sadiq (a)?
- ... the first Manual of Islamic law in current form was written and published by the order of Ayatollah Burujirdi?
- Month of Sha'ban «The eighth month of the Islamic calendar, considered highly virtuous, during which fasting, giving charity, and salutations are recommended.»
- Al-'Abbas (a) «Son of Imam Ali (a) and Umm al-Banin, known as Abu l-Fadl and Qamar Bani Hashim. He served as the standard-bearer for Imam al-Husayn (a) in the Battle of Ashura' and is highly revered by Shi'a Muslims.»
- Al-Salawat al-Sha'baniyya «A specific supplication quoted from Imam al-Sajjad (a), recommended for daily recitation during the month of Sha'ban. Its core message emphasizes the high station of the Ahl al-Bayt (a).»
- Sha'baniyya Holidays «Celebrations held throughout the month of Sha'ban, marking the birth anniversaries of several Imams of the Shi'a and Imamzadas.»
- 'Ali al-Akbar (a) «Son of Imam al-Husayn (a) (b. Sha'ban 11, 33/March 7, 654), he is reported to have greatly resembled the Prophet Muhammad (s) in appearance and character.»
- Mid-Sha'ban «The birthday of the Twelfth Imam (a). The preceding night is considered extremely virtuous (after Laylat al-Qadr), with both Shia and some Sunni Muslims observing it vigilantly for religious practices.»
- Sayyid Ruhollah Musavi Khomeini «known as Imam Khomeini (1902–1989), was a leading 20th-century Shi'a Marja'. He led the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, establishing the Islamic Republic.»
- Al-Sha'baniyya Supplication «A supplication narrated from Imam Ali (a) and recited by all Imams (a). The supplication is the total instance of the supplication and the mood of the best of servants of Allah.»
- Jamkaran Mosque «A mosque in Qom, attributed to Imam al-Mahdi (a), the twelfth Shi'a Imam. Reportedly built in the 4th/10th century at his command by Abu l-Hasan, a scholar from Qom.»
- Anecdotes of pious men (book)
- Muhammad b. Nusayr al-Numayri
- Qur'an 4:24
- Fadl b. Sahl al-Sarakhsi
- Zihar
- Qur'an 89:22
- Abu Salama al-Khallal
- Qur'an 9:105
- Qur'an 16:106
- Qur'an 4:105
- Qur'an 4:97
- Qur'an 58:1
- Qur'an 3:104
- Qur'an 9:102
- Qur'an 4:102
- Qur'an 4:15
- Qur'an 16:1
- Hamasa-yi Imam Sajjad (book)
- Zarud
- Dar al-I'lam li-Madrasat Ahl al-Bayt
Today Wednesday, 4 February, 2026 / 15 Sha'ban, 1447
- 1258 CE - Fall of the Abbasid Caliphate (Muharram 28, 656)
- 1833 CE - Demise of Shams al-Din Bihbahani (Ramadan 14, 1248)</noinclude>
- 1919 CE - Demise of al-Sayyid Isma'il al-Sadr, a Shi'a scholar and marja' who issued a fatwa of jihad against the invasions of Russia, Britain, and Italy on Islamic territories. (Jumada I 3, 1337)
- 255 AH – Birth of Imam al-Mahdi (aj) the last Imam in Twelver Shi'ism, (July 29, 869 CE)
- 329 AH – Demise of Ali b. Muhammad al-Samuri, the fourth deputy of Imam al-Mahdi (aj) (May 15, 941 CE)
