wikishia:Featured articles/2025/07
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: Imam Muhammad b. Ali al-Baqir (a) – Al-'Abbas (a) – Hadith Madinat al-Ilm