[Q 545] Meaning of Laylatul Ragha’ib

QUESTION:

Salaam, what is laylatul ragha’ib?

ANSWER:

The night of the first Jumu‘ah (Friday) of the month of Rajab al-Murajjab, the fifteenth night of Sha‘ban, and Shab-e-Qadr are called Laylat al-Ragha’ib. The voluntary prayers (Nafl) that are offered in congregation (Jama‘at) on these nights are called Salat al-Ragha’ib.

Sadr al-Shari‘ah Badr al-Tariqah Mufti Amjad Ali A‘zami رحمۃ اللہ تعالی علیہ states: “Salat al-Ragha’ib, which some people offer in congregation as Nafl prayer on the first Friday night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Sha‘ban, and Shab-e-Qadr, is regarded by the Fuqaha (Islamic jurists) as impermissible, Makruh (disliked), and a Bid‘ah (innovation). The Hadith that people narrate regarding this has been declared fabricated (Mawdu‘) by the Muhaddithin (Hadith scholars). However, it is authentically reported with sound chains from eminent senior Awliya (saints), so one should not be excessive in prohibiting it. And if there are not more than three followers (Muqtadi) in the congregation, then there is fundamentally no harm.”

(Bahar-e-Shari‘at, Volume 1, Part 4, Page 687, Maktabat al-Madinah, Karachi)

Answered by: Hafiz Jahanzaib (Ask Mufti Scholar)
Translated answer
Date: 18th February 2026.