Berat Kandili: Its Significance, Prayers, and Acts of Worship

Berat Kandili is a blessed night that falls on the fifteenth night of the month of Sha’ban in the Hijri calendar, a time when divine mercy and forgiveness abound. This night is regarded as a turning point during which believers are cleansed of their sins and receive Allah’s mercy, and during which one’s annual provision, lifespan, and destiny are decreed. This guide covers the significance of Berat Kandili, its religious basis, the acts of worship to be performed, and the prayers to be recited.

What Is Berat Kandili?

The word “Berat” means to distance oneself from something, to be freed from it, or to receive a certificate of release from debt. The main reason this night is called “Berat” is that on this night, Allah the Almighty writes the certificate of release from Hell for His believing servants. Berat Kandili, which falls on the 15th night of the month of Sha’ban, is also regarded as the night when a person’s annual provision, lifespan, and all other matters of divine wisdom are finalized and communicated to the responsible angels.

The month of Sha'ban was described by the Prophet (peace be upon him) as “my month.” Laylat al-Bara’ah, which falls right at the heart of this blessed month—that is, on its 15th night—is remembered as the moment when mercy reaches its peak.

Evidence for the Night of Berat in the Quran and Hadith

According to some exegetes, the phrase “blessed night” mentioned in the opening verses of Surah al-Dukhan refers to the Night of Decree:

حم وَالْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنْذِرِينَ فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ

Recitation: “Ha. Mim. By the clear Book. Indeed, We sent it down on a blessed night; indeed, We were warning. On that night, every wise matter is decreed.”

Translation: “Ha. Mim. By the Clear Book, We revealed it (the Qur’an) on a blessed night. Indeed, We are the Warners. Every matter of wisdom is decreed on that night by a command from Us.” (Duhân, 44:1–4)

Hadiths regarding the virtues of the Night of Berat are also frequently cited by Islamic scholars:

إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَيَنْزِلُ لَيْلَةَ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا فَيَغْفِرُ لِأَكْثَرَ مِنْ عَدَدِ شَعْرِ أَغْنَامِ كَلْبٍ

Translation: “Indeed, Allah, the Exalted and Glorious, descends to the lowest heaven on the fifteenth night of the month of Sha’ban and grants forgiveness to more people than there are hairs on the sheep of the tribe of Kelboğulları.” The hadiths narrated by the Prophet (peace be upon him) regarding the fifteenth night of Sha’ban can be found in the collection *Sunan Ibn Majah*.

What Is the Ruling on Supererogatory Acts of Worship on the Night of Berat?

The Night of Berat is one of the times when voluntary acts of worship are most strongly encouraged. Although some scholars of Islamic jurisprudence consider it makruh (disliked) to perform supererogatory prayers in congregation during these nights—it is noted that such collective practices emerged in the 400s AH—it is considered a great virtue for an individual to spend the night in prayer, remembrance of God, and seeking forgiveness on their own. Although no specific form of prayer is required during these blessed nights, performing any missed prayers, if any, and reciting the Qur’an are the most virtuous choices.

Who Is Not Forgiven on the Night of Berat?

Although the gates of divine mercy open to everyone on this night, some people may be deprived of this general pardon as long as they have not sincerely repented. According to the traditions narrated by Islamic scholars, the following people are excluded from the general forgiveness granted on the Night of Berat:

• Those who associate partners with Allah
• Those who practice magic and divination
• Those who continue to drink
• Those Who Sever Family Ties
• Those who persist in adultery
• Those Who Live Off Interest
• Those who are disobedient to their parents and who spread rumors
• Those who remain estranged from a fellow believer for more than three days

What Are the Acts of Worship to Be Performed on the Night of Berat?

The main acts of worship that can be performed on this blessed night are as follows:

• Voluntary and Make-Up Prayers: There is no specific prayer unique to this night that is tied to a particular number of rak’ahs; indeed, the sources do not consider such specially instituted prayers to be appropriate. Instead, it is recommended to perform voluntary prayers individually, make up any missed prayers if any, recite the Holy Qur’an, and engage in remembrance of Allah as the most virtuous deeds.
• Fasting in the Month of Sha'ban: It is recommended in a hadith to fast on the 15th day of Sha'ban—that is, during the day of the kandil. Fasting during this month, which is considered a precursor to Ramadan, is both a sunnah and a form of spiritual preparation for Ramadan.
• Repentance and Seeking Forgiveness: A believer’s sincere repentance is one of the most important acts of the Night of Berat. In particular, one seeks forgiveness with the intention of having one’s name erased from the register of the “shakī” (the wretched) and inscribed in the register of the “said” (the blessed).
• Offering Salawat: It is reported in the sources that an angel is created for every salawat offered, and that this angel seeks forgiveness for that person until the Day of Judgment; some narrations also state that this angel is created from the sea of light beneath the Throne.
• Making Up Missed Prayers and Reading the Quran: Making up prayers that were missed in the past and reading the Holy Quran are acts of worship that align with the spiritual atmosphere of this night.

Prayers to Recite on the Night of Berat

A special prayer of seeking refuge, which our Prophet (peace be upon him) recited personally this night and recommended to his ummah, is as follows:

أَعُوذُ بِعَفْوِكَ مِنْ عِقَابِكَ وَأَعُوذُ بِرِضَاكَ مِنْ سَخَطِكَ وَأَعُوذُ بِكَ مِنْكَ

Pronunciation: “I seek refuge in Your forgiveness from Your punishment, and I seek refuge in Your pleasure from Your wrath, and I seek refuge in You from You.”

Translation: “I seek refuge in Your forgiveness from Your punishment, and in Your pleasure from Your wrath. I seek refuge in You from You.”

In addition, the following prayer is mentioned in the hadiths with the intention of having one’s name written in the Book of the Forgiven:

“O God! If You have written my name in the register of the wicked, erase it and write my name in the register of the righteous…”

What Are the Spiritual Significances of Berat Kandili?

Islamic scholars have described the Night of Berat as a blessed night that holds many wisdom and virtues:

• The Writing of Destiny: Sources state that a person’s lifespan and sustenance for the coming year are decreed on this night; some traditions also report that the names of those who will perform the Hajj are recorded on this night.
• The Good News of Intercession: According to some traditions, it is reported that on the 13th night of the month of Sha’ban, one-third of the Ummah; on the 14th night, two-thirds; and on the 15th night (Laylat al-Berat)—with the exception of those who commit shirk—the Prophet (peace be upon him) is granted the authority to intercede on their behalf.
• A Time for Spiritual Purification: The Night of Berat is seen as an opportunity for believers to turn to their Lord with the utmost sincerity and purify themselves of past mistakes.
• The Secret of the Month of Sha'ban: It has been interpreted that the letters in the word “Sha'ban” represent the gifts of honor, dignity, goodness, harmony, and light.

Sources

• Dürretü’n-Nasihin (Osmanzâde Hüseyin Vassâf) — Section on Ethics, Stories, and the Hereafter (Berat)
• Dürretü’n-Nasihin — The Chapter on Ramadan, Religious Festivals, and Fundamental Acts of Worship
• The Holy Quran, Surah Ad-Dukhan (44:1–4)
• Sunan Ibn Majah, Chapter on Fasting