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Question

I would like to know the importance of 15 Shaaban, In Pakistan and India it is a practice of Muslims to visit the graves of the relatives. Kindly quote the Hadith or any reference on the above subject.

Answer

Praise be to Allah, the Lord of the Worlds; and blessings and peace be upon our Prophet Muhammad and upon all his Family and Companions.

Choosing a given day from the days of the year such as the day of Mid Sha'ban or the 1st day of Rajab or the days of the feasts to visit graves and tombs is an innovation and an act that can lead a person astray. In fact, this practice was not reported in any sound Hadeeth from the Prophet or from any of his companions. Muslim narrated that the Prophet said: "If somebody tries to introduce into this faith of ours (Islam) something which is not a part of it, is to be rejected and that person is condemned".

Some people even believe that the souls of dead visit the dead's relatives on Mid-Sha'ban. Consequently the relatives of the dead prepare the foods which were favored by the dead people based on the mentioned belief. Believing that souls of dead person visit them is a null faith adopted from the Hindoos and Pharaoh's heathens. Muslims should avoid such beliefs.

Allah knows best.

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