Bayaans On Auspicious Nights?

Question: In many Masjids in SA I have noticed the Imaams or Aalims organize Bayaans and talks on big nights like: 15 Sha’baan; 10 Muharram; 27 Rajab etc. Are these type of Bayaans and talks permissible and advisable to sit in?

Answer: See the following: 

1) Amongst the famous Fataawa Kitaabs is one by the name of Ahsanul-Fataawa by Mufti Rashid Ahmad Ludhyanvi (Rahmatullahi alaih) who states clearly: “When special arrangements are made on the auspicious nights, where people gather at the Musaajid to either perform extra Nafl Salaat or where a lecture is given, are also acts of Bid’ah.”

2) Hazrat Mufti Shafee’ (Rahmatullahi alaih) writes in one of his Kitaabs, “This type of organizing gatherings in the Masaajid (in the form of Bayaans, Zikr, Duas etc) is also a new invention and a Bid’ah.”

3) He also writes at the end of this discussion in the same Kitaab, “In conclusion, the Masnoon A’maal of this night (Laylatul-Baraa’ah) are what were mentioned before. Besides these the rest what people have invented are Bid’aat (innovations) and Haraam and they result in the destruction and demolishment of one’s Deen and Dunya. Instead of participating in these (Masjid Gatherings) it is much more meritorious to sleep and not do anything.”

Minus the above Fatwas of senior Muftis, if one looks at the Mubaarak life of Nabi Sallallaahu alaihi wasallam, his students who learnt directly from him-the Sahaabah, their students-the Taabi’een, their students-the Tab-e-Tabi’een and through the passage of time which had witnessed great Mufassireen, Muhadditheen and Fuqaha, until our Akaabireen of Deoband (the era of Moulana Ashraf Ali Thanwi Rahmatullahi alaih), we will not find any narration of anyone of them arranging a Bayaan in their Masjid on this night.

Bearing the above in mind, one should NOT participate at such programs in the name of Bayaans and talks on auspicious nights. The best is to engage in optional Ibaadat which is Infiraadi (individually in seclusion). Yes, to go to the Qabrastaan on this night (for men only), is Masnoon.