Mid-Sha'ban

Mid-Sha'ban (Arabic: نصف شعبان, romanized: niṣf šaʿbān or ليلة نصف مِن شعبانlaylat niṣf min šaʿbān "night on the half of Sha'ban") is an Islamic holiday observed by Shia and Sunni Muslims on the eve of 15th of Sha'ban (the night following the sunset on the 14th day of the eighth month of the Islamic calendar). In Twelver Shia Islam, it is particularly significant as the birthday of Muhammad al-Mahdi, the twelfth Imam, traditionally believed to have been born on 15 Sha'ban 255 AH (868 CE). The night is marked by prayers, supplications, charity, and religious gatherings. Some communities also celebrate a similar holiday on this night called Shab-e-barat (lit.'Barat Night') or Laylat al-Bara’ah (Arabic: ليلة البراءة). It is celebrated in many South Asian, Central Asian, Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern countries.