Acting on a Weak Hadith in Matters of Merit

Question

Last year, among us, the fast of the fifteenth of Sha‘ban was not observed, and it was said that this fast is not established by any sound (sahih) hadith — is this correct? Moreover, this fast is being declared a bid‘a (innovation). Are weak (da‘if) hadiths given consideration in matters of fada’il (merits of deeds) or not?

Answer

[ar]عَنْ عَلِيٍّ ﵁ قَالَ: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ﷺ: إِذَا كَانَتْ لَيْلَةُ النِّصْفِ مِنْ شَعْبَانَ فَقُومُوا لَيْلَهَا وَصُومُوا يَوْمَهَا، فَإِنَّ اللَّهَ تَعَالَى يَنْزِلُ فِيهَا لِغُرُوبِ الشَّمْسِ إِلَى السَّمَاءِ الدُّنْيَا فَيَقُولُ: أَلَا مِنْ مُسْتَغْفِرٍ فَأَغْفِرَ لَهُ؟ أَلَا مِنْ مُسْتَرْزِقٍ فَأَرْزُقَهُ؟ أَلَا مُبْتَلًى فَأُعَافِيَهُ؟ أَلَا كَذَا؟ أَلَا كَذَا؟

Source: Fatawa Mahmudiyya

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