Question: When my father was alive, he entrusted me to give sadaqah
(charity) according to my means on the 15th of Sha'baan every year, and
likewise I have been doing this ever since. However, some people have
admonished me for doing so saying it is not permissible. So is giving
sadaqah on the night of the 15th of Sha'baan permissible according to the
willment of my father or not? Kindly advise us and may Allaah reward you
with good.
Response: To specify the giving of sadaqah on the night of the 15th of
Sha'baan every year is an innovation, and despite your father having
entrusted you with that, it is not permissible. It is befitting you give
this sadaqah without specifying the night of the 15th of Sha'baan, rather do
so every year and in whichever month, but without particularising any one
month (on a consistent basis). However, it is permissible to do so in the
month of Ramadhaan (for the evidence which indicates so).
And with Allaah lies all success and may Allaah send prayers and salutations
upon our Prophet (sal-Allaahu `alayhe wa sallam) and his family and his
companions.
The Permanent Committee for Islaamic Research and Fataawa
al-Bid'u wal-Muhdathaat wa maa laa Asla lahu - Page 611
Fataawa al-Lajnah ad-Daa.imah lil-Buhooth al-'Ilmiyyah wal-Iftaa. - Fatwa
No. 9760