ISLAMABAD: Shab-e-Barat, the night of reverence, fervour and divine blessings for Muslims would be observed across the country on the night falling between Tuesday and Wednesday, Sha’ban-ul-Moazzam 14, 15 1439 AH (May 1,2).
The city mosques administrations have already started decorating and illuminating their respective mosques to celebrate the occasion and to facilitate worshippers.
The faithful have planned to throng the mosques to offer special prayers (Nawafil and Shabina) during the whole night, which according to some traditions is the night of blessings and accountability wherein mass judgments regarding lives, deaths, and blessings for the next year are made by the Almighty Allah.
Various gatherings included Mahafil-e-Na’at have also been arranged by different mosques to mark the holy night and win divine blessings. The believers will make special prayers for the unity, prosperity and security of the country and entire Muslim Ummah.
Ulema and religious scholars in their sermons would highlight the true teachings of Islam and various aspects of the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The houses, streets were being decorated with colorful pennants and buntings which are illuminated at nights. Faithfuls lit electric lights, candles or even oil lamps right from evening to whole night.
Shab-e-Baraat, the night of praising Allah, is observed 15 days before the start of the Holy month of fasting Ramazan-ul-Mubarak. Shab-e-Barat, a great advantage of Muslims is known as Laylat-ul-Bara’ah or Laylat-un-Nisfe min Sha’ban in the Arab world.
Special Nawafil, recitation of the holy Quran and various other religious rituals are performed by people to seek blessings of Almighty Allah and forgiveness for their sins. Besides, a large number of believers will visit graveyards including women and children to offer special prayers for the departed souls of their near and dear ones. According to some traditions, they will light candles and scent sticks on the graves and seek Allah’s blessings for the souls of their departed kin. This is the best night of prayer and worship of God to seek His forgiveness for their sins and Allah Almighty’s blessing on this occasion to achieve success in the world and hereafter.
In addition to that, judgments for awarding blessings and Rizq (Livelihood) to the believers are also made and prayers of the believers are answered and accepted.
According to Muslim belief, Shab-e-Barat is the night when Almighty Allah arranges the affairs of the next one year. On Shab-e-Barat, Allah writes the destinies of all His creations for the coming year by taking into account their past deeds.
The significant distinction of this night, according to Islamic belief, is that it falls on the night of 15th Sha’aban in which all births and deaths on universe are written on the “Loh-e-Mehfooz” for the forthcoming year.
According to religious scholars, there are some nights in Islam, which are significant, sacred with grandeur and Divine Majesty and “Lailatul Baraat” is one of these.
Though, in the Islamic perspective every night and day has its own importance but some nights have supplementary importance like Shab-e-Barat, Lailatul Qadar, Shab-e-Miraj, Ashura and the two nights of Eids had extraordinary significance. On the occasion of Shab-e-Barat, Muslims believe, Allah Almighty showers infinite Mercy and Blesses upon human beings.
According to Hazrat Ayesha Siddiqa (RA) “Allah Almighty opens the doors of Mercy and Grace for the mankind, the door remains open throughout the night till the Fajr prayers,” in which He exonerates those seeking forgiveness.
The Islamabad Capital Territory and Rawalpindi administrations have already finalised special security arrangements for peaceful observance of the Shab-e-Barat in twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad and adjoining areas.
Media, including print and electronic plan to highlight the importance of the holy night through its special write ups and editions to mark the holy occasion. – NNI