Devotees pray the entire night on Shab-e-Barat

‘Shab-e-Barat’ is observed with due solemnity and religious fervor in different parts of the world. Specially in the Indian subcontinent, the night is observed as an age old celebration. Although the references as to observance of ‘Shab-e-Barat’ in the Holy Hadith are regarded as weak injunctions, nevertheless, the night draws a large number of devotees to salat, fasting, ziarat, feeding the poor, sweets distribution and more!

Devoted Muslims of usually only Bangladesh, India, Pakistan and Afghanistan celebrate ‘Shab-e-Barat’ on the 15th day of Sha 'ban (the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar). It is interesting to note that this night is usually not celebrated in any other Muslim land. ‘Shab-e-Barat’, also known as ‘Laylatul Barat’ or ‘Laylatul Nusfmin Shaban’, is a traditional Islamic day of festival and worship in South Asia. According to the ascetic Muslims, this is the day of divine benediction. Offering prayers and fasting in this particular day is said to have greater acceptance from God.

Some people believe that the spirits (arwah) of the deceased visit their relatives during this night. Skies light up on the night of Shab-e-Barat as the festival is celebrated at night. Houses and streets are are also illuminated by candles and strands of electric bulbs to provide a joyful ambiance to the festival.

Colourful fire works keep dazzling the skies as Muslims stay awake on the night of Shab-e-Barat. This is owing to a belief that God writes the destiny of all living beings for the coming years in heaven during the night. Houses are usually lit up to welcome the departed souls of all muslims who are let free to roam on Earth on that day.

Sweets, specially the delicious halwa and savaiyyan or the vermicelli is prepared and sent to friends and also to relatives in remembrance of those who died during the year. Some also perform acts of charity by distributing goodies to the poor and needy in the name of their deceased ancestors. Flowers are also placed on graves of the deceased family members.

Fatiha or the blessings are recited over the meal in the name of the Prophet (Peace be upon him), his daughter Fatima and her husband Ali. The Holy Book of Quran is also read to mark the day. Muslims hold a belief that if someone prays to Allah through the night and seek forgiveness for all the sins he had committed, he could be forgiven. Therefore, the entire night of prayer is devoted in pleading for forgiveness for the past year and for good fortune in the coming year.

It may be noted that there is no mention of Shab-e-Barat in the Holy book of Quran. However, Sura Dukhan does mentions about Laila Mubaraka, which, according to some of the learned scholars of the Quran and the Hadith, is Shab-e-Barat. The view regarding the origin of Shab-e-Barat is given as follows--

Imam Tirmizi has recorded the following Holy Hadith:
“Narrated Hazrat Ayesha that one night (she awoke and) she did not find Prophet (Pbuh) (in his bed). She went out (to search for him) and found him in Baqi’ (the graveyard in Madinah)... The Prophet (Pbuh) said: In the night of 15th of Sha’ban, Allah descends to the lowest of skies and grants pardon to the people more than the number of hair of the goats of Kal’b tribe.”

Hence, Shab-e-Barat has come into being today. Many people go to masjids (mosques) for prayers and meditation. Others fast during the day and render nafal, the optional namaz at night.