Shab-e-Barat-The night of forgiveness

Muslims in several countries of the world, including Pakistan, are observing the holy Shab-e-Barat tonight.

Muslims in several other countries have observed the sacred Muslim festival yesterday night.

What is Shab-e-Barat?

Shab-e-Barat holds immense significance among Muslims. The night is celebrated every year in the mid of Shaban-on the night between 14th and 15th of Shaban. Several countries call it with different names. In South Asia, Nisf Shaban is known as Shab-e-Barat. In Arabic, it is called Lailatul Barat. In Indonesia, it is called Nisfu Syaban. It is called Berat Kandili in Malaysia and Turkey.

Muslims considered Shab-e-Barat as a night of forgiveness. Muslims especially prayer whole night to seek the blessings of Allah almighty and ask forgiveness from him. 

Shaban is the eighth month of the holy Islamic calendar. According to sources,

Aishah bint Abu Bakr (R.A.) reported that:

“The Messenger of Allah did not fast in any month of the year more than he did in Shaban. He used to fast all of Shaban.” (An-Nasai: 2180)

Shab-e-Barat according to Muslims scholars

According to Imam Al-Shafi’ee:

“There are five nights when the supplications (Duas) are accepted by Allah. These are (1) Friday night, (2) Night before Eid-ul-Fitr, (3) Night before Eid-ul-Adha, (4) First night of Rajab and (5) Night of Nisf Shaban.”

According to Imam Malik:

“There are four nights in which gates of righteousness are opened, (1) Night before Eid-ul-Fitr, (2) Night before Eid-ul-Adha, (3) Night of Arafat (9th Dhul Hijjah during Hajj) and (5) Night of Nisf Shaban.”

Celebration of Shab-e-Barat

At this auspicious night, people tend to distribute sweets and other delicacies to each other. People also pray to Allah Almighty in the congregation. Men visit graveyards and pray for the departed souls. Mosques and homes are illuminated as well. 

Fasting

Fasting in Shaban is not a Farz. However, some people keep fast on 15th Shaban as a nafl worship. Fasting in Shaban is Sunnah.

Shab-e-Barat and lockdown

Mass gatherings are prohibited in Pakistan as part of the precautionary measures taken to avoid the spread of coronavirus. Muslims are restricted to visit the graveyards. Gatherings and special celebrations are also banned, as the governments urge people to maintain social distancing.  

On this auspicious night, let’s pray for the departed souls. let’s pray for those who died after battling with coronavirus. let’s pray to Allah to shower his blessings on us and set us free from this global coronavirus pandemic (Ameen).