Shab-e-Barat is a Muslim festival that is celebrated throughout the world with pomp and glitter. Muslims believe that God writes the destinies of everybody for the coming year, on the night of Shab-e-Barat. While doing this act He is believed to take into account the deeds committed by mankind in the past. Shab-e-Barat is celebrated either on the thirteenth or the fourteenth day of Shaban, which is the eighth month of the Muslim year. This occurs fifteen days before Ramadan. Shab-e-Barat means the Day of Atonement or the night of forgiveness. Muslims pray to God to seek forgiveness for the sins committed by them, and to prepare for Ramadan.
In Arabic language Shab-e-Barat means “the night of emancipation”. In Persian language, “Shab” means “night”, and “Barat” means “the night of commission or assignment”. Some consider Shab-e-Barat as the night of fortune and a legend says that the Prophet visits every house on this night and relieves the pain and suffering. Shab-e-Barat also marks the entry of Muhammad into the city of Mecca. Shia Muslims associate this night with the birth of their last Imam. On Shab-e-Barat houses and streets are decorated with candles and bulbs to make the ambience joyful. Fireworks lit up the sky as the festival is celebrated at night.
Muslims stay awake on the night of Shab-e-Barat. They believe that God writes the destinies of all living beings for the coming year and beyond in the heavens during the night. Sweets are prepared and sent to friends and relatives. Delicious savaiyyan or vermicelli is prepared in remembrance of those who had passed away during the year. Acts of charity are performed by, distributing goodies to the deprived in the name of their deceased ancestors. Flowers are given to the graves of the deceased family members. Fatiha are recited over the meal in the name of the Prophet, His daughter Fatima and her husband Ali.
The Holy Book of Quran is read to celebrate the day. Muslims believe that if someone prays to Allah throughout the night and seek forgiveness for all his sins, he would be forgiven. Thus, the entire night of prayer is devoted for asking for forgiveness for the sins committeed during the past year and for good fortune for the coming year. Some people visit mosques for prayers and meditation. Some Muslims fast during the day and render “nafal”, the optional “namaaz”, at night. There is no mention of Shab-e-Barat in the Holy Book of Quran. However, Sura Dukhan does mention about Laila Mubaraka, which according to the learned scholars of Quran and Hadith, is Shab-e-Barat.
