Pakistanis to observe Shab-e-Barat with caution amid third Covid wave

Shab-e-Barat – the night of fortune, repentance and divine blessings for the Muslims – will be observed in Pakistan on Monday (tomorrow), with the pledge to strictly follow Covid-19 guidelines and maintain social distance by avoiding large gatherings.

Shab-e-Barat, – the holiest night between 14 and 15 of Sha’ban, the 8th month of the Islamic calendar – is devoted to pleading for forgiveness for the past year and good fortune for the coming year. It is observed 15 days before the start of the holy month of Ramazan.

The Arabic term Laylat al-Barat means the quality of being guileless and without guile or deception. The Muslims believe that on Shab-e-Barat, God writes their destinies for the coming year, after taking into account their past actions. This is why the night is spent asking for His mercy for any transgression.

In addition to that, judgements for awarding blessings and Rizq (livelihood) to the believers are also made and prayers of the believers are answered and accepted.

Read more: COVID-19: Restricted movement in Karachi on eve of Shab-e-Barat

For ascetic Muslims, this is the day of “divine benediction”, and, therefore, they offer prayers and fast, which is said to have greater acceptance from God. The faithful lit electric lights, candles or even oil lamps right from evening to whole night.

Shab-e-Barat is known as Laylat-un-Nisfe min Sha’aban in the Arab world. Different countries have different ways of observing this day and each has a different name for it.

Traditional sweets like halwa, savaiyyan (vermicelli) are prepared and shared with neighbours, friends and relatives, while some prepare sweet dishes and flatbread to distribute among the poor.

Flowers are also placed on graves of deceased family members besides offering Fatiha for them.

In various places, it is a common practice to offer prayers to Allah for forgiveness on behalf of the deceased. This is why people also visit the graves of their loved ones, and offer prayers and light candles at the graves.

According to some traditions, people light candles and scent sticks on the graves and seek Allah’s blessings for the souls of their departed kin.

Some people also fast on the day after the Shab-e-Barat night prayers, while others hand out food and gifts to their neighbours and the poor.

Many faithful have planned to throng the mosques to offer special prayers (Nawafil and Shabina) during the whole night.

Various gatherings including Mahafil-e-Na’at will be organised by different mosques by following SOPs against Covid-19 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 the 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).

According to the Holy Quran, on this night Allah said: “Who wants forgiveness, I will forgive you. Who wants food, I will provide food.”

Though in the Islamic perspective every night and day has its own importance, some nights have supplementary importance like Shab-e-Barat, Lailatul Qadar, Shab-e-Miraj among others.

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 (ICT) and Rawalpindi administrations have finalised special security arrangements for peaceful observance of the Shab-e-Barat in twin cities and adjoining areas.