Shab-e-Barat
Shab-e-Barat also known as ‘Night of Fortune and Forgiveness’ is a night celebrated by Muslims as night of atonement between 14th and 15th night of the month of Sha’aban, the eighth month of Islamic Calendar. It was recently celebrated on night of 29 Mar 2021.
During this holy day, the followers of Islam pray to Allah to forgive their sins and of their ancestors to pave way for their entry into heaven. The ritual is observed by the Sufis all over the Indian subcontinent, Central Asia and Turkey, but not by Salafis, Wahabbis and more orthodox Muslims.
Shab-e-Barat commemorates the day Prophet Muhammad entered the holy city of Makkah. Another version of the story states that Prophet Muhammad’s wife, Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa found him in Medina’s cemetery, praying for forgiveness of living and deceased, lending sanctity to this day.
The Muslims who observe this night do so with special prayers, fasting and rituals and reciting Quran until dawn whilst fasting. Some families also prefer to pray sitting at home. Additionally on this day, Shia Muslims celebrate the birthday of Muhammad al-Mahdi, the last of their twelve Imams who is ordained to rise again to destroy the false Messiah and save the world.
