The Muslim community across the globe will observe the mid of the Islamic month Sha’baan, also known as Shab-e-baraat on Sunday, April 21.
The night of mid-Shabaan or Shab-e-baraat is regarded as a holy night by Muslims in Asian countries or the Indian subcontinent and a few middle-eastern countries, however, there are no particular hadiths to refer to this night being holy, like Shab-e-qadr that falls in the month of Ramadan.
Muslims who observe this special night recite the Holy Quran, make special prayers in solitude and congression and ask for forgiveness for their past sins. Observers stay awake all night with family, either at home or at Masjid and pray for the prosperity of their family, and the community.
They end the prayers or worship at the call of Adhaan and making the Fajr prayer just before the sunrise. Many also fast during the day following Shab-e-baraat.
Some masjids in New Zealand will also host special recital programmes, namaz evening and late night prayer sessions for the community members.
A popular belief and tradition associated with Shab-e-baraat is to visit the graves of the friends, family members and ancestors and pray for them. People also make special food and sweets on this night and serve it to the poor and the needy.
Shab-e-baraat is also a reminder that the ninth and holiest month of Islamic calendar Ramadan is just 15 days away. Ramadan is a special month for the Muslim community across the globe that starts with the sighting of the crescent moon and end after 30 days with the celebration of Eid-ul Fitr.
In Ramadan Muslims fast from dawn to dusk, that is, remain without a morsel of food or water from sunrise and at sunset open their fast with fruits, water etc.
During Ramadan people also offer special Salah besides the five-time Salah called ‘Taraweeh’ and observe five special nights of prayers called Lailat-ul-Qadr that falls in the last five odd nights of the Ramadan month.
ISSUE
Leave a Comment