Preparation for Ramadan starts with Shab-e-barat
This year the holy month of Ramadan will commence from Friday, May 26 with the sighting of the hair-thin crescent new moon on the western skies. Ramadan is the ninth month according to the Islamic calendar in which millions of Muslims around the globe fast from dusk to dawn.
An important day just before Ramadan is the auspicious night of Shab-e-barat that comes on the 15th night in the month of Sha'ban (Sha'ban is the eighth month of the Islamic calendar). This year Shab-e-barat will be observed on Thursday, May 11. Shab-e-barat is also known as ‘Night of Salvation' where Muslims pray all night seeking forgiveness and repenting to Allah.
Shab-e-barat is observed in parts of South East Asia such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia, some parts of the middle eastern countries and by Muslims migrated to the western countries . There are no direct references mentioned about the night in the Holy Quran or Hadith (followings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him), but this night is considered blessed by some scholars and widely observed in the global Muslim community.
Muslims do different activities on this auspicious night such as fasting, making sweets and distributing it amongst the community, visiting the graves of family and relatives, staying in the mosque, reading the Holy Quran and praying all night.
There is no set custom for this day but it usually starts with fasting and then visiting the graves during evening hours and the actual praying time starts after the sunset. Many mosques host special mass prayers during the night besides the regular prayers and hold lectures and sermons for the community.
The idea behind Shab-e-barat is purely to observe a special night of prayer and repentance. Muslims are encouraged to read the Holy Quran, do ‘dhikr' or ‘zikr' (reciting small phrases in glory of Allah), make lots of naf’l Namaz (non-obligatory prayers), make a particular Salat called Salat-ul-tasbeeh, and make du’a, asking for the wellbeing of the family, friends, the community and the whole world.
Individuals can choose to pray in the house or at the mosque, and women make their prayers in the house. Shab-e-barat special prayers end with the early morning prayer or Fajr with a mass session at the mosque, and special du'a sessions are also held. Most people observe another day of fasting to continue their devotion.
Shab-e-barat also gives a small reminder to the people that the holy month of Ramadan is just 15 days away.
The Holy month of Ramadan
Ramadan is the month in which Almighty Allah bestowed the Holy Quran to the Muslims; the holy book was given as a gift to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The Muslims start fasting from dawn to dusk, remain without food or water all day until the sun sets and continue this practice for 30 days until a new moon is sighted and celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr.
There are different special prayers and activities observed in this month, which is said to bring tranquillity to one's soul and bring a believer closer to Almighty Allah.
Fasting is obligatory for every individual of age eleven and above or after obtaining puberty. Ramadan is not just about controlling ones' desire for basic need, that is, food and water but to control ones' soul from all worldly desires.
Fasting is exempted for children under the age of eleven, old people, sick, mentally challenged, travellers, and pregnant and menstruating women.
There are three phases of Ramadan divided into ten days each, called Ashura. The first Ashura is called Rahmat (mercy), second is called Maghfirat (forgiveness), and last, is called Ni'jaat (salvation). Each of these three Ashura has special du'a and dhikr to be performed.
There are three different aspects of Ramadan namely Sehri (the meal before dawn), Iftar (meal to open fast at dusk) and Taraweeh (20 or eight rakat special Salat along with I'sha prayers).
Sehri is the Sunnah (the way of prophet Muhammad-PBUH) and is strictly advised to be taken before the dawn. It is advised to have at least one date and a glass of water during Sehri. Iftar is also recommended to be kept light to moderate, to keep oneself active for the following evening prayers.
The last five odd nights of the last Ashura is called Laylat-ul-Qadr or ‘the Night of Decree'. It is said that the Holy Quran was brought down to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in one of these five nights and these nights are better than a thousand nights.
This year the holy month of Ramadan will commence from Friday, May 26 with the sighting of the hair-thin crescent new moon on the western skies. Ramadan is the ninth month according to the Islamic calendar in which millions of Muslims around the globe fast from dusk to dawn.
An important day just...
This year the holy month of Ramadan will commence from Friday, May 26 with the sighting of the hair-thin crescent new moon on the western skies. Ramadan is the ninth month according to the Islamic calendar in which millions of Muslims around the globe fast from dusk to dawn.
An important day just before Ramadan is the auspicious night of Shab-e-barat that comes on the 15th night in the month of Sha'ban (Sha'ban is the eighth month of the Islamic calendar). This year Shab-e-barat will be observed on Thursday, May 11. Shab-e-barat is also known as ‘Night of Salvation' where Muslims pray all night seeking forgiveness and repenting to Allah.
Shab-e-barat is observed in parts of South East Asia such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Malaysia, Indonesia, some parts of the middle eastern countries and by Muslims migrated to the western countries . There are no direct references mentioned about the night in the Holy Quran or Hadith (followings of Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him), but this night is considered blessed by some scholars and widely observed in the global Muslim community.
Muslims do different activities on this auspicious night such as fasting, making sweets and distributing it amongst the community, visiting the graves of family and relatives, staying in the mosque, reading the Holy Quran and praying all night.
There is no set custom for this day but it usually starts with fasting and then visiting the graves during evening hours and the actual praying time starts after the sunset. Many mosques host special mass prayers during the night besides the regular prayers and hold lectures and sermons for the community.
The idea behind Shab-e-barat is purely to observe a special night of prayer and repentance. Muslims are encouraged to read the Holy Quran, do ‘dhikr' or ‘zikr' (reciting small phrases in glory of Allah), make lots of naf’l Namaz (non-obligatory prayers), make a particular Salat called Salat-ul-tasbeeh, and make du’a, asking for the wellbeing of the family, friends, the community and the whole world.
Individuals can choose to pray in the house or at the mosque, and women make their prayers in the house. Shab-e-barat special prayers end with the early morning prayer or Fajr with a mass session at the mosque, and special du'a sessions are also held. Most people observe another day of fasting to continue their devotion.
Shab-e-barat also gives a small reminder to the people that the holy month of Ramadan is just 15 days away.
The Holy month of Ramadan
Ramadan is the month in which Almighty Allah bestowed the Holy Quran to the Muslims; the holy book was given as a gift to Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). The Muslims start fasting from dawn to dusk, remain without food or water all day until the sun sets and continue this practice for 30 days until a new moon is sighted and celebrate Eid-ul-Fitr.
There are different special prayers and activities observed in this month, which is said to bring tranquillity to one's soul and bring a believer closer to Almighty Allah.
Fasting is obligatory for every individual of age eleven and above or after obtaining puberty. Ramadan is not just about controlling ones' desire for basic need, that is, food and water but to control ones' soul from all worldly desires.
Fasting is exempted for children under the age of eleven, old people, sick, mentally challenged, travellers, and pregnant and menstruating women.
There are three phases of Ramadan divided into ten days each, called Ashura. The first Ashura is called Rahmat (mercy), second is called Maghfirat (forgiveness), and last, is called Ni'jaat (salvation). Each of these three Ashura has special du'a and dhikr to be performed.
There are three different aspects of Ramadan namely Sehri (the meal before dawn), Iftar (meal to open fast at dusk) and Taraweeh (20 or eight rakat special Salat along with I'sha prayers).
Sehri is the Sunnah (the way of prophet Muhammad-PBUH) and is strictly advised to be taken before the dawn. It is advised to have at least one date and a glass of water during Sehri. Iftar is also recommended to be kept light to moderate, to keep oneself active for the following evening prayers.
The last five odd nights of the last Ashura is called Laylat-ul-Qadr or ‘the Night of Decree'. It is said that the Holy Quran was brought down to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in one of these five nights and these nights are better than a thousand nights.
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