Shab-e-Baraat: The blessed night
it is of prime importance
that one should forgive all the personal grudges with everyone and should not keep enmity or nourish
malice in his heart
for others
Tonight Muslims will gather at mosques in huge numbers to mark Shab-e-Baraat, the night of reverence and divine blessings. It is believed that if someone prays to Allah throughout the night and seeks forgiveness for all the sins he may have committed, he could be forgiven. The entire night of prayer is devoted to asking for forgiveness for the past year and for good fortune in the year to come. On this occasion, the Ulema and religious scholars in their sermons would highlight teachings of Islam and various aspects of the life of the Holy Prophet (PBUH).
The media would highlight the importance of the holy night through its special programmes. Muslims from all walks of like will visit graveyards to pray for the departed souls of their near and dear ones. Special sweet dishes will be distributed among the relatives and neighbours apart from the poor and the destitute. Many Muslims fast during the day to gain maximum benefits and rewards in this blessed night.
Muslims believe that on this great night, Allah sends His angels, descends to the first heaven, and proclaims, Is there anyone who seeks forgiveness so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone who seeks subsistence so that I may grant him subsistence? Is there anyone who seeks freedom from his problems so that I may remove his problems? This announcement continues until the break of dawn. So, it is of prime importance that one should forgive all the personal grudges with everyone and should not keep enmity or nourish malice in his heart for others.
On this night of forgiveness and blessings, it is not false celebrations that some people indulge in through a misuse of resources. It is a night of happiness, but happiness of the kind which takes us a little closer to the Almighty. As the twilight approaches, we ready ourselves for a night of prayer, of self-examination as it were, all directed at a scaling of the heights of belief. Let tonight be one of a rediscovery of the self, of the thought that while this life matters, there is too the hereafter that must not be lost sight of.
The 15th night of Shaban is one of the blessed nights of the Islamic year. A Muslim must make full use of this night and the day that precedes it. He or she must stand during the night praying and ask forgiveness and mercy from Allah Almighty.
