Sayed Eqbal Rezvi :
Lailatul Barat, also known as the night of repentance, night of forgiveness, or Shab-e- Barat, is celebrated each year beginning at sunset of the 14th Shaban. This is the blessed night of the full moon, 15 days before the start of the holy month of Ramadan, and generally believed to be the night on which the destinies for the coming year are written and on which forgiveness is granted to all who repent and perform the recital of the holy Quran and zikr and offer durood shareef.
On this holy night, it is traditional to visit cemetery to pray for those buried there, in commemoration of the visit of the holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) to a cemetery to pray for the dead. According to Hadis Shareef, Muslims stay awake for the night performing nawafil, reciting Quran Shareef and fasting the following day.
Lailatul Bara’at is also called the night of absolution because it consists of two absolutions. An absolution for the miserable sinners from the Almighty Allah and another absolution is from disenchantment for the devotees of Allah.
In Persian and Urdu as well, Lailatul Baraat is called Shab-e-Baraat. In Hadis Shareef this glorious night is known as ‘Nisfe Shaban’ meaning 15th night of Sha’ban (night preceding the 15th day). This is a night of salvation from punishment and calamity. This is a night for the Muslims to seek pardon for the transgressions and to settle the mind as not to commit sins in the future. Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) was asked, “Which fast is the most meritorious after the fasts of Ramadan?” He replied. “Fasts of Shaban”.
Sha’ban is one of the significant months and we find some particular instructions about this in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). It is mentioned in authentic Hadis that Muhammad (SM) used to fast most of the days in Sha’ban. These fasts were not obligatory on him. But as Sha’ban is the month immediately before Ramadan, some preparatory measures are suggested. The blessed companion of Rasulullah (Sm) Usama bin Zaid (Ra) reports that he asked Muhammad (Pbuh), “Messenger of Allah, I have seen you fasting in the month of Sha’ban so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in other months”. The Prophet replied : ‘That (Sha’ban) is a month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And it is a month in which an account of the deeds of human beings is presented before the Lord of the universe. So, I wish that my deeds be presented at a time when I am in a state of fasting”.
Hazrat Mu’az ibn Jabal, (Ra) reports that Muhammad (Sm) has said, “Almighty Allah looks upon all those created by Him in the middle night of Shaban and forgives all those created by Him, except the one who associates partners with Him or the one who has malice in his heart against a Muslim”.
This night of commission or assignment is also known as the night of emancipation. Shab-e-Barat also commemorates the entry of Muhammad (Sm) into the city of Makkah. Shia Muslims associate’ this night with the birth of the last Imam.
Salah is the most preferable act to be performed in this night.
The long Surahs of the holy Quran one remembers by heart may be recited preferably in the Salah of this glorified night. If someone can not remember the long Surahs, he/she can also recite short Surahs in the raka’ahs. The recitation of the holy Quran is a form of worship very beneficent in this noble night. One should perform zikr (recitation of the name of Allah) in this momentous night.
One should recite durood on Prophet Muhammad (Sm) as many times as he/she can. The best benefit one can draw from the blessings of this night is through prayers and supplications.
It is hoped that the prayers in this night will be accepted by our Lord. The prayers and supplications strengthen one’s relation with Almighty Allah, which is the main purpose of all kinds and forms of worship.
Lailatul Barat or Shab-e-Barat is the night of destiny and emancipation. Muslims should rise to the occasion, unite on one platform, devote themselves for the glory of Islam, shun greed, jealousy, enmity and hatred ; and beg pardon and salvation. Therein lies our panacea.
Lailatul Barat, also known as the night of repentance, night of forgiveness, or Shab-e- Barat, is celebrated each year beginning at sunset of the 14th Shaban. This is the blessed night of the full moon, 15 days before the start of the holy month of Ramadan, and generally believed to be the night on which the destinies for the coming year are written and on which forgiveness is granted to all who repent and perform the recital of the holy Quran and zikr and offer durood shareef.
On this holy night, it is traditional to visit cemetery to pray for those buried there, in commemoration of the visit of the holy Prophet (Peace be upon him) to a cemetery to pray for the dead. According to Hadis Shareef, Muslims stay awake for the night performing nawafil, reciting Quran Shareef and fasting the following day.
Lailatul Bara’at is also called the night of absolution because it consists of two absolutions. An absolution for the miserable sinners from the Almighty Allah and another absolution is from disenchantment for the devotees of Allah.
In Persian and Urdu as well, Lailatul Baraat is called Shab-e-Baraat. In Hadis Shareef this glorious night is known as ‘Nisfe Shaban’ meaning 15th night of Sha’ban (night preceding the 15th day). This is a night of salvation from punishment and calamity. This is a night for the Muslims to seek pardon for the transgressions and to settle the mind as not to commit sins in the future. Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh) was asked, “Which fast is the most meritorious after the fasts of Ramadan?” He replied. “Fasts of Shaban”.
Sha’ban is one of the significant months and we find some particular instructions about this in the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (Pbuh). It is mentioned in authentic Hadis that Muhammad (SM) used to fast most of the days in Sha’ban. These fasts were not obligatory on him. But as Sha’ban is the month immediately before Ramadan, some preparatory measures are suggested. The blessed companion of Rasulullah (Sm) Usama bin Zaid (Ra) reports that he asked Muhammad (Pbuh), “Messenger of Allah, I have seen you fasting in the month of Sha’ban so frequently that I have never seen you fasting in other months”. The Prophet replied : ‘That (Sha’ban) is a month between Rajab and Ramadan which is neglected by many people. And it is a month in which an account of the deeds of human beings is presented before the Lord of the universe. So, I wish that my deeds be presented at a time when I am in a state of fasting”.
Hazrat Mu’az ibn Jabal, (Ra) reports that Muhammad (Sm) has said, “Almighty Allah looks upon all those created by Him in the middle night of Shaban and forgives all those created by Him, except the one who associates partners with Him or the one who has malice in his heart against a Muslim”.
This night of commission or assignment is also known as the night of emancipation. Shab-e-Barat also commemorates the entry of Muhammad (Sm) into the city of Makkah. Shia Muslims associate’ this night with the birth of the last Imam.
Salah is the most preferable act to be performed in this night.
The long Surahs of the holy Quran one remembers by heart may be recited preferably in the Salah of this glorified night. If someone can not remember the long Surahs, he/she can also recite short Surahs in the raka’ahs. The recitation of the holy Quran is a form of worship very beneficent in this noble night. One should perform zikr (recitation of the name of Allah) in this momentous night.
One should recite durood on Prophet Muhammad (Sm) as many times as he/she can. The best benefit one can draw from the blessings of this night is through prayers and supplications.
It is hoped that the prayers in this night will be accepted by our Lord. The prayers and supplications strengthen one’s relation with Almighty Allah, which is the main purpose of all kinds and forms of worship.
Lailatul Barat or Shab-e-Barat is the night of destiny and emancipation. Muslims should rise to the occasion, unite on one platform, devote themselves for the glory of Islam, shun greed, jealousy, enmity and hatred ; and beg pardon and salvation. Therein lies our panacea.
