Masjids and Kabristans in various parts of the city were crowded the entire night on Friday, to mark the Shab-e-Barat religious observance. The celebrations of Prophet Mohammed’s entry into the city of Mecca began from Thursday night and ended at sunset on Saturday. Friday night was the period of this observance and it is a belief among the community that on this day that God writes destinies of all taking into account the good and wrong deeds of the person.
Muslims across the country observed the holy Shab-e-Barat on Friday with due religious fervour and devotion.The devotees passed the night through prayer, recitation from the Holy Quran, and seeked blessings from Allah, the Almighty, for peace and progress of their families and relatives.According to Muslim belief, on this night, Allah, the Almighty, decides the fate of all human beings for the coming year taking into account their past deeds.People visited the graves of their relatives and Muslim saints and offered special munajat on this night of fortune.A discourse by Maulana Mufti Jubair was organised in Chowk Mandai’s Jehangir Kabrastan on the occasion. He appealed community members to cultivate the habit of reciting Darudsharif to enhance the feeling of love, belief in Mohammed Paigambar. Khatib-e-shahar Hafiz Hisamuddin Ashrafi, Haji Mir Mushtaq Ashrafi, Haji Salim Patel and others were present. Decorations were made on Badi durgah, Anandwalli durgah and Pandavleni durgah. Police kept strict bandobast around the places of religious worships and also in all squares of old Nashik which was wearing a festive look on Friday and Saturday. Commissioner of police Kulwant Kumar Sarangal and deputy commissioner Avinash Bargal were seen reviewing stock of bandobast in various areas during the observances.
The night of mid-Sha’aban is known as Laylatul Bara’ah or Laylatun Nisfe min Sha’ban in the Arab world, and as Shab-e-barat in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Afghanistan and Nepal. These names are translated as ‘the night of records’, ‘the night of assignment’ and ‘the night of deliverance’.The observance involves a festive nightlong vigil with prayers; in some regions, this is also a night when one’s deceased ancestors are commemorated. Given the importance some Muslims attach to this night, you would be hard pressed to find any strong Hadith that mention this night. In fact you can find evidence in Al Quran on the contrary.There is no clear concept of this night some scholars think that it is right to celebrate this night but some do not as there is nothing much in Quran about this.
Other names
Laylat al Bara’at (Night of Innocence)
Berat Kandili in Turkish
Shab e Baraat (in Pakistan, India and Bangladesh meaning the ‘Night of Innocence’.)
