Shaheer Ahmed
Shab-e-Barat night, also known as the Night of Forgiveness, is a major Islamic feast celebrated on the 15th of Shaban. Muslims throughout the globe seek forgiveness from the forgiving Allah on this night. The night is also a good time to pray for the sick and the departed.
On this specific night, the bulk of the faithful would pray for forgiveness from the All-Mighty Allah as well as the individuals whose rights had been usurped, whether intentionally or unintentionally. Shab-e-Barat 2023 would be observed on March 7th, that is, Tuesday.
The eighth month of the Islamic calendar, the 15th of Shaban is a time of great importance. Muslims get themselves ready for the holy month of Ramadan by deliberately fasting or eating healthily during the month leading up to it. Shab-e-Barat 2023 is observed and celebrated by all muslims around the world.
In this month, we celebrate the birth of Abbas Ibn Ali, the 15th of Shaban, and the shifting of the Qibla direction. Individuals take advantage of this time to increase their karma points throughout Ramadan.
Muslims prefer to continue their fast the next day as a sign of submission before Allah Almighty and a request for His abundant blessings on both worlds.
During Shab-e-Barat, people from all walks of life would follow the example of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him) by visiting the graves of their deceased family and friends to pay their respects.
There are many hadiths relating to the importance and significance of the 15th of Shaban. In one such hadith, Ibn Ali narrates that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“When it is the fifteenth of Shaban, then stand (in worship) at Night and fast during the day. Because Allah descends in this Night at sunset to the first heaven and says: ‘Is there any seeker of forgiveness, that I may forgive him? Is there any seeker of sustenance that I may sustain him? Is there anyone in affliction, that I may remove his affliction? Is there anyone like this, like that (and so on)’. This continues until Fajr.”
On the night of Shab e Barat, when people ask for forgiveness, the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) prayed for his family and friends. People also like to do good things on this date because Allah writes the fates of all Muslims around the world on this night. So, people who follow Islam use the night to ask for forgiveness and start the next day with a clean slate.
We pray that Allah Almighty would pardon us and show us the way to salvation.
