Venkat Raman –
While the Holy Quran teaches every Muslim to be pious, honest, pursue peace and offer help and support to the needy, there are a number of festivals and religious observances that reinforce these tenets of Islam.
The Holy Month of Ramadan, which preaches abstinence, is one such.
However, Muslims also observe Shab-E-Barat with great significance.
Occurring on the 15th night of the Month of Shabaan, approximately as many days before the advent of Ramadan, this is an occasion for Muslims to pray to Almighty Allah, seek forgiveness for their acts of omission and commission and promote goodwill and understanding with fellow beings thereafter.
This is essentially a night of introspection, which true believers in Islam undertake with their brothers and sisters in the community.
The spirit of Shab-E-Barat rests on the belief that those who unconditionally surrender to God and seek orderliness in their lives would be among the truly blessed. For, Allah is the Most Benevolent and the Most Merciful, who forgives the misdeeds of those who honestly repent for their misdeeds and woe not to repeat them.
Prophet Mohammed (Peace Be Upon Him) is reported to have emphasised the importance of penance and the need for men and women to realise the power of prayer and significance of the Islamic faith.
“People are not aware of the excellence of the month of Shabaan, which occurs between Rajab and Ramadan. In this month, the actions of the people are presented to Almighty Allah. I wish my actions are presented whilst I am fasting,” he said.
