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.
While all religions speak of the ‘Day of Judgement’ (which would occur after a person passes on), Islam provides for atonement during the life of an individual.
According to religious scholars, it is on Shab-E-Barat that the ‘Amal Nama’ (Records of humans) is closed and a new one created.
“The destiny of every individual is decided on this night,” they said.
Celebration of Shab-E-Barat may vary between countries but its importance in the life of a Muslim is never lost.
In some countries, skies light up on the occasion, turning night into day. Streets and houses would be illuminated by candles and strands of electric bulbs to demonstrate the fact that this is a night to seek light and be enlightened.
It is customary for Muslims to visit the graves of family members and offer flowers and prayers. Some also donate to charity, undertake community service and noble deeds. The rich help the poor with money, clothing and food.
The Festival in New Zealand
July 27 was an important day for Muslims in New Zealand, as they observed Shab-E-Barat with the same religious fervour as it is marked in other parts of the world.
Mosques, Islamic Centres and other places of Muslim congregation were all busy with men, women and children getting together to pray, read the Holy Quran and discuss social and community welfare projects.
The South Auckland Muslim Association (SAMA) in Otahuhu, which houses Jame Masjid Mustafa (one of the largest Islamic Centres in the Southern Hemisphere), witnessed a huge gathering of Muslims and people of other faiths from all over the Auckland as Shab-E-Barat was marked with religious fervour.
Solemnity and sobriety were evident as people prayed and listened to the rendition of the Holy Quran and learnt its teachings.
As speakers and religious scholars spoke, youngsters understood the meaning of the occasion and that “Shab-E-Barat was the occasion to seek the Blessings and forgiveness of Allah for the sins committed by people.
Those present represented the goodwill, understanding and obedience to God that are the basic qualities of an average Muslim.
Many were seen in meditation and inquiring if they could be of service to the community during the Holy Month of Ramadan.
According to SAMA President Mohammed Hasim Khan, people were encouraged to be more charitable during Ramadan and follow the lead given by Mohammed the Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him).
“Our Prophet was the most generous of all people and achieved an even higher degree of generosity during Ramadan,” he said.
Photo :
1. Shab-E-Barat at the ‘Jame Masjid Mustafa’ of the South Auckland Muslim Association on July 27, 2010
2. Bismillah Al Rahman Al Rahim: In the Name of Allah, the Most Gracious and the Most Merciful
Pictures by Indian Newslink ©
