A girl lights candles on her relative's grave in Srinagar in Shab-e-Barat (Baset Zargar)
New Delhi
Muslims across the country celebrated Sha'ab al-Barat, also known as the Night of Forgiveness, an important festival celebrated on the 14th and 15th nights of Sha'ban, the eighth month in the Islamic calendar, on Sunday.
Imam of Delhi's Jama Masjid, Syed Ahmed Bukhari, on Sunday announced his son as his successor at a 'Dastarbandi' ceremony held in the courtyard of the Grand Mosque.
The ceremony involves tying the “turban” on the head of the next imam after prayer.
Syed Ahmed Bukhari said: “This is the night of prayer. It is the night of forgiveness of sins. Everyone should pray in silence and after that everyone should go home.”
Dastarbandi Ibn Shahi Imam of Jami Masjid, Delhi
Shab-e-Barat celebrations were observed at Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi.
People were seen in large numbers surrounding the holy dargah with their prayers.
Delhi Police officials have arranged various checkpoints across the national capital to maintain law and order in awe of Shab-e-Barat celebrations.
The Dargah of Hazratbal in Srinagar was decorated with lights and people gathered there in large numbers.
People also reached Bada Qabristan in Mumbai to pray for their relatives who passed away.
Shoaib Khatib, curator of Mumbai's Friday Mosque, said: “The history of Pada Qabristan in Mumbai is 200 years old. It is spread over 8 acres. People who have died come here and pray for them. Mumbai Police has made wonderful arrangements.”…whatever the guidelines are That was established, everyone followed it. People who come here also worship peacefully. The mosque foundation makes arrangements a month before Shab al-Barat.”
Cemetery lit with candles by people celebrating Shab Barat (Basit Zargar)
People sat and listened to religious chants in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh.
The word “Shab” has a Persian origin and means night, while “Barat” is an Arabic word meaning salvation and forgiveness. On the night of Shab Barat, Muslims around the world ask God for forgiveness for their sins.
This festival is characterized by great enthusiasm throughout South Asia, including countries such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Central Asian countries such as Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Kyrgyzstan.
Many believe that this is a holy night in which God is more forgiving and that sincere prayer can help wash away their sins. The night is also used to ask for mercy for deceased and sick family members, and it is believed that God decides people's wealth for the coming year, their livelihood, and whether they will have the opportunity to perform the Hajj.
Moreover, Shab-e-Barat has its own unique traditions, based on cultural diversity and local traditions. During the day, Muslims prepare delicious sweets such as halwa, zarda and other delicacies to distribute to their neighbours, relatives, family members and the poor. Many visit the graves of their loved ones to pray for the eternal peace of their souls. Some also fast on Shab-e-Barat.
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They decorate mosques, and many carry periodic recitations and announcements throughout the day, before preparing for main events at night. After sunset, Muslim worshipers begin their prayers with the “Isha ki Namaz” prayer and continue the prayer session throughout the night until the next day before eating suhoor, a pre-dawn meal before the Shab-e-Barat fast.
