India is a home of many religions and cultures; every religion celebrates their specific festivals. Muslim community also contributes to Indian population. Muslims from across the world commemorate the festival of Shab-E-Barat with splendor and zest. They believe that the god writes the future of all men by accounting for all the past deeds committed by them on the night of Shab-E-Barat. Basically Shab-E-Barat means the night of forgiveness or Day of Atonement, Shias see it as the night on which their 12th and last Imam, Imam Muhammad Abul Qasim has been born.
People pray to god and recite holy Quran whole night to forgive them for their evil deeds. Muslim visit graveyard early in the morning and offer flowers, read fateha for the peace of the near ones departed souls.
The festival is fêted on thirteenth or fourteenth day of Sha’ban month of Islamic calendar or fifteen days before the commencement of Ramadan. In 2010, the date of Shab-E-Barat is July 28. The festival is also known as Boraks Nigh.
‘Shab-E-Barat’ is a Persian word composed of two distinct words, ‘Shab’ which means night and ‘Barat’ which means ‘the night of payment or assignment’ in Persian. In Arabic the day is known as Lailatul Bara'at, meaning the night of liberation.
The Prophet visits each house and eases the troubles of suffering humanity on this night. According to the legend associated with Shab-E-barat a special tree in heaven has the names of all mankind on its leaves and if a leaf with the name of a person falls this night, then it is strongly believed that he/she is destined to die the same year.
Also it is said that this night of Shab-E-Barat also adore the entry of Muhammad into the city of sanctum Mecca.
Celebrations
All the mosques were lighted with string of colorful bulbs and papers, cellophane. Mosques were packed with devotees and they offer prayers. The sparkles of crackers looks like stars which increases the beauty of the dark sky. Thousands of candles and strands of electric bulbs light up the houses and streets and thus create a joyful ambiance.
The Holy Quran is recited and spiritual songs are sung all through the night of Shab-E-Barat.
All the people relish the mouth-watering delicacy, Sevaiyan or vermicelli. Rich people generously donate money, clothes and goodies to the needy in the name of their deceased near and dear ones. Generally it is believed that if certain person pray all night and seek forgiveness of his bad deeds, he will be forgiven. Some Muslim keeps fast and deliver nafal (optional prayer) at night.
