Holy Shab-e-Barat tonight

Holy Shab-e-Barat will be observed tonight. Muslims observe this as the night of blessings and forgiveness. According to Hadith, Almighty Allah (swt) forgives a large number of His devotees from their past sins and relieves them from jahannam (hell) this night. And so the night is also called 'Laylatul-bara'at'.

Seeking forgiveness through prayers, believers can attain Allah's (swt) mercy. This auspicious night is an excellent opportunity for sin-riddled people to seek forgiveness through sincere 'tauba' (repentance).

Shab-e-Barat comes in the run-up to the start of Ramadan - the holy month in which believers fast from sunrise to sunset. Through Shab-e-Barat, the believers start preparing for the month of Ramadan. To the Muslims, it is also a night when Allah decides fortunes for the year ahead. The list of those who will be born and will die is made this night. The Muslims will pray to Allah (swt) for His mercy, seek Rizik (sustenance).

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) directed the Muslims to devote themselves to Nafl prayers this night when Allah (swt) opens the doors of blessings and mercy for them. And so it is also a night of celebrations. They prepare special delicacies for their neighbours, relatives, and the poor. Many argue that the matter of making food dishes does not go with the spirit of this night. Instead, helping the poor with foods and money is considered a better option this night.

Once there was a tradition of fireworks on this auspicious night. But this tradition has waned. The sanctity of the night is not to be ruined with firecrackers. It is deemed to go against the spirit of Islam.

To protect the night's sacredness, Dhaka Metropolitan Police has banned carrying of all types of fireworks from 6:00pm today to 6:00am tomorrow. We hope everyone will try to follow the ban. The law enforcers should be vigilant so that no one can violate the ban.

Besides praying for ourselves, we will pray to Allah (swt) for the wellbeing of Bangladesh and mankind. Through the blessings of this night, we hope everyone will have better days ahead and good fortune.