Shabe — e — barat has always been an interesting holy day, particularly because language acquisition made it did difficult to truly understand what I was being told. On realising, it simply means Night of forgiveness: I shared this knowledge with colleagues and some of us went around asking for forgiveness and forgiving. It caused quite a stir at lunch and was one of the highlights of working as Spiritual and Cultural Care Coordinator. This year it coincides with Lent which has already helped my preparation for Ramadan!
The importance of Shab-e-Barat and Sha’ban is a subject of debate among Muslims, but it “is an important night in the Islamic calendar and it is celebrated in the mid of Shaban. This blessed night starts at sunset on the 14th of Shaban and ends at dawn on the 15th of Sha’ban.” “Sha’ban is the 8th month in the Islamic Calendar and the month just before Ramadan. “Historically, momentous events also took place during Sha’ban which deserve to be commemorated. On the 15th of Shaban, Muhammad al Mahdi, the 12th Imam of was born. … Many Muslims believe that on the 15th Shaban, Allah saved the arch of Nuh (Noah) from the life-threatening flood. In a hadith, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) was seen visiting Jannatul Baqi on the 15th of Shaban. On the night, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) prayed for his family members in the graveyard. Following the gesture, Muslims would go to the graves of their loved ones and seek forgiveness for the deceased.”
Different countries have different ways of celebrating this day and each has a different name for it. Shab-e-Barat is also known as Nisf Shaban, Shab e Barat, Shabe Barat, Lailatul Barat in Arabic, Nisfu Syaban (Malam Nisfu Syaban) in Indonesia and Malaysia and Berat Kandili in Turkey.
Shab e Barat is a night that many Muslims revere as the night of forgiveness, praying the whole night asking God to bestow them with His blessings.” “Many Muslims also believe that on the night of, Allah brings down people’s destiny from the heavens for the year ahead.”
Shab e Barat 2024 is expected to be on the night of Sunday, February 25, 2024. However, the exact date is subject to the sighting of the moon of Shaban, 1445.”
Some celebrate the night with special prayers, fast the following day and distribute sweets while others say that this practice is an innovation and not according to the tradition. The fact it is not mentioned in the Quran, according to most scholars, is significant. There are some who say that God “pours mercy and forgiveness upon earth …” and God is simply waiting to be asked:
“Finally, the Prophet (saw) said that on this night, from sunset until dawn, Allah asks His servants, ′Is there anyone seeking forgiveness from Me so that I may forgive him? Is there anyone seeking provision from Me so I may provide for him? Is there anyone suffering so I may relieve his suffering? ′ [Ibn Majah]
“Allah descends on the night of the middle of Sha’ban to the lowest heaven, and He forgives more than the numbers of hairs on the sheep of Banu Kalb (an Arab tribe renowned for their great flocks of sheep)’. [Ibn Majah and others]”
“According to Imam Al-Shafi’ee: “There are five nights when the supplications (Duas) are accepted by Allah. These are (1) Friday night, (2) Night before Eid-ul-Fitr, (3) Night before Eid-ul-Adha, (4) First night of Rajab and (5) Night of Nisf Shaban.”
“Whether it is mentioned in the Qur’an or not, it is still a blessed night. Umar bin Abd al-Aziz (rh) and others have said, ′Do not neglect four nights in the year, because on those nights Allah pours His mercy upon His slaves: the first night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Sha’ban, the night before Eid al-Fitr and the night before Eid al-Adha’.”
It may not be certain but what is certain that with the difficulties we have, personally, nationally, and internationally we all need at least a moment to STOP, breath and be mindful. And, indeed whether it is mentioned in the Quran or not it is still a blessed night. “Muslims across the world celebrate the night differently depending upon cultural diversity and local traditions.”
The long and short of it is, every day, every month, every step and breath we take is special: … we should try not to neglect their blessings.
Intermittent fasting especially from food or activity that is bad for us, and our community is generally advisable.
We should strive to remove from our hearts any hatred or grudges for our fellow humans and other creatures. This will, perhaps, give peace to our heart and help us receive forgiveness. It can be difficult but attempts to do so may be rewarding.
Giving charity to those in need is always a good thing. Two of the websites used for research were charitable organisations but there are others.
Prayer/Meditation and Mindfulness:
Sit quietly and comfortably. Breathe naturally. Keep focussing on your breathing for a while. Putting your attention on the area in the middle of your chest and around your heart. Repeat to yourself gently and softly, feeling what these words mean: “Love, love, love, may my heart be filled with love…”
May we benefit from the blessings of this and every night. May we be forgiven and forgiving.
May we have the serenity
to accept the things we cannot change;
courage to change the things we can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Experience the feeling of warmth and love through your whole body: caring, healing, soothing. Let it wash over you and through you, gently repeating to yourself:
May I be well, healthy and strong:
May I be happy.
May I abide in peace
May I be forgiven and forgiving
May I feel safe and secure
May I feel loved and cared for.
Now bring into your mind someone who is important to you, someone you like and respect. Engulf them with this warmth and caring. See them happy and smiling. Repeat to yourself:
May you be well, healthy and strong:
May you be happy.
May you abide in peace
May you be forgiven and forgiving
May you feel safe and secure
May you feel loved and cared for.
Radiate the warmth and love to everyone around you… to everyone in your area, in your city, in your nation and in our world. And repeat:
May we all be well, healthy and strong:
May we all be happy.
May we all abide in peace
May we all be forgiven and forgiving
May we all feel safe and secure
May we all feel loved and cared for.
Bring your attention back to yourself, so the feeling fills your whole being, breathing in peacefully, breathing out peacefully, at peace with yourself and the world. Amen/Amin/So be it.
Bibliography:
The 15th of Sha’ban — A Night for Asking Forgiveness | Muslim Hands UK
15th Shaban: The Raising of The Deeds — Shab-e-Barat | Islamic Relief UK (islamic-relief.org.uk)
Shab e-Barat 2024 in Pakistan (timeanddate.com)
The Serenity Prayer — “God Grant Me The Serenity to Accept…” (praywithme.com)
https://www.islamicfinder.org/special-islamic-days/shab-e-barat-2024/
