The night of mercy

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Sadia Dehlvi [1]

I have grown up learning about the importance of Shab-e-Baraat, night of mid-Shabaan, which falls on this Sunday night. As always, our house will be lit up with festive lights and filled with an atmosphere of piety. Just after sunset on the 14th of Shabaan (Sunday night), the elders of the family will visit the graves of our departed loved ones, invoking Allah’s mercy and praying for deliverance of their souls. I remember Amma, my grandmother, telling us how these visits also helped us in realising our impending death so that we remain conscious of our deeds and never delay in seeking repentance for wrong actions.
As soon as the elders return home, they will begin their prayers which will go on till the dawn of the 15th — they will offer voluntary nafil namaz (prayers), recite the Quran and tearfully fold their hands in supplication throughout the night. After their pre-dawn sehri meal, they will fast the next day. Halwa and food will be cooked, niaz (prayers) offered, and the food distributed amongst family, friends and the poor prior to iftaar (time of breaking the fast).
In Arabic, the sacred night is called Layla tul Baraah, the Night of Pardon. Islamic tradition affirms that on this night Allah bestows his mercy to all those who seek it. His forgiveness and mercy extends to all of humanity except those who deny the truth, those who break ties with their family, the arrogant, the backbiters, the unjust, people whose hearts are filled with malice and those who spread mischief on the earth.
It is believed that on Shab-e-Baraat, Allah records the names of those who would be born in the coming year and those who would die. The deeds of the living are raised on to Him and sustenance for them is decreed. On this night, Muslims pray so that Allah grants long lives to their loved ones and themselves. The Prophet said that praying for a long life is desirable for two reasons — to make up for past inequities and increase good deeds.
Prophet Mohammad famously stated, “Rajab is the month of Allah, Shabaan is my month and Ramzan is that of my ummah (community).” Shabaan follows Rajab, and is the month before Ramzan. Its sanctity comes from its proximity to Ramzan, the Islamic month of fasting and prayer. Other than Ramzan, the Prophet is known to have observed more fasts in Shabaan than any other month. He said fasting in Shabaan cleanses the soul and prepares it to receive blessings in the sacred month of Ramzan. Fasting on the 15th (this Monday) is particularly preferred for the Prophet fasted on that day, saying that when his record of deeds is presented before the Lord, he wished to be in a state of fast.
Through a number of recorded Hadith narrations we learn that in the middle of the night of 14th Shabaan, Prophet Mohammad visited Jannat ul Baqi, the graveyard at Madinah. His wife Aisha woke up to find him missing and later discovered him at the nearby graveyard in a state of prostration so lengthy that she thought God had taken his soul back. Prophet Mohammed then raised his head and after praying explained the importance of prayer and supplication during this night.
Muslims have a tradition of some daily devotions (saying namaz five times a day) beyond the obligatory rites. Additional supplications of prayer are like shields that protect from God’s wrath, polish the heart and keep us connected to the Lord. In an age when speed is of premium value, exemplified by fast food and fast cars, it is easy to fall prey to worldly trappings and lose sight of opportunities for spiritual growth. However, it is important to slow down at times, take time off to attend to the requirements of the soul and ensure that it is protected from the delusory nature of the world.

— The author is a Delhi-based writer and author of Sufism: The Heart of Islam. She can be contacted at sadiafeedback@gmail.com