Muslims throughout the country will be observing the tremendously spiritual and sacred night of Shab-e-Barat on Thursday evening (March 17). On this momentous night of religious observance, devotees plead to the Almighty (SWT) for forgiveness, while also forgiving their brethren for any trespass of the past. The Holy Prophet Muhammed (SAW) said that during this night, the Almighty opens three hundred doors of mercy unto His servants. The Holy Prophet also said that the Almighty, Glorious and Exalted is He, descends to the first heaven, on this night. According to Imam Nawawi, there are five sacred nights when supplication is answered. One of them is the night of the 15th of Shabaan. It is narrated that Hazrat Aisha (RA), the truthful, stated that the Holy Prophet asked: “Do you know what happens on this night?” meaning the middle night of Shabaan (that is, Shab-e-Barat). She submitted: “O Messenger of Allah, what happens in it?” He replied: “In it record is made of every human being who will be born, and of every human being who will pass away in the coming year. In it their deeds are taken up to heaven and in it their provisions are sent down.” (Baihaqi).
Traditionally, on this night, in many mosques, after Maghrib Salah, 3×2 (6) Nafil rakaats are prayed with Surah Yaseen being prayed after each 2 rakaats, for health & long life, then for protection from evil & calamities and then for increase in sustenance.
*Rafik Mohideen of the Sayyedina Ally (RA) ghusal team, in Raslouw, confirmed that both the graveyards, Laudium and Rebecca Street, would be open on Thursday night until 11pm.
** The management and staff of the Laudium Sun take this opportunity to wish all Muslims a most blessed Shab-e-Barat, and also humbly ask each of you for your forgiveness, if we have offended any one of you in any way. We also request that you kindly keep us in your prayers on this auspicious night.
–Editor
