image: courtesy Pergamon museum – Princess Zebunnisa celebrating Shab e Barat
“Verily, My Mercy prevails over My Wrath.”~ Hadith e Qudsi
“And He is the Oft-Forgiving and Loving” (Al-Buruj 85:14)
Shab e Baraat – This blessed night starts at sunset on the 14th of Shaban and ends at dawn on the 15th of Shaban. .
It is called the Night of forgiveness or night of Atonement and is a significant Islamic festival. On the night, Muslims worldwide ask forgiveness for their sins from the all-merciful Allah.
It derives from the Arabic words bara’ah (forgiveness ) and shab (evening )
Due to the virtues of the night, it is one of the holiest nights in Islam.
it is a night when one’s deceased ancestors are commemorated. Nazar and Fatiha is done and sweets distributed.
People use the night to atone for the sins of their ancestors and save them & themselves from hellfire.
In many countries including India Muslims would celebrate with fireworks.
The Shias celebrate it as the birthday of the 12th Imam- The Mehdi