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Shab-e-Barat 2021: Date, Significance and Facts about this Holy Night

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GUWAHATI: The 15th of Shabaan will begin after the sun sets on Sunday, March 28, 2021. The Shab-e-Barat will be observed until the next sunset, i.e. the evening of Monday, March 29, 2021.

The festival of Shab-e-Barat is celebrated with pomp and enthusiasm by Muslims, mainly in South Asia. According to some Sunni Islam traditions, this night is called Shab-e-Bara’at (“the night of freedom”) because Allah frees His sinful servants who were destined for Hell. A person’s life in the coming year, his sustenance, and whether he will have the opportunity to perform Hajj (pilgrimage) shall be decided on this night.

The Muslim community members have a tradition of visiting Mosques and graveyards on the day.

In many regions, this is also a night when prayers are arranged to ask Allah to forgive one’s deceased ancestors. Additionally, Twelver Shia Muslims commemorate the birthday of Muhammad al-Mahdi on this date. Salafi adherents oppose the recognition of Mid-Sha’ban as exceptional for prayer.

The Muslim community celebrates the day of Shab-e-Baraat as it is believed that Allah forgives all the sins on the night and also decided people’s fortune for the year ahead. The day is also known as Shab-e-Raat, Bara’a Night, and Mid-Sha’ban.

The day is observed across the world on the night between the 14 and 15 of Sha’aban, the eighth month of the Islamic calendar. Shab-e-Barat is observed 15 days prior to the holy month of Ramadan or Ramzan.

It is to be mentioned that the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India has issued guidelines for “effective control of COVID-19” ahead of the festive season. 

“In view of upcoming festivals such as Holi, Shab-e-Barat, Easter, Bihu and Eid-ul-Fitr etc, it is strongly advised that States may consider imposing local restrictions in public observation of these festivals and limit/do away with mass gatherings, in the exercise of powers conferred under Section 22 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005,” Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India stated in its order.

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