Symbolic image.
Mufti Muhammad Atiqur Rahman/

Holy Shabbat will be celebrated today on Tuesday night. Like other countries in the world, the followers of Islam in Bangladesh will be engaged in worship, zikr, nafal worship and recitation of the Qur’an in order to seek the closeness and forgiveness of the Creator Allahu Ta’ala. Many people visit the graves of dead relatives on Shabbat.

As the ummah of the last Prophet, Almighty Allah has given us some blessed months, days and nights – whose importance, greatness and virtues are immense. Holy Shabbat is one of them. The night before the 14th day of the Hijri month of Shaban is known as Shabbat Barat, whose Arabic is Lailatul Baraat. Persian ‘Shab’ and Arabic ‘Lailatun’ mean night. Baraaat means deliverance, deliverance, deliverance, etc. So Shaba Barat means freedom, deliverance or salvation. Since it is repeatedly stated in the Hadith Sharif that on this night Almighty Allah saves Muslims from their sins, hence this night is named as ‘Lailatul Baraat’ or ‘Shabe Baraat’.

In terms of hadith, this night is called, ‘Lailatun Nisfi min Shaban’ or the night of middle Shaban. About this night, the Prophet, may God bless him and grant him peace, said, ‘On this night, the number of children of Adam who will be born and die in the coming year is recorded. It is on this night that people’s deeds of the whole year are taken away and their sustenance is distributed.’-Bayhaqi

Explaining the importance of worship on this auspicious night, Rasulullah (s.a.w.) said, ‘When the night of the 14th day of Sha’ban arrives, wake up at night and fast during the day. Because Allah descends to the first heaven of the earth in the last third of every night. But on this night of Sha’ban, with the sunset, the Almighty Allah first arrived in the sky and addressed the servants and said, “Who are you asking for forgiveness?” I will forgive him. Who are you looking for sustenance? I will provide him sustenance. Who are you in danger? I will free him from danger. In this way, Allah continues to call the servants until sunrise.’ -Sunan Ibn Majah

On the authority of Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Amr (R.A), he said, Hazrat Rasulullah (SAW) said, “On the night of the 14th day of the month of Sha’ban, Almighty Allah looked down upon the creation and forgave all except the haters and murderers.”- Ahmad in Musnad.

At present there are some activities on Shabbat which are completely against Shariat. Such as lighting houses, offices-courts, shops-schools, mosques, etc., giving flowers to shrines and cemeteries, bursting firecrackers, etc.

Halwa-Ruti is considered the main work of Shabbat. There is no basis for these works in Shariah. Women give up prayer, dhikr, Quran recitation etc. and become anxious to make halwa-rooties. As if the worship of Shabbat would not be accepted without halwa bread. These are by no means desirable.

It should be remembered that there is no specific practice on Shabaa Barat, and no separate rule of practice for this night is proven through the Qur’an and Hadith. Therefore, everyone should be freed from all kinds of troubles and perform more nafal prayers, perform Tahajjud prayers, repent, seek forgiveness, dhikr-Azkar and recite the Holy Qur’an on this holy night in order to get closer to Allah Almighty. Praying for the forgiveness of the souls of dead Muslim men and women and their relatives.

At the same time, avoiding all enmity and hatred to seek Allah’s forgiveness and forgiveness. The dire consequences of these matters are described in the hadith. Jealousy pollutes the human heart, burdens it, diverts it from the remembrance of Allah and above all destroys other good deeds. In the light of hadith, we can learn about two terrible consequences of violence, hatred and enmity among Muslims.

One. Deprived of Allah’s Special Forgiveness: Hazrat Abu Huraira (R.A.) said, Rasulullah (S.A.W.) said, ‘Twice every week – Monday and Thursday, the deeds of the servants are presented (to Allah). Then all the believing servants are forgiven, except the one who has hatred and enmity between his other brother. It has been said about them, suspend their affairs until they return.’ – Sahih Muslim: 2565

Two. Destroys all good deeds and religion: Hazrat Zubair Ibnul Awam (R.A.) said, Rasulullah (S.A.W.) said, ‘The disease of the previous destroyed nations has spread among you – envy and hatred. This hate shaves. I do not say that it shaves hair, but it shaves and destroys religion. By Him in whose hand is my soul, you will not enter Paradise unless you believe. And if you do not love one another, you cannot be believers. I am teaching the means of establishing this love, everywhere and always keep the practice of greeting each other.’ – Jame Tirmidhi: 2510

In another hadith narrated by Hazrat Abu Huraira (RA), it is said, ‘Warner! Protect yourself from envy, because envy destroys good deeds like fire burns chalk.’ -Sunan Abu Dawud: 4903

May Allah grant everyone a sin-free life. Free the family and society from the violence of the envious. Have a blessed day everyone. Give peace to the Muslims of the world, bind all in the bond of unity and brotherhood. Amen.

Author: Hafez, Maulana and Registrar.