The 14th day of the month of Shaban is Lailatul Barat, one of the holiest nights to Muslims. It means the night of salvation. This is the night where Allah writes the destiny for people in the coming year and absolves pious Muslims of their sins. Spent in prayer, supplicating for forgiveness for all one's sins and shortcomings, this night is an inspiration for moral character building.
Prophet Hazrat Muhammed (SM) instructed Muslims to immerse themselves in prayer on this night. This is the night when Allah opens with store of mercy, so indeed it is a night of festivity. This festival is celebrated by cooking good food and sharing it among neighbours, family and the poor. But the significance of this holy night will be lost if it becomes just a show of good food and festivity. It should be taken as an opportunity to feed those unfortunate ones who do not always have the means of eating well.
There was a time when this night was celebrated with fireworks. That has lessened significantly, though the tradition has not disappeared altogether. Actually rowdy fireworks on Shab-e-Barat should be stopped completely. It mars the solemnity of the occasion, disturbs those who spend the night in prayer and also can cause accidents. The guardians of the various localities can ensure that the young ones desist from such practice. The law enforcement agencies too can keep watch.
The Muslims prayer not only for themselves during the holy Lailatul Barat, but also for the country and humanity as a whole, for a happy, good, peaceful world.
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