Sadia Dehlvi

After two weeks falls the 14th night of Shabaan, in the eighth Islamic month that precedes Ramadan, the mo­n­th of fasting. Muslim traditions affirm that this night, kn­own as Shab-e-Baraat (Night of Pardon) in Urdu and Pe­r­sian-speaking countries and as Laylatul Bara’ah in Arabic, is indeed a very special night, one on which Allah op­ens the doors of forgiveness and mercy, sealing the de­s­tinies of all souls, including those who will die in the co­m­ing year. The devout commence praying from the time of sunset of the 14th and continue till sunrise next morning.
In cities one can see Muslims out on the streets in groups throughout the night making their way to graveyards and dargahs to seek forgiveness for themselves and for the souls of their departed loved ones. In the subcontinent, the night assumes a festive flavour with the lighting of homes. Halwa is prepared, nazar and niaz offered over it. Food is distributed to the poor and the pious stay up all night in prayer, usually fasting the next day.
Hazrat Ali reported Prophet Mohammad saying: “Let all of you spend the night of mid-Shabaan in worship and its day in fasting. Allah descends to the nearest heaven during this night, beginning with sunset, and says: Is there no one asking forgiveness that I may forgive them? Is there anyone asking for sustenance that I may grant them sustenance? Is there anyone in difficulty that I may relieve them?”
Other narrations of Hadith (sayings of Prophet Mohammad) report that one must be sincere in seeking repentance and making resolves of not sinning further. It is said that among those who will not be forgiven are the unjust, untruthful, those who keep a grudge in their hearts and those who severe relationships with their relatives and friends.
Hazrat Aisha, the Me­ssenger’s wife, narrated that on the Night of Pardon she accompanied the Prophet to Jannat-ul-Baqee, the graveyard in Medina, where he made supplications. Muslims are advised to visit graveyards so they remember the transitory nature of the world. Death is normally a topic people avoid discussing for it is considered morbid. But in Islamic tradition speaking of death is akin to speaking of life. The dislike for death does not distance one from it. Death reminds us of the urgency to live a faithful and fruitful life. The Quran says, “Every soul shall taste death” (3:185) and, “The death from which you flee will overtake you. Thereafter you will return to the Knower of the seen and unseen. He will then inform you of all that you had been doing” (62:8).
Remembering death encourages people not to delay seeking repentance when they err. Prophet Mohammad encouraged his followers to desire a long life for two reasons — to make up for past inequities and to increase good deeds.
A wealthy soul is one that is forever content, the contentment arising not from ignorance but from knowledge of God and reflection on death and the Hereafter. One who tr­u­ly reflects achieves a state of contentment, something the Pr­ophet described as a treasure that is never exhausted. Mo­hammad would pray, “O Allah, provide for my family wi­th what suffices them and grant them contentment with it”.
We cannot choose what befalls us, but we can choose our responses to the trials of life and genuinely try to be content with God’s decrees. “If Allah touch thee with affliction, none can remove it but He; if He touch thee with happiness, He hath power over all things” (6:17). Be it the decree of death or life, one cannot deny God’s omnipotence; for it is He alone that decrees all things.

— Sadia Dehlvi is a Delhi-based writer and author of Sufism: The Heart of Islam. She can be contacted at sadiafeedback@gmail.com