What is Shab-i-Barāt (شب برات)?
Etymology
The term “Shab-i-Barāt” comes from Persian and Urdu roots: “Shab” (شب) meaning ‘night,’ and “Barāt” (برات) meaning ‘job’ or ‘assignment.’ Thus, it is often translated as the “Night of Records” or “Night of Assignment.”
Theological Significance
Shab-i-Barāt falls on the fifteenth night of the Islamic month Shaʿbān (the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar). This night holds important religious significance, as it is believed that God (Allah) makes decrees regarding human affairs for the following year, including births, deaths, and sustenance. Some traditions link this belief to the verse in Sūratu Ad-Dukhān (The Smoke), Chapter 44 of the Qurʾān, verse 4, which speaks of a “blessed night.”
Cultural Practices
Across the Muslim world, Shab-i-Barāt is observed in various culturally adapted ways. It often involves staying awake all night to engage in prayers, reciting the Qurʾān, and asking for forgiveness. Some traditions attribute specific prayers like the observance of one hundred rakʿahs.
Variations Across Cultures
- South Asia: Shab-i-Barāt is marked by visits to cemeteries for offering prayers to departed loved ones, sharing sweets, and displaying fireworks. It has earned comparisons to Guy Fawkes Night due to the popularity of fireworks.
- Middle East: Devotional activities are more emphasized; communal prayers and mosque gatherings are common.
- Turkey: Known as “Berat Kandili,” it involves mosque illuminations, and a lighter emphasis on fireworks.
Related Terms
- Lailatu ʾl-Qadr: Known as the Night of Decree in Ramadan, which is deeply revered and considered superior in spiritual importance.
- Shaʿbān: The Islamic month in which Shab-i-Barāt occurs, important for feeṭ-related fasting.
- Nawafil: Voluntary prayers that are significant during this night.
Synonyms
- Lailat-ul-Barāt
- Berat Kandili (in Turkish context)
- Shab-e-Baraat
Antonyms
There aren’t direct antonyms, but in context, days of routine worship could contrast with special nights like Shab-i-Barāt.
Exciting Facts
- Fasting on the 14th day of Shaʿbān is highly recommended leading up to the night.
- Historically, Sultan Salahuddin Ayyubi re-introduced this observance, tying it to preparation for the upcoming holy month of Ramadan.
Quotations
“Shab-i-Barāt is like a rehearsal dinner for the feast of Ramadan; a time to repent, to renew one’s soul and simplify the heart’s true desire." - Unknown Scholar
Recommended Literature
- “Dictionary of Islam” by Thomas Patrick Hughes
- “The Spirit of Islam” by Syed Ameer Ali
- “Shab-e-Barat: Its Significance and History” - Shaikh Akram Nadwi
References and Further Reading
- The Qurʾān, Sūratu Ad-Dukhān, Verse 4
- “Islam: Beliefs and Institutions” by Henri Lammens
Quizzes
In the spiritual and reflective light of Shab-i-Barāt, may your deeds be marked by compassion and your heart illuminated with divine wisdom. Until next time, embrace knowledge and spread love.
~ Ibrahim Al-Mustafa
October 10, 2023
