Illuminated Night of Shab-e-Barat: A Blend of Prayer, Tradition and Spirituality
Dr. Md. Anwar Hossain :
When the silver moon of Shaban rises in the sky, a unique atmosphere is created in the towns of Bengal, which is not only religious, but also a deep social and spiritual awakening.
The night that is going to be celebrated in Bangladesh on February 4, 2026, is not just a calendar date, but a combination of beliefs and traditions cherished by several generations.
With the essence of Hadith and the power of folk beliefs, it is embedded in the hearts of Bengalis as the ‘Night of Liberation’.
This night is like a cosmic moment, where heavenly mercy and the yearnings of the people of the earth become one.
It is impossible to describe in any worldly language the excitement that flows in the hearts of believers in this expectation of the opening of the unhindered doors of mercy.
This is a moment when people get the strength to wash away the sorrows of their past lives and respond to the call of the new.
Traditionally, the festive atmosphere that is created in every household in Bengal around Shab-e-Barat is unparalleled.
Cows are slaughtered in the dewy morning, roti halwa is prepared before the soft afternoon light ends, meat is cooked, and as evening falls, the hustle and bustle of distributing halwa-roti-gosti in the neighborhoods increases, which is basically the preparation for the special event of the night.
Mothers and sisters are busy in the kitchen; the aroma of rice flour roti and various types of halwa fills the surroundings.
This halwa-roti is not just food, but it has become an unspoken symbol of social harmony. The culture of distributing food to neighbors’ homes holds our society together.
When everyone, young and old, wear new or clean clothes in the atmosphere of a government holiday and prepare to go to the mosque, it is this social interaction that elevates Shab-e-Barat to a night of worship and a universal festival.
When we enter the deep level of spirituality, we see that Shab-e-Barat is a golden opportunity to get close to the Most Merciful.
Staying awake all night, the servant begs for forgiveness from his Lord through voluntary worship, zikir-azkar and tears.
Believers believe that on this night, the decision of sustenance, life and death for the next year is finalized.
Although there is theoretical debate about this, in the simple faith of the common people, this night is a special opportunity to change fate.
The walls of the mosque tremble with holiness in the collective groans of thousands of people falling in prostration.
Every sigh contains a longing for liberation and every prayer contains a prayer for a beautiful life in the future.
This spiritual connection drives people to the path of self-purification and inspires them to abandon worldly delusion.
Due to the 2026 National Assembly elections and referendum, this Shab-e-Barat is going to witness a new experience in the history of Bangladesh.
On the one hand, the silence of worship, on the other hand, the echo of political slogans – this dual character is part of our social evolution.
When candidates seek votes in the name of prayers in front of the mosque or at the crossroads of the neighborhood, a strange chemistry of spirituality and politics will be created.
When the importance of Shab-e-Barat is mixed with political promises in leaflets and campaigns, it will become a subject of research-based review for the common people.
When there is a special crowd of worshippers in the mosque, on one side there may be a desire for salvation in the afterlife and on the other side there will be a desire to rule in the future.
The scene of visiting graves creates the most emotional moment of Shab-e-Barat. When the graveyards are filled with the soft light of candles and the aroma of incense sticks, it is as if an invisible bridge is built between the living and the dead.
When children or relatives break down in tears while standing next to the graves of their lost loved ones, the fragility of the world is clearly revealed.
The love shown towards the dead by cleaning the grass of the grave or lighting it is basically a longing for salvation in the afterlife.
This scene is as much a scene of mourning as it is a profound lesson; it reminds people that the one who is worshipping today will also be a resident of a grave tomorrow.
However, behind this purity, the infiltration of some ‘bid’ah’ or superstition sometimes confuses society. When the concentration of the worshippers is destroyed by the loud noise of fireworks, the core spirit of religion is questioned.
Many people spend the whole night awake chatting in the name of worship and finally fall asleep without performing the obligatory Fajr prayer.
A large section of scholars therefore repeatedly warn us not to do anything out of emotion that goes against the basic teachings of Islam.
Another humane and pitiful aspect of Shab-e-Barat is the festival of beggars. On this night, hundreds of needy people gather in front of mosques and shrines.
Giving charity is certainly a rewarding act, but the way a begging fair is organized around it often becomes a source of annoyance. Many organizations or individuals collect large sums of money on this occasion.
However, the positive aspect is that the kindness that is expressed in the hearts of the wealthy on this night guarantees at least one good meal for many hungry stomachs.
From an analytical point of view, Shab-e-Barat is an advance preparation for Ramadan. Through this night, believers prepare their bodies and minds for a long month of fasting.
A kind of super-emotion works in this long arrangement of Shab-e-Barat. The obsession with the belief in destiny sometimes leads to apathy. Many people think that crying on this one night alone will ensure success for the whole year.
Islam gives importance to work. Nevertheless, this simple belief of people has to be respected, because at the end of the day, hope is what keeps people alive.
This emotion keeps people sitting in the night prayer even on bitter cold or rainy nights for years. This extreme manifestation of spirituality is an integral part of our culture.
Finally, it can be said that Shab-e-Barat comes to our lives with a message of peace. It is not just a festival of halwa-bread, but it should be a sacred opportunity to know our true self and surrender to the Creator.
In the midst of lights and splendor, let us not forget the basic teachings of worship and compassion. If we can rise above the debate and extend our hands of prayer for others on this night and correct our mistakes, then only will Shab-e-Barat be meaningful.
May the illuminated night of 2026 be a symbol of peace, freedom, and unity? May the faith and tradition with which we celebrate this night make our coming days more beautiful and spiritually filled?
(The author is an Essayist, Writer and President of the International Anti-Drug Organization – Freedom International Anti-Alcohol. E-Mail Address: [email protected])