This Shab-e-Barat we ought to stand beside the less fortunate in society

The Muslim community all over the world is going to observe the holy Shab-e-Barat or Lailat-ul-Barat after sunset today starting what in Arabic is called Nisfu Syaaban or the middle of the month Syaaban of Hijri lunar calendar year. However, the Muslims of South Asia to which we belong and Southeast Asia, celebrate the day with special religious fervour. Here the devotees give so much importance to praying all through the night culminating with visits to graveyards and offering Fazr prayers going to the nearest mosque.
This the believers do with the faith that Allah grants their prayers if they pray for with a sincere heart. Hence on this night crowds are seen in each and every mosque in Bangladesh. Shab-e-Barat is believed by Muslims as the Night of Forgiveness or Atonement. On this night prayer for forgiveness is accepted. Many of Islam’s famous scholars including Imam Shafii and Imam Ghazzali are of this view.
In the Subcontinent and elsewhere, the occasion also has a festive dimension. Besides preparing ‘halwa’ or sweetmeats for the occasion and sharing those with neighbours and relatives, rich foods are also cooked in the Muslim households. Pious Muslims also share the cooked food with the poor people and give in charity.
Traditionally, the day is a public holiday in Bangladesh. This year, the day will be celebrated at a time when Bangladesh is going through a huge economic crisis. Most people here are increasingly finding it difficult to maintain their living with the increase in the number of beggars in society. Price of daily essentials has gone beyond the purchasing capacity of most people. Fifteen days after Shab-e-Barat, the holy month of Ramadan will begin. In fact, Shab-e-Barat in a way heralds the holy month of fasting. In these hard times, there is now an absolute need for the richer section of the Muslim community to stand beside the fellow brothers in faith.