Roushan-i-Tyohaar-Shab-e-Barat-Review on it's Cultural Importance-How it is Celebrated Globally.

Why Shab-e-Barat is Significant to Society-Unity among Diversity in Islamic Cultural Ethnicity.

                      I was born and brought up in a Muslim Society. Most of the neighbours belong to Muslin community though in our village, Selarpur we are inhabited with Hindus and Tribal caste & creed. All were in communal harmony. They all enjoyed different cultural festivals with each other. 

Shab-E-Barat

Very important festival was joy with candle in Deepawali (Diwali) in Hindu's Custom and Roushan-i-Shab-e-Barat in Muslim Custom that was happened in the mid of Shaban month of holy Islamic calendar. The tribal was involved in all festive occasion as they enjoyed the delicious food items prepared in these auspicious events. As the younger we did not understand the religious important but felt delighted the glowing candles in front of all the houses in our society. I was so little that I did not know the reality of this festival. I asked my mother why we lighted the candles to this day. She told that the day was the visiting day of our ancestors who were buried. We believed innocently that our grand mother would come to see me. Grandfather would bring the laddoo for which we missed through the year. Very interestingly we found the laddoo in the morning. Father told that they came and blessed us while I was sleeping. Later we realized that all were the fantasy. However the day was most significant to us because of various foods were made by mother and aunt. My elder sister was also helping mom to make all the cuisines. 

How did we celebrate the Holy Shab-e-Barat?   

           Five day's ahead of the holy Shab-e-Barat, all the women in our society were busy to wash and clean all the households, like coloring the walls with slime and clay. They washed all the old clothes and beddings. Then they engaged in making the rice dust that is used make roti and Halwa. Previous day mother and aunt woke up early to make dough for roti. Whole the day they rigorously involved in making Pulao, Biryani, Chicken, Mutton Curry, Payes of Suji and Simai for at least  fifty persons. In the evening we were busy to distribute all these food items to poor and distressed peoples as it was a holy rituals to donate the needy one. Father gave clothes to the neighbours on need. Then we lighted candles in front of our gate. Local mosques and Khankah were glowing with the colorful lights. Then we roamed with our friends & other kids in a procession. At that time this was a most amazing event. Later I came to know the religious significant of the event. Then I started to celebrate as a spiritual matter. We celebrate the holy practices of praying Namaz in the mosque and pray for our ancestors lying in the grave yard. As religious belief it's the night of confession of our sin to almighty and asking for forgiveness of our wrongdoings. It is also believed that this is the auspicious night to get the fortunes and well-being throughout the year. This is the nights of praying for the deceased ancestors. It is the myth that Hazarat Muhammad (S) also went to the graveyard of Baqi to pray for his ancestors. Another mythology this night is called as Shab-e-Barkat that means night of prosperity. Whatever we wish to have in this night, may it be fulfilled by GOD's mercy. I lost my dad and mom a long day ago, still I am waiting for their soul coming to my home in the auspicious night. 

         Whatever the religious important, it is joyous for the marginal  people in the society who get the taste of foods and new clothes donated by the elites of the societies. The local merchants get the opportunity for selling goods. So it's important for  socio- economic balances of the community.

How it is celebrated globally and it's theological concept.

      It is widely celebrated as the festival of good luck and fortune with the glowing candles. It has resemblances to Diwali, auspicious festival in the Hindu scriptures and alike the Christmas evening. According to local concept it is designed differently in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia and other parts of the continent. Some of the country considers it as the National Holiday. But as per Sunni of Islamic faction, it must be celebrated without exaggeration only practices of Namaz, Reciting Quran, Fasting and Prayer (Dua) for forgiveness and blessings for well-being. Though in Iran, the Shia faction celebrates the fifth day of Shaban month as the birth day of their preacher, Imam Al Mahadi. Accordingly it is celebrated with grandness, But the idea of Shab-e Barat as Islamic theology is united among Sunni & Shia. Both of the factions believe in prayers and devotion to Allah. I pray to almighty for all the human being may get their prosperity and happiness and get rid of evil curse.

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