The 14th night of the month of Shabaan, is for those of Islamic faith, the night of fortune and forgiveness. The commemorations begin in the early hours of the morning of March 18 with fasting and ends on the 19th evening with the breaking of the second day of fasting. The nightly commemoration consists of a vigil of prayers, recitations of the Koran, repentances and visits to cemeteries to ask for forgiveness in place of the deceased. The MPF has issued a statement for access to the cemeteries of Phoenix and Riche Terre, Bois Marchand.
Also a night of Atonement
The Shab-E-Barat is first of all a Sunnah, that is to say the mode of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) which gathers all his words, actions and judgments, as they are fixed in the hadiths and which constitute for every Muslim a model to follow. This celebration and the prayers do not include the Faraz, the duties to be performed by the Muslims.
This month is recognized as the month of preparation for the fasting month of Ramadhan which begins in April 2022. Also, a night of atonement, in the Islamic faith, it is said that the Almighty forgives the sins of those who pray and writes the destiny of all men and women for the coming year taking into account the acts they committed in the past. The day of 14 Shabaan, the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, is commemorated by special fasting and prayers following the practices of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
The Practices of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)
According to the collections of An-Nasai: 2180, “The Messenger of Allah did not fast more in any month of the year than he did in Shabaan. He used to fast the whole of Shabaan.” According to Imam Al-Shafi’ee “There are five nights when supplications (Duas) are accepted by Allah. These are (1) the night of Friday, (2) the night before Eid-ul-Fitr, (3) the night before Eid-ul-Adha, (4) the first night of Rajab and (5) the night of Nisf Shabaan.” And according to Imam Malik, “There are four nights in which the doors of justice are opened, (1) the night before Eid-ul-Fitr, (2) the night before Eid-ul-Adha, (3) the night of Arafat (9th Dhul Hijjah during Hajj) and (5) the night of Nisf Shabaan.”
Special access to cemeteries
Shab-e-barat is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Muslim and multicultural countries like Mauritius. People go to mosques and offer prayers to Allah. They also pray on behalf of their loved ones by visiting their graves.
This year, with the easing of restrictions, Mauritians can go to cemeteries to pray. According to the Mauritius Police Force, Remy Ollier Street has been made a one-way street as well as Mahant Kabir Street in the Phoenix cemetery. For the accesses to the cemeteries of Riche Terre, Bois Marchand, the one-way streets will be Muslim Cemetry Road, Sushil Lane, Link Road Riche Terre and St Michel Road. The Commissioner is appealing for the cooperation and understanding of the public.
The traditional Halwas
This festival is also commemorated by charity to the poor. And among the great traditions is the preparation of rich and delicious desserts called Halwa made of oatmeal and Dholl Gram from the family of yellow split peas decorated with dried fruits and nuts, prepared with love, but mostly good things for the family as well as for sharing. Over the years, other sweet delicacies from the same Halwa family have been added to the Shab-E-Baraat treats.
