LAHORE: The believers observed Shab-e-Barat, 15th of Sha’aban, also known as the night of blessings and glory on Tuesday night with traditional religious zeal and spirit in the city like other parts of the country as large number of faithfuls thronged the specially decorated mosques, offering Nawafil and Shabina the whole night, making special prayers for security and solidarity of the country and Muslim Ummah.
Some traditions call it the night of blessings and accountability when The Almighty Allah makes mass judgments regarding lives, deaths and blessings for the next year. Besides, judgments for awarding blessings and Rizq to the believers are also made.
The believers made special prayers for the unity, prosperity, security and restoration of peace in the country and the prosperity and unity of entire Muslim Ummah. The city mosques were illuminated to celebrate the occasion while arrangements for refreshments and food were also made to facilitate the worshippers. Security measures were tightened to protect the worshippers as the numbers of police guards deployed outside mosques were increased by the government.
Special Nawafil and Shabina were also offered in all city mosques by dedicated people to seek blessings of Allah and forgiveness for their sins. Besides, large number of believers, including women and children visited graveyards to pray for the departed souls of their near and dear ones.
Ulema and prayer leaders appealed to the masses to make diligent and whole-hearted supplications before the Almighty Allah on the blessed night for themselves and especially for the security and solidarity of our country and entire Ummah and those Muslim brethren facing persecutions and atrocities by the enemies of Islam.
Special Shabina prayers were offered in city mosques, including Badshahi Masjid, Data Darbar, Masjid Gunbad Khizra and others. However, the people expressed resentment over the excessive display of fireworks and firecrackers youths and children, calling it completely un-Islamic and violation of the august day, which caused annoyance and nuisance for the worshippers and the general public.
They demanded complete ban on firecrackers and anti-social activities on sacred occasions. The people said the fireworks also caused loss of lives and properties apart from being un-Islamic and dangerous activity.