Shab-e-Meraj observed

LAHORE

Shab-e-Meraj, the night when the Holy Prophet (PBUH) ascended to the highest level of Heaven, was observed Monday night across the country with traditional religious devotion and fervour. 

A large number of believers offered special prayers all the night in specially decorated mosques and inside their homes for seeking the blessings of Allah Almighty. They asked special prayers from Almighty, seeking welfare of the entire nation and the Ummah, and riddance from all sorts of problems and tribulations.

Special prayers were made for ridding the country and other parts of Muslim world of growing terrorism and bloodshed. The believers prayed for the security of Harmain Sharifain and the holy lands from the enemy threats. Different Islamic and socio-cultural organisations arranged special prayers and Mahafil-e-Naat in mosques and other places to collectively seek blessings of Almighty.

Lailat-ul-Meraj also known as Shab-e-Meraj is a glorious night, marking the Isra and Miraj of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) when he was taken from Makkah to Al-Haram-Al-Sharif, inside Al-Aqsa Mosque (also known as Baitul Muqaddas) and was then ascended to highest stages of the Heaven.  The word Meraj (ascent) of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is derived from Arabic word Urooj, which means ‘height,’ or ‘ascension.’ It is celebrated on 27th day of the month of Rajab in the Islamic calendar. According to Hadith, it was during this holy journey (Meraj) that Almighty gave His Prophet (PBUH) the command for five daily prayers (salat).

During the Mehfils, various Islamic scholars threw light on the importance of the day and its blessings. At different mosques, special Nawafil and Mahafil-e-Shabina were also offered by the people to seek blessings of Allah and forgiveness for their sins. Newspapers and periodicals brought out special editions highlighting the significance of the occasion while electronic media also aired special programmes to mark the occasion.

It is also believed that Shab-e-Meraj is also a Lalat ul Qadr where Allah Almighty accepts prayers of the faithful who spend the night in worship. There is one particular but undefined moment in this night when every prayer is answered and accepted.

Special sweet dishes like Halwa and Zarda, etc. were prepared and distributed among the relatives and neighbours apart from the poor and destitute. In addition to that, food in large quantities was also distributed among the orphans and the destitute at special langar in mosques and by the philanthropists.