Shab-e-Meraj observed

LAHORE: Shab-e-Meraj, the night when the Holy Prophet (PBUH) was ascended to the highest levels of heavens, was observed Friday night across the country with traditional religious devotion and fervour.

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 The 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 also 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 The Almighty.

Lailat-ul-Meraj also known as Shab-e-Mairaj is a glorious night, marking the Isra and Meraj 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 a Hadith, it was during this holy journey (Mairaj) that The Almighty gave His Prophet (PBUH) the command for five daily prayers (salat).

During the mahafils, various Islamic scholars threw light on the importance of the day and its blessings. 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. Special sweet dishes like Halwa, Zarda etc were prepared and distributed among the relatives and neighbours apart from the poor and destitute.