Muslims observe Shab-e-Barat, February 26 optional holiday, not holiday in Telangana

HYDERABAD: Muslims across Telangana, especially in Hyderabad, observed Shab-e-Barat on Sunday night.

Religious congregations, titled 'Jalsa-e-Shab-e-Barat,' were organised in almost all mosques in Greater Hyderabad and all Jama Masjids in other districts.

The largest congregation was witnessed at the historic Makkah Masjid near Charminar.

Shab-e-Barat, known as the "Night of Forgiveness" in Islamic tradition, holds profound historical and religious significance for Muslims. Observed on the 15th day of the eighth month in the Islamic lunar calendar.

It is considered a time for reflection, prayer, and seeking forgiveness from Allah.

Allah determines destinies

Muslims believe that on Shab-e-Barat, Allah determines the destinies of individuals for the upcoming year, including matters of life and death. It is a night of mercy and forgiveness, and many devotees spend it in prayer, recitation of the Quran, and seeking forgiveness for their sins.

One of the key practices on this night is offering special prayers, known as Fatiha, for deceased relatives. Muslims believe that these prayers can benefit the souls of their departed loved ones and contribute to their spiritual well-being.

Visiting graveyards during Shab-e-Barat is also a common tradition, where individuals pay their respects to the deceased and seek Allah's mercy for them. The Telangana State Waqf Board and Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) took measures to clean all graveyards in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad.

The night is seen as an opportunity for repentance, self-reflection, and strengthening one's connection with the divine.

The historical significance of Shab-e-Barat is deeply rooted in Islamic culture, emphasising the themes of forgiveness, mercy, and spiritual renewal. It serves as a reminder for believers to assess their actions, seek repentance, and strive for a life guided by moral and ethical principles.

Optional holiday; not a regular holiday in

The day after Shab-e-Barat (February 26) is an optional holiday on the government's Holiday Calendar. There's some confusion about whether it's officially a general holiday, similar to what happened after Shab-e-Meraj on February 8. In fact, Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy had announced a holiday for Shab-e-Meraj without realising that the days following the three holy nights for Muslims are already optional holidays.

Also Read: Telangana Government declares public holiday for Shab-e-Meraj

This caused uncertainty about whether the Optional Holiday became a General Holiday, and officials didn't clarify immediately, causing confusion about a public holiday on February 8. Similar rumours are now circulating.

However, according to government records, February 26 is only an Optional Holiday, not a Public Holiday.

Still, because Muslims pray all night and many fast the next day, schools and offices with many Muslim students and employees may have fewer attendees.