Mumbai: Prayer and halwa offerings to mark Muslim festival of Shab E' Baraat

MUMBAI: The Muslim festival of Shab E' Baraat or the Night of Forgiveness will be celebrated tonight on the intervening night of Feb 3-4.

"Laylat ul' Baraat is when Allah Almighty writes the Book of Deeds for the following year, including birth, marriage, death and significant life events," said Maulana Shahabuddin Shaikh of Andheri West.


"Muslims seek Allah's forgiveness by reciting verses from the Holy Quran, and send Durood Sharif blessings upon Prophet Mohammed (PBUH). Thousands of people visit graveyards to pray for peace for the souls of their dear departed," said Maulana Mohammed Saad of Andheri Muslim Qabrastan Masjid, Four Bungalows.

The festival of Shab E' Baraat occurs on the 15th night of the Muslim holy month of Shaban. Since the Islamic date changes at sunset, 15 Shaban will begin on the evening of Feb 3 and last until dusk Feb 4. Some people observe a fast on both days, others opt for Feb 4.

The intervening night of Feb 3-4 will see thousands of men stream into mosques and graveyards. They bring sacks full of flowers and loose petals to sprinkle upon each grave, not just those of their own relatives and friends. Large cans are used to shower water upon the graves.

Four Bungalows Qabrastan is the final resting place of film industry stalwarts like Kaifi Azmi, Shaukat Kaifi, Khayyam, Farooque Shaikh and Ishan Arya.

Four Bungalows Qabrastan had received 18,000 visitors at Shab E' Baraat in 2025, says Maulana Saad. This year too the numbers could cross 15,000. Police permission has been sought and volunteers are preparing to regulate traffic once the crowds build.

On Monday volunteers at the mosque finished applying a fresh coat of paint to each of the 1,676 individual graves located here. White drapes and floral bouquets were being hoisted and the premises was cleaned thoroughly. The 130 children studying at the affiliate Madarsa Talimul Quran located inside the compound too were looking forward to the festival with eagerness.

Charity and gifting is a prominent feature of Shab E' Baraat. People line up to donate cooked meals and sweet delicacies to children in madrassas, mosques, orphans and underprivileged families. Bookings are made well in advance and last-minute donors often have to seek other alternatives. Women prepare chana dal halwa or suji halwa at home and offer it as Esaal E' Sawaab to the souls of departed relatives.

The holy month of Ramzan follows Shaban so another excitement is in the air as Muslims prepare to launch the annual fast likely Feb 18.