Religious bodies ask people to pray at home on Shab-e-Barat

PATNA: Several Islamic organizations on Tuesday appealed to the Muslims not to take out any procession or hold religious gatherings on Shab-e-Barat, which is on April 9.
In a move to contain the spread of Covid-19, the Islamic bodies have instructed the officials of cemetery and Muslim graveyards to remain shut on the holy night, when the devotees visit graves of their loved ones and pray for the departed soul by lighting agarbatti (joss sticks) and candles.
Bihar State Sunni Wakf Board chairman Mohd Irshad Ullah said all the mosques in the state were already shut for the containment of Covid-19. “I have asked the committee members of kabristan (graveyard) to close the entrance gates, so that no one enters there on the holy night on Thursday,” he said.
“Devotees should worship at their homes instead of going to the graveyards or mosques. If someone wants to visit the graveyard at all, he can read ‘Durood’ (supplication) from the boundary wall while maintaining social distancing,” he added.
He asked the Muslims to pray for the people who are afflicted with the Covid-19 and pray for the situation to get normal.
A similar letter was issued by the Shia Wakf Board, Bihar, to all its committees at district level.
Imarat-e-Shariah, a Muslims’ religious body having its jurisdiction over Bihar, Jharkhand and Odisha, asked the community to stay at home during the festival and engage themselves in religious practices, fasting, charity, penance and prayers.
Imarat-e-Shariah chairman Maulana Wali Rahmani said Muslims should not hold any procession or religious group activities on the occasion. “It is advisable that people should follow the directive of the Centre and state government and maintain social distancing in this pandemic situation. It will be good for everyone,” he told this newspaper.
All India Milli Council vice-president Maulana Anisur Rahman Qasmi said Shab-e-Barat is observed on the 15th night of Sha’aban, the eighth month of the Islamic calendar. “In Islam, it is the night of forgiveness or day of atonement, when the Almighty forgives sinners, who pray and repent for their wrongdoings,” he said.