The auspicious Night on the 15th of Shaban, known as Lailat-ul-Baraat, and popularly known as Shab-e-Barat in this sub-continent, is indeed a glorious and important occasion in the life of every God-fearing Muslim. Both the words `Lailat’ in Arabic and `Shab’ in Persian mean `Night’, and `Baraat’ stands for `Salvation’ or `Privilege’. It is on this auspicious Night of Privilege or Night of Salvation that Benign Providence, in His infinite Mercy, blesses each and every human being with a unique opportunity to receive the most coveted Divine Mercy.
Acclaimed traditionalist Ibn Maja (his Sunan is universally accepted as one of the Sihah Sitta, the six authentic traditional works) reported on the authority of no less a person than Sher-e-Khuda Hazrat Ali (R.A.) that the holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said:
