W E observe Shab-e-Barat every year. Many people call it ' Laila-tul Barat".

Is there any difference between these two compound words? There Is no difference at all so far their meaning Is concerned. The word "Shab" is Persian meaning "night”, and the word "Lail" Is Arabic also meaning "night” and Barat means salvation. As such the term "Shab-e-Barat" or "Laila-tul-Barat" means "Night of salvation”. Man makes mistakes. Man commits crimes. He Is prone to error, and we know (here Is a proverb. "To err Is human". So. as man Is very conscious of his follies, foibles and mistakes he is Inclined to think If there is any way out to get rid of his crimes and mistakes. He Is very much eager to enjoy the boon of salvation. When such Is the mental condition of Almighty and Benign Allah's "bandas" (servants). He Is graciously pleased to forgive His servants their crimes and mistakes. He overlooks their follies and foibles. He has assured them

through our holy Prophet Hazrat Mohammad (peace be on him) in clear and unambiguous terms that He will answer to the supplications of the believing men and women made during the sacred Night of Salvation (Laila-tul-Barat or Shab-e-Barat).

Of the three Important sacred nights of the three lunar months Lalla-tul-Barat Is one of them besides Laila-tul Mlraj and Lalla-tul-Quadar. Although we find reference of Laila -1 u I - Quadar and Laila-tul Mlraj in the Holy Qua-an clearly indicating their significance and importance nothing has. however, been mentioned about Lalla-tul-Barat In this Holy Book of ours. But we must not be oblivious of the important obser vatlon made by our holy Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (peace lx? on him) vis-a-vis meaningful observation of the Laila-tul-Barat. According to Hazrat Ibn-e-Maza. one of the six great compilers (Slasllta") of Ai Hadlih, the holy Prophet (pboh) says:

"Almighty Allah comes down

(from his highest Seat of Authority) to the lowest heaven and immediately after sun-set asks. Is there any one from among the supplicants seeking forgiveness whom I can forgive? Is there any one who wants to get rid of the predicament he is in? Is there any one who wants to recover from the ailment he Is suffering from? "

The Holy Prophet (pboh) also said.

"During the 15"' night of Shaban offer prayers to Almighty Allah and observe Slam (fasting) the following day for Benign Allah bestows bounties on His "bandas" and forgives persons who seek His forgiveness except persons who believe Allah has a partner who cut-off connection with relatives."

We know. Benign Allah has 101 beautiful names. They are all His excellent and Inimitable attributes and one of them Is "Gafur-ar-Rahim" which means "Allah Is Forglver". He Is that Supreme Being Who forgives the sins of His "Bandas" when they supplicate

Him except those persons who think Allah has a partner. Allah Is "La Sharikalah" meaning Allah does not have any partner. Nor He has delegated His power to any body. According to our great Prophet (peace be on him) Benign Allah will forgive the sins of His "bandas" If they sincerely and earnestly supplicate Him. So when Allah Gafur-ar-RahIm has Himself declared through our dear Holy Prophet (peace be on him) tjiat He will forgive mistakes and sins we should avail the unique opportunity given by Him.

Perfection Is a t hing which has perhaps not yet been achieved. It Is a relative term. Still man endeavours to do a tiling to his entire satisfaction. The nightlong non-obllgalory prayer and supplication Io Bounteous and Benign Allah reminds a Muslim of full 30-day "Slam" (fasting) and abstention from food and drink and also from sense-inspired demands during the next month of the holy Ramadan. The month of Ramadan gives a Muslim

unique opportunity to rectify himself herself and become pious and God-fearing as far as possible. From that point of view. Sliab-e-Barat or the great Night of Salvation brings glad tidings and message of hope to all Muslims of the world and to prepare themselves to heartily hall the holy-month of Ramadan.

Islam Is a scientific religion. There is no scope to become sentimental. Our grown up children and youngsters become crazy for banging crackers and also for lighting candles on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat causing vexation to ihe devotees engaged In offering prayers in the near-by mosques, and id so to old and ailing persons living In near-by houses. As clearly Indicated in Sura (Chapter) Baqara of the Holy Qur an Islam does not sanction senseless wastage and misuse of money on such frivolous activities. Our revered Imams of the mosques, guardians of the children. teachers of educational institutions and social leaders, among others, can play impor-

tant role of proper guidance of the misguided youngsters. We must not blindly imitate practice of oilier communities. Others may illuminate their houses and business establishments on die occasion of Diwall or other festivals for which they may haw their own reasons. Bui we as Muslims must restrain ourselves from following such practice unnecessarily.

Our Holy Prohet (peace be on him), as related by Ummu) Mumineen Hazrat Aisha Siddiqa (RA), besides offering prayers during the said Night of Salvation it used to risit graveyard and pray for salvation of the departed souls. Tills practice is worth following.

So, when Allah Gafur-ar-Rahim is eager to forgive His bandas (servants) of dieir mistakes and sins if they supplicate Him during the said sacred Night of salvation (Shab-e-Barat) we should not miss or overlook this unique opportunity and observer this Night of nights with due solemnity and fervour. (