Shab e Barat 2025 date and meaning for Night of Forgiveness at ...

Shab e Barat is observed by Muslims across the world including in the UK, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and elsewhere - and is seen as an opportunity to prepare for Ramadan

Millions of people will be observing Shab e Barat 2025 in the run-up to Ramadan, the holy month of fasting.

At present, we are in Shaban, the eighth month of the Islamic calendar. Shaban is thought to mean 'to be between two things' so it is probably named because it falls between the months of Rajab and Ramadan.

Shab e Barat falls in the middle of the month, between the 14th and 15th nights, and at the same time as the holiday of Mid Shaban. It translates as Night of Forgiveness or Night of Salvation.

In the Arab world, this festival is also known as Laylat al-Bara'at, and in Turkey it's called Berat Kandili.

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What date is Shab e Barat fall in 2025?

The festival is on the night between the 14th and 15th of the month.This year, the month of Shaban started on Friday, January 31.

So that means Shab e Barat is on the night of February 13, 2025. As Islamic days run from sunset to sunset, this religious observance will begin at sunset on Thursday, February 13, and end at sunset on the evening of Friday, February 14.

The date is 11 days earlier than in 2024. Islamic months and events move forward by 10 or 11 days a year because they are based on the lunar calendar rather than the solar cycle that determines the Gregorian calendar used by most of the Western world.

Some worshippers believe the Quran refers to the festival as a "blessed night" when Allah says: "We sent it (the Quran) down during a Blessed Night: for we wish to warn (against evil). In the night is made distinct every affair of wisdom."

However, other scholars point out that the Quran was revealed during Ramadan and that the holy texts make no explicit reference to Shab e Barat.

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What is the meaning and significance of Shab e Barat?

Shab e Barat is a night when Muslims believe the fortunes of men are decided for the year ahead and when Allah descends to earth and offers mercy and forgiveness to sinners.

Prayers are held through the night so that worshippers can ask for forgiveness for themselves and for their dead ancestors. Lamps are usually lit outside mosques. Some people in Indonesia gather in mosques to repeatedly recite Allah's name.

The date is also honoured by Twelver Shia Muslims as the birthday of Muhammad al-Mahdi, who is believed to be the ultimate saviour of mankind.

Among the superstitions of Shab e Barat, some say the spirits of the dead visit their living descendants on this night, while others believe there is a special tree in heaven with the names of all human beings on its leaves and if any leaves drop on this night, those people will die this year.

Islamic Relief said: "Shaban is a precious month for several reasons, namely because the Prophet used to spend much of it fasting, and it is the month in which Allah raises the deeds of his servants. The Prophet indicated that he liked for his deeds to be liften up when he was fasting.

"Another benefit of worship and fasting in Shaban is that it an opportunity to train oneself in preparation for Ramadan."

Do people take part in fasting for Shab e Barat?

Fasting is encouraged on the 13th, 14th and 15th days of every Islam month, which would cover most of the time when Shab e Barat takes place.

It's been stated that Muhammad participated in fasting through most of the month of Shaban except on the last few days before Ramadan begins. However, scholars say fasting is not a requirement of Shab e Barat and would be voluntary, not compulsory. In fact, food is given out as a custom during this festival.

In Iraq, people give sweets to children as they walk around their neighbourhood, and in South Asia various desserts are offered to neighbours and to the poor on the evening before Shab e Barat. The desserts are usually either halva - made from sugar mixed with flour and butter - or zarda, a yellow dish made from boiled rice mixed with milk, sugar, food colouring, raisins, saffron, almonds and cardamoms.