Shaban moon not sighted, Shab-e-Barat to be observed on March 29
The Shab-e-Barat would be observed on March 29 (Monday).
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – Shaban moon was not sighted in the country on Sunday and the first of Shaban will fall on Monday, March 16, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced.
The announcement was made after a meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee on Sunday in connection with the sighting of the moon of Shaban, 1442 AH with chairman Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad in chair.
The Shab-e-Barat would be observed on March 29 (Monday).
Shaban is the eighth month of the Islamic calendar. The fifteenth night of this month is known as the "Night of Records" (Shab-e-Barat). However, observance of this day is disputed.
Shaban is significant for many reasons. First, it is the time that Muslims start getting ready for the month of Ramadan. It was in the middle of the month of Shaban when Muslims believe that almighty Allah ordered holy Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) to change the Qiblah, the direction towards which Muslims face when they pray, from Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem to the Holy Kaabah in Mekkah.
Al-Aqsa Mosque had been the Qiblah for 13 years in Mekkah, and for nearly eighteen months after Prophet Mohammed migrated to Madina.
Verses from the Quran were revealed to Prophet Mohammed, instructing him and all Muslims to turn towards the Kaabah in Mecca when they pray. Most interpretations date this incident to the middle of the month of Shaaban.
Traditions of Prophet Mohammed show that it is recommended to fast during Shaaban.
Well-known companion of the prophet Anas bin Malik reported that Prophet Mohammed was asked: “Which fast is the most meritorious after the fasting of Ramadan?”
Prophet Mohammed replied, “Fasting of Shaaban in honor of Ramadan.”
Fasting in Shaaban is like mental and physical training for fasting in Ramadan. Many Muslims may experience difficulty when they start the fast in Ramadan, but if they started fasting a few days in Shaaban, their bodies may get used to fasting and not feel so lethargic and weak when Ramadan comes.
Shaaban is like an introduction to Ramadan and it has some things in common with Ramadan, such as fasting, reciting Quran and giving to charity.
