Shab-e-Barat

Lailatul Barat History

Lailatul Barat, commonly known in India as Shab-E-Barat, 'Night of Innocence' or the 'Night of Deliverance,' signifying the night when sins are pardoned by Allah Almighty. Muslims regard this night as an opportunity to ask for forgiveness and blessings, believing that it is when Allah decides the destiny of all, including life and death, for the coming year. It is also a time to pay homage to deceased relatives and to make specific requests for one’s future.

Tracing back to its origins, Lailatul Barat is derived from Islamic tradition, which traces its roots to the time of Prophet Muhammad. In India, this observance has a cultural fusion as it takes on diverse local traditions. Alongside its religious significance, it has also evolved to become an occasion for family gatherings and festive meals. Most Muslims in India view Lailatul Barat as an essential opportunity to steer their lives towards the path of righteousness, reinforcing their faith and goodwill towards others.

In terms of observance, Lailatul Barat is marked by extensive prayers, fasting, and reading of the Quran by devout Muslims in India. Mosques are often filled with faithful worshippers who seek divine mercy and forgiveness, offering special night-long prayers known as Salatul Tasbih. Traditional sweets and food items are also prepared and distributed among family, friends, and the needy, extending the wholesomeness of the occasion. In India, the observance usually occurs in the mid of Sha'ban, the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which falls on different dates annually. The exact date, however, is subject to the sighting of the moon and may vary slightly across different regions of the country. Date shown reflects the main observance day. This observance, like most Muslim observances, begins at sunset on the evening before.

Top 8 Facts for 2026 Shab-e-Barat in India

• Commonly referred to as The Night of Records, this occasion is deeply rooted in the belief that the destiny of every individual, including their sustenance, births, and deaths for the coming year, is decreed by the Almighty during this time.
• Devotees across the country observe the theme of The Night of Forgiveness by staying awake until dawn to perform intense prayers and seek repentance for past sins.
• A quintessential cultural tradition in Indian households involves the preparation and distribution of various types of halwa, particularly Suji ka Halwa and Pineapple Halwa, which are shared with neighbors and the underprivileged as an act of charity.
• Many families participate in Ziyarat by visiting local cemeteries to offer Fateha and light candles or incense sticks at the graves of their ancestors, a practice meant to seek peace for the departed souls.
• The night is often marked by the performance of Salat-al-Tasbih, a special four-unit voluntary prayer believed to bring immense spiritual rewards and divine mercy.
• Historically, the observance has been associated with the Cheragh-e-Barat tradition, where homes and mosques are illuminated with lamps and decorative lights, a custom some historians trace back to the era of the Delhi Sultanate and the Mughal Empire.
• For many in the community, the spiritual experience includes the recitation of Surah Yasin three times after the evening prayer, with specific intentions for a long life, protection from calamities, and self-sufficiency.
• It is also common for observers to keep a voluntary fast on the day following the night of Nisf Shaban, as a means of further spiritual purification and devotion.

In the News and Trending in India for Shab-e-Barat

Top things to do in India for Lailatul Barat

• In most places in the world, this night involves festivities, cooking, and staying up all night in prayer. Schools are often off the next day, to give young children a chance to recuperate.
• In some regions of the world, people visit graves and commemorate their ancestors on this night.
• Private Gatherings for Prayers: Private gathering for prayers, specifically organized in homes or mosques, are common during this evening. People use this time to read the Quran, make additional prayers and remember their deceased loved ones.
• Read a book to learn more about Lailatul Barat:
  Islamic Festivals in India - by Mohini Qasabian
  Islamic Rituals and Celebrations - by Liz Miles
  Celebrations of Faith: Observances from Around the World - by Kathy Henderson