Lailatul Barat Starts

Lailatul Barat, also known as the Night of Salvation or Night of Records, is a significant observance in the Islamic calendar. It serves as a night of assessment, reflection, and supplication, wherein Muslims believe that their actions of the past year are assessed, and their fate for the upcoming year is recorded by Allah. The observance encourages Muslims to practice acts of worship including prayer, recitation of Quran verses, and seeking forgiveness for any transgressions. This night is perceived as an opportunity for Muslims to reap blessings, have their supplications answered, and have their sins forgiven.

The tradition of Lailatul Barat has a long history, tracing origins back to the time of Prophet Muhammad. South Africa, with its diverse Muslim community, observes Lailatul Barat and its significance is especially highlighted in the diverse religious culture of the nation. Many Muslims in South Africa relate Lailatul Barat to the idea of personal accountability and spiritual renewal. This observance serves as an important opportunity to introspect, reflect, repent and pray for mercy.

Observance of Lailatul Barat in South Africa typically involves increased prayer, night vigils, fasting, and charity. Mosques across the country hold additional prayer services where local communities gather to pray and reflect. Some people also spend the night in quiet prayer at home, while others participate in larger community events. Lailatul Barat typically occurs in the month of Sha'ban, the eighth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, which falls at different times each year on the Gregorian calendar, which is predominantly used in South Africa. Timing for the observance of Lailatul Barat is therefore dependent on the observation of the lunar calendar.