Srinagar, Apr 6: Saturday night witnessed a spiritual atmosphere across Kashmir as Masjids and shrines echoed with the recitation of the Quran and overnight prayers.
Devotees, in large numbers, congregated at various Masjids and shrines to participate in the nightlong Shab-e-Qadar (Laylatul Qadr or the Night of Destiny) prayers.
Shab-e-Qadar is observed on the 27th of Ramadhan and is considered a night of blessings.
It holds immense significance when Muslims engage in prayers and seek divine blessings until dawn.
According to the holy Quran 97: 3-5, “The Night of Destiny is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace is until the emergence of dawn.”
The Hazratbal shrine, located on the banks of Dal Lake, hosted the largest congregation, drawing thousands of devotees from across Kashmir.
Devotees spent the night in Quran recitation, Naat Khawani, and Azkaar.
Special sermons were also delivered at Hazratbal and other religious places in which religious scholars highlighted the importance of the night and other deeds in Ramadhan.
At the Dargah Hazratbal shrine, families from various districts came together to offer prayers throughout the night, seeking divine forgiveness and blessings.
“We have been regular with observing this holy night at Hazratbal shrine. This is the most revered place across Kashmir, and we feel divine peace every time we visit here. We hope as we leave for our homes in the morning, we will take with us the best spiritual experience like every year. We prayed for peace and prosperity of Kashmir and hope that Allah forgives our shortcomings this Ramadhan,” Rafiq Bhat, a devotee, said.
The authorities had made special arrangements with district administrations coordinating efforts with various departments, including the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), J&K Road Transport Corporation (J&K RTC), Police, and Power Development Department (PDD) to facilitate the devotees.
“We had pressed our men and machinery to ensure cleanliness around religious places across Kashmir. In addition to our routine work, we carried out special sanitation drives to ensure that devotees don’t face any inconvenience,” an official from SMC said.
A senior official from Traffic Police said that they had put men and machinery across religious places to ensure hassle-free traffic movement.
Chairperson J&K Waqf Board, Darakshan Andrabi said that special arrangements were made across religious places.
“For the past few weeks, our staff has been on their toes 24X7 to make perfect arrangements given Shab-e-Qadar and Eid-ul-Fitar. We have upgraded matting in various religious places, including Hazratbal. We encourage people to play their part in keeping these religious sites clean,” she said.
Congregational nightlong prayers were also held at all Masjids and shrines in Srinagar, including Masjid Jamiat-e-Ahlehadith Gaw Kadal, Asar-e-Sharif Janab Sahab Soura, Asar-e-Sharif Shehri Kalashpora, Ziarat-e-Makhdoom Sahab, Khanqah-e-Maula, and other Masjids and shrines.
In south Kashmir, congregational nightlong prayers were held at Jamia Masjid Hanfia, Jamia Masjid Ahli Hadith, Bait-ul-Muqaram, and Rehat-Ded Masjid in Anantnag town.
Nightlong prayers were also offered at Ziarat-e-Sharief Khiram, Kund, Aishmuqam, and Bijbehara areas of the district.
In Kulgam, the biggest nightlong prayer gathering was seen at Jamia Masjid Kulgam.
Large congregational prayer gathering was also witnessed in Khankah Tral, Jamia Masjid Shopian, and Jamia Masjid Pulwama.
The night holds special importance to Muslims across the world as the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) during this night.