In view of COVID-19 outbreak, Jammu and Kashmir Grand Mufti Nisar-ul-Islam Tuesday urged Muslims in J&K not to observe congregation prayers on Shab-e-Baraat. However, he said that “repentance prayers” be held individually in the evening.
On Shab-e-Baraat – the night of fortune and forgiveness—Muslims gather at mosques and shrines to offer night-long prayers and seekforgiveness from Allah.
The holy night is observed by Muslim Ummah during interveningnight of 14 and 15 Sha’ban – the 8th month of Islamic calendar.
“We are facing health crises. The challenge is to stop thecommunity transmission of virus. In these times, we must follow healthadvisories and other precautionary measures,” the Grand Mufti said.
Talking to Greater Kashmir, he said that in view of theCOVID-19 outbreak, Muslims should offer prayers at home.
He urged the Muslims to offer “repentance prayers” afterMagrib (evening prayers) on Wednesday (April 8), the day Shab-e-Baraat fallsthis year.
The Grand Mufti said that Shab-e-Baraat was the opportunetime to seek forgiveness from Almighty Allah and people should pray at homeduring the night and beg to Allah for stopping this pandemic and saving humanbeings.
He urged people to stay home and stay safe. However, he suggested that local imams canindividually make special dua (supplications) after Magrib prayers foreradication of pandemic in local mosques using public announcement system andthe “people at their homes shall recite Quran and say Aamin on the Dua of theimams.”
He said that on this occasion most of people also prefer tovisit graveyards to pray for eternal peace to departed soul. “This year, people should do it from theirhome,” he added.
Earlier, the Grand Mufti had announced suspension of allcongregational prayers in mosques and shrines and urged people to offer prayersat home in view of COVID-19 threat. The decision was largely followed bypeople.