Recognising the many meanings of Shab-e-Barat 🕯️
Observing the night of lights and destinies in a changing world
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“Shab-e-baraat’s Lamps Have Lit The World Aglow / This Deepavali Shall Drive Away All Darkness!” - Kazi Nazrul Islam
Growing up, Shab-e-Barat was the night of fireworks.
A day before the night, my mother would soak split chickpeas and then cook them in the biggest pressure cooker we had, to prepare chane ki daal ka halwa. Once cooked, both mother and father, would take turns to mash the chickpeas into a pulp with a wooden masher. Crouching on the floor next to them, I would excitedly watch them do this intense workout, and bite into the bland chickpeas (those in attempts to evade their pulpy destinies) fell out of the cooker.
Once thoroughly mashed, this paste would then be put into a cauldron and cooked with ghee, milk and sugar until it caramelised into a magnificent dense brown mixture, ready to be poured over trays and pans. We would then hunt for kitchen knives, as many as could be sourced, to diagonally cut through the mixture making barfi like slices and let it cool over night. The fun really began after the slices were gently laid out in boxes and the cooking ware needed scraping off. Spoons and butter knives were employed to relish the intensely delicious halwa remains.
As evening approached, A dastarkhwan was laid out with halwa in different bowls to offer prayers to the revered historical Islamic figures and our family’s departed elders and loved ones. “Aatishbaazi, nazar aur fateha ke baad.” (Fireworks after the prayers), Dadi would remind us. My father would go light candles at the graves of the family’s departed elders and hand over meals to the graveyard’s caretakers. Later, elders and kids lit candles and lamps around the house - in flower pots, plant beds, in every room (especially where the study table was), and on Dadi’s balcony.
Finally, it would be time for anaar and phuljadi!
Shab-e-Barat possibly has pre-Islamic roots in Persia and over a period of time has been braided with certain significance within the Shia and Sunni traditions. In many Indian (and largely South Asian) families, it is observed as a night of forgiveness, spent in praying, with some remembering their departed family members, as it is believed that their spirits are set free that night.
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