Shab-e-Meraj, the night when the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) was ascended to the highest levels of heavens, is being observed today across Kashmir valley with traditional religious devotion and fervour.
However, the Wakf Board this year decided not to observe night-long prayers at any shrine falling under the domain of Wakf because of the pandemic.
“In view of the Covid-19 pandemic, it won’t be feasible to allow night-long prayers at the shrine on the eve of Shab-e-Meraj (Prophet Muhammad’s Journey towards skies). “There will be no Shab (night long prayers) at Hazratbal shrine on March 11,” said Mufti Farid-Ud-Din. Adding that holy relic of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) will be displayed after every prayer for the devotees on March 12 and 13 (Friday and Saturday).
Meanwhile, Awami Action Committee (AAC) has also canceled the decades-old tradition of “ Majlis Waaz-o-Tableegh” at historic Aali Masjid on the occasion of Meraj-un-Nabi due to the continued detention of Mirwaiz Moulvi Omar Farooq, who is also chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference (HC).
In a tweet, AAC, also headed by Mirwaiz said “ Due to the continued house detention of .@MirwaizKashmir, the decades-old tradition of Majlis Waaz-o-Tableegh scheduled
tomorrow at historic Aali Masjid on the occasion of Meraj-un-Nabi (SAW) stands canceled”.
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Devotees who every year visited Hazratbal and offered night-long prayers there on the eve of Shab-e-Meraj felt disheartened that circumstances had confined them to their homes.
“We are unhappy because our shrine has remained closed on the eve of Shab-e-Meraj. We had never thought that the situation will come to such a pass that we will not be able to celebrate the day at our shrine. May Allah bless us all, this is a very unfortunate time for all of us,” said Ishfaq Ahmad, a regular visitor of the shrine.
“It is for the third time that Hazratbal shrine has remained closed on the eve of Shab-e-Meraj. Last time it happened in 1993, and now it is due to this virus,” said another devotee, who wished anonymity.
Night-long prayers are held at Hazratbal on the eve of Shab-e-Meraj and the next day, the holy relics of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) are displayed before thousands of devotees who throng to the shrine to witness them.
Shab-e-Meraj, observed on 27th Rajab of Islamic Calendar, is an occasion when thousands of devotees throng masjids and shrines across Kashmir and offer night long prayers.
Meanwhile, Lt Governor Manoj Singh, three former Chief Minister—Dr Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah, Mehbooba Mufti– and other politicians, religious and social leaders have greeted people on the occasion. Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, P K Pole, who prayed at Shankeracharya temple on the occasion of Mahashivratri today also greeted people on Merajun-Nabi.
