Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Mar 27: Shab-e-Qadr (Lailatul Qadr), one of the holiest nights in Islam, was observed with an ocean of devotees spend the night in prayers, remembrance of Allah and recitation of the Holy Quran at Masjids and Shrines across Jammu and Kashmir.
According to reports, the revered Hazratbal shrine in Srinagar witnessed the largest congregation of worshippers, as devotees from different parts of the Valley gather there to observe the sacred night.
Shab-e-Qadr, also known as the “Night of Power,” falls during the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadhan and holds immense spiritual significance for Muslims.
It is believed to be the night when the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
The Holy Quran describes the night as “better than a thousand months,” making worship and prayers on this night highly rewarding.
Besides Hazratbal, large congregations were also held at several major shrines and mosques across Kashmir, including Makhdoom Sahib shrine, Khanqah-e-Moula, Asar-e-Sharif Soura and other prominent religious places, where special night-long prayers and religious gatherings were held.
Religious scholars urged people to utilize the blessed night in prayers, repentance and charity, stressing that it is a night of forgiveness and divine mercy.
“This is the most blessed night of Ramadhan. People spend the entire night in prayers, seeking forgiveness and blessings from Allah,” said a local cleric in Srinagar.
Devotees said the night holds deep spiritual value and offers an opportunity for reflection and supplication. “We pray for peace, prosperity and the well-being of our families and society,” said Mohammad Ashraf, a devotee preparing to visit Hazratbal shrine for the prayers.
Meanwhile, authorities had made elaborate arrangements to facilitate the devotees to attend the night-long prayers. Traffic police had issued advisories to regulate vehicular movement around Hazratbal and other major shrines, while additional public transport services were arranged to ferry worshippers.
Officials said arrangements regarding lighting, water supply, sanitation and security were put in place to ensure the smooth observance of the sacred night.
Meanwhile, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Valley’s chief religious cleric took to X and shared: “On the most sacred night of ‘Laylatul Qadr’, when prayers and supplications resound in mosques seeking Allah’s mercy and forgiveness, the central Jama Masjid Srinagar of Kashmir has once again been closed upon worshippers, and I have been placed under house arrest.”
“Rulers fear prayers in a house of Almighty on such a night speaks volumes about their insecurity and the shrinking of space for religious practices,” he added.
Notably, every year, Shab-e-Qadr draws an ocean of worshippers to mosques and shrines across Kashmir and parts of Jammu and Kashmir, with devotees spending the entire night engaged in supplications, recitation of the Quran and voluntary prayers in the hope of attaining Allah’s mercy and forgiveness.
