Numerous Devotees Observe ‘Shab-e-Mehraj’ with Devotion in J&K
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Synopsis
On the night of January 27-28, hundreds of devotees gathered at the Hazratbal Shrine in Srinagar, J&K, to observe 'Mehraj-e-Alam' with fervent prayers and penance, braving the cold to honor this sacred occasion.
Key Takeaways
- Devotees gathered at Hazratbal Shrine for prayers.
- Event celebrated 'Mehraj-e-Alam', the Prophet's ascension.
- Many traveled from various districts despite the cold.
- Street vendors catered to the large crowd.
- Traditional Islamic practices remain strong in Kashmir.
Srinagar, Jan 28 (NationPress) Hundreds of devotees converged at the Hazratbal Shrine in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), specifically in Srinagar, during the night between January 27 and 28 to participate in a night filled with prayers, honoring ‘Mehraj-e-Alam’ (the Night of the Prophet’s ascension to Heaven).
Devotees from various regions of the Valley braved the severe winter chill to flock to the holiest Muslim shrine, the Hazratbal Shrine, which is home to a significant relic (a hair from the Prophet’s beard).
People utilized all forms of transportation, including buses, taxis, private vehicles, and even load carriers, to reach Srinagar from districts such as Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam, Pulwama, Budgam, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kupwara, and Baramulla.
The crowd engaged in prayers seeking forgiveness and penance while reciting ‘Doruud’ (Praises of the Prophet).
Men, women, and children expressed their emotions through tears as they had the ‘Deedar’ (glimpse of the Holy relic) displayed by its caretaker during the early morning ‘Nimaz’ on Tuesday.
Numerous street vendors offered sweetmeats, clothing, footwear, food items, and essential goods to the devotees, as this event represents one of the largest gatherings in the Islamic calendar for the Valley.
Authorities ensured comprehensive arrangements for security, healthcare, and traffic management to facilitate a smooth experience for the devotees.
Despite the rise of the strait-laced Ahle Hadis school of thought in Kashmir over the past three decades amidst a backdrop of terrorism influencing political and religious discussions, the diverse and tolerant traditional Islamic school of thought remains robustly present in the region.
A unique blend of Buddhism, Hinduism, and Islam, referred to as Kashmiriyat, continues to be the predominant school of thought and practice among Kashmiris.
The distinctive nature of Muslim practices in Kashmir stems from the fact that Islam did not arrive through conquest. Instead, the teachings of Mir Sayyid Ali Hamadani, a 14th-century Sufi Muslim saint of the Kubrawiya order, facilitated its spread. He is venerated in Kashmir as ‘Amir-e-Kabir’ (great commander), ‘Shah-e-Hamadan’ (king of Hamadan), and ‘Ali Sani’ (Second Ali).
