Friday Following Shab-e-Meraj: Thousands offer congregational prayers at Dargah Hazratbal

Srinagar, Jan 23: Despite inclement weather, thousands of devotees converged on shrines and masjids across Kashmir to observe the Friday following Shab-e-Meraj with religious fervour.

The largest gathering was witnessed at the revered Dargah Hazratbal shrine where thousands of devotees offered congregational prayers and had a glimpse of the holy relic.

Despite intermittent rain, biting cold and waterlogged roads, devotees reached the shrine in from early morning

Shab-e-Meraj, observed on the 27th of Shaban, marks the sacred night when Prophet Muhammad (SAW) ascended to the highest heavens. In Kashmir, the Friday following the holy night holds special significance and is traditionally marked by large congregations, special sermons, and collective supplications.

Inside the shrine complex, air was filled with Durood Khwani, Quran Khwani, and emotional prayers. Many devotees were seen wiping tears as clerics recalled the spiritual journey of the Prophet and urged the faithful to remain steadfast and thankful.

“We prayed for rain during the Shab-e-Meraj, and Allah answered. Yes, there were damages and hardships, but we must remain grateful for the end to the dry spell. Our spirits are high, and we hope this rain will now be followed by snowfall in Srinagar,” said Abdul Rashid, a devotee from Downtown.

Congregation Friday prayers at Jenab Sahab Soura, Asar-e-Sharif Shahri Kalashpora, Lal Bazar, Khanqah-e-Maula, Ziarat Hazrat Dastgeer Sahab (RA), Syed Yaqoob Sahab (RA) Sonwar, Khawaja Naqshband Sahab (RA) and Ziarat Makhdoom Sahib (RA). Special prayers were also held at Masjids and shrines in Anantnag, mainly at Jamia Masjid Reshi Sahab, Khiram Sirhama, Kaba Marg, Dooru and Seer Hamdan. Special sermons prayed for respite from gusty winds and safety for the people.

Markets around Hazratbal and other religious places were abuzz, though traders said footfall remained lower than usual. “On a clear day, the crowd would be much bigger. Still, we are thankful people came despite the rain,” said Nazir Ahmad, a vendor at Hazratbal.

For the administration, it was a demanding day. Officials from SMC, PDD, SRTC, and Traffic Police remained deployed to ensure smooth movement and sanitation. “Given the weather conditions, our teams remained active throughout the day to keep shrine premises clean and accessible,” an SMC official said.