Dhaka, January 27 — The crescent moon marking the month of Rajab for the Hijri year 1446 was sighted in the skies of Bangladesh, and accordingly, Monday night (January 27) is being observed as the holy night of Shab-e-Meraj. On this night, devout Muslims will spend time in mosques or at home engaged in Quran recitation, supplications, and acts of worship seeking the mercy and blessings of Allah.

The announcement was made following a meeting of the National Moon Sighting Committee on the evening of January 1 at the Islamic Foundation’s Baitul Mukarram office. The meeting was chaired by Dr. A F M Khalid Hossain, advisor to the Ministry of Religious Affairs.

Shab-e-Meraj is a highly significant night in Islam. Observed on the 26th night of the month of Rajab, it commemorates the miraculous journey of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), who ascended to the heavens as Allah's honored guest. During this journey, the Prophet (PBUH) was granted the divine vision of Allah and returned with the command for the five daily prayers (Salat), a cornerstone of Islamic worship.

The term "Shab" comes from Persian, meaning "night," while "Meraj" originates from Arabic, meaning "ascension." On this blessed night, the Prophet (PBUH) was elevated to the highest heavens, known as the Arsh-e-Azeem, by the will of Allah. It was during this extraordinary encounter that he received direct commands from Allah, including the directive for the five daily prayers, before returning to Earth the same night.

This night holds deep spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide. It serves as a reminder of the extraordinary event where the Prophet (PBUH) was granted a glimpse of the divine realm, marking it as a night of immense holiness and inspiration for the Muslim community.

Muslims across the globe observe Shab-e-Meraj with reverence and devotion on the night of 26th Rajab each year. In Bangladesh, the faithful commemorate this auspicious occasion by engaging in Quranic recitation, performing Nafl prayers, reciting Dhikr, and offering supplications to seek Allah's pleasure and blessings.