Leyla al-Qadr: The Night of Power

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During the last ten days of Ramadan, Muslims seek and observe the Night of Power (Leyla al-Qadr). Tradition holds that the Night of Power is when the Angel Gabriel first appeared to the Prophet Muhammad, and the first revelation of the Quran was sent down. The first verses of the Quran to be revealed were the words: "Read! In the name of your Lord..." on a quiet Ramadan evening when the Prophet Muhammad was thirty years old. That revelation sparked the beginning of his period as a Messenger of Allah, and the establishment of the Muslim community.

Muslims are advised to "seek" the Night of Power during the last ten days of Ramadan, particularly on the odd nights (ie. the 23rd, 25th and 27th). It is reported that the Prophet said: "Whoever stays up (in prayer and remembrance of Allah) on the Night of Power, fully believing (in Allah's promise of reward) and hoping to seek reward, he shall be forgiven for his past sins." (Bukhari & Muslim)

The Qur'an describes this night in a chapter named for it:

Surah (Chapter) 97: Al-Qadr (The Night of Power)
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
We have indeed revealed this message in the Night of Power.
And what will explain what the Night of Power is?
The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
Therein come down the angels and the spirit, by Allah's permission, on every errand.
Peace! Until the rising of the morn!

Muslims worldwide thus spend these last ten nights of Ramadan in solid devotion, retreating to the mosque to read the Qur'an (i'tikaf), reciting special supplications (du'a), and reflecting on the meaning of Allah's message to us. It is believed to be a time of intense spirituality when the believers are surrounded by angels, the gates of heaven are open, and God's blessings and mercy are abundant. Muslims look forward to these days as the highlight of the holy month.

Although nobody knows when exactly the Night of Power will fall, the Prophet Muhammad indicated that it would fall during the last ten days of Ramadan, on one of the odd nights. Many people believe it is the 27th in particular, but there is no evidence for that. In anticipation, Muslims increase their devotions and good deeds throughout the last ten days, to be sure that whichever night it is, they reap the benefit of Allah's promise.

When will Leyla al-Qadr fall during Ramadan 1436 H.?

The whole month of Ramadan is a time of renewal and reflection. As the month winds to a close, we always pray that the spirit of Ramadan, and the lessons learned during it, last for all of us throughout the year.

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Huda. "Leyla al-Qadr: The Night of Power." Learn Religions, Aug. 27, 2020, learnreligions.com/leyla-al-qadr-2004607. Huda. (2020, August 27). Leyla al-Qadr: The Night of Power. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/leyla-al-qadr-2004607 Huda. "Leyla al-Qadr: The Night of Power." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/leyla-al-qadr-2004607 (accessed March 28, 2024).