Laylat al Qadr (Night of Decree) is the best night in the month of Ramadan, and the entire year. This is the night in which the Quran was revealed to our beloved Prophet Muhammed, informs Bushra. An exclusive for Different Truths.

For Muslims around the world, the month of Ramadan (the ninth month of the lunar calendar), and in this holy month, the Night of Qadr or Laylat al Qadr especially hold great significance.  As I write this, we have completed 20 days of Ramadan and have entered the night preceding the 21st day of fasting. Most people associate Ramadan with fasting and do not know about the beautiful gift that was sent down to earth in this month, the gift of the Quran.

As I write this, we have completed 20 days of Ramadan and have entered the night preceding the 21st day of fasting. Most people associate Ramadan with fasting and do not know about the beautiful gift that was sent down to earth in this month, the gift of the Quran.

The word ‘layl’ means night and ‘qadr’ means decree or power or high esteem or majesty, so Laylat al Qadr means Night of Decree or Night or Power or Night of Majesty. It is the best night in the month of Ramadan, in fact, it is the best night in the entire year. This is the night in which the Quran was revealed to our beloved Prophet Muhammed (peace be upon him).

Prophet Mohammed used to spend hours alone in meditation, especially in Ramadan, thinking about ways to guide his people, most of whom were idol worshippers. He often retreated to a cave called Hira located on a mountain called Jebel al-Noor (Mountain of Light or Mountain of Enlightenment) on the outskirts of Makkah. It was while he was there, one night, that angel Jibreel (Gabriel) appeared to him exhorting him to read. The Arabic word ‘Iqra’ means to read. He responded, “But I cannot read!”. Then the angel Gabriel embraced him tightly and then revealed to him some verses.

It was while he was there, one night, that angel Jibreel (Gabriel) appeared to him exhorting him to read. The Arabic word ‘Iqra’ means to read. He responded, “But I cannot read!”. Then the angel Gabriel embraced him tightly and then revealed to him some verses.

The 96 surah (chapters) Al Alaq of the Quran, which was the first to be revealed contains 19 ayats (verses), however, it has been said that on this night, only the first five were revealed.

Bismillaahir Rahmaanir Raheem 
Iqra bismi rab bikal lazee khalaq
Khalaqal insaana min ‘alaq
Iqra wa rab bukal akram
Al lazee ‘allama bil qalam
Al lamal insaana ma lam y’alam     

 ‘Read, in the Name of your Lord who created –
Created man from a clinging substance. –
Recite, and your Lord is the most Generous –
Who taught by the pen –
Taught man that which he knew not.

Prophet Mohammed was confused by what he had seen, heard and experienced and went running to tell his wife, Khadijah who, in turn, took him to her cousin Waraqah Ibn Nawfal, who was a Christian. Upon hearing this, Waraqa testified to Muhammad’s prophethood and convinced Muhammad that the revelation was from God.

This event took place in 610 CE and Laylat al Qadr marks the anniversary of this date. However, it is not clear when exactly this occurred but scholars agree that it is on one of the five odd-numbered nights in the last ashra’h or last 10 days of Ramadan i.e., the night of 21^st, 23^rd, 25^th, 27^th or 29^th of Ramadan.

This event took place in 610 CE and Laylat al Qadr marks the anniversary of this date. However, it is not clear when exactly this occurred but scholars agree that it is on one of the five odd-numbered nights in the last ashra’h or last 10 days of Ramadan i.e., the night of 21^st, 23^rd, 25^th, 27^th or 29^th of Ramadan.  Muslims spend this blessed night in prayer and zikr (mention of Allah). They increase their recitation of the Holy Quran and spend as much time as possible in masjids. A prayer which is special to the holy month is Taraweeh, in which the entire Quran is read over a period of 30 nights. This year, of course, the situation is different and people are offering Taraweeh in the safe confines of their homes.

Any good deed that is done in this night is better than what is done in a thousand months (just over 83 years i.e. a lifetime)! The past sins of anyone who prays in this night, with full faith, will be forgiven by Allah. Nobody, I am sure, would like to give up this opportunity to wipe clean their slate of sins. This night is most sacred and revered by all Muslims. It is referenced in the Holy Quran as Surah Al Qadr, Chapter 97 of the Quran, and reads as follows:

“We sent it (The Holy Quran) down on the Night of Power.
And what can give you knowledge of what the Night of Power is?
The Night of Power is better than a thousand months;
The Angels and the Spirit descend during it,
By Permission of their Lord in every matter.
Peace it is Until the Rising of the Dawn.”

Little by little, the verses of the Quran were revealed through Jibreel (AS) to the Prophet on different occasions during his lifetime in Makkah and Madinah over the next 23 years and was completed a short while before his death.

This was just the beginning. Little by little, the verses of the Quran were revealed through Jibreel (AS) to the Prophet on different occasions during his lifetime in Makkah and Madinah over the next 23 years and was completed a short while before his death.

This year we especially pray for deliverance from this disease that has turned our lives and the entire world topsy turvy. We pray for forgiveness for our sins – those we have committed intentionally and also those we have committed unintentionally. We pray that every mouth is fed, that everybody be clothed and that everyone has a roof over their heads. We pray for the migrant workers whose lives have so callously been disregarded. We pray for peace and prosperity, for harmony and understanding, for compassion and tolerance, for success and joy. May HE grant our wishes and keep us alive and healthy that we may see yet another Ramadan next year.

Photo from the Internet