Laylat al-Qadr
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Laylat al-Qadr (Arabic: لیلة القدر) (also known as Shab-e-Qadr), the Night of Power, Night of Value, the Night of Decree or Night of Measures, is the anniversary of two very important dates in Islam that occurred in the month of Ramadan. It is the anniversary of the night Muslims believe the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad.
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Revelation to Muhammad
Laylat Al-Qadr is the anniversary of the night that the Qur'an says it was revealed. Muslims generally believe that revelation of the Qur'an occurred in two phases, with the first phase being the revelation in its entirety on Laylat Al-Qadr to Gabriel in the lowest heaven, and then the subsequent verse-by-verse revelation to Muhammad by the angel Gabriel (Jibril in Arabic).
Religious importance
Quran
We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power:
And what will explain to thee 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!...This until the rise of morn!
The verses above regard the Night as better than one thousand months. The whole month of Ramadan is a period of spiritual training wherein believers devote much of their time to fasting, praying, reciting the Qur'an, remembering God, and giving charity. However because of the revealed importance of this night, Muslims strive harder in the last ten days of Ramadan since the Laylat al-Qadr could be one of the odd-numbered days in these last ten (the first, third, fifth, seventh or ninth). Normally, some Muslims from each community would perform an Iʿtikāf in the mosque: they remain in the mosque for the last ten days of the month for prayers and recitation.
Sunnah
Muslims often pray extra prayers on this day, particularly the night prayer. They awake, pray, and hope God will give them anything they may desire for on this night. Mostly, they perform tilawat (reading the Qur'an).
Those who can afford to devote their time in the remembrance of God stay in the mosque for the final ten days of Ramadan. This worship is called Iʿtikāf (retreat). They observe fast during the day and occupy themselves with the remembrance of God, performing voluntary prayers and studying the Qur'an, day and night, apart from the obligatory prayers which they perform with the congregation. Food and other necessities of life are provided for them during their stay in the mosque. Devoting time to remember God, Muslims hope to receive divine favors and blessings connected with the blessed night.
Date
Laylat al-Qadr is to be found in the last ten odd nights of Ramadan. There is no history in the Qur'an as to when the specific date is.[2][3]Therefore in all the Islamic countries, the Layla al-Qadar is found to be on the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th night of Ramadan.
Many Shia Muslims, who make up the minority of Islamic followers — including the Ismailis (especially Dawoodi Bohras) — observe Laylat al-Qadr on the last five odd nights of Ramadan, though the 23rd night is considered the most probable date, in keeping with traditions received through Ali and his wife Fatimah, Muhammad's daughter.[4] The tradition is also said to have been articulated by Ja'far al-Sadiq and other Shia Imams. But in the eye of Sunnis the date is 27th. The famous Deoband madrasa ( a leading islamic institue in Indian subcontinent) also says that it would be 27th.
Word meaning in English
Qadr is most commonly translated into English as power, or wisdom, but there is no direct equivalent word in English.
See also
- Predestination in Islam (Qadr)
- Glossary of Islam
- Islamic calendar
References
- ↑ Qur'an 97:1–5
- ↑ Islam and state in Sumatra: a study of seventeenth-century Aceh. p.128.
- ↑ Marjo Buitelaar. Fasting and feasting in Morocco: women's participation in Ramadan. p.64
- ↑ "The Ismaili: Laylat al-Qadr". http://www.theismaili.org/cms/793/Laylat-alQadr. Retrieved 2009-09-12.
External links
- How to Seek Laylatul-Qadr
- The Night of Power
- Al Qadr (The Night of Power And Fate)
- Al Qadr Learn Surah Al Qadr with Audio at MountHira.com
- Lailat al Qadr (BBC Religion) with dates
- Fasting in Ramadan and its culmination during Laylat al Qadr
- The Powerful Night of Ramadan
- Laylatul Qadr: Introduction and guidance on special prayers for the night. (Includes Salaatul Tasbeeh)
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