Islamic festivals commemorate the night of power, Laylat-ul-Qadr commonly known as Shab-e-Qadr, when God first revealed the Qurān to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. It falls on one of the odd nights in the last 10 days of Ramazan, i.e, 21st or 23rd or 25th or 27th or 29th of the holy month, although the exact night is unclear.
Therefore, the annual commemoration varies throughout the Islamic world, but the most common are 23rd night of Ramadan for Shia Muslims and 27th for Sunni Muslims.
The night is translated as Night of Power, Night of Destiny, Night of Decree and other names, and commemorates the night when the Qur’an was first revealed to Muhammad.
As per belief, it will fall on the odd night of the 27th, which this year Ramadan will be on Tuesday, May 20. However, this can varies by a day depending on which system people followed for the start of Ramadan.
The Qur’an states: “The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping God in this night is better than worshipping Him for a thousand months).”
The night commemorates one of the most significant events in the history of Islam. It is the night when Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him and his family) received the first revelation from Allah.
“The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the leave of their Lord, with every command; peace it is until the break of dawn.” (Surah al Qadr, ayats 3-5)
According to tradition, the Prophet Muhammad used to retreat to Jabal an-Nur, a mountain outside of Mecca, for a month or so every year. There, he would meditate in isolation in the cave of Hira. During one such retreat the Prophet had a profound spiritual experience when the Angel Gabriel inspired him to:
“Recite in the Name of thy Lord Who created, created man of a blood clot. Recite! Thy Lord is most noble, Who taught by the Pen, taught man that which he knew not.” (Surah al Alaq, ayat 1-5)
Laylat al-Qadr commemorates the night during which these first verses of the Holy Qur’an were revealed.
Kamran Hussain, chief executive of Green Lane Masjid and Community Centre in Birmingham, explained about the holy night and said:
Firstly, the Prophet enjoys staying up and pray on Laylat al Qadr. This shows that it is required to observe Laylat al Qadr by spending the night in prayer.
It is also recommended to make extensive supplications (dua) on this night. One of the best dua that can be recited on Laylat al Qadr is that which the Prophet taught his wife Aa’ishah.
It is recommended to spend more time worshipping on the night when Laylat al Qadr is likely to fall.
This requires giving up worldly pleasures to ensure that it is only due to the time and thoughts of worshipping God.
Ramadan is regarded as the month of the Quran, so during this time, the early generations of Muslims will put down all their other books and focus on the Qur’an – reciting the book, memorisation, understanding and study.
The Prophet Muhammad described certain signs to pay attention so that people can recognise the Night of Power.
The most important quality and feature of the last ten days of Ramadan is that it has a night that is better than a thousand months. This is the night to describe the glory of which a separate Surah called Qadr in the Holy Quran was mentioned.