What is the meaning and significance of Laylat al-Qadr?
Laylat al-Qadr, which means "Night of Power”, "Night of Destiny” or "Night of Decree” in Arabic, is the most significant and holy date in the Islamic calendar.
According to the Muslim faith, Laylat al-Qadr was the night when the angel Jibril first appeared to the Prophet Muhammad and revealed the details of the Quran, Islam’s holy scripture. It is therefore an event of great significance to Muslims around the world.
The exact date of Laylat al-Qadr isn’t clear. But it is believed to have occurred sometime during the last 10 nights of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, in 610 CE. Many people observe Laylat al-Qadr on the 27th night of Ramadan. However, others believe that it should be observed on one of the odd-numbered nights in the last 10 days of Ramadan. Reportedly there are certain signs that may indicate when Laylat al-Qadr is taking place, based on parts of the Quran. These include a calm and peaceful night that is neither hot nor cold, a possibility of rain, or the moon resembling half a plate.
Destiny, decree or power
Islamic scholars have varying opinions on the precise meaning of Laylat al-Qadr. Some believe it to mean "destiny” or "decree,” as it signifies the night when each person’s destiny is decided. Others regard it as "the night of power” because it denotes the importance of the moment when the Quran was first revealed and marked the beginning of Muhammad’s prophethood. Another interpretation of Laylat al-Qadr is that it is a time when the angels, including Jibril, descend to the earth with divine mercy and blessings. It is therefore seen as a time of peace, which lasts until dawn breaks.
A night of worship and good deeds
According to the Quran, a night of worship and good deeds that is carried out during Laylat al-Qadr is equivalent to, or better than, 1,000 months of worship and devotion. One thousand months is equal to just over 83 years, which is viewed as the average human life span. So the implication is that a lifetime of prayer and devotion can be expressed in one night. It is thought that those who pray with sincere devotion to Allah, seeking forgiveness and mercy, will be forgiven for their sins. Laylat al-Qadr is therefore a time of great introspection and reflection, which continues until dawn. The practice of I’tikaf is the name given to the act of secluding oneself in the mosque for a number of days, devoting this time entirely to worship.
Common practices
Some common practices are carried out during Laylat al-Qadr in order to seek forgiveness and blessings from Allah. These include ritual bathing, reciting the Quaran, making supplications, known as duas, and donating to charity.
A ritual bath, known as ghusl, should be one of the first things performed on the night. It is viewed as a way of washing away any sins carried out in life.
Heartfelt prayers and supplications, or dua, are an important aspect of the proceedings. Taraweeh or Tarawih is a special type of prayer that is said at nighttime during Ramadan. The name means rest or relaxation.
Reading and reflecting on the Quran is also a key activity during this holy festival and it is regarded as a special time to deepen one’s understanding of this holy text.
During Laylat al-Qadr, many Muslims pray for those who are less fortunate and carry out good deeds to help others. Many people choose this night to give generously to charity. In the Muslim faith, the act of voluntarily doing charitable acts is known as Sadaqah, which is Arabic for righteousness. These acts are not just physical or monetary and can even just take the form of giving someone a helping hand.
Interesting facts about the Islamic calendar
The Islamic calendar, which is also known as the Hijri calendar, is used by Muslims around the world to determine the dates of important religious events.
The calendar is based on 12 lunar months with either 29 or 30 days. The reason for this is because it takes the moon 29.5 days to complete all of its phases, but it isn’t practical for a month to have half a day. Therefore the months are either 29 or 30 days long.
The length of each month is determined by the appearance of the new crescent moon, which signifies the start of a new month.
Bringing communities together
Of all the days in the Islamic calendar, Laylat al-Qadr is the most revered. Not only does it mark a pivotal moment in Islamic history, but it brings together Muslim communities around the world in the spirit of worship and devotion.
Calendars which might be most sought after, associated with Laylat al-Qadr include Ethos with photographic images combined with insightful quotations to motivate and inspire. Each fascinating image represents human qualities such as hope, focus, creation and resilience making it appropriate for all religions and faiths. An ever popular title within our scenic section is the Moods of Nature calendar, featuring a harmony between stunning landscapes combined with fitting lines of poetic verse or inspiring quotations.
To find out about other notable dates in the calendar year, take a look at our archive of dates here.
