Laylat al-Qadr
Encyclopedia : L : LA : LAY : Laylat al-Qadr
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History
First revelation
Muslims believe that it was on this night that God first sent down the first verses of the Qur'an via the Spirit of Revelation Gabriel, to Muhammad when he was forty-years old.
Complete revelation
Is is also the anniversary of the night in which the Qur'an was first communicated in its entirety to Muhammad.Religious importance
Qur'an
Muslims cite the 97th chapter of the Qur'an as God's explanation of the night. The chapter is entitled al-Qadr:
- "In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
- Certainly, We revealed it on the Night of Power,
- And what will make you understand what the Night of Power is?
- The Night of Power is better than a thousand months,
- The angels and the Spirit descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair,
- Peace, it is, until the break of the dawn."
Sunnah
Muslims often pray extra prayers on this day, particularly the night prayer. They wake, pray, and believe Allah will give them anything they request for on this night. Mostly, they perform talwat (reading the Qur'an). Shi'a Muslims, in particular, on this night perform many religious acts, which they believe have been highly recommended by Muhammad and the twelve imams.Those who can afford to devote their time in the remembrance of Allah stay in the mosque for the final ten days of Ramadan. This worship is called i'tikaf (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, thus they my not leave the precincts of the mosque except for a genuine religious purpose. Devoting time to remember God, Muslims hope to receive divine favors and blessings connected with the blessed night.
Muhammad was very particular in these regards. It is related that when the last ten days of Ramadan began, he used to keep awake the whole night and was most diligent in worship.[[Citing sources citation needed]]
Date
All Muslims believe that the incident occurred during the month of Ramadan but they differ as to the exact date. Sunnis generally consider it to be either the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th [link] of the month; while Shi'as consider it to be either the 19th, 21st or 23rd of the month. Due to the uncertainty of the exact date, Muslims are recommended to observe all the nights as a matter of precaution. Shi'as believe the 23rd to be the most important and 21st the least of the three. [[Citing sources citation needed]]Etymology contoversy
Although the literal translation of the word "Qadr" is "measure", the holyday has been popularly referred to as Night of Power. The proper way to translate "Laylat al-Qadr" has ledd to some controversy, some Muslims claiming that "Night of Power" is a misstralation in Abdullah Yusuf Ali translation that got popular.The term "Night of Power" comes from by Abdullah Yusuf Ali (died 1953) who translated surat Al-Qadr verse one as:
- ''We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power:
- ''Lo! We revealed it on the Night of Predestination.
- ''Surely We revealed it on the grand night.
See also
External links
| Muslim holidays and observances | |||||||||||
| Muslim New Year | Festival of Muharram | Day of Ashura | Imamat Day | Arba'een | Mawlid | |||||||||||
| Imam Musa al Kazim day | Lailat al Miraj | Shab-e-baraat | Ramadan | Laylat al-Qadr | Eid ul-Fitr | Eid ul-Adha | |||||||||||
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