Laylatul Qadr

Lailatul Qadr History

Lailatul Qadr, also known as the Night of Power, commemorates the night when the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad. Devotees observe this holy night with profound reverence, engrossed in prayer, supplication, and recitation of the Quran. It is a time for reflection, repentance, and seeking forgiveness from Allah. The night of Lailatul Qadr is believed to offer blessings and mercy in multitude, equivalent to more than a thousand months.

The observance of Lailatul Qadr can be traced back to the time of the Prophet Muhammad who encouraged Muslims to seek this blessed night through sincere worship and prayer. In India, with its substantial Muslim population, the holy night holds rich significance. The diversity of Indian culture adds unique regional flavours to the observance of Lailatul Qadr. It's not just about fasting and prayers, but also about charity. Contributions to the poor and needy, locally termed ‘Zakat’, is an important aspect of Lailatul Qadr in India, representing the spirit of giving and humanity inherent in the Islamic faith.

Observance of Lailatul Qadr in India involves devout Muslims spending the night in prayer, engrossed in the recitation of the Quran. Many mosques across the country host night-long prayers, colloquially known as ‘Qiyam’. With communal meals, or ‘Iftar’, marking the breaking of the fast, togetherness and communal harmony is a prominent aspect of the celebration. Lailatul Qadr is observed during the last ten nights of Ramadan, specifically on the odd nights; however, the exact day isn't mentioned, allowing individuals to seek it in earnest devotion. Thus, demonstrating the essence of faith, devotion, and perseverance that epitomises this sacred night.

Facts about Laylatul Qadr

• An entire chapter of the Quran, called Al-Qadr is devoted to explaining the merits of worshipping on Lailatul Qadr.
• According to Islamic tradition, the following are signs of The Night of Power every year: A peaceful night with moderate temperatures, no shooting stars, and a moon that shines without rays. The sun, when it rises, will appear as a disk with no beams of light coming out of it.
• The "Tahajjud" prayer is believed to be highly effective on the night of Lailatul Qadr. The worshippers stay awake throughout the night, reciting the Quran and praying for forgiveness and mercy.
• The state of Kashmir in India is known for its unique celebration of Lailatul Qadr, known locally as "Shab-e-Qadr". Here, all mosques and shrines are lit up with candles and bulbs, illuminating the night sky. The night is marked by night-long prayers and recitations.

In the News and Trending in India for Laylatul Qadr

Top things to do in India for Lailatul Qadr

• For Lailatul Qadr, Muslims typically congregate in mosques to pray and worship all night together. Imams often give sermons that teach listeners about the best prayers they can make that night.
• On this night, many Muslims give money away in charity, after more than 20 days of fasting. The rewards of charity are multiplied on Lailatul Qadr. This can be evidenced by the Prophet Muhammad's teachings: Whoever draws near to Allah during it (Ramadan) with a single characteristic from the characteristics of (voluntary) goodness, he is like whoever performs an obligatory act in other times. And whoever performs an obligatory act during it, he is like whoever performed seventy obligatory acts in other times - Ibn Khuzaymah, Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, 1887
• Visit Sufi Shrines: Many believers visit famous Sufi shrines like Ajmer Sharif Dargah in Rajasthan, Nizamuddin Dargah in Delhi, Haji Ali Dargah in Mumbai, or Hazratbal Shrine in Kashmir to seek blessings.
• Read a book to learn more about Lailatul Qadr in India:
  The Night of Decree: A Study of Lailatul Qadr - by Q. Isa Husayn Maktaba
  An Enlightening Commentary into the Light of the Holy Qur'an Vol. 19 - by Ayatullah Sayyid Kamal Faqih Imani and Sayyid Abbas Sadr-ameli