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The Night of Power

Laylatul Qadr: the Night of Power

Muslim scholars believe that while the Qur’an was revealed over a period of 23 years the Night of Power is considered the night in which the first revelations of Islam and the prophethood of Muhammed began. This night is in celebration of the arrival of the Qur’an.

In Arabic, Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) is described in the Qur’an as, “better than a thousand months” (Sura 97:3). Al-Qadr means power and implies having power over something, particularly to Allah. The character of Allah is said to be excellence in power, capable, all powerful, almighty and also implies “high esteem” and thus the Night of Power is to be highly esteemed.

When does it occur?

It is often a point of debate among Muslim scholars as to when exactly the Night of Power occurs. Some scholars say that this night is hidden. Some say it occurs on either the 1st, 7th or 19th night of Ramadan. However, there is strong evidence that the night occurs during the last 10 days of Ramadan, specifically on odd numbered nights. In a report by Bukhari, Muhammed said, “Seek it on the odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramadan.” In Hadith by Ubayy bin Ka’ab, Muhammed also said, “By Allah, I know which night it is. It is the night the Messenger commanded us to observe, the night of the 26th.”

Angels & the Night of Power

The whole Night of Power, from sunset to dawn, is considered to be the holiest night of the year. It is believed that there are groups of special angels who are only seen on the Night of Power. These angels perform special purposes. Some come down for worship, others for granting the request of the believing Muslim. Other angels come down bringing with them proclamations of the coming year.

Today, many Muslims think this is a special night when God gives heed to their requests. Often they are open to dreams and visions as they seek for guidance and revelation. Many Muslims pray all night seeking a response to specific requests. One common belief is that angels will shower down the peace and blessings of God on all who remain awake during this “night of power”. According to the Qur’an, God either listens directly or via the angel Gabriel, to the requests of Muslims concerning their fate.

As Muhammed had his destiny fulfilled by receiving the revelation of the Qur’an on this night, Muslims also call this the “Night of Destiny”. This night seems equally important among orthodox Muslims and in Folk Islam. It is on this night, and during the following weeks, that many Muslims have had supernatural encounters with God.

See also  Pray for the Eid al-Adha Holiday

Muslims are encouraged to stay awake the entire night, and pray for blessings and forgiveness. According to Abu Huraira translation of the Hadith, the Prophet Muhammed declared that “whoever prays during the Night of Power with faith and hoping for its reward will have all his previous sins forgiven.” There are many things that a Muslim will endeavour to do on the Night of Power including recite and study the Quran, make special requests from Allah, evaluate their own lives and make plans for the next year.

Some Muslims will take the day off work so they can stay up all night and will often spend this night in the mosque.

Attitudes

Muslims come to this night with several attitudes. Some want to prove their devotion to God through their prayers, even being proud of their religious accomplishments. Others, knowing in their hearts that they are incapable of really pleasing God by their own religious activity, will feel disappointed with themselves. Finally, significant numbers will be praying in desperation and are genuinely seeking help from God.

Prayer and God’s Power

Researchers contend that 80{1ef34f8f1cacfdc6c19f5319e487deec2393c82eacea09a13da7feed1a24e305} of new Christians in South Asia come to Christ as a direct result of supernatural encounters. More than half of new believers in Iran have had a dream or vision of Jesus and at least 35{1ef34f8f1cacfdc6c19f5319e487deec2393c82eacea09a13da7feed1a24e305} of all recent Turkish conversions were in response to a dream and/or vision. In most cases, these supernatural encounters are in relation to a specific need or answer to prayer and are the result of years of prayer and labour by God’s people, including martyrdom. Often, a Muslim has heard the message of Jesus or even read parts of the Bible. While not all Muslims experience dreams or visions of Jesus, the supernatural is very much an accepted part of life.

How to Pray

  • There are many stories throughout the Bible where God spoke through a dream or vision. (Genesis 41, Genesis 46:2 & 3, Daniel 4, Judges 7:10-15, Ezekiel 11:24, Matthew 2:12, 19, Acts 10:3-20, Revelation 1:1). In many of these cases the end result was for the purpose of salvation or physical safety. Ramadan is a strategic time for Christians to believe that God would sovereignly reveal Himself to those who do not yet know Him.
  • As you pray during this night, pray for issues such as Muslim leaders and governments, Muslim families and children. Pray for increased numbers of missionaries and workers, and pray for new believers (1 Timothy 2:1).
  • Pray for God to reveal more about Jesus to the many Muslims who will seek God tonight (Psalm 118:21, Acts 4:33).
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8 Comments

  1. We actually don’t know when it is. The night is hidden within one of the last 10 days of Ramadan, which is why you’d see people praying more, and reading the Qu’ran more during those days. Of course there are signs to indicate that the night passed when morning time comes, such as the sun being viewable without glasses ( staring directly into it ) as well as having a greenish yellow ring around it and a bunch of other signs.

  2. I would like to point one thing out to everyone who says Quran speaks about Christians.
    1. The words Christ, Christos, Christians does not appear anywhere in the Quran

    2.The word so often mis-translated as Christian is Nazara or Nazarene

    3. At the time that the Quran was revealed those who claim to follow
    Issa the son of Mary were broken into two groups, the Monotheist Nazarene ( Arians, Metaphysites etc.) and those who follow the Pauline teachings and the creed of Athanasius -The Christians who say God is 3

    4. Nazarene does not equal Christian.

  3. Laylatul Qadr (The Night of Power)
    Quran Sura 97 Yusuf Ali Translation

    “Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree.
    And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree?
    The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.
    The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter
    Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.”
    (Edited for brevity, Admin)

  4. Why would Mohammed come after the Christ who was the only sacrifice to all humans on earth? It would totally wipe out the purpose of his life on earth.

  5. […] of Ramadan begins a day later or a day earlier. The most important day of Ramadan is called the Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power), to have received the first revelation of Mohammed. It is, however, controversial, when exactly is […]

    • Hi Carrie. I think the Night of Power should be on the 31st. But that can change from place to place depending on the start date of Ramadan, as many nations choose their own start date for Ramadan based on the lunar calendar and their sighting of the moon.

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