Showing posts with label Laylat al-Qadr. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Laylat al-Qadr. Show all posts
01:10
Muslims to observe Lailat al Qadr
Muslims across the world will observe Lailat al Qadr, or the holy 'Night of Glory' marking the revelation of the holy Quran to Prophet Mohammad (PBUH).
Lailat al Qadr is viewed as one of the most significant religious occasions for Muslims as special prayer rituals and services are held on the eves of the last ten odd days of the fasting month of Ramadan.
The Qur'an says that this night is better than a thousand months (97:3), and that on this night the angels descend to earth.
Muslims believe the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammad on one of these nights and that it holds a special spiritual power for those who open their hearts. They hold vigils until dawn and recite the Quran, as well as a variety of supplications signifying the greatness of the Creator and pleading for his forgiveness and blessings.
Whoever establishes the prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards (not to show off) then all his past sins will be forgiven. Hadith, Bukhari Vol 1, Book 2:34
What is the Night of Power?
The Quran's 97th chapter treats the Night of Power exclusively: "In the name of God, the Beneficent the Merciful. Indeed, We sent it [the Holy Quran] down on the Night of Power. What will convey to you what the Night of Power is like! Better is the Night of Power than a thousand months; in that Night the angels and the Spirit descend; by the permission of their Lord for every affair. Peace it is, till the break of dawn."
It is not certain when the Night of Power occurs. Muslims are encouraged to seek out the night -- and the message of mercy found in it -- during the last 10 days of Ramadan. However, many Muslim countries, including Turkey, designate a set night as Laylat al-Qadr, usually Ramadan 27. The traditions of the Prophet Muhammad and the Holy Quran encourage Muslims to seek out God's forgiveness on the night that is the anniversary of the start of the sacred text's revelation.
A special dua, or supplication, that the Prophet taught Muslims to use during the last 10 days of Ramadan -- as there is no exact date for the Night of Power and Muslims only know that it will occur during one of the odd-numbered nights in this timeframe -- is frequently recited, "O God, verily you are forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me." (Recorded by Ahmad, Tirmidhi)
Laylat al-Qadr
Laylat al-Qadr is celebrated every year in the Muslim world, but the date differs widely. All agree, however, that it occurs in the second half of the month of Ramadan.
Laylat al-Qadr, also known as Shab-e-Qadr, literally means the "Night of Decree" or "Night of Measures", and is the anniversary of two very important dates in Islam that occur during the month of Ramadan.
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. Other sources say that it is also the anniversary of the night in which the Qur'an was first communicated in its entirety to Muhammad.
The date on which the anniversary falls is a matter of debate. Sunni Muslims generally consider it to be either the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th of the month of Ramadan, while Shi'as consider it to be the 19th, 21st or 23rd of the month. Shi'as believe the 23rd to be the most important and 21st the least important of the three days.
Conventionally, most Sunnis celebrate it throughout the night of the 27th (i.e. the night between the 26th and 27th). However, due to the uncertainty of the exact date, Muslims are generally recommended to observe all the nights as a matter of precaution.
Mahedvis believe with certainty that its exactly the night of the 27th after the advent of Syed Mohammed Juanpuri, whom some Muslims (also the Zikris) see as the promised Mahdi.
Shia Muslims believe that their fate in the following year is decided on this night, and pray to God all night long, begging for mercy and salvation. This practice is called Ehyaa (the literal meaning of which is "revival").
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