Ramadan on the Net - Laylat-al-Qadr, Laylatul-Qadr, Lailat ul Qadr (the Night of Power

Laylat-al-Qadr:
The Night of Power

Laylat-al-Qadr 2009: Wednesday, September 16th

The Muslim holiday of Laylat-al-Qadr (Laylatul-Qadr, Lailat ul Qadr), known in English as the Night of Power (ne: the Night of Honor, the Night of Dignity), falls during the month of Ramadan and marks one of the most significant historical events in all of Islam. Lailatul Qadr marks the night that the prophet Muhammad received his first Divine Revelation, which contained the first verses of the Quran.

Worshipping during this special night takes on intensified importance, as it is said that reward for prayer on this night is better than that of a thousand months worth of worship. Muslims believe that one's sins will be forgiven if he offers faithful prayers all night long.

The person who offered prayers to Allah in the night of Dignity with faith and with hope of reward from Allah, all his past sins have been forgiven. (Bukhaari)

One traditionally recites all of his evening prayers, in addition to reading through the entire Quran, on Lailat ul Qadr.

The date of this holy night is not fixed in the Quran, and therefore there are differing opinions on when it should be celebrated. In most communities, Lailat ul Qadr falls during the last 10 nights of Ramadan, and mostly likely on an odd-numbered day. In Morocco, the holiday is celebrated on the 27th day of Ramadan, but other areas mark it on the 21st, 23rd, 25th or 29th day.