To the whole Muslim community, Laylatul Qadr is the most fortunate night. It is the night when the first verses of the Holy Quran were messaged over Prophet Mohammad. And this miracle happened on the night of Holy month Ramadan.
This auspicious night is greater than a thousand months, revealed in the Quran. So, each Muslim must exploit every moment of this night by worshipping to Allah for immense blessings. It is said that the gift of ibaadat in this one single night is more than the rewards of 1000 months of ibaadat. A whole sura is dedicated in the Quran on this holy night named Laylat – al – Qadr.
Muslims believe that in this night Allah forgives all previous sins and grant all wishes. Hence, the prayer should be started from the evening until the next morning through Namaaz, Dua, Munajaat, Tasbeeh and reciting Quran.
In this article, you will get the authentic information about Laylatul Qadr and its meaning, date, history. So, please keep reading.
Meaning of Laylatul Qadr
The first thing all Muslims should know what the Quran says about Qadr night and what is the authentic meaning of Laylatul Qadr. In the Holy Quran, in chapter 97, there is Surat- al- Qadr. The first ayat of this sura is-
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ ‘
Meaning: We revealed it in the Night of Qadr’ (97:1)
Again at the beginning of Surat Ad-Dukhan (chapter 44), it is explained:
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ ‘
Meaning: We have revealed it in a blessed night’.
Therefore, we can see something is bloomed in the Night of Qadr and that night is a blessed night.
Laylatul Qadr belongs to two words. Layla and Qadr. The first word Layla means “Night”. And the second one ” Qadr” has several English translations by different narrators. But maximum use “Night of Decree”/” Night of power”. Here you will see those other meanings of Laylatul Qadr.
a) The Night of Power
In one of a Sura in the Holy Quran, it is mentioned that –
إِنَّ اللَّهَ عَلَىٰ كُلِّ شَيْءٍ قَدِيرٌ
Meaning: Surely God has the power to do all things.
Here the word Qadr “قَدِيرٌ” means “power”. So, there should be no doubt that the meaning of Laylatul Qadr is ‘the Night of Power’.
b) The Night of Decree
نَحْنُ قَدَّرْنَا بَيْنَكُمُ الْمَوْتَ
Meaning: We have decreed death among you.
This verse is from Surah Al-Waqi’a. Here the word (قَدَّرْنَا ) Qadirun means to have decreed.
Almighty Allah decreed the fate of humans. As we are mortal, so no matter what our destiny is death. Laylatul Qadr means ‘The Night of Devine Decree’ or ‘The Night of Destiny’. This night all our destinies will be determined.
c) The Night of the Quran
The Holy Quran is revealed in this night. In another verse of Surah, Al-Qadr Allah mentioned that –
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ
Meaning: We have revealed it in the night of Laylatul Qadr.
For this, Laylatul Qadr means “The night of the Quran”. Another additional fact is, the letters of Surat al-Qadr are 114 and 30 words, same as the number of chapters and para in the Holy Quran!
Note: The experts of the Quran disagree on the counting of the words and letters of the Quran, but when it comes to Surat al-Qadr, there is surprisingly no conflict!
d) The Blessed Night
You may ask why is the night of Qadr a blessed night? Because it is the night of the revelation of the Quran.
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ
Meaning: Surely we have revealed it on a blessed night (44:3).
Here, ” it” means the Holy Quran. That’s why Laylatul Qadr means the blessed night.
e) The Night of Beauty
In the Holy Quran Surah Al Qadr Verse 3 says,
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرَ
Meaning: And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree?
Some interpreters prefer that the verses are an exclamatory sign which mentions the beauty of the night.
Story of this Night
There are some different facts spread about the story of Laylatul Qadr. One of the stories is: The subsequent Ummahs got a long life. For this, they could do ibaadat more than Prophet Mohammad ummah. Mohammad Rasulullah thought about this and it made him sad that his Ummahs can’t do that much ibaadat. Then, Allah gifted the merciful night Laylatul Qadr which is greater than a thousand months.
And another story is heard, that is: A Sahaba of Mohammad(SM) felt sad hearing that a man of Bani Israel had spent a thousand months in Jihaad. The Sahaba felt sad because he won’t get that much life span like that Bani Israel honorable man. Then our last prophet (SM) refers to him about Shab E Qadr.
Is Shab E Qadr different from Laylatul Qadr?
No, they are just similar words. Both mean the same thing. Layla is an Arabic word which means Night and Shab is a Persian word which means Night.
When is Laylatul Qadr?
The date of Laylatul Qadr is not fixed. It falls on one of the odd nights in the last 10 days of Ramadan. 21st or 23rd or 25th or 27th or 29th. But, the probable date is 27th Ramadan night. Maximum Islamic scholars gave their opinions on this.
When is Laylatul Qadr 2020?
In India, the Uk, the USA, Bangladesh most of the Muslims observe this night on the 27th of Ramadan. Therefore, according to them, Laylatul Qadr 2020 will be observed on May 19, Tuesday. It is the 27th Day of Ramadan.
Significance of this night of Power
This night is full of blessings and rewards from Allah. Allah sends Angeles on the earth this night. People who can’t make time for praying, wait for this night Laylatul Qadr and try to spend the whole night to seek forgiveness from Almighty.
All Muslims take this opportunity of this night by praying and asking forgiveness as well as what they need from Allah. The persons who get Laylatul Qadr in life and pray for the whole night will sure get gifts from Allah.
