On every odd night in the blessed last ten nights of Ramadan, join us after Taraweeh ends at about 11:30 p.m. for special Qur’an recitation, zikr (devotional acts), Salat Tasbeeh, time for individual worship, advice, nasheed, and a free community Suhoor meal before Fajr prayer in congregation.
- More Dr. Ali Ataie: mcceastbay.org/ataie
- More Odd-Night Qadr reminders: mcceastbay.org/qadr
This talk was delivered at the Muslim Community Center - East Bay (MCC East Bay) in Pleasanton, California, on April 17, 2023.
In 2023, the blessed Laylat al-Qadr 27th night is on Monday, April 17. The Qur’an Khatam completion in Taraweeh begins at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 19.
The precise night on which Laylatul-Qadr occurs has not been mentioned. The Prophet Muhammad ﷺ said, “Search for Laylatul-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan.” There is a tremendous wisdom behind not knowing exactly when this blessed night occurs, which scholars have pointed out.
- More Laylatul Qadr reminders: mcceastbay.org/qadr
- More Ustadh Dr. Ali Ataie: mcceastbay.org/ataie
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Muslims believe Islam’s scripture, the Quran, was revealed to the prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) during Ramadan. So during the month, Muslims don’t drink or eat each day between sunrise and sunset.
Muslims also refrain from physical relations and negative behaviors and perform acts of charity during Ramadan.
Al-Qadr (Arabic: القدر, "Power, Fate") is the 97th chapter (sūrah) of the Qur'an with 5 verses (āyāt). It is a Meccan surah, which celebrates the night when the first revelation of what would become the Qur'an was sent down. The chapter has been so designated after the word al-qadr in the first verse. It is mainly about power.
Quran 97 describes Laylat al-Qadr, the "Night of the abundant portion of blessings" in Ramadan on which Muslims believe the Qur'an was first revealed. The night is not comparable to any others in view of Muslims[4] and according to a tradition, the blessings due to the acts of worship during this night cannot be equaled even by worshipping throughout an entire lifetime. The reward of acts of worship done in this one single night is more than the reward of around 83 years (1000 months) of worship. Laylat al-Qadr is referenced in the Quran:
VERILY we sent down the Koran in the night of al Kadr.
And what shall make thee understand how excellent the night of al Kadr is?
The night of al Kadr is better than a thousand months.
Therein do the angels descend, and the spirit of Gabriel also, by the permission of their Lord, with his decrees concerning every matter.
It is peace until the rising of the morn.
The "Spirit" mentioned in verse 4 is commonly interpreted as referring to the angel Jibreel (Gabriel). The "peace" referred to is called by Mujahid "security in which Shaytan (Iblis) cannot do any evil or any harm", while Ibn Kathir quotes Ash-Sha'bi as saying that it refers to the angels greeting the people in the mosques throughout the night.
Laylat Al Qadr occurs during an odd-numbered night within the last ten days of Ramadan, but its exact date is uncertain; due to the promises made in the chapter and in various hadith. Muslims consider it a particularly good time for prayer, supplication, and repentance to God. This event marks the descent of the first revelation of the Quran to Earth. The official Islamic teaching is that Muhammad received the revelations that formed the Quran piecemeal for the next twenty-three years of his life up until the time of his death. Shia Muslims believe that Ali (the first Shia Imam, and the fourth caliph of the Rashidun Caliphate to Sunnis) had special insight and intimacy with God on this night.
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