LAILATUL-QADR, also known as Shab-e-Qadr, is the anniversary of two very important dates in Islam that occurred in the month of Ramzan. It is the anniversaries of the night Muslims believe the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. This night is believed to be around the last ten days on Ramzan. This night is usually thought to be on the 23rd or 25th or 27th of Ramzan.
Most of the Muslims believe that Lailatul-Qadr is to be the night when the Quran was first revealed to Muhammad from Allah. Most Muslims believe that revelation of the Quran occurred in two phases, with the first phase being the revelation in its entirety on Lailatul-Qadr to the angel Gabriel (Jibril in Arabic) in the lowest heaven, and then the subsequent verse-by-verse revelation to Muhammad by Gabriel, across 23 years. The revelation started in 610 CE at the Hera cave on Mount Nur in Mecca. The first Sura that was revealed was Sura Al-Alaq. During the first revelation the first five verses of this Sura were revealed.
Muslims often offer extra prayers on this day, particularly the night prayer. They awake, pray, and hope Allah will give them anything they may desire on this night. Those who can afford to devote their time in remembrance of Allah stay in the mosque for the final ten days of Ramzan. This worship is called Itikaf (retreat). They observe a fast during the day and occupy themselves with the remembrance of Allah, performing voluntary prayers and reciting the Quran, day and night, apart from the obligatory prayers which they perform with the congregation. Devoting time to remember Allah, Muslims also hope to receive divine favours and blessings connected with Lailatul-Qadr.As per the Quran (Sura Qadr) Angels come down on the earth with all things (destiny of the people for the coming year). “The Angels and Jibreel descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair” (97:4)
It is our fervent hope that the night of Qadr will be observed with due solemnity across the nation. Hopefully the month of spiritual restraint will be coupled with piety in the Night of Power, as this night is particularly known. Unfortunately the month of restraint is coupled with excess—an excess of eating, drinking, violence, theft, and other abuses. It is our wish that people remember the reasons for fasting and prayer, and not indulge in excess, thus establishing that worship occurs with sacrifice.
