Rabat- “Laylat Al Qadr is a night better than a thousand months,” reads verse 37:3 of the Qur’anic Surah, Al-Qadr. If Laylat Al Qadr (Night of Decree or Destiny) falls in Ramadan, the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, why is it better than a thousand months?
Laylat Al Qadr holds great significance in Islam and the Surah Al-Qadr is named after it, referring to the night on one of the last ten days in Ramadan when the holy Qur’an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
The very first verses of the Quran were sent down to the prophet on Laylat Al Qadr; therefore virtuous deeds and prayers on this night are worth more than a thousand months or a lifetime of worship, making it the most auspicious in Ramadan and the whole year.
Although the exact date of the night was not mentioned in the Qur’an, Muslims across the world traditionally commemorate it on the 27th night of Ramadan, except for Shia Muslims, who celebrate it on the 23rd night.
Since Laylat Al Qadr’s exact day is not marked, some Muslims pray zealously throughout those days, following the prophet’s saying in Hadith (reports of the prophet’s sayings and actions):
“Seek out Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights during the last ten nights of Ramadan,” according to Al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
According to the Qur’an, during the night of destiny, heaven’s gates are destined to open for the forgiveness of all sins that Muslims committed previously: “The night of decree is better than a thousand months, the angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.”
Worshippers stay awake until dawn, reading from the Qur’an, praising God, and performing voluntary prayers, as the prophet (PBUH) used to spend it in worship:
“During the last ten nights of Ramadan, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would tighten his waist belt and spend the night in worship. He would also wake up his family,” narrated by Al Bukhari.
Laylat Al Qadr is an opportunity for Muslim believers to put aside mundane indulgences and concerns and instead indulge their way to spiritual meditation and approach God through not only prayer but also good deeds, which are also a form of worship.
Muslims this Ramadan will honor Laylat Al Qadr on Monday, June 11.
Read Alos: King Mohammed to Preside Over Laylat Al Qadr Taraweeh prayers
Laylat Al Qadr celebrations in Morocco
During the special night, most families in Morocco give sadaqa (voluntary charity) to mosques and the poor and get together after taraweeh Ramadan prayers following isha (night-time daily prayer) for dinner. Especially in the Draa-Tafilalet regions, families serve couscous or barbecued meat.
Moroccan Muslim families also celebrate their children’s first day of fasting, traditionally reserved for Laylat Al Qadr.Young people who haven’t reached puberty yet do not fast in Ramadan.
