Laylat Al Qadr is a special night for Muslims who come out in droves to celebrate the night of decree, the holiest night of the holy month of Ramadan.
Rabat – Laylat Al Qadr is also known as the night of decree, “a night better than a thousands months” as described in verse 37:3 of the Qur’anic Surah, Al-Qadr.
The night of decree is when the Prophet Mohammed explored the first ayah or verse of the Quran, Al-Alaq, which was revealed by the Angel Gabriel.
The verse was revealed when Prophet Mohammed spent a month in solitude to pray and fast at the Cave of Hira in Mecca.
In Morocco, and across the world, an atmospheric sensation stimulates the soul on a nightthat serves as an opportunity for Muslims to seek forgiveness and success from God.
Read Also: Ramadan: Laylat Al Qadr, a Night Better Than a Thousand Months
The night of decree in Morocco is an important holy celebration. Men and women, as well as children, wear white and colorful jellabas, they go out to mosques across the country to pray extra prayers or taraweeh.
One of the best views the night of Laylat Al Qadr is the Hassan II mosque surrounded by worshippers as they perform taraweeh after night prayer, while best verses of the quran and takbeer “ the Arabic phrase Allahu Akbar” are raised.
Any prayers and virtuous deeds performed with good will and pure intentions are worth more than a thousand months or a lifetime of worship, a reason that encourages Muslims across the globe to take this opportunity to purify their souls and ask for forgiveness.
Saturday, June 1 will mark Laylat Al Qadr in Morocco. The exact date of the night was not mentioned in the Quran, but Muslims traditionally celebrate it on the 27th night of Ramadan.
As the exact day of the night of decree is not marked, many Muslims devote their time during the ten last days of Ramadan to prayers and to reciting Quran to avoid missing the holy night.
“Seek out Laylat al-Qadr in the odd nights during the last ten nights of Ramadan,” according to Al Bukhari and Sahih Muslim.
Children celebrate in a different way
Moroccan children have a unique way to celebrate the night of decree, aside from its spirituality and significance in Islam.
Children who have not reached puberty try to fast for the very first time as their parents promise them presents of food and sweets as a treat. After the taraweeh prayers, parents dress their children up with traditional clothes, including caftans and jelabas.
Girls also go to the nearest negafa (stylist), who will dress them up like arouss or a bride. The negafa also does henna decorations on girls hands which they show off in an ammaria, a special sedan chair for Moroccan brides.
Boys typically wear jellabas and balgha (Moroccan traditional shoes) and crown their heads with a fez , they ride horses with their fathers or by themselves to pose for a souvenir photos.
Parents also take their children to photo booths to commemorate the special night.
