Lailatul Qadr

Lailatul Qadr History

Lailatul Qadr, also known as the Night of Power, celebrates the night when the first verses of the Quran, the holy book of Islam, were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by Allah. This observance carries significant symbolic weight in Islam. It is a night of intense worship and devotion, with many Muslims spending the entire night in prayer, reading the Quran, and seeking forgiveness for their sins. It is a time for reflection, contemplation and spiritual renewal.

The observance of Lailatul Qadr is rooted in history, tracing back to the life of the Prophet Muhammad in the 7th century CE. In the United Kingdom, where there is a sizeable Muslim population, this night carries particular resonance. It's seen as a time to come together as a community, to reflect on one's faith, and to carry out acts of charity. Many mosques in the UK hold special prayer sessions and community events on this night to mark its significance. The event also shares messages of peace and unity, common to all faiths, reinforcing a sense of togetherness within the broader British society.

In terms of observance, many Muslims in the United Kingdom participate in 'Itikaf, a spiritual retreat in a mosque. They spend the night reciting Quran, making supplications, and partaking in ritual prayers. Alternatively, for those who choose to observe from home, they may engage in individual prayer and contemplation, read Quran, or listen to religious lectures. Lailatul Qadr falls within the last ten nights of Ramadan, the Islamic month of fasting. Although the exact date is not specified, it is often observed on one of the odd-numbered nights within this period, most commonly the 27th night. The precise timing can vary somewhat depending on lunar sightings, so Muslims in the UK adjust their observance accordingly based on guidance from their local mosques or Islamic organizations.

Facts about Lailatul Qadr

• An entire chapter of the Quran, called Al-Qadr is devoted to explaining the merits of worshipping on Lailatul Qadr.
• According to Islamic tradition, the following are signs of The Night of Power every year: A peaceful night with moderate temperatures, no shooting stars, and a moon that shines without rays. The sun, when it rises, will appear as a disk with no beams of light coming out of it.
• Celebrations for Lailatul Qadr in the UK involve Muslims staying up all night praying and reading the Quran, either at a mosque, community centre or at home. Many also perform Itikaf, a period of retreat in the mosque during the last ten days of Ramadan.
• The East London Mosque, one of the largest in the country, usually accommodates over 7,000 faithful Muslims for nightly Taraweeh prayers during the last 10 days of Ramadan, when Lailatul Qadr is said to occur.

In the News and Trending in the UK for Lailatul Qadr

Top things to do in the UK for Lailatul Qadr

• For Lailatul Qadr, Muslims typically congregate in mosques to pray and worship all night together. Imams often give sermons that teach listeners about the best prayers they can make that night.
• On this night, many Muslims give money away in charity, after more than 20 days of fasting. The rewards of charity are multiplied on Lailatul Qadr. This can be evidenced by the Prophet Muhammad's teachings: Whoever draws near to Allah during it (Ramadan) with a single characteristic from the characteristics of (voluntary) goodness, he is like whoever performs an obligatory act in other times. And whoever performs an obligatory act during it, he is like whoever performed seventy obligatory acts in other times - Ibn Khuzaymah, Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, 1887
• Visit Islamic Cultural Centres: Check out centres like the Islamic Cultural Centre in London. They often hold special events, exhibitions, and lectures.
• Read a book to learn more about Lailatul Qadr in United Kingdom:
  The Night of Power: An Introduction to Laylatul-Qadr - by Muhammad Al-Ghazali: This book provides a comprehensive overview of Lailatul Qadr and its significance in Islam, including practical advice for observing this special night.
  Laylatul Qadr: The Night of Power in Light of the Qur'an and Sunnah - by Sa'id Ibn Ali Ibn Wahf Al-Qahtani: This book provides a comprehensive, in-depth study of Lailatul Qadr from the Quran and Sunnah.