NB. This glossary has been included to help you identify and potentially familiarise yourself with terminology used in and outside of this article.
ﷺ – Sallallahu Allayhi Wasallam (Peace and salutations be upon him)
عزَّوجل – Azzawajjal (The Majestic)
عليه السلام – Alayhis Salaam (Peace be upon him)
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, preceding Eid ul-Fitr (the first Eid, a celebration). During this month Muslims fast from sunrise until sunset, and engage in heightened amounts of religious activity. It is believed that during this month Al Shaytan (The Devil/Satan) is locked away, and good deeds are multiplied 70 fold. In this month falls Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Power.
Today, during Laylatul Qadr, Muslims spend their time reading the Quran, making du’a (prayer), performing nafl salah (optional prayer), and giving sadaqah/zakat (optional/compulsory charity). Those who observe the Night of Power (sometimes translated as Glory) choose to spend the night in the mosque in spiritual retreat (I’tikaf). The night is heavily spiritual and important due to it having holy historical significance and it is also an opportunity to gain lots of blessings from Allah.
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَـٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ
“Indeed, we sent this (the Quran) down on the Night of Glory.” (Quran 97:1)
The 97th Chapter of the Quran talks about a night referred to as Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Power/Glory. A night so important that Allah (عزَّوجل) said it is better than 1000 months. But what exactly makes it so special?
Hidden among the last 10 nights of Ramadan, the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said “Seek it in the last 10 days, on the odd nights,” (Hadith, Sahih Al Bukhari). Meaning the nights of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th of Ramadan. It was on one of these nights that Allah first presented the words of the Quran to Muhammad (ﷺ).
The chapter first revealed to him was the 96th of the complete Quran. Surah Alaq’s first verse was the first sentence the Archangel Gabriel (Jibreel عليه السلام) said to the Prophet (ﷺ), when they first met in the Cave of Hira:
ٱقْرَأْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلَّذِى خَلَقَ
“Read, in the name of your lord.” (Quran 96:1)
The Prophet (ﷺ) who was dyslexic, could not read. He told the angel time and time again that he could not read. Instead, he repeated the angel’s (عليه السلام) words. That night was the revelation of the Quran, and what would develop into several encounters where more of the Quran would be revealed to him. This continued until the Prophet (ﷺ) knew of the entire Quran, and had to remember it, for he could not read it.
To that end, I leave you with a final quote from Surah Qadr, the chapter that informs us of the night:
لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌۭ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍۢ
“The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months.” (Quran 97:3)
Ramadan Kareem! (Blessed Ramadan!)
By Raahil, Reece, Ryan Yr9
Carre’s Grammar School, Sleaford
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