What does Night of Destiny mean? How does it take place and when does it take place? We take stock of this evening considered sacred by all Muslims.
THE start of Ramadan approach for Muslims around the world, it will indeed begin around March 22, 2023. This month of fasting will be accompanied, as every year, by a blessed evening called the Night of Destiny. Discover its origin, its meaning, the time of the month when it will take place and above all, how it usually takes place.
What is the Night of Destiny?
The Night of Destiny, also called Laylat al-Qadr, is considered blessed or the holiest night of the year by Muslims. It takes place towards the end of Ramadan and during this night, its followers must make invocations, prayers, recite the Koran and ask for a sincere forgiveness for the sins committed.
What is the date of the Night of Destiny in 2023?
This year, the Night of Destiny should take place around April 17, 2023. It occurs during the last ten days of the month of Ramadan, shortly before Eid al-Fitr, the feast marking the end of fasting among Muslims.
What are the origins of Laylat al-Qadr?
The Night of Destiny or Laylat al-Qadr in Arabic, is one of the nights at the end of the month of Ramadan during which, according to Islam, the Koran would have been sent by God to men. In effect, According to Sunni tradition, it was during this night that the Quran was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. (in the year 610) in the cave of Hira, by the angel Gabriel. Thus, for Muslims, the angels accompanied by the angel Gabriel (or Jibril) descend to earth on the Night of Destiny, In large numbers. Their mission is to intercede for believers with God.
The visit and blessing of the angels during Laylat al-Qadr takes place in all believers who watch that night via prayers and readings from the Quran. Islam considers it a sacred night where an indescribable peace reigns from sunrise to sunset: “She is peace and salvation until dawn breaks” (Quran surah 97/5). Finally, it is also the night of divine decree, because God would there decree all that will happen the following year. It is therefore a night conducive to ask God for forgiveness for your sins committed, praying, reading the Koran and performing dhikr (or zikr), a ritual in which the name of Allah is repeated and remembered. It is also customary, during the Night of Destiny, to make donations, in particular the Zakal al-Firt, alms for the less fortunate. Finally, of course, just like the other evenings of this month of Ramadan, we break the fast around oriental specialties, most often tasted with family.
Which sura to recite on the Night of Destiny?
During the Night of Destiny, Muslims must mainly recite the Surah Al-Qadr (meaning Destiny) dedicated to him. And more specifically the five verses of this 97th surah :
- “We certainly sent it down (the Koran) during the night of Al-Qadr”.
- She is peace and salvation until dawn breaks” (Quran Surah Al-Qadr 97/5)
- “And who will tell you what the night of Al-Qadr is?”
- “The night of Al-Qadr is worth more than a thousand months put together”.
- “During this descend the Angels as well as the Spirit, by permission of their Lord for all orders”.