A second Night of Doubt should confirm the end of the month of Ramadan for the Muslim faithful. When does it take place? How are the calculations done? Here’s the info you need to know.
In the Muslim tradition, two Night of Doubt allow to determine the Ramadan start and end date. A first was held on March 21, 2023 to announce the official start of the holy month for Muslims (which began on March 23, 2023), and a second Night of Doubt is to take place on April 19 to specify the end of Ramadanthat corresponds to Eid al-fitr. During this famous night, astronomical observations and scientific calculations are made to know precisely the dates of the month of Ramadan.
What is the date of the Night of Doubt to announce the end of Ramadan?
As the end of Ramadan approaches, a second Night of Doubt is organized by the Muslim federations to announce to the faithful the official date of the end of the holy month. This year, according to the calendar transmitted by the Great Mosque of Paris, this second Night of Doubt will take place on Wednesday, April 19, 2023.
How are the calculations made during the Night of Doubt?
During the first Night of Doubt, the religious commission made up of Imams from the Muslim federations explained the calculations that were made. Muslim federations have “taken into account the results of work on the adoption of scientific computing and universal astronomical data for the determination of the beginning and the end of the month of Ramadan, as well as the result of the observation of the moon, in France and around the world“, she explained in a statement sent live on March 21. They also wished to recall that “the combination of these two methods contributes above all to the unity of Muslims in France and makes it easier for the faithful to organize the beginning of the month of Ramadan”.
What is the difference between Night of Doubt and Night of Destiny?
The “Night of Destiny” and the “Night of Doubt” are two different events in the Muslim religion. The “Night of Doubt” sets the official dates of Ramadan while the “Night of Destiny” is one of the most sacred nights for Muslims because it is during this night that the Quran is said to have been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The “Night of Destiny”, also called Laylat al-Qadr in Arabic, also appears in the sacred text in Surat Surat al-Qadr, Ayat 97:1. “We certainly sent it down (the Qur’an) during the night of al-Qadr”, is it written.