The Night of Power

Laylatul Qadr: the Night of Power

Muslim scholars believe that while the Qur’an was revealed over a period of 23 years the Night of Power is considered the night in which the first revelations of Islam and the prophethood of Muhammed began. This night is in celebration of the arrival of the Qur’an.

In Arabic, Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) is described in the Qur’an as, “better than a thousand months” (Sura 97:3). Al-Qadr means power and implies having power over something, particularly to Allah. The character of Allah is said to be excellence in power, capable, all powerful, almighty and also implies “high esteem” and thus the Night of Power is to be highly esteemed.

When does it occur?

It is often a point of debate among Muslim scholars as to when exactly the Night of Power occurs. Some scholars say that this night is hidden. Some say it occurs on either the 1st, 7th or 19th night of Ramadan. However, there is strong evidence that the night occurs during the last 10 days of Ramadan, specifically on odd numbered nights. In a report by Bukhari, Muhammed said, “Seek it on the odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramadan.” In Hadith by Ubayy bin Ka’ab, Muhammed also said, “By Allah, I know which night it is. It is the night the Messenger commanded us to observe, the night of the 26th.”

Muslims believe angels perform special deeds on this night

The whole Night of Power, from sunset to dawn, is the holiest night of the year. It is believed that there are groups of special angels who are only seen on the Night of Power. These angels perform special purposes. Some come down for worship, others for granting the request of the believing Muslim. Other angels come down bringing with them proclamations of the coming year.

Today, many Muslims think this is a special night when God gives heed to their requests. Often they are open to dreams and visions as they seek for guidance and revelation. Many Muslims pray all night seeking a response to specific requests. One common belief is that angels will shower down the peace and blessings of God on all who remain awake during this “night of power”. According to the Qur’an, God either listens directly or via the angel Gabriel, to the requests of Muslims concerning their fate.

As Muhammed had his destiny fulfilled by receiving the revelation of the Qur’an on this night, Muslims also call this the “Night of Destiny”. This night seems equally important among orthodox Muslims and in Folk Islam. It is on this night, and during the following weeks, that many Muslims have had supernatural encounters with God.

Muslims are encouraged to stay awake the entire night, and pray for blessings and forgiveness. According to Abu Huraira translation of the Hadith, the Prophet Muhamed declared that “whoever prays during the Night of Power with faith and hoping for its reward will have all his previous sins forgiven.” There are many things that a Muslim will endeavour to do on the Night of Power including recite and study the Quran, make special requests from Allah, evaluate their own lives and make plans for the next year.

Some Muslims will take the day off work so they can stay up all night and will often spend this night in the mosque.


Muslims come to this night with several attitudes. Some want to prove their devotion to God through their prayers, even being proud of their religious accomplishments. Others, knowing in their hearts that they are incapable of really pleasing God by their own religious activity, will feel disappointed with themselves. Finally, significant numbers will be praying in desperation and are genuinely seeking help from God.

Prayer Points

Researchers contend that 80% of new Christians in South Asia come to Christ as a direct result of supernatural encounters. More than half of new believers in Iran have had a dream or vision of Jesus and at least 35% of all recent Turkish conversions were in response to a dream and/or vision. In most cases, these supernatural encounters are in relation to a specific need or answer to prayer and are the result of years of prayer and labour by God’s people, including martydom. Often, a Muslim has heard the message of Jesus or even read parts of the Bible. While not all Muslims experience dreams or visions of Jesus, the supernatural is very much an accepted part of life.


* Consider setting this night aside as an all night prayer time with your church or mission group. Look for ways to make your time of prayer varied and interesting. For example: Flags, photographs, maps, posters, video documentaries will all add lots of interest and give you ideas to pray for.

* As you pray during this night, pray for issues such as Muslim leaders and governments, Muslim families and children. Pray for increased numbers of missionaries and workers, and pray for new believers (1 Timothy 2:1).

* Pray for a supernatural move of the Holy Spirit to reveal Jesus to the many Muslims who will seek God tonight (Psalm 118:21, Acts 4:33).

Video – Powerful

Save the Lost from Salomon on Vimeo.


  1. BareCanvasArts says:

    We actually don’t know when it is. The night is hidden within one of the last 10 days of Ramadan, which is why you’d see people praying more, and reading the Qu’ran more during those days. Of course there are signs to indicate that the night passed when morning time comes, such as the sun being viewable without glasses ( staring directly into it ) as well as having a greenish yellow ring around it and a bunch of other signs.


    I’M sorry to disappint you all good but unfortunately MISGUIDED people! the night of power is exclusive to the followers of Prophet Mohammad (Peace be Upon Him and all the true Messenger’s of God including Isa (Jesus), Musa ( Moses), Ibrahim ( Abraham) DON’T BE MISGUIDED! USE YOUR MINDS GIVEN TO YOU BY GOD! I CHALLENGE YOU ALL TO READ THE QURAN AND SEE FOR YOURSELF WHAT IS IT! THIS IS THE ONLY BOOK THAT HAS THE WHOLE CHAPTER DEDICATED TO MARY, MOTHER OF JESUS!


  3. Bro/sis, No need to get angry. Its not their fault they are misguided. REMEMBER: KINDNESS AND BEAUTIFUL PREACHING!

    May Allah guide us all. Ameen :) Happy Eid!

  4. azra that stone you speak of was originally white but due to humanity’s sins, it became black. there have been many prophets and messengers sent to people including the hindus, arabs and jews and many others (although the jews received the most of them). Say what you will about Islam but our book, the Quran, is the only authentic book left because Allah protected it. Our prophet, yours and mine, was the last prophet of mankind. This is clear in all religions, even though many people straight out deny it. Allah knows every language there is. We were told by prophet muhammed, peace be upon him, to recite the quran in arabic during prayers, because he was our leader and the best among us. Regardless of what we tell you over the internet, none of it matters. All that I ask of you is that you read the Quran in its translation you understand. If you still then believe this religion is the wrong one after fully reading and understanding the Quran, then I will join you in your religion.

  5. To those who refer to themselves as christians and jews, you have geard everything all so, it is now left to you to make hay while the sun shines because it has been said in the Holy Book( Qur’an 3 vs 85 that “whoever seeks a religion other than Islam, it will never be accepted of him and in the hereafter he whll be one of the losers”.

  6. brothers and sisters -

    keep in mind that in the qu’ran it says that christians are closer to muslims because they are not a proud people. i had 5 dreams with the christ in them, and they reflected protection from physical harm just as was stated here. god states in the commandments that we are not to ascribe ANY image to him. the reason why people have dreams about the christ is because there has been an image ascribed to him. because of the jesus culture he has general features, he’s often seen with white robes or with the crown of thorns or with holes in his hands and feet. if humans had not ascribed images to him, we would not know it was him in the dream. jesus christ was the last prophet to come before muhammad, and the main message of the gospels is not the life of jesus christ. the gospel is what he taught – the message he brought. what was jesus’ main point throughout all of his teachings? YOU REAP WHAT YOU SOW. [Edited for brevity, Admin]

    • I would like to point one thing out to everyone who says Quran speaks about Christians.
      1. The words Christ, Christos, Christians does not appear anywhere in the Quran

      2.The word so often mis-translated as Christian is Nazara or Nazarene

      3. At the time that the Quran was revealed those who claim to follow
      Issa the son of Mary were broken into two groups, the Monotheist Nazarene ( Arians, Metaphysites etc.) and those who follow the Pauline teachings and the creed of Athanasius -The Christians who say God is 3

      4. Nazarene does not equal Christian.

  7. Laylatul Qadr (The Night of Power)
    Quran Sura 97 Yusuf Ali Translation

    The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.
    Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.”
    (Edited for brevity, Admin)

  8. i hate to say it but why would Mohammed come after the Christ who was the only sacrifice to all humans on earth for their sins and claim he too was then the last prophet and that everyone should listen to his teachings then, ummm he didn’t sacrifice his life for all humanity’s sinful ways, he directed that on Allah to judge, why, so if he was the last lamb wouldn’t he of been sacrificed also for all humanity?I am orthodox christian and i cant understand where those teachings are so right , it totally wipes out all the latter and defies all the purpose of life on earth. I see that Jesus never taught or said make anyone believe in my teachings, or kill them if they don’t believe . He only said with love let them see the light, Why do Muslims have so much hate in their hearts, it seems that all they are ruled by is hate if anyone doesn’t conform to the way they think and believe, shouldn’t that be Allah’s decision , then , to spite anyone that doesn’t, why take it upon themselves to convert anyone and or if they don’t believe to be shunned away or hurt by force to believe what they believe … if this religion is so about love also , then why do they force their cause on all that aren’t Muslim? [Edited for brevity, Admin]

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