Editorial | Laylat-ul-Qadr – The Night of Power & Blessings!

The night just gone by known to Muslim world by Laylat-ul-Qadr or the night of power and blessings was widely observed across the sub-continent and in Kashmir alike with much fervour and gaiety. Laylatul Qadar is a night of great blessing in which Allah ^(swt) showers His Mercy upon those of His believers who sincerely and faithfully love and obey His Will. It is a night which is commonly associated with the revelation of the Holy Qur’an but also has other meanings which are all deeply rooted in Allah’s attribute of Rahmaniyyat. Allah, the Almighty, says in Quran; [97:1] In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. [97:2] Surely, We sent it down on the Night of Destiny. [97:3] And what should make thee know what the Night of Destiny is? [97:4] The Night of Destiny is better than a thousand months. [97:5] Therein descend angels and the Spirit by the command of their Lord — with every matter. [97:6] It is all peace till the rising of the dawn. From these verses of the Holy Qur’an (97:1-6) we are made to understand that Laylatul Qadr literally means the ‘Night of Decree/Power’. It is a night which is of greater value than a thousand months (1000 being the highest numerical figure in Arabic) and in which the angels descend upon the Earth and help to breathe a new life into mankind. In another place in the Holy Qur’an (44:4) Allah (SWT) says that it is a ‘Blessed Night’ (لَیۡلَۃٍ مُّبٰرَکَۃٍ). Laylatul Qadr also has a wider understanding and can signify that when mankind reaches a point of darkness and is in need of reform Allah ^(swt) answers their need by sending a new reformer. In relation to this a period of 1000 months roughly amounts to a century and can thus be linked to the saying of the Holy Prophet: ‘Verily God will continue for ever to raise for this Ummat in the beginning of every century one who Will restore for it its faith.’ (Abu Dawud, Kitabul Fitan). This night is all in all a blessing for Muslims, which returns after each year to provide us with a chance to please our Almighty Allah and we do hope that may the Lord be pleased with us and accept all our genuine prayers which we have made overnight. May Allah keep us in his custody and may we witness this night for many years to come. Aameen!