Lailat al-Qadr

Laylat al Qadr is also known as the Night of Power or the Night of Destiny. It commemorates when Koran (Qur’an) was revealed to the prophet Muhammad (also known as Mohammad). Muslims in the United States celebrate the event, also spelled as Laylat al-Qadr or Shab-e-Qadr, on one of the last 10 days of the Islamic month of Ramadan.

Is Lailat al-Qadr a Public Holiday?

Although Lailat al-Qadr is not a public holiday, businesses and schools may be closed because it falls on the same date as Prince Jonah Kuhio Kalanianaole Day in 2025, which is a public holiday in Hawaii.

What Do People Do?

Laylat al Qadr marks the time when the Koran’s first verses were revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammed. It is also believed that this night marks their fate in the following year. Therefore, many Muslims pray in the night to God for mercy, forgiveness, and salvation. This practice is also called Ehyaa.

This “Night of Power” is considered the most appropriate time of the entire year to pray for salvation and blessings. It is believed that a Muslim’s past sins are forgiven if the person prays throughout this night. Many people assemble at mosques during the Isha’ prayer, with many prayers being made until midnight.

Public Life

Laylat al-Qadr is not a federal public holiday in the United States. However, many Islamic organizations and businesses may alter their opening hours and there may be some congestion around mosques, particularly in the evening and at night.

Background

Laylat al Qadr commemorates the night in 610 CE when Allah revealed the Koran (Islamic holy book) to the prophet Muhammad. The angel Gabriel first spoke to the prophet during that time, which marked the beginning of Muhammed’s mission. These revelations continued throughout the remainder of his life, according to Islamic belief.

Children begin studying the Koran from an early age and they celebrate the moment when they have read all the chapters for the first time. Many adults try to memorize the Koran. This day is also known as the Night of Power or the Night of Destiny.

There is a difference of opinion about the date for Laylat al-Qadr but, in general, it is agreed that it is most likely to be in the last 10 nights of Ramadan, with the odd nights being more likely. Of the odd nights, the night of the 27th (which is the night before the 27th of Ramadan, as the Islamic day starts with nightfall) is most likely, according to many Muslim scholars.

The Prophet Mohammad spent long periods, particularly during Ramadan, meditating about the world around him and looking for help to guide his people away from the moral evils and idolatry. On some occasions, he traveled to the Cave of Hira, a small cave in the hills near Mecca, now in Saudi Arabia. It is believed that at some point, probably in 610 CE, he received the Koran’s first verses from God.

Laylat al-Qadr marks the anniversary of this date. However, it is unclear as to exactly when the revelations occurred. Hence many Muslims regard all of the last ten days of Ramadan as particularly holy and make an effort to visit a mosque and to read the Koran in this period.