Thread by @ostadjaan

A thread on the “Night of Power” (Laylat al-Qadr), one of the holy nights in the last ten nights of Ramadan.

In honor of approaching the last nights of #Ramadan, known as Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power, Night of Destiny, a thread on: #Laylatalqadr #Nightofpower #Ramazan

Hidden in the last ten nights of Ramadan is a night called Night of Power (Laylat al-qadr). This is a night that Muslims cherish, a night that according to the Qur’an, the angels and the Spirit descend down.

Commentators differ on the identity of the “Spirit”. Some think it refers to the archangel Jibril (Gabriel), others say that it refers directly to God’s mercy.

The Prophet is said to have recommended spiritual retreats during these nights, and special prayers: “My God, You truly are the One who forgives again and again, and You love to forgive. So forgive me.”

The chapter of the Qur’an that mentions this night is among the most frequently recited one by Muslims in the daily prayers. Here is the incomparable Abdul Basit’s recitation:

And a live recitation also by Abdul Basit:

And a recitation of the same chapter by a female Qur’an reciter, Seemi Ghazi: soundcloud.com/ain-a-shams/su…

And here is one of my own favorites, by Ahmad al-‘Ajami:

And a rather melodious one by Muzammil Hasballah:

The revelation of the Qur’an is said to have started on this Night of Power, therefore rendering it, according to Surah 97, “better than a thousand months”

Al-Suyuti, a 16th century scholar, states the Qur’an “descended” from the Preserved Tablet (al-Lawh al-Mahfuz) to the lowest level of heaven (specifically, the Bayt al-‘izzah) on the Night of Power, and then in stages upon the Prophet’s heart during the revelatory process.

So much of religious traditions are about knowing.
We are told to know our own self, and thus to know God

The last ten nights of Ramadan are about something different, about a not-knowing. It is sitting with a mystery. It is opening one’s heart to a secret.

The mystery of the Night of Power is that God and the sacred can erupt here, there, everywhere, in every moment, seen and unseen!

The Night of Power may be the 21st night of Ramadan. Or the 23rd. Or maybe, the 25th. Then again, possibly the 27th. It’s one of the last ten odd nights of Ramadan.

Which one?
Accept the Mystery. The Un-knowing.
Embrace the not knowing.

Rumi says about this night:
“God,
just like the Night of Power,
is hidden amidst the other nights
So that the soul
will go on seeking every night.”

Rumi continues:
“Oh young one,
not every night is the Night of Power
And yet,
not every night
is bereft of the Night of Power”
Masnavi 2:2935.

The Laylat al-Qadr made its way to poetry: Rudaki composed a poem stating that if the beloved were to show his/her face, it would be like the Night of Power to the lover.

Certain saintly beings were told to be given knowledge by God about the Night of Power. That includes the mother of Ibn Khafif, herself a saintly sage.

Some scholars have pointed out the parallel of the Qur’an “being sent down” (Nuzul) into this realm with the Prophet “ascending” (Mi‘raj) into the heavenly realms.

According to some Shi’i sages, the “night of power” refers to the mystical experience of the Prophet having received the Qur’an directly into his heart. Kashani, for example, identifies this night with the “Muhammadi” nature.

In some Shi’a source, the feminine nature of the “Laylat al-Qadr” in Arabic is taken as proof that it symbolically refers to Hazrat Fatima, the Prophet’s daughter.

There are annual commemorations of the Laylat al-Qadr in the Al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem (al-Quds):
and #alquds #quds #alaqsa #aqsa

So when is the Laylat al-Qadr?
It is hidden in plain sight.
It’s like the beloved, so manifest
that she’s hidden from sight.

May it be tonight.
May it...

If you enjoy these types of threads, feel free to join us on illuminatedcourses.com. Our current course is on Mawlana #Rumi's "Heart of Rumi's Poetry":
illuminatedcourses.com/theheartofrumi…

Subsequent ones will be, insha'allah, on Radical Love, and the mystical verses of the Qur'an.

Have to add another item: Thanks to Prof. @jsmorientalist , found that the great Hafez of Shiraz weaves the imagery of the Night of Power into a beautiful, sensual love poem (ghazal). Leave it to Hafez to go from shab-e qadr to cuddling in less than a line!