Dear Muslim friends,
One of the aspects of Islam that intrigues me greatly is the time during Ramadan known as the “Night of Power” – Laylat al-Qadr.
For my non-Muslim readers, Islamic tradition holds that the Night of Power is the night that the first revelation of the Qur’an was sent down to Muhammad. Muslims are instructed to “seek” the Night of Power during the last ten days of the thirty days of Ramadan, particularly on the odd numbered nights (the 21st night, the 23rd night, etc.).
It is reported that Muhammad said:
“Whoever stays up (in prayer and remembrance of Allah) on the Night of Qadr, fully believing (in Allah’s promise of reward) and hoping to seek reward, he shall be forgiven for his past sins” (hadith from Sahih Bukhari).
The Qur’an, Sura (chapter) 97, says of the Night of Power:
In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful
We have indeed revealed this message in the Night of Power.
And what will explain what the Night of Power is?
The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
Therein come down the angels and the spirit, by Allah’s permission, on every errand.
Peace! Until the rising of the morn!
“Muslims worldwide spend the last ten nights of Ramadan in solid devotion, retreating to the mosque to read Qur’an, reciting special supplications, and reflecting on the meaning of Allah’s message to us. It is believed to be a time of intense spirituality, when the believers are surrounded by angels, the gates of heaven are open, and God’s blessings and mercy are abundant. (http://islam.about.com/od/ramadan/a/leyla_qadr.htm)
As I close this post, may I ask important – eternally important – questions of my Muslim readers:
*** Do you believe you have ever found/experienced the Night of Power?
*** How would you know if you did?
*** If you experienced the Night of Power, do you believe all your sins were forgiven?
*** If your sins were all forgiven, how would you know?
*** If your sins were all forgiven, could that forgiveness be lost or forfeited by later sins?
Thanks for reading and as always, I love you, my dear Muslim friends!
Postscript: the greatest – the most powerful – night of my life was May 28, 1966. That amazing night found me, even though I wasn’t looking for it (what compassion and mercy!).
On that night, I experienced an unbelievable power – the power of God in forgiving my sins. A kind man simply read one verse of the Bible to me and my life was changed forever. It was John 3:16. Please look it up!
I will never forget the change and the new life that came to me on that night.
Dear Muslim friends, I pray for each one of you to experience that kind of power.
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