Laylat al-Qadr in Australia
Quick Facts
Laylat al-Qadr is most likely to be held on one of the last 10 days of month of Ramadan in the Islamic calendar.Name
Laylat al-QadrLaylat al-Qadr 2010
Sunday, September 5, 2010Laylat al-Qadr 2011
Friday, August 26, 2011Note: Regional customs or moon sightings may cause a variation of the date for Islamic holidays, which begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday. The Islamic calendar is lunar and the days begin at sunset, so there may be one-day error depending on when the New Moon is first seen.
See list of observations below
Many Muslims in Australia celebrate Laylat al-Qadr, also spelled as Laylat al-Qadr or Shab-e-Qadr, which most likely falls on one of the last 10 days of the Islamic month of Ramadan. This event is one of the most blessed of all nights in the Islamic calendar year.
Laylat al Qadr is also known as the Night of Power or the Night of Destiny. It commemorates the night when God (Allah) revealed the Qur’an (or Koran), which is the Islamic holy book, to the prophet Muhammad (also known as Mohammad), according to Islamic belief.
Many Muslims spend time praying during Laylat al-Qadr. ©iStockphoto.com/Niko Guido
What do people do?
Many Muslims in Australia believe that Laylat al-Qadr marks the time when the Qur’an’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 Muslims spend this time of the year studying and praying. Some Muslims spend the whole night praying or reciting the Qur'an.
Public life
Laylat al-Qadr is not a public holiday in Australia. 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 Qur’an (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 Qur’an 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 Qur’an. The common belief that this day occurred on the 26th or 27th day of Ramadan has no Islamic base. It seems to have originated in Manichaeism where the death of Mani is celebrated on the 27th day of the fasting month. 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.
About Laylat al-Qadr in other countries
Read more about Laylat al-Qadr.Laylat al-Qadr Observances
Note: Regional customs or moon sightings may cause a variation of the date for Islamic holidays, which begin at sundown the day before the date specified for the holiday. The Islamic calendar is lunar and the days begin at sunset, so there may be one-day error depending on when the New Moon is first seen.| Weekday | Date | Year | Name | Holiday type | Where it is observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fri | Aug 8 | 1980 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Tue | Jul 28 | 1981 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Sun | Jul 18 | 1982 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Thu | Jul 7 | 1983 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Mon | Jun 25 | 1984 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Sat | Jun 15 | 1985 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Wed | Jun 4 | 1986 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Mon | May 25 | 1987 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Fri | May 13 | 1988 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Tue | May 2 | 1989 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Sun | Apr 22 | 1990 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Thu | Apr 11 | 1991 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Mon | Mar 30 | 1992 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Sat | Mar 20 | 1993 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Wed | Mar 9 | 1994 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Sun | Feb 26 | 1995 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Fri | Feb 16 | 1996 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Tue | Feb 4 | 1997 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Sun | Jan 25 | 1998 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Thu | Jan 14 | 1999 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Mon | Jan 3 | 2000 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Sat | Dec 23 | 2000 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Wed | Dec 12 | 2001 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Sun | Dec 1 | 2002 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Fri | Nov 21 | 2003 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Wed | Nov 10 | 2004 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Sun | Oct 30 | 2005 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Thu | Oct 19 | 2006 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Mon | Oct 8 | 2007 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Sat | Sep 27 | 2008 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Wed | Sep 16 | 2009 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Sun | Sep 5 | 2010 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Fri | Aug 26 | 2011 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Tue | Aug 14 | 2012 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Sat | Aug 3 | 2013 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Thu | Jul 24 | 2014 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim | |
| Mon | Jul 13 | 2015 | Laylat al-Qadr | Muslim |
Related holiday
- Ramadan begins–Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Other holidays in September 2010 in Australia
- Father's Day (Sunday, September 5, 2010)
- Rosh Hashana (Thursday, September 9, 2010)
- Eid-al-Fitr (Friday, September 10, 2010)
- Yom Kippur (Saturday, September 18, 2010)
- Autumnal equinox (Thursday, September 23, 2010)
- First day of Sukkot (Thursday, September 23, 2010)
- Queen's Birthday (Monday, September 27, 2010)
- Family & Community Day (Monday, September 27, 2010)
- Last day of Sukkot (Wednesday, September 29, 2010)
- Shmini Atzeret/Simchat Torah (Thursday, September 30, 2010)
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