Calculating Laylat al-Qadr

بِسۡمِ ٱللهِ ٱلرَّحۡمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ

There is a special night in Ramadhan, a night which is blessed as it is the night of the descending of the Qur’an.  It is called the “Night of Power”.  There are different opinions about the exact date of the Night of Power.  Some people point to the 27^th of Ramadhan.  Imam Abu Hanifah Nu’man ibn Tsabit (r.a.) also referred to a tradition that the Night moves through the year. 

The Prophet (s.a.w.) wanted to tell the community about the exact day of the Night of Power, but this knowledge was taken away.  According to the collector of traditions, Imam Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn Isma’il al-Bukhari (r.a.), the Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) said, “Seek it on the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadhan.” 

So, it is hidden, like the friend of Allah (s.w.t.) is hidden in order that we respect all people.  It is up to the aspirant to be alert and awake to its coming.  According to Khwaja Sulayman ‘Atha’ (q.s.), a murid of Khwaja Ahmad ibn Ibrahim al-Yasawi (q.s.), we should, “treat everyone you meet as Khidhr (a.s.) and every night as the Night of Power.” 

Shaykh Muhyi ad-Din Abu ‘Abdullah Muhammad ibn ‘Ali ibn ‘Arabi (q.s.) stated, “If the first of Ramadhan falls on a Monday, then it may be expected on either the 23^rd night or the 19^th.”  Likewise, he said thus: 

1^st Ramadhan = Tuesday: 29^th or 25^th.

1^st Ramadhan = Wednesday: 21^st or 17^th.

1^st Ramadhan = Thursday: 27^th or 23^rd.

1^st Ramadhan = Friday: if the first day of any month other than Ramadhan falls on a Friday, then the blessed night will be either the 15^th night or the 19^th of that month.

1^st Ramadhan = Saturday: 25^th or 21^st.

1^st Ramadhan = Sunday: if the first day of any month other than Ramadhan falls on a Sunday, then the blessed night will be either the 17^th night or the 13^th of that month.