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Lailatul Qadr is a moment which is eagerly waited for by those who fast during the month of Ramadhan. This is special religious tradition is a thanksgiving celebration on the nights of the odd dates during the last ten days of Ramadhan. The celebration of Nuzulul Quran (the coming down of the Quran) and Lailatul Qadr complements the holy month of Ramadhan.

The Al-Quran was brought down on Lailatul Qadr, which is also called “The Blessed Night” (Laylah Mubarakah). “The night that a Message descends from Allah is indeed a blessed night like a day of rain for a parched land.”

What the Holy Quran is for the Muslims Jesus is for the Christians. When on Lailatul Qadr the eyes of Muslims turn to the Mosque to relish again the meaning of the Holy Quran and recognize it as the Revelation and Divine book; on Christmas night the eyes of Christians are turned toward the manger: “He is born, the divine child.” And Jesus is recognized as “Saviour” and “Christ the Lord”. Christians cannot lose sight of this. On the contrary, it is important to be aware of all that the coming of the Son of God born of a woman implies. However, our guide is what we hear proclaimed in Scripture more than what we perceive in our imagination and pious sensibility. “Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; He is Christ the Lord.” Without any doubt it can be said that the birth of Jesus makes this night “Blessed.”

When does Lailatul Qadr or this Blessed Night happen? In the Indonesian tradition it is interesting to note that Lailatul Qadr, the night when the Quran descended is separate from Nuzulul Quran. This difference is specific to Indonesia alone, as other Muslim countries do not make this difference and understand both these days as one. “The night of Power is better than a thousand months, on this night came down the angels and the Spirit (Ruh) by Allah”s permission on every affair/errand.” “The thousand months”, it is important to note, is taken in an indefinite sense; as denoting a very long period of time, referring not to our ideas of time but to “timeless Time”. “One moment of enlightenment under Allah's Light is better than thousands of months or years of animal life, and such a moment converts the night of darkness into a period of spiritual glory.”

Revelation gives life to the heart that is empty or dead because of ignorance; not knowing the difference between true and false. The Al Quran”s function in life is like a guide to man for the high form of spiritual life. This Divine Revelation, like the Spirit, gives spiritual life to humankind: “O you who believe! Give your response to Allah and His Messengers, when He calleth you to that which will give you life and know that Allah comes in between you and your heart”..” Therefore the interpretation in the chapter Al Qadr is the descent of the Divine Revelation which embraces all Allah”s commands and which contribute to the vitality of the spiritual life of humanity.

Hence, Lailatul Qadr is a great moment which determines the whole life of a person (uptil 1000 months, or 80 years!), when a person chooses to prepare and purify his interior life to receive the divine revelation. In this case, one receives, understands, feels and practices the Al Quran. Lailatul Qadr, like explained in the interpretation of A.Yusuf Ali, is “ a mystical moment”, where during this night, like the Night of Specification and The Night of Power, Allah has wiped out all our ignorance in all our errands/affairs , with His Revelation. “You see, God”s grace has been revealed to save the human race.” or “All the ends of the earth have seen the saving power of our God.”

This is expressed more clearly in a syair (a poem)

Blessed indeed is the Night of Power! When the Mercy of God”s
Revelation breaks through the darkness of the human soul!
All the Powers, of the world divine, speed on their mystic Message of Mercy,
By God”s command, and bless every nook and corner of the heart!
Every place is stilled in the supreme reign of Peace, until this mortal night gives place To the glorious day of an immortal world!

After the experience of these “Blessed Nights” may we all be urged to “go backglorifying and praising God for all that we have heard and seen”.