Enes Karić on Laylat al-Qadr: A Space of Time in Which the Light of Revelation Descends

(Patria) - With the evening prayer tomorrow, March 16, the blessed night of Laylat al-Qadr begins, the night of the revelation of the Quran and special divine closeness.

Its value is expressed in the Surah Al-Qadr, where it is said that it is "better than a thousand months".

Traditions passed down from the Prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, state that it should be sought on the odd-numbered nights of the last third of Ramadan. Scholars are of the opinion that it is most likely the 27th night.

Professor Emeritus Enes Karić points out that the motif of night in the Quran appears on multiple levels of meaning, from the most literal to the symbolic.

– The motif of night, not just one night, but many nights in general, is often mentioned in the Quran. Sometimes the motif of night is contrasted with the motif of day. Layl – nahar, night – day. And according to Quranic commentaries, at this first level of understanding, the motif of night and the motif of day should be understood as meteorological time – states Karić.

According to his interpretation, at this first level of understanding, it is about an experience shared by all living beings.

– And these are two hands, practically: night is one hand, day is the other, on a celestial clock – explained Professor Karić.

In Quranic symbolism, however, night does not only denote meteorological time. In many meanings, it appears as a metaphor for spiritual darkness or delusion.

Professor Karić reminds that both the Quran and the Bible were written in images understandable to the widest circle of people.

– Night is often likened in the Quran to something that is delusion, darkness, disbelief, a state in which humanity did not know God – he explained.

However, precisely in that symbolic space of darkness, the Quran singles out one night that takes on a completely different meaning. It is the night in which the light of God's word is revealed.

– In two places, night is characteristically singled out again as the expanse of time in which the light of Revelation descends, and that is actually Laylat al-Qadr – says Professor Karić.

In another Quranic passage, this night is called "mubarek", meaning blessed night, while in Surah Al-Qadr it is described as a night of exceptional spiritual strength.

– A night that is better than a thousand months – reminds Karić, emphasizing that this points to the unique significance of the Quran's revelation.

According to his interpretation, the value of this night stems precisely from that event of Revelation.

The Quranic message, he adds, emphasizes that God's books, including the Quran, are described as light that illuminates the human path.

– That is why, in Islamic tradition, Laylat al-Qadr is welcomed with reciting the Quran, prayer, and supplication. It is very important to spend this night precisely in reciting the Quran – said Karić, reminding that believers can recite the original Arabic text, but also read translations and reflect on its meanings.

Because, Laylat al-Qadr is the night in which, according to the Quranic description, angels descend to Earth, and the time until dawn is filled with peace and divine mercy.