The Night of Power and Predestination in 2025: the history and traditions of the Muslim holiday

At the end of March, Muslims around the world celebrate the Night of Power and Predestination, or al-Qadr Night, one of the most significant holidays that falls on the holy month of Ramadan. Izvestia tells us why this is the most important night for adherents of Islam and when the celebrations will take place in 2025.

When is the Night of Power and Predestination in 2025

Date of the celebration (Arabic. Lailatul-Qadr), as is the case with other Muslim holidays, depends on the lunar calendar. Since ancient times, al-Qadr Night has been celebrated on one of the last ten nights of Ramadan, the longest and strictest Muslim fast, similar to Lent among Christians.

According to legend, it was in the last decade of the holy month that the angel Gabriel, known in the Abrahamic religions as Archangel Gabriel, appeared to the Prophet Muhammad and handed over the Koran. However, the exact date of this event is unknown. Therefore, Muslims celebrate the Night of al-Qadr closer to the end of the fast, and on an odd day.

The beginning of the celebration is determined by the clear, cloudless weather, when the Moon is shining brightly in the sky and shooting stars are not visible. Muslims believe that it is on such a night that angels descend to earth, and prayers have much more power than anything uttered in a year. It is not for nothing that the Qur'an says that the Night of Power and Predestination is better than a thousand months in which it does not exist.

In 2025, the main night of the year will be celebrated on Wednesday, March 26. The celebrations will begin immediately after sunset and last until sunrise the next day.

The holy month of Ramadan in 2025: dates, strict prohibitions on what Muslims can eat

Ramadan will begin on February 28 and end on March 29, and Muslims will celebrate Eid al-Adha the next day.

How is the Muslim Night of Power going?

On the holiday, believers traditionally read the Koran and missed prayers. Before the Night of al-Qadr, Muslims perform a complete ablution, put on clean clothes and create an atmosphere of peace in the house in order to fully focus on spiritual practice.

In addition, the faithful strive to cleanse their hearts of negativity in advance, reconcile with their loved ones and let go of all resentments. These actions, like physical ablution, serve as the main preparatory stage for the celebration.

The most important thing on the holy night is to do penance (tauba), sincerely repenting of your sins. It is believed that only those who repent of their sins can count on the mercy and forgiveness of the Almighty.

In addition to prayers, Muslims try to do good deeds: they give alms and help those in need.

What prayers are recited on the Night of al-Qadr

On the Night of Power and predestination, first of all, it is necessary to read the 97th surah of the Quran "Al-Qadr" ("Power"). Special supplications (dua) are also pronounced, emphasizing the prayer for forgiveness. She was taught to read by the Prophet Muhammad himself.

The prayer contains the following words: "Allahumma iinaka gafu, tuhabbal gafu fagafa ganna." Translated, they mean: "O Allah! Truly, You are All-forgiving, Merciful to everyone who asks for forgiveness, forgive our sins."

Also, in the mosque or at home, it is necessary to pay attention to all missed prayers. Prayers are usually read until the early hours of the morning. Believers who, for health reasons and other reasons, cannot spend the whole night in worship can only read night and morning prayers.

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For Muslims, holidays are an opportunity to catch up on reading missed prayers, repent of sins and perform good deeds

What not to do on a Muslim holiday

Since the Night of al-Qadr falls on Ramadan, the strictest month of the year, devout Muslims continue to observe the strictest fast, which prescribes not to eat or drink from sunrise to sunset.

Alcohol is under a special ban. Although alcohol consumption is frowned upon on other days, violating the prohibition on the holy night is considered the greatest sin.

It is also forbidden to swear, swear, or spend time idly, including watching TV shows and taking part in entertainment events.

Earlier, Izvestia reported on the essence and traditions of the Muslim holiday Baraat Night.