What Is the Difference Between Nuzulul Quran and Lailatul Qadar? The Sunnah Practices
Ramadan holds two moments of great virtue in Islam: Nuzulul Quran and Lailatul Qadar. Although both occur during Ramadan, they are distinct. Both events are generally believed to take place in Ramadan, and both are highly venerated for Muslims worldwide to increase acts of worship. However, they are not the same. So, what are the differences between Nuzulul Quran and Lailatul Qadar? Find the differences and their Sunnah practices below.
Differences between Nuzulul Quran and Lailatul Qadar:
The differences lie in the meaning of the term and understanding, etc. More clearly, please see the following full explanation.
- Nuzulul Quran: The Day the Qur’an Descended
In All About Ramadhan: A Faithful Companion to Worship by Rosidin, Nuzulul Quran comes from the word nuzul meaning ‘to descend’. Thus, the meaning of Nuzulul Quran as a whole is the day the Qur’an descended.
In another source, Ajar Ulumul Qur’an written by Ali Mubin, Nuzulul Quran cannot be interpreted literally as ‘the descent of the Qur’an’. The source explains Nuzulul Al-Quran in a figurative sense, i.e., the delivery of information or revelation to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), from the unseen realm to the visible world through the intermediary of the angel Jibril (Gabriel).
The same source also states that Nuzulul Quran occurred on Friday night, 17 Ramadan, in the 41st year since the birth of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The event is mentioned in Allah’s statement in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 185:
“Ramadan in which the Qur’an was revealed, a guide for humanity and a clear explanation of the guidance and the differences between right and wrong.”
Different from the earlier source, the book All About Ramadhan states that the day the Qur’an descended coincided with the Battle of Badr, namely on 17 Ramadan 2 AH. The information is based on Allah’s statement in Surah Al-Anfal, verse 41:
“… on the Day of Furqan, the day when two armies met (the Battle of Badr).”
In another verse, it is also mentioned that the descent of the Qur’an occurred on the Night of Decree. The verse is from Surah Al-Qadr, verse 1:
“Indeed, We sent it down on the Night of Decree.”
That verse shows that although Nuzulul Quran and Lailatul Qadar are different, they intersect; both occur at times that are likely the same.
- Lailatul Qadar: The Night of Honour
Lailatul Qadar comes from the word laila meaning ‘night’ and qadar meaning ‘glory’. Thus, the term Lailatul Qadar denotes the Night of Honour.
Abdullah F Hasan in the book 200 Easy Good Deeds with Special Rewards explains Lailatul Qadar as a single night in Ramadan described as better than a thousand months, or equal to 83 years of a person’s life.
The description of the night’s specialness is stated in Allah’s words in Surah Al-Qadr, verses 1-5:
“Indeed, We have sent it (the Qur’an) down on the Night of Decree. And do you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. In that night the angels and the Spirit descend by the permission of their Lord to govern all matters. That night is peace until the emergence of dawn.”
No one knows for sure when the Night of Decree will occur. But a hadith in Bukhari and Muslim states that the Night of Decree happens in the last ten nights of Ramadan, especially on the odd nights. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) said: ‘Seek Lailatul Qadar in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.’
The Prophet also described the signs of Lailatul Qadar. A hadith transmitted by Imam Ahmad states:
“The signs of Lailatul Qadar are a night that is bright as if there were a rising moon, calm, quiet, not cold, not hot; it is not lawful for stars to be cast on that night until dawn. And among its signs is that the morning sun rises with diffuse light, its rays not dazzling, its light like the moon, and it is not lawful for the devil to come out at that time.”
Sunnah Practices on Lailatul Qadar and Nuzulul Quran
As explained earlier, both Nuzulul Quran and Lailatul Qadar share the same time window in Ramadan, even the same general time. Their Sunnah practices are aligned with the broader Sunnah of Ramadan.
In this regard, one can perform the common Sunnah practices to attain the blessedness of these nights. The following Sunnah practices of Lailatul Qadar are cited from Mukjizat Lailatul Qadar: Menemukan Berkah pada Malam Seribu Bulan by Arif M. Riswanto:
Perform i’tikaf in the mosque
Observe Tarawih prayers
Read, understand, and apply the Qur’an
Increase charitable giving
Attend to physical cleanliness and clothing
Increase supplication, remembrance, and seeking forgiveness
That is the explanation of the differences between Nuzulul Quran and Lailatul Qadar along with their Sunnah practices. May it be clear so it can be a guide in performing the Sunnah, Dab!