When Is Nuzulul Qur'an? Its Schedule According to Qur'anic Guidance

Nuzulul Qur’an is the event of the Qur’an descending in Arabic, celebrated by Muslims during Ramadan as the moment when Allah SWT revealed the Qur’an as guidance for mankind. The timing of Nuzulul Qur’an is explained in the Qur’an, in Surah Al-Qadr, verse 1: ‘Inna anzalnahu fi laylat al-qadr.’ It translates to, ‘Indeed, We have sent it (the Qur’an) down on the Night of Majestic Privilege.’ According to commentators, the ‘Night of Decree’ refers to Lailatul Qadar. Although no person knows the exact date of Lailatul Qadar, Muslims commemorate Nuzulul Qur’an on 17 Ramadan, which this year falls on 7 March 2026.

Why is Nuzulul Qur’an observed on 17 Ramadan? An NU Online article titled “Why is the Qur’an commemorated on 17 Ramadhan?” explains that the observation on 17 Ramadan rests on the view that on that date the Prophet Muhammad SAW received his first revelation at the age of 41. At that moment, the Prophet received the first revelation, namely Surah Al-‘Alaq verses 1-5: ’Iqra’ bismi rabbika alladhi khalaqa. Khalaqa al-insana min alaq. Iqra’ warabbuka al-akram. Alladhi allama bil-qalam. Allama al-insana ma lam ya’lam.’ This translates as, ‘Read in the name of your Lord who created. He created man from a clinging substance. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous. Who taught by the pen. Taught man that which he knew not.’

Indonesian commentator Quraish Shihab, the author of Tafsir Al Mishbah, states that, based on Surah Al-Qadr, scholars conclude that the Qur’an descended twice: once in total and once gradually. ‘It descended all at once from Lauh al-Mahfuz to the world; all at once (with) 6,236 verses. After that, it descended gradually over more than 22 years.’