Message #8551

[N. Truth Seeker]

Yes, brilliant piece.  It's the best clarification i've read of this subject.  I've read many others too but they omit something or the other leaving it unfinished.

.... our ulemas officially recognize the 27th day of Ramadan as Leilatul Qadr.  This is the "Night of Power" as stated in verses 97:2-3, which is when the revelation of the Glorious Quran began.  On Leilatul Qadr we are obligated to worship extra hours at night, after offering the Isha prayer, until Fajr of the following day.  Therefore, since the 27th day of Ramadan officially declared as Leilatur Qadr begins on the 27th, its night should also be after sunset of the same day until Fajr of the 28th.  But instead, our ulemas observe the Night of Power offering extra prayers (salaat al-leil) from the night of the 26th day after finishing the Isha prayer on the 26th until the Fajr of the 27th day.  Hence, according to this practice, we are actually keeping awake on the night of the 26th and not on the 27th.

You've perceived very correctly sister.  No one has so far brought up this point.  and logically u r right, it does mean that we are actually offering our salat-al-leyl on 26th.  It would have meant keeping awake on the night of the 27th if we were following the western clock rules for according to that a new day starts after midnight.  That's what our poor ulemas have gotten mixed up with even though we are not supposed to be following this rule.  lol.