Lailatul Qadr

Lailatul Qadr History

Lailatul Qadr, also known as Night of Power or the Night of Decree, commemorates the night when Allah revealed the first verses of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad, it holds a great spiritual significance for Muslims worldwide. Devotees spend this special night in prayer, seeking forgiveness, giving charity, and reciting the Quran, which is believed to bring about enormous blessings, rewards, and the purification of one's soul.

Originating from the Arabian Peninsula in the 7th century, Lailatul Qadr has since extended its geographical reach, and is now observed by Muslims across the world, including South Africa. The varied Islamic practices amongst South Africans reflect the diverse origins of its Muslim community, whose roots can be traced back to Southeast Asian, Indian, and African Muslims. On this sacred night, it is customary for South African Muslims to engage in additional prayers, known as Tarawih, having iftar(morning feast), and participate in communal religious activities.

In South Africa, Mosques become vibrant centres of spiritual activity, adorned with lights and filled with the melodious recitation of the Quran. It is common to have full night-long prayer sessions, including community iftars and sehri - predawn meal. Lailatul Qadr is observed during the last ten days of Ramadan, as is the case globally, as the exact date is not specified in the Quran. It's widely believed to fall on the odd nights, primarily the 27th. Whether in urban areas like Cape Town and Johannesburg or rural communities, the significance of this night radiates through various Islamic practices in South Africa.

Top 10 Facts for 2026 Lailatul Qadr in South Africa

• In South Africa, the upcoming observance of Lailatul Qadr is widely anticipated as the 27th night of Ramadan, a time when many local mosques host a Khatmul Quran to mark the completion of the nightly recitation of the entire holy book.
• Many South Africans seek out the specific spiritual rewards of this night because it is described as being better than a thousand months, a concept often referenced by local charitable organizations like Muslim Hands South Africa to encourage intensive giving.
• Community radio stations, such as Radio 786 and Voice of the Cape, typically broadcast special late-night programming featuring live dhikr and spiritual guidance to assist those observing the night in their homes or at the mosque.
• A distinct cultural aspect of the observance in Cape Malay communities is the preparation of traditional treats like daaltjies and koesisters, which are often shared with neighbors and fellow congregants during the late-night breaks between prayers.
• Local observers often look for specific natural "signs" that the night has occurred, such as a uniquely calm and temperate atmosphere in their city or a sun that rises the following morning without its usual harsh rays.
• For many in the Western Cape, the night is affectionately known by the Afrikaans name Nag van Krag, while in other regions, it may be referred to in Zulu as Ubusuku Bamandla.
• Some South African Muslims choose to spend the final ten days of Ramadan in i’tikaf, a practice of spiritual seclusion within the mosque that reaches its peak of intensity during the odd-numbered nights.
• The 15th night of Ramadan, known as Boeber aand, often serves as a traditional precursor to the more solemn and intense worship planned for the upcoming Lailatul Qadr.
• Organizations such as Islamic Relief South Africa typically run major fundraising drives during this period, as the local community believes that any act of charity performed on this specific night is multiplied in value.
• Many families across the country host private late-night gatherings for Tahajjud prayers, often concluding with a shared pre-dawn meal known as suhoor before the next day's fast begins.

In the News and Trending in South Africa for Lailatul Qadr

Top things to do in South Africa for Lailatul Qadr

• For Lailatul Qadr, Muslims typically congregate in mosques to pray and worship all night together. Imams often give sermons that teach listeners about the best prayers they can make that night.
• On this night, many Muslims give money away in charity, after more than 20 days of fasting. The rewards of charity are multiplied on Lailatul Qadr. This can be evidenced by the Prophet Muhammad's teachings: Whoever draws near to Allah during it (Ramadan) with a single characteristic from the characteristics of (voluntary) goodness, he is like whoever performs an obligatory act in other times. And whoever performs an obligatory act during it, he is like whoever performed seventy obligatory acts in other times - Ibn Khuzaymah, Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, 1887
• Attend Night Prayers at Local Mosques: Muslims will spend the majority of this night in prayer at local mosques.
• Read a book to learn more about Lailatul Qadr in South Africa:
  The Night of Decree - by Dr Ali Mohammed Salah.
  Laylatul-Qadr: Its Virtues and Signs - by Salih Al Fawzan.
  Ramadan, Fasting, and Laylat al-Qadr - by Abu Ibrahim Majdi Muhammad Ash-Shahawi.