What if you only had one specific second every year to enter into God’s presence? If that one second took you outside of time itself and allowed you to see the Lord’s divinity and to get your prayers answered, wouldn’t you do anything in your power to make sure that you could gain access?

This is what the “Night of Power,” known as Laylat al-Qadr, tempts your Muslim friends with every Ramadan. The Night of Power takes place during the last ten days of the fasting month– Ramadan, but no one knows which night. Muslims are only told that it takes place on an odd-numbered date during the last ten days of Ramadan.

This is the only time in the entire year Muslims may have any form of intimacy with Allah. But in order to experience Allah’s presence for one second, Muslims must devote themselves to prayer for hours on end. They stay in their neighborhood mosques, trying to catch that moment and earn entrance into the presence of the Divine.

Why is Laylat al-Qadr special?

The Night of Power story states this is the night Muhammad received the first revelation of the Quran from Allah. Muslims believe that Allah has put immense spiritual power into this night, therefore, if you worship on that night, it is worth thousands of months of worship!

This powerful night allows the worshiper to ascend into a higher spiritual plane, through the heavens, and into Allah’s presence to gain favor and forgiveness. Allah shows great mercy to his creation on the Night of Power and he decides the fate of his worshipers.

This surah (chapter) in the Quran is a main passage used to describe it:

“In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. Surely, We sent it down on the Night of Destiny. 

And what should make thee know what the Night of Destiny is? The Night of Destiny is better than a thousand months. 

Therein descend angels and the Spirit by the command of their Lord — with every matter. It is all peace till the rising of the dawn.”

Surah 97:1-6

What do Muslims do during the Night of Power?

Since Muslims are told that worship done during this night is more valuable than one thousand months of worship, very devout Muslims will spend the last ten days of Ramadan in the mosque, praying and worshiping. They believe mosques will be where Allah shows up and reveals his blessings.

Women are not usually included in this ritual. They are encouraged to stay home and pray there instead of in a mosque because this is what pleases Allah.

Islam claims that Muslims who are prepared and are in a state of deep prayer during the Night of Power gain access to this moment of Divine Presence. This happens in a matter of seconds, during which Allah’s presence is manifested to all creation, where all animals, plants, and even buildings, fall to the ground in the presence of Allah. Nothing remains standing on earth or in heaven! And devout Muslims believe that this takes place physically! 

Muslims must make sure they are ritually clean and praying or reciting the Quran perfectly to have a chance at experiencing this moment of Allah’s presence. This night is another example of the many rules and rituals they are forced to follow, without any guarantee that it will work.

What does the Bible say about being in God’s presence as a Christian?

Muslims are only offered one opportunity every year to enter into Allah’s presence, while we as followers of Christ have constant access to God through Jesus Christ! 

When Jesus died on the cross, the veil in the temple was torn in half, from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51). This veil separated the world from God’s presence before, and when it ripped we no longer had to go to a particular place or time to experience God’s presence. Then in Acts 2, we see Christ’s followers receive the Holy Spirit, as promised by Jesus before He ascended into heaven. Now, not only do we have constant access to God through Jesus, but He dwells in us! 

“Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16