Iranians mark ‘Laylat al-Qadr’ with night-long prayers

Muslims worldwide observe the occasion every year in the holy month of Ramadan by congregating in mosques and shrines for prayers.

For Iranians, no place is better to spend this sacred night than the shrine of Imam Reza, the eighth Shia Imam, in the southeastern city of Mashhad. The shrine witnesses a large rush of devotees on this sacred night. 

Islamic scriptures say Laylat al-Qadr marks the night when the Holy Quran was revealed to Prophet Mohammad. The holy book says on this night, angels descend on earth to listen to the prayers of worshippers.

No exact date is provided for the night of destiny, but all Islamic references are unanimous that the Quran was revealed to the prophet on one of three different dates: the 19th, the 21st, or the 23rd nights of the holy month of Ramadan.

It’s the first time in two years that the Night of Destiny is being marked without outdoor ceremonies, as coronavirus prevented such gatherings in 2020 and 2021.

That has attracted a large number of pilgrims from different parts of the country to the shrine of Imam Reza.