In Which Month Was the Quran Revealed?
The Quran was revealed in the month of Ramadan, as stated in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185). Its first revelation came on Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power, one of the blessed odd nights in the last ten days of Ramadan.
Key Takeaways
- The Quran was revealed in Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
- The Quran states this in Surah Al-Baqarah, verse 185.
- The first revelation came on Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power or Decree.
- Surah Al-Qadr (chapter 97) says this night is better than a thousand months.
- The exact night is not fixed; it is sought in the last ten nights of Ramadan.
- Shia narrations emphasise the 23rd night, while many Sunnis emphasise the 27th.
In Which Month Was the Quran Revealed?
The Quran was revealed in Ramadan. Allah says in Surah Al-Baqarah (2:185) that the month of Ramadan is the one in which the Quran was sent down as guidance for people. This is why Ramadan is so closely tied to the Quran, and why so many Muslims focus on recitation and tilawah during this month.
What Is Laylat al-Qadr?
Laylat al-Qadr means the Night of Power or the Night of Decree. The whole of Surah Al-Qadr (chapter 97) is devoted to it, describing it as better than a thousand months, which is more than eighty years of worship. On this night the angels descend with their Lord's permission, and peace continues until dawn. Surah Ad-Dukhan (44:3) also calls it a blessed night.
Was the Whole Quran Revealed at Once?
Scholars describe two stages. In one view, the entire Quran first descended together on Laylat al-Qadr, and then it was revealed to the Prophet gradually over about 23 years. The Quran itself points to this gradual revelation in Surah Al-Isra (17:106) and Surah Al-Furqan (25:32), where it explains that it was sent in stages to strengthen the heart of the Prophet.
Which Night Is Laylat al-Qadr?
The exact night was not named, but it falls among the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. In Shia narrations the focus is on the 19th, 21st, and 23rd nights, with the 23rd most emphasised. In many of these narrations, destinies are written on the 19th, finalised on the 21st, and confirmed on the 23rd. Many Sunnis place special weight on the 27th night. The night was left open so that believers would worship across all of these nights and not just one.
The Numbers Behind the Night
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Month of revelation | Ramadan, the 9th month |
| Quran reference | Surah Al-Baqarah, 2:185 |
| Night of revelation | Laylat al-Qadr |
| Surah about the night | Al-Qadr, chapter 97, 5 verses |
| Value of the night | Better than 1,000 months (about 83 years) |
| When to seek it | Odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan |
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- Fasting from dawn to sunset throughout the month.
- Reciting the Quran more often, often aiming to complete a full reading.
- Standing in night prayers and turning to Allah through dua and ziyarat.
- Seeking Laylat al-Qadr in the last ten nights with extra worship.
- Giving charity and reflecting on the meaning of the verses through Tafsir.
Frequently Asked Questions
In which month was the Quran revealed?
The Quran was revealed in Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar.
On which night was the Quran first revealed?
On Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Power.
Which night is Laylat al-Qadr?
An odd night in the last ten of Ramadan. Shia narrations emphasise the 23rd, while many Sunnis emphasise the 27th.
Which surah talks about the night?
Surah Al-Qadr, chapter 97 of the Quran.
Was the whole Quran revealed in one night?
One view holds that it descended together to the lowest heaven that night, then reached the Prophet gradually over about 23 years.
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