The Human Cohesion Project — 18 Apr 2023

Originally published at Medium

It is the day of Laylat al-Qadr today (that began last night) — the 27th night of Ramadan, when it is believed the first verses of Quran were revealed to Prophet Mohammed. In some cultures, every odd night of the third Ashra (the last 10 days) of Ramadan are observed as Laylat al-Qadr, the night of power — where prayers are supposed to be more powerful than on other nights. This year, Laylat al-Qadr also happens to coincide with the Jewish historical observance of Yom HaShoah — the Holocaust Remembrance Day. In Israel, it is a national memorial day.

In a?ghazal?(verse), Rumi says of Laylat-al-Qadr:

Day is to make a living

Night is only for love

Commoners sleep fast

Lovers whisper to God all night.

Of course, Rumi carried this sentiment for the divine not only in the context of this particular day, but also through all of life. In Dīvan-e Shams, he also refers to the movement towards death (all of life, that is) as a pilgrimage towards God. His death anniversary, therefore, on 17 December is celebrated as Sheb-i Arus, that translates as ‘wedding night’ — the day he united with the divine.

Whether we pray for blessings as Muslims do this day, or for healing from trauma as Jews happen to do on the same day this year, the quality of our offering of prayer shifts, if we view life the way Rumi did — as a pilgrimage, with some days like today offering an opportunity to accelerate the movement towards our highest selves.

Ramadan Kareem. May we live our lives as a pilgrimage.

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