Dreams and visions on the Night of Power

You may notice the displays in Supermarkets and the preparations of some families in your area for a big celebration, as Ramadan is about to come to an end with a great 3-day celebration of Eid al-Fitr. Families gather in each other’s homes and enjoy one another's company. But much less known is a special evening celebrated tonight in most parts of the world—the Night of Power.

Laylat al-Qadr—variously rendered in English as the Night of Decree, Night of Power, Night of Value, Night of Destiny, or Night of Measures—happens on or around the 27th day of Ramadan. Many Muslim scholars believe that it was on this night that Muhammad received his first revelation.

The Qur’an describes this night as “better than a thousand months” (Sura 97:3). Many Muslims will gather in the mosque and spend the entire night praying and seeking favour from God, believing that on this night, the blessings and mercy of Allah is abundant, sins are forgiven, and prayer requests are accepted.

It should be noted that there is great debate as to when exactly this night is to be celebrated. However, for Muslims it is almost universally the most holy night of the year. Many believe that there are special angels who appear only on this night for the purpose of worship and to grant special requests of praying Muslims. On this particular night they are especially open to dreams and visions as they seek guidance and revelation.

Revelations in Muslim evangelism
John Klaassen, author of Engaging with Muslims writes:
“Researchers suggest that about 80% of all new converts from Islam in South Asia come to faith because a dream or vision told them to seek the Christ. From North Africa to Southeast Asia many Muslim-background believers report some type of supernatural intervention in which God has revealed himself to them in the form of a dream or vision and told them to seek out someone, sometimes a specific someone, who would tell them the truth.

Years of encounters with believers and reading God’s word have often preceded that vision or dream, but not always. While not all Muslims have such an experience, many do, and the supernatural is an accepted part of everyday life.

I remember a young lady named Fatima, with whom my wife was spending a lot of time. She would come to a ladies’ Bible study, primarily made up of some westerners and former Muslim women. Fatima was faithful but would leave as soon as the Bible study ended, full of fear and questions. Eventually however, she could no longer resist the call of Christ to not be afraid, and she came to faith and was baptized!

As her story unfolded, we learned that years before she had a dream. A man dressed in white told her to go to the city where we were living and find out about Jesus. Her good friend, who had converted from Islam, lived in the city so she started visiting and learned who Jesus was and why she should follow him. Fatima chose to follow Jesus as a result of Bible study and the testimony of several Muslim-background believing women. In general, people do not report coming to faith in their dream or vision but, like Cornelius in Acts 10, they are directed to someone who then shares the truth of the gospel with them.

As Muslims in your area spend the night seeking signs, do not be afraid to pray that the one true Lord would reveal himself to them.

So as Muslims in your area and worldwide spend the night seeking signs, do not be afraid to pray that the one true Lord would reveal himself to them on their Night of Power. And be prepared, like Peter with Cornelius, or Ananias with Paul, to speak with a Muslim friend who may have received the gracious prompting of the Lord to seek his face.”

Engaging with Muslims will help you both understand and reach out to Muslim friends, colleagues and neighbours.

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