[PHOTOS] Muslims celebrate Nuzul al-Quran – the day the first verse was revealed

KUALA LUMPUR – Today marks the 17th day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is known as Nuzul al-Quran.

It also a historical date in the Muslim calendar celebrated by believers, seeing that the first verse of the al-Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad on this day, before it was codified after his death into the final modern version.

The first verse is traditionally believed to be Chapter 96 of the holy book titled Al-‘Alaq, where the Archangel Gabriel appeared before Muhammad and commanded him to “Read” – signifying the importance of knowledge in Islam.

Muhammad, who was illiterate, told Gabriel that he could not read before the Messenger revealed to him the first lines: “Read: In the name of your Lord Who created, (1) Created human from a clot. (2) Read: And your Lord is the Most Generous, (3) Who taught by the pen, (4) Taught human that which he knew not.”

Generally, Muslims worldwide would celebrate the final 15 days of the fasting month by multiplying their good deeds, performing more prayers and reciting the Quran, hoping that Allah will accept their actions and reward them accordingly in the afterlife.

From the 20th night of Ramadan until the eve of Hari Raya Aidilfitri, these believers will begin chasing the sacred night known as Laylat al-Qadar.

According to tradition, the blessings from worshipping on this one particular night has no equal – as its rewards of worship on this one single night is more than the rewards of a thousand months of worship.

The Vibes photographer, SAIRIEN NAFIS, was on the ground to capture the activities of Muslims in the last 15 days of Ramadan before Aidilfitri. – The Vibes, April 19, 2022