“Read…..Read…..Read in the name of your Lord who created you from a single clot. Read, and your Lord is the Honorable who taught you with the pen.”

It was 1414 years ago when these words awoke the Holy Prophet Muhammad as he lay asleep in a cave on a mountain called Hira’ in Mecca, where he used to go for a spiritual retreat for a month every year. According to Islamic tradition, this was the first revelation of the Koran which was to continue in passages and verses for 23 years that followed.

Startled and bewildered, the prophet had initially refused to follow these words and did so the third time the voice said “Read!” A poignant and symbolic message that the very first words of the revelation are about reading–gaining knowledge and understanding–commandments that hopefully stand as a beacon for Muslims and, ring true for humanity at large.

According to Islamic tradition, this voice was heard on one of the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramzan, and today, the 27th evening is considered by most as that night of revelation. The holiest of the holy nights in the Islamic calendar, bestowed with a special place of mercy, compassion, forgiveness, supplication, power, and all other words that might describe its sheer importance. A night called more holy than a thousand nights, Lailath ul Qadar appears in the Koran as such.

Many Muslims worldwide spend this night in prayer and meditation and mosques around the world are packed with worshippers. Others view this night as a gift to the world. To those of my friends and family observing, I wish you the acceptance of your prayers, peace, and blessings.

And with great love and esteem for the master of the crown, the rider of the Burraq, the traveler of the Meraj, the keeper of the standard, the Guide and light, the Prophet Mohammad-e-Mustafa, son of Abdullah.