Each Ramadan, two terms return to public discussion: Lailatul Qadr and Nuzulul Qur’an. Some Muslims equate the two. Others distinguish between them. Both are associated with the revelation of the Quran.
The question is straightforward yet fundamental: when was the Qur’an actually revealed? Did it descend on Lailatul Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan, or on the 17th of Ramadan, widely commemorated as Nuzulul Qur’an?
The Qur’an explicitly states that Ramadan is the month of revelation. God declares:
شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ هُدًى لِلنَّاسِ وَبَيِّنَاتٍ مِنَ الْهُدَى وَالْفُرْقَانِ
“The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed as guidance for mankind and as clear proofs of guidance and as the criterion between right and wrong.” (QS. Al-Baqarah: 185)
This verse firmly states the revelation in Ramadan. However, another verse identifies a specific night:
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ
“Indeed, We sent it down on the blessed night.” (QS. Al-Qadr: 1)
Likewise, the Qur’an states:
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنْذِرِينَ
“The month of Ramadan is the month in which the Qur’an was revealed as guidance for mankind and as clear proofs of guidance and as the criterion between right and wrong. (QS. Ad-Dukhan: 3)
Scholars interpret the “blessed night” as Lailatul Qadr, which occurs in Ramadan. Therefore, the Qur’an was revealed in Ramadan, specifically on Lailatul Qadr.
Two Distinct Stages of Revelation
How, then, should Muslims understand the widespread commemoration of the 17th of Ramadan as Nuzulul Qur’an?
Classical scholars explain that the revelation unfolded in two distinct stages.
First, the Qur’an descended in its entirety from Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet) to the lowest heaven, at a place known as Baitul ‘Izzah. This event occurred on Lailatul Qadr. At that stage, the revelation took place all at once as a comprehensive divine degree.
Second, the Qur’an was revealed gradually to the Prophet Muhammad over approximately 23 years, in both Mecca and Medina. In contrast to the Torah, Psalms, and Gospel, which were revealed in single transmissions to earlier prophets, the Qur’an addressed unfolding events and responded to concrete social realities. Revelation strengthened the Prophet’s heart and guided the emerging Muslim community step by step.
The beginning of this second stage occurred when the Prophet Muhammad was in spiritual retreat. It was located in the Cave of Hira on Jabal Nur. The Angel Gabriel appeared and commanded him to read. The first five verses of Surah Al-‘Alaq were then revealed:
اِقْرَأْ بِاسْمِ رَبِّكَ الَّذِيْ خَلَقَۚ خَلَقَ الْاِنْسَانَ مِنْ عَلَقٍۚ اِقْرَأْ وَرَبُّكَ الْاَكْرَمُۙ الَّذِيْ عَلَّمَ بِالْقَلَمِۙ عَلَّمَ الْاِنْسَانَ مَا لَمْ يَعْلَمْۗ
“Read in the name of your Lord who created — created man from a clinging clot. Read, and your Lord is the Most Generous — the One who taught by the pen — taught man that which he did not know.” (QS. Al-‘Alaq: 1–5)
Many historical reports place this first revelation on the 17th of Ramadan. Consequently, Muslims popularly commemorate that date as Nuzulul Qur’an, marking the beginning of the gradual descent of revelation.
Addressing the Apparent Tension
Does a contradiction exist between the verses stating that the Qur’an was revealed in Ramadan and the historical fact that revelation continued for 23 years, including in months outside Ramadan?
Early exegetes addressed this issue directly. Al-Qurthubi cited Muqatil bin Hayyan in reporting a scholarly consensus that the Qur’an descended in a single, complete transmission from Al-Lauh Al-Mahfuz to Baitul ‘Izzah in the lowest heaven. Thereafter, it was revealed gradually to the Prophet.
A detailed narration from Ibn Abbas clarifies the matter:
وقد نقل القرطبي عن مقاتل بن حيان حكاية الإجماع على نزول القرآن جملة واحدة من اللوح المحفوظ إلى بيت العزة في السماء الدنيا ، ونفى ابن عباس التعارض بين الآيات الثلاث في نزول القرآن والواقع العملي في حياة الرسول ﷺ بنزول القرآن في ثلاث وعشرين سنة بغير شهر رمضان : عن ابن عباس : « أنه سأله عطية بن الأسود فقال : أوقع في قلبي الشك قوله تعالى : ﴿ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ الَّذِي أُنْزِلَ فِيهِ الْقُرْآنُ ﴾ ، وقوله : ﴿ إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ ﴾ ، وهذا أنزل في شوّال ، وفي ذي القعدة ، وفي ذي الحجة ، وفي المحرم ، وصفر وشهر ربيع ، فقال ابن عباس : إنه أنزل في رمضان في ليلة القدر جملة واحدة ثم أنزل على مواقع النجوم رسلاً في الشهور والأيام »
Al-Qurthubi reported from Muqatil bin Hayyan that there was scholarly consensus that the Qur’an was revealed all at once from the Preserved Tablet to Baitul ‘Izzah in the lowest heaven. Ibn Abbas rejected any contradiction between the verses concerning the revelation of the Qur’an and the practical reality that revelation descended over twenty-three years outside the month of Ramadan.
It is narrated that ‘Atiyyah ibn al-Aswad said to Ibn Abbas, “Doubt has entered my heart regarding the statement of God, ‘The month of Ramadan in which the Qur’an was revealed,’ and His statement, ‘Indeed, We sent it down on the Night of Decree,’ while revelation was also sent down in Shawwal, Dhu al-Qa‘dah, Dhu al-Hijjah, Muharram, Safar, and Rabi‘.” Ibn Abbas replied, “The Qur’an was revealed in Ramadan, on the Night of Decree, in a single transmission. Then after that, it was revealed gradually according to the positions of the stars, in successive stages, throughout the months and days.”
Accordingly, no contradiction exists between these accounts. Lailatul Qadr marks the moment when the Qur’an descended in its entirety to the lowest heaven. Nuzulul Qur’an refers to the beginning of revelation to the Prophet Muhammad and the start of the twenty-three-year process of gradual transmission.
Both events occurred in Ramadan. Both represent nights of immense gravity. Lailatul Qadr signifies a decisive divine act in the unseen realm, while Nuzulul Qur’an marks the historical unfolding of revelation within human experience.
Translator: Bintang Adrian
