What is a "kandil" (holy night)?
"Kandil" is the Turkish word for the religious nights popularly known as "blessed nights." The name spread because during the Ottoman era oil lamps (kandils) were lit on mosque minarets on these nights. In Türkiye five such nights are traditionally observed: Mawlid, Ragha'ib, Isra wal-Mi'raj, Bara'ah and Laylat al-Qadr.
How many holy nights are there in Türkiye?
Diyanet (Türkiye's Presidency of Religious Affairs) lists five in its annual calendar: Mawlid (12 Rabi' al-Awwal), Ragha'ib (the first Friday night of Rajab), Isra wal-Mi'raj (27 Rajab), Bara'ah (15 Sha'ban) and Laylat al-Qadr (27th night of Ramadan). The Hijri positions are fixed; the Gregorian dates shift about 11 days earlier each year.
What is Mawlid and when is it observed?
Mawlid is the anniversary of the birth (mīlād) of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), observed on the night of 12 Rabi' al-Awwal in the Hijri calendar. The word "mawlid" is Arabic for "place/time of birth." Mosques hold mawlid recitations, salawat is sent abundantly, and the Prophet's life is remembered.
What is Laylat al-Ragha'ib?
Laylat al-Ragha'ib is observed on the first Friday night of Rajab — the night joining Thursday to Friday. "Ragha'ib" means "that which is greatly desired." It is the first holy night signaling the start of the three sacred months (Rajab, Sha'ban, Ramadan); fasting on the following day is a common sunnah practice.
What is Laylat al-Isra' wa-l-Mi'raj and what is its significance?
It is the anniversary of the Prophet's (peace be upon him) night journey (Isra') from the Sacred Mosque to al-Aqsa and his ascension (Mi'raj) to the heavens. It is observed on the 27th night of Rajab. It is reported that the five daily prayers were made obligatory on this night; surahs al-Isra' and al-Najm allude to the event.
What is Laylat al-Bara'ah?
Laylat al-Bara'ah is observed on the 15th night of Sha'ban. "Bara'ah" means deliverance, acquittal; it is regarded as an occasion for the believers' purification from sins. Some sources state that the annual decrees concerning the servants are recorded on this night. Repentance, istighfar and voluntary worship are emphasized; it marks the beginning of spiritual preparation for Ramadan.
What is Laylat al-Qadr and why is it on the 27th night of Ramadan?
Laylat al-Qadr is the night the Qur'an began to be revealed and is described as "better than a thousand months" (surah al-Qadr). Its exact date is not fixed by the text; the Prophet (peace be upon him) recommended searching for it in the odd nights of the last ten days. In Türkiye it is traditionally observed on the 27th night, but the sunnah is to stay awake and worship on all the odd nights of the last ten days.
What is done on holy nights?
On holy nights one offers voluntary (nafl) prayer, reads the Qur'an, sends salawat, repents and makes istighfar, and supplicates. Making up missed (qada') prayers, giving charity, visiting relatives and reconciling with those one is estranged from are particularly recommended. There is no obligatory worship specific to these nights; they are revived (ihya) with voluntary worship.
Why do the dates change every year?
The Hijri positions of the holy nights are fixed (Mawlid is always 12 Rabi' al-Awwal, for example). But the Hijri calendar is a lunar calendar of about 354 days; so the Gregorian equivalents shift about 11 days earlier each year. For the official dates, consult Diyanet's annual religious calendar.
How do holy-night reminders work in Hatırla İslam?
Hatırla İslam sends automatic notifications for the five holy nights according to Diyanet's official calendar. On the day of a holy night a special reminder appears on the home screen, and du'as, salawat and special content like the Laylat al-Qadr du'a become accessible. Notifications can be turned on/off from the settings.
Where does the word "kandil" come from?
"Kandil" entered Turkish from the Arabic "qindīl" (lamp). In the Ottoman era under Sultan Selim II (1566-1574), it became customary to light oil lamps on mosque minarets during these blessed nights. People began calling these nights "kandil nights" because lamps were lit. The term is largely specific to Türkiye; in the Arab world the term "laylah mubarakah" (blessed night) is preferred.
Which countries outside Türkiye observe these nights?
The blessed nights are acknowledged across the Muslim world, but the term "kandil" is specific to Türkiye. Laylat al-Qadr is observed by all Muslims. Mawlid is widely celebrated in Türkiye, North Africa and the Indian subcontinent; in Saudi Arabia and Salafi tradition it is not officially celebrated. Laylat al-Bara'ah is widespread in Türkiye, Iran, Pakistan and Indonesia. The Balkans (Bosnia, Albania) and Cyprus also observe these nights in the Ottoman tradition.
Are there blessed nights other than these five?
Yes. Classical Islamic tradition gives special importance to several other nights: Friday night (Thursday to Friday), the 13th-15th of each Hijri month (ayyam al-bīḍ), the 9th-10th of Muharram (Ashura), the first ten nights of Dhu al-Hijjah (especially the night of ʿArafah), and the last ten nights of Ramadan. These are not called "kandil" but are considered virtuous times for voluntary worship.
Is Ashura day counted as a holy night?
The day of Ashura (10 Muharram) is not called a "kandil" but is an important Islamic day. The Prophet (peace be upon him) fasted on this day and recommended it to his community; fasting the day before (9th) or after (11th) is also sunnah. Ashura is reported to be the day Prophet Moses (peace be upon him) was saved from Pharaoh. In Türkiye it is traditional to prepare and distribute the dessert known as "ashure" on this day.
Why specifically the 27th night of Ramadan for Laylat al-Qadr?
The exact date of Laylat al-Qadr is not given in the Qur'an; the Prophet (peace be upon him) recommended seeking it in the odd nights of the last ten of Ramadan (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th). Türkiye observes the 27th based on the report of Ubayy ibn Ka'b ("Laylat al-Qadr is the 27th night" — Muslim). Some scholars prefer the 21st or 23rd. The sunnah is to revive all odd nights of the last ten days; the Turkish institutional tradition emphasizes the 27th.
Is it sunnah to fast on holy-night days?
There is no fasting obligation specific to holy-night days. However, fasting on the day of holy nights in Rajab (such as Ragha'ib) is recommended because the Prophet (peace be upon him) was attentive to fasting in Rajab. Voluntary fasting on the day of Mawlid, Mi'raj or Bara'ah is meritorious. Laylat al-Qadr is already in Ramadan where fasting is obligatory. The important thing: treat holy-night fasting as voluntary merit, not obligation.
What shouldn't one eat/do on a holy-night day?
Islamically, there is no prohibition specific to holy-night days. As always, the unlawful is not eaten and unlawful acts are not done. Popular sayings like "don't argue on a holy night" come from cultural reverence — they are not religious rulings. What matters is acting in keeping with the spiritual meaning of the night: avoiding harsh speech, focusing on worship, reaching out to relatives.
Where did the holy-night gift custom come from?
Giving holy-night gifts (especially pocket money to children, visiting relatives, bringing small gifts) comes from Ottoman culture and is not an Islamic obligation. It originated from the idea "on a blessed day, remind those you love." In some regions the tradition of "kandil simidi" (a sesame ring bread) continues. The gift is not a religious requirement; it is just a way of reminding loved ones of the night and showing affection.
Is sending a holy-night message obligatory?
No, it is not a religious obligation. Sending holy-night messages is a modern tradition that spread with phones and social media. If done with sincere intent to remind loved ones and to make du'a, it is a beautiful practice. What matters is that the message be sincere rather than a tired copy-paste. A heartfelt phone call is more valuable than a forwarded message.
Is it a sin to sleep on a holy night?
No, it is not a sin. Voluntary worship on holy nights is meritorious but not obligatory. If one is tired or ill, sleeping is no sin; one prays fajr in the morning and observes the day with worship. The ideal: spend at least part of the night (around 30 minutes to 1 hour after ʿisha') in voluntary prayer, Qur'an, du'a, then rest. There is no requirement to stay awake all night.
When does Diyanet announce the holy-night dates each year?
Diyanet publishes its annual official calendar at the start of each year (January-February), listing all religious days and holy nights for the coming year. The calendar is available on diyanet.gov.tr and namazvakitleri.diyanet.gov.tr, as well as in a printed PDF and the Diyanet mobile app. To know this year's and next year's dates, follow the official calendar.
