February 18th, 2021
According to the lunar calendar, the month of Rajab is considered one of the four holy months in Islam. There are two blessed nights in this month – the Night of Wishes and the Night of Isra’ and Mi’raj.
Muslims all around the world revere the Night of Wishes in addition to other blessed nights in Islam. Followers of this tradition believe that if, on the first Thursday of Rajab, they recite a special set of prayers, they will be rewarded by the fulfillment of their wishes.
The tradition is based on the oft-quoted passage attributed to Prophet Mohammed:
It is most important, however, that none of you should neglect the first Thursday night in Rajab, for it is the night that the angels call the Night of Wishes. This is because, by the time the first third of the night has elapsed, there will not be a single angel still at large in the heavens, nor in any region of the earth bar one. They will all be gathered together in the Ka'ba and the area immediately surrounding it. Allah will condescend to notice that they have assembled there, and He will say: 'My angels, ask Me for whatever you wish!' Their response to this will be: 'Our Lord, the request we wish to make is that You grant forgiveness to those who faithfully keep the fast in Rajab,' whereupon Allah will tell them: 'That I have already done!'
The year 2021 sees the Night of Wishes at night between February 18th and 19th. Muslims meet this night by performing prayers hoping for the mercy and virtue of Allah and seeking the fulfillment of their desires.
Moreover, at this night, it is advisable to recite missed prayers, ask Allah for mercy, provide assistance to the poor, give alms, feed the hungry, visit relatives, and if these relatives are no longer alive, it is necessary to visit their graves.
