Perception of Communal Worship in Sacred Time Periods: An Assessment Through the Lens of Islamic Jurists

bestowed virtue and value upon certain periods of time and places by attributing significance to

them. Laylat al-Qadr, Laylat al-Bara’ah, the first ten days of Dhu al-Hijjah, and Friday are cited as

examples of precious times; the Masjid al-Haram, the Masjid al-Nabawi, the Masjid al-Aqsa, Mount

Arafat, Muzdalifah, and Mina are cited as examples of sacred places. The five nights known as "holy

(Kandil) nights" among the people are listed as Mevlid, Regâib, Mi‘rac, Berat, and Kadir. When

examining Islamic culture and civilization, it is important to investigate how and when the practice of

observing these nights emerged over the course of history, as well as the approach of Islamic jurists to

these special days. It is necessary to examine how the practice of performing certain prayers and

observing fasts specific to these nights has been viewed from a religious perspective in Muslim

communities for centuries. The purpose of this article is to examine the rulings issued by Islamic jurists

regarding the acts of worship performed on holy nights, since the research is based on the

interpretation and comparative analysis of relevant Islamic legal sources, a qualitative research

method is employed.

The study found that while the holy nights have been widely celebrated by Muslims for

centuries, some jurists view them positively as something to be encouraged, while others take a critical

stance, arguing that they lack a religious basis. It is thus evident that the various practices observed on

the nights of the Kandil have given rise to differing interpretations and led to a variety of assessments

in the history of Islamic thought. It is evident that these practices bring Muslims together and

encourage them to pray more frequently. The article contributes to the literature by providing a

comprehensive overview of the religious practices performed on the holy nights and the rulings issued

by Islamic jurists.