During Ramadan, Muslims are encouraged to think, pray, and abstain from sin. While fasting during daylight hours is the focus of Ramadan, it is also a time to enhance one’s relationship with Allah (SWT) through adoring His magnificence and praying to Him. Although Ramadan as a whole is a significant period in Islam, there is one evening in particular that is significant, and that evening is Laylat-al-Qadr.
When is Laylatul Qadr? (The Night of Power)
Laylat-al-Qadr is also known as The Night of Power. This night is described in the Qur’an as “better than a thousand months” (Al-Qadr 97:3). It was on this night that the Holy Prophet (PBUH) received the first verses of the Holy Qur’an as guidance for mankind.
This is a once-in-a-year chance to seize a fantastic opportunity! All of us should strive to be in a condition of worship on this auspicious night – may Allah make it so! (Ameen).
Staying up all night for ten nights can be difficult, especially if you have a busy schedule and young children at home. Of course, catching this night will need us to give up some comforts and push ourselves in the hopes of receiving the gift of forgiveness that this hallowed night has bestowed upon us.
بِسْمِ اللَّهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
إِنَّا أَنْزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ (1) وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ (2) لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ (3) تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِمْ مِنْ كُلِّ أَمْرٍ (4) سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْر(5)ِ
We have, indeed, revealed this message in the Night of Power. And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand: Peace! This until the rise of Morn.
-Surah Al-Qadr
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: “The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: ‘There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month, which Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has enjoined you to fast. In it the gates of heavens are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and every devil is chained up. In it Allah has a night which is better than a thousand months; whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.” [Sunan an-Nasa’i]
The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever prays on Laylatul Qadr out of faith and sincerity, shall have all their past sins forgiven.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
What are the rewords of Laylatul Qadr?
‘Whoever stands (in the voluntary night prayer of) Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. And whoever spends the night of Laylatul Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven’. (Sunan an-Nasa’i)
Any act of worship performed on this night, like as reciting the Holy Qur’an or remembering Allah (swt), is preferable to performing similar acts for a thousand months.
What are the signs of Laylatul Qadr?
Many Muslim scholars have mentioned the following events that occur on Laylatul Qadr:
Since the angels have descended on this night, it is believed that we will experience a special tranquilly and serenity of mind, as well as a unique tenderness of heart.
The night is neither too hot nor too cold, but just right.
The sun doesn’t get too hot till the next day.
What should I do on Laylatul Qadr?
On this beautiful night, there are numerous ways to be rewarded:
I’tikaaf: If at all possible, remain in I’tikaaf (seclusion in the Mosque in order to spend as much time in worship as possible) – this is the greatest approach to maximise the rewards during the last 10 nights of Ramadan.
Ibaadah: Laylatul Qadr is also known as the Night of Decree, and it is on this auspicious night that our fate for the coming year is decided. It is critical to devote as much time as possible to prayer and worship. This is the best du’a for tonight: ‘O Allah, You are most forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me’.
Giving Charity: Any good deed committed during this night will reap an infinite reward. This is why so many Muslims choose to pay their Zakat throughout Ramadan – particularly on the Night of Power – in order to reap the many benefits that come with it.
Eating Lightly: The more you eat, the harder it will be to stay awake the next day, and the less productive you will be. It’s natural to feel tempted to overeat at Iftar after a long day of fasting. Following the fast, which is customarily broken with dates, it is much better to eat a light supper.
Because the benefits of these blessed 10 nights are so great, Allah (swt) has withheld knowledge of the exact night out of kindness for us. This allows us to intensify our worship in search of this honourable night by praying, doing dhikr, and du’a, and receiving forgiveness of our sins and a plethora of benefits in return.
