The last ten nights of Ramadan are the most blessed ones. Why? Because one night of the ten nights is the night of Lailatul Qadr – The Night of Power.
Lailatul Qadr: An Introduction
The word Lailatul Qadr means generally the night of power, fate, and decree. This night is the most important of the nights across the whole of the year. This night is introduced in the Quran even and a Surah has been named after it. In that Surah, Allah tells us that this night is better than a thousand months or approximately 83 years 4 months. Subhanallah!
Background of Revelation of Surah Qadr:
Once it happened that Rasulullah (Sm.) was narrating an incident of a person from Bani Israel who used to fight in the day and pray at night and he did so continuously for 1000 years. Hearing so, the Sahabis were astonished and saddened, as they did not possess such a long life. Upon reaching this to prophet (Sm.), Allah (SWT) revealed this Surah to let us know that one night of Qadr can make our Ibadat much heavy and so, there is no need to be saddened.
Importance of Lailatul Qadr:
1. In Quran:
Read full Surah HERE.
a. The Quran Mentions this night as better than that of a 1000 months.
b. The Quran mentions that it is during this night that the Quran was revealed.
c. The Quran mentions that the angels and the spirit (Gabriel) descend on this night with decree of every matter.
d. The Quran mentions that peace and tranquility is there during the dawn of this night.
b. The Quran mentions that it is during this night that the Quran was revealed.
c. The Quran mentions that the angels and the spirit (Gabriel) descend on this night with decree of every matter.
d. The Quran mentions that peace and tranquility is there during the dawn of this night.
2. In Hadith:
a. Allah's Apostle said, "Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan." (Bukhari: 32: 234)
b. Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever establishes the prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards (not to show off) then all his past sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari: 2: 35)
c. that she said: "O Messenger of Allah, what do you think I should say in my supplication, if I come upon Lailatul-Qadr?" He said: "Say: 'Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa, fa'fu 'anni (O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me).'" (Ibn Majah: 37:3850)
d. Imam Malik (d. 179 H) narrated that he had heard that Said ibn al-Musayyab (d. 94 H) used to say, “Whoever is present at Isha on Laylatul-Qadr has taken his portion from it.”
a. Allah's Apostle said, "Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan." (Bukhari: 32: 234)
b. Allah's Apostle said, "Whoever establishes the prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping to attain Allah's rewards (not to show off) then all his past sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari: 2: 35)
c. that she said: "O Messenger of Allah, what do you think I should say in my supplication, if I come upon Lailatul-Qadr?" He said: "Say: 'Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul-'afwa, fa'fu 'anni (O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me).'" (Ibn Majah: 37:3850)
d. Imam Malik (d. 179 H) narrated that he had heard that Said ibn al-Musayyab (d. 94 H) used to say, “Whoever is present at Isha on Laylatul-Qadr has taken his portion from it.”
For more Hadiths, visit HERE.
What to do in the night of Qadr:
1. Itika’f
2. Tahajjud
3. Quran Tilawat
4. Make Doa for all and yourself
5. Donate wealth
6. Recite Surah Ikhlas three times
When is Lailatul Qadr:
No one knows exactly when Lailatul Qadr is, but the Rasul (Sm.) told us that it will pass in the last ten days of the Ramadan. So, to get Qadr, the best thing to do is to remain Itikaa’f. And if we can’t do it, we should perform small amount of Ibadat in each night as prescribed above. Now there are some signs to know that it is the night of Qadr. Such as:
1. It will be one of the last ten nights
2. It will be one of the odd nights
3. It will be the 27th of Ramadan. (According to some reports)
4. It will be a night where no rainfall will occur and breeze of air will be around.
5. It will be a night such that when the sun will appear, the sun will not be scorching hot.
Most importantly, any pious person will be able to sense this night as it will have a special environment as reported in the Quran.
Summary:
So this was a thorough description on Night of Qadr. Now, one may ask, why did Allah make it secret that no one knows the date of Qadr accurately? Actually, here lies a majestic beauty. Islam wants people to engage in the worship of the One and Only Creator – Allah. Now, if the night was pointed out, then the people generally would just hop in on that night for doing Ibadat all night long and then restrain from doing in other days and nights of the year. As a result, the ultimate obedience is not paid. Thus, the most important night of the whole 365 nights was made secret with a view that people would look for it in almost every night and thus remain in connection with Allah (SWT). For verily, continuous deeds, no matter how less are most favorable to Allah.
End Quote:
This night is verily a very easy way to get closer to Allah. We should pray on this night as much as we can and encourage others to do so. The whole Muslim community should stand up for this night and being encouraged by the teachings of this night, we should continue our Ibadat throughout the year.
And Allah Knows the Best!
