What is Laylat ul Qadr?
Laylat al Qadr (لیلة القدر) is an Arabic world which means Night of Power / Night of Decree in English. It is also known as Laylat al Qadr, Laylatul Qadr, Lailatul Qadr / Lailatul Qadar and (شب قدر) in different parts of world.



Ramadan is the holiest month for all Muslims around the world and Laylat Al Qadr is the holiest night of Ramadan which signifies the importance of this night. As mentioned in the beginning, this night is better than a thousand months and worshiping on this night is better than eighty-three years of worship. This reason alone should encourage a true Muslim to spend this night in prayer, Dua & Dhikr, seeking forgiveness and asking Allah for all the blessings of this world and hereafter.



This night is so valuable that the Quran dedicates a special Surah to it i-e Surah Al-Qadr (97).



When Laylat ul Qadr is observed?
Although the exact night on which Laylatul Qadr occurs has not been mentioned anywhere, Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.) has directed us to seek Laylat Al Qadr during the odd nights of last 10 days of Ramadan. The same is also evident from the following Hadith:





Narrated by Aishah (R.A.) that Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) said:

“Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.”

(Sahih Bukhari: 2017)



So Laylat Al Qadr falls on either 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th night of Ramadan. However, it has been emphasized that it is most likely to be the 27th night of Ramadan.



Significance of Laylat ul Qadr
There are many Quranic Ayahs and Hadiths about the importance and significance of this blessed night.



Quran was descended on this night
The Holy Quran was first sent down from heaven on this night. The same is also evident from the following Ayahs of Quran:

“Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’an) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree).”

(Surah Al-Qadr 97:1)



“Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night.”

(Surah Dukhan 44:3)



"Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Quran, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong)."

(Surah Baqarah 2:185)



The Revelation of the Holy Quran; a sign of Mercy, a guide and a blessing of Allah to mankind. Anyone who is interested in finding the best guide, he/she should look into the teachings of Quran Kareem.



This Night is better than thousand months
Allah says in Quran:



“The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months.”

(Surah Al-Qadr 97:3)



This means worshipping Allah in Laylatul Qadr is better, in reward, than worshipping Him a thousand months, which is equal to 83 years and 4 months.



All your past sins will be forgiven
It is narrated by Abu Hurirah (R.A.) that the Prophet (S.A.W.) said:



“Whoever established prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven."

(Sahih Bukhari: 1901)



How Prophet (S.A.W.) observed this night
Praying on this night is also a Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (S.A.W.). Messenger of Allah (S.A.W.) would engage himself in devotion during the last ten nights of Ramadan more than he did in any other time of the year. The same is also evident from the following Hadith:



It is narrated by Aishah (R.A.):



“When the last ten nights began (of Ramadan), Allah's Messenger (S.A.W.) kept awake at night (for prayer and devotion), wakened his family, and prepared himself to observe prayer (with more vigour).”

(Sahih Muslim: 1174)



Purpose of Itikaaf
Itakaaf in Mosque during the last 10 days of Ramadan is a great deed and it is also Sunnah of our beloved Prophet (S.A.W.). The main purpose of Itakaaf is seeking Laylat Al Qadr as the same is evident from the following Hadith.



As narrated by Aishah (R.A.), who said:



‘Allah's Messenger (S.A.W.) used to practice Itikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan and used to say, "Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan."’

(Sahih Bukhari: 2020)



Prophet (S.A.W.) used to pray so much during Itakaaf that his forehead that his forehead would darken due to continuous prostration before Allah.



As reported Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (R.A.):



“Prophet (S.A.W.) adhered to his place of Itikaf and his forehead was besmeared with mud and water."

[Sahih Muslim: 1167 (b)]



Angels come down to earth with Goodness
Allah Says in Quran:



“The angels and the spirit descend therein by the command of their Lord with His decrees for every affair.”

(Surah Al-Qadr 97:4)



According to Ibn Kathir, the angels descend in abundance, under the leadership of Hazrat Jibrail (A.S.), during the Night of Al-Qadr. The angels descend with the descension of blessings and mercy of Allah, just as they descend when the Quran is recited. The angles then surround the circles of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and they lower their wings with true respect for the student of knowledge. The angels continue giving the greetings of peace during the whole Night of Al-Qadr to the people who are busy in Supplications, Prayers, Quran Recitation, Dhikr of Allah or any remembrance of Allah until the time of Fajr (dawn) comes.



Dua for Laylat ul Qadr
It was narrated from Aishah (R.A.) that she said:



"O Messenger of Allah, what do you think I should say in my supplication, if I come upon Laylatul Qadr?" He said: "Say:



اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwan tuhibbul-‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni

(O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me)."

(Ibn Majah: 3850)



Things to do on Laylat ul Qadr
If you are interested in living the Night of Power, let us remind you of some of the things that you might have to do.



On the nights (odd nights of last 10 days of Ramadan) one may spend the time collectively and/or individually observing the following activities:

1) Recitation of Holy Ouran.



2) Praying Nafl after Taraweeh Prayer



3) Remembering Allah (also known as Dhikr)



4) Making Dua (supplication) for yourself, your loved ones and the Muslim Ummah



5) Reading books of Hadeeth to learn about Sunnahs of Prophet Mohammad (S.A.W.)



6) Reading Tafseer of Quran



7) Giving charity to others if you can afford it



Sharing your knowledge about Islam with those next to you so they benefit and learn from you



Conclusion
All in all, the Night of Power is a very important occasion in Islam. This Night is a night of Mercy, a night of Blessing, a night of Peace and a night of Guidance. It is a night of Unification between the finite world of ours and the Infinite Universe of the Unseen. Anyone who is interested in attaining the Mercy of Allah will strive very hard to look for the Night of Power. Anyone who is interested in receiving the blessings of Allah on the Blessed Night will work very hard to make the most of the Night of Power. Anyone who is interested in attaining peace of mind, peace of body and peace in society; he/she has to look for this Night and live it.



May Allah give us the strength, the power, the courage and the effort to do our best to obey Allah and follow His teachings. May Allah guide us and strengthen our Iman. We pray that Allah help us live another year with sincerity and devotion. May Allah make us realize that one year of our life is over and we are one year closer to our graves. Let us wake up and do our best to please Allah in our daily life. Let us ask Allah for forgiveness.

(Ameen)

Jaza kumullahu khairan