What is Laylatul Qadr- The Night of Power?
The Prophet Muhammad(SAW) said:
Search for the Night of Qadr on the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.
Bukhari
What is Laylatul Qadr?
The Last Nights 10 of Ramadan are the holiest nights of the Islamic calendar. We know Ramadan is generally a month of blessings because it’s the month of the Quran. But The Night of Power, or Laylatul Qadr, is the most important night of the year because it is the night the first verses of the Qur’an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (SAW). It was the exact night angel Jibril revealed to the Prophet (PBUH), "To Read, in the name of your Lord who created-" and thus began Prophet Muhammad's journey of Prophethood.
Why is it called the Night of Power?
Laylatul Qadr is called the Night of Power because it is referred to as the night of decree and a blessed night that’s better than a thousand months in the Quran.
It was narrated in Al-Bukhaari and al-Muslim from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said:
“The Lord descends every night to the lowest heaven when one-third of the night remains and says: ‘Who will call upon Me, that I may answer Him? Who will ask of Me that I may give him? Who will seek My forgiveness, that I may forgive him?”
Although it's every day, Allah (swt) asks these questions at tahajudd time till dawn; these moments during the night of power become ever more powerful. That is why there is an increase in praying during the odd-numbered nights, as many make voluntary salah and duas seeking Allah's forgiveness during the last ten nights of Ramadan.
According to the Quran, Allah(swt) decides about every precise matter during this holy night regarding life and death. That is why duas with are made followed by the most virtuous acts during this holiest night concerning all matters of life- such as children, work, marriage, health, and kin.
Ha, Meem. By the clear Book, Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind]. On that night, every precise matter [proceeding] from Us. Indeed, We were to send (a messenger).
Qur’an | 44:1-5
Is Laylatul Qadr mentioned in the Quran?
In honor of the sacred night Laylatul al Qadr, Allah(SAW) dedicates Surat Al Qadr to describing this profuse night in these verses:
Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree And what revelation can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.
Qur’an | 97:1-5
This means that with Allah's permission, angels descend in increased numbers through our last ten nights, especially with decrees regarding every matter during the night of power. Allah's mercy and grand bountiful rewards for every righteous act
What is the dua for Laylat al qadr or the night of power?
اللَّهمَّإنَّكعفُوٌّتُحبُّالعفوَفاعْفُعنِّي
Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbu al afwa fa’fu anni.
(O Allah, You are forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me.)
(Ibn Majah)
When is Laylatul Qadr?
There is no exact date for Laylatul Qadr. But according to hadith, it is one of the last ten nights of Ramadan, and within the last ten nights, it is one of the odd ones. The virtue of not knowing the exact day is twofold: it allows Muslims to increase their virtuous acts, such as praying and seeking Allah's forgiveness before the end of the month. Thus, before the end of the month, we are closer to Allah(swt).
Two: not knowing the date prevents people from focusing on just one date and actually striving against their nafs to win the pleasure of Allah. Many mosques often try to finish the recitation of the Quran by the 27th of Ramadan; that's why, for many Muslims, it is considered the exact date of laylatul qadr.
What are the signs of Laylatul Qadr?
There are two authentic signs of Laylatul Qadr from the sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad(PBUH):
-
The sun rises early in the morning without rays- meaning it's a pale sunrise.
Ubayy- (RA) said:
“The Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “On the morning following Laylatul-Qadr, the sun rises without any rays, as if it were a brass dish until it rises up.”
(Muslim)
-
It is pleasant and calm. Neither hot nor cold.
Ibn ‘Abbaas (ra) said:
“Allah’s Messenger (peace be upon him) said: “Laylatul-Qadr is calm and pleasant, neither hot nor cold, the sun rises on its morning being feeble and red.”
( Ibn Khuzaimah)
-
There is a possibility of Rain.
So there are narrations where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) did mention that he dreamed about Laylatul-Qadr and in that dream he had prostrated, and when he came up, his face was wet with rain water and mud.
(Bukhari, 813)
So, do your best to catch Laylatul Qadr by focusing on Ibadah through all the 10 nights, especially the odds one this Ramadan more than ever before! Also, consistently make dua that Allah helps you catch it; for its reward is thousands of years’ worth of worship and forgiveness.
May Allah allow us to witness this precious and powerful night and earn its rewards! Ameen
How can you make the most of Laylatul Qadr?
· Salah:
o Increase in voluntary salaah after Isha – tarawih or Tahaj’d for increased reward during the night of power. Pray voluntary payers till fajr prayer as much as possible.
· Dhikr
o In Islam, dhikr is a means of remembering Allah(saw). The best form of dhikr is salah and reciting the Quran. Engage in istagfar and other forms of dhikr throughout the night of power. The same deed repeated over and over again is beloved to Allah swt.
· Quran
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“Whoever recites a harf of the Book of Allah will have one hasanah for it, and each hasanah brings a tenfold reward. I do not say that Alif-Laam-Meem is a harf; rather alif is a harf, laam is a harf and meem is a harf.”
(At-Tirmidhi, classed as saheeh by Sheikh al-Albaani)
o What can be better than reciting the holy Qur'an on the night it was revealed- recite the Quran as much as possible throughout the night of power to earn Allah’s love.
· Dua
o Laylatul Qadr is the night duas get accepted, so as much as possible, engage in duas with all your heart and sincere intention.
· Charity
o Giving in the way of Allah is highly encouraged during the night of the power because of multitudes of rewards.
· I’tikaaf
o Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) spent the final ten days of Ramadan in seclusion- to worship Allah(swt) as much as possible. So i'tikaaf is a spiritual retreat in which a person separates themselves from society from maghrib time of the 19th fast for the next ten days of the Islamic calendar till Eid is announced.
What are the rewards of Laylatul Qadr?
The rewards of Night of Power are many, but what is exclusive to Night of Decree is that any good acts and deeds completed on this single night are the equivalent of if you had performed that one act for a thousand months (83 years). This
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