In The Name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful.
1. Verily! We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree)
2. And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?
3. The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months
4. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (Jibreell - Gabriel) by Allah's Permission with all Decrees, (All that night),
5. There is Peace until the appearance of dawn.
Amongst the nights of Ramadhan, there is one called ‘Laylah al Qadr’, a night that is noted for its great blessings. The Qur’aan describes it as being greater in blessings and spiritual virtue than a thousand months, which in turn means that it is more valuable than eighty three years and four months.
Fortunate indeed is that person who attains the full blessings of this night by spending it in the worship of Allah, because he has then attained the reward of `Ibadah for more than eighty three years. Indeed the granting of this night for the faithful Muslims is a great favour.
VIRTUES OF THE NIGHT OF POWER
Whoever stands (in prayer) on the night of power with Iman and with hope of reward all his previous sins are forgiven. (al-Bukhari, Muslim)
Look for the night of power amongst the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadhan. (al-Bukhari)
THE ORIGIN
Regarding this night, Anas (RA) narrates that the Prophet (PBUH) has said:
“Allah, the mighty and magnificent has gifted this Ummah Laylah al-Qadr and He had not given it to any who came before them”. (al-Firdaws)
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) mentioned a man from the Children of Israel, as having worn his battle-garb in the path of Allah for a thousand months. The Sahabah were overawed at that, (in not being able to emulate it due to their lives being short. Thus Allah revealed Surah al-Qadr (and the description of the night which is better than a thousand months) in which a person can wear the battle-garb in the path of Allah. (al-Bayhaqi, Ibn Kathir, as-Suyuti in Lubaab an-Nuqool)
Along these lines another tradition adds:
“There was a man amongst the Children of Israel who would stand the nights in prayer and the days in fighting the enemies (of Allah). This, he continued for a thousand months. Thus Allah revealed Surah al-Qadr and (the night better than a thousand months) in which a person can equal that. (as-Suyuti in Lubaab an-Nuqool)
The above show that Allah, in His love for this Ummah, offers us the opportunity to overtake the monumental works of previous nations through this month and more specifically this night.
WHEN IS LAYLAH AL-QADR?
The exact date of Laylah al-Qadr is not mentioned in the Qur’aan. In the Ahaadith, also, no exact date is given.
The Messenger of Allah has said:
“I was shown this night but I was made to forget its date.” (al-Bukhari)
The Messenger of Allah has said this to guide us to it:
Look for the night of power amongst the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadhan. (al-Bukhari)
He further mentioned:
“Search for it in the last seven nights.” (al-Bukhari)
This narrows the search down to the 25th, 27th and 29th, as they are the only odd numbers in the last seven days when the month is of thirty days. However, one should also remember that a month can be of twenty-nine days, in which case the 23rd day would also be in the threshold of the above traditions.
Many people have speculated that Laylatul Qadr is the 27th night.
While this is indeed possible, it has not been confirmed by the Messenger (PBUH). What one should endeavour to do is to allocate as much time as possible for worship in all of the said nights as they all can very possibly be the Night of Qadr.
Note: One must always remember that Islam considers the night to precede the day. So when searching for the night of power always remember to set aside the night before the corresponding fast. So if one were to try to stay awake the 25th night, one will stay awake the night that follows the 24th Sawm.
DU`A’ WHEN IN SEARCH OF LAYLAH AL-QADR
`A’ishah (RA) reports that she asked the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) what to say
in Laylah al-Qadr. The Prophet (PBUH) replied: ‘say:
‘ALLHUMMA ‘INNAKA `AFUWWUN KAREEMUN TUHIBBUL `AFWA FA`FU `ANNEE.
“O Allah, You are the best Forgiver, Beneficent and Merciful; You love forgiveness so forgive me.” (at-Tirmidhi)
SUPPLICATION FOR LAYLAH AL-QADR