Laylatul Qadr (the night of Qadr) in Ramadan

Why it was Named the Night of Qadr (Power/Majesty)

1- Some said: “It is due to its mightiness and virtues.” This is as said by Allah Almighty: “They (the Jews, the pagans, idolaters etc.) did not estimate Allah with an estimation due to him...” (Al-An’am: 91.)

This implies that it (the night) is of high status due to the revelation of Al Qur’an and the descent of the angels, blessings, mercy and forgiveness in it.

2- Some said: “Al Qadar implies ‘restrictions’.” This is evident in the statement of Allah Almighty: “... and he whose resources are restricted, let him spend according to what Allah has given him.” (At-Talaq: 7). Restriction here implies hiding it from knowing on which night it actually occurs.

 3- Some said: “Al Qadar implies ‘destiny’,” and this means that Allah decrees the affairs of the next year that night. This is due to the statement of Allah Almighty: “Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainment.” (Ad-Dukhan: 4) [ Fathul Bari (4/255).]

Merits and the Position of Laylatul Qadr

1- The Qur’an was revealed on that night.

Allah Almighty says: “Indeed, we revealed the Qur’an on Laylatul Qadr.” (Al Qadr: 1)

2- It is better than a thousand months.

Allah Almighty says: “Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months.” ( Al Qadr : 3).

This implies that: The reward of any righteous deeds performed in the Laylatul Qadr is better than the reward of those (righteous deeds) performed for one thousand months not including Laylatul Qadr.

3- Therein the angels and Ar-Rooh (Jibreel) descend.

Allah Almighty says: “Therein descend the angels and Ar-Rooh by Allah’s Permission with all decrees.” (Al-Qadr: 4).

The meaning of Ar-Rooh is angel Jibreel (peace be upon him). On the authority of Abu Hurayrah, the Prophet ﷺ said: “Laylatul-Qadr falls either on the 27th or 29th night of Ramadan, and the angels will be more on earth that night than the total number of pebbles.” [ Source: Ibn Khuzaymah.]

4- This night is filled with peace.

Allah Almighty says: “(All the night), there is peace and goodness until the appearance of dawn.” (Al-Qadr: 5)

5- It is a blessed night.

Allah Almighty says: “We sent it (this Quran) down on a blessed night (i.e. the night of Al-Qadr in the month of Ramadan). Verily, we are ever warning mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship.” (Ad-Dukhan : 3)

6- Therein the yearly affairs are decreed.

Allah Almighty says: “Therin (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainment.” (Ad-Dukhan : 4)

7- Anyone who stands up in prayer therein, believing and expecting his reward from Allah, his past sins will be forgiven.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him ) said: “Whosoever stands up in prayer in the Laylatul Qadr, believing in and expecting his reward from Allah Almighty, his past sins will be forgiven.” [ Agreed upon.]

The Actual Date of Laylatul Qadr.

Allah Almighty hides the knowledge of Laylatul Qadr so that every Muslim would strive in the last ten days of Ramadan, and more especially on the odd (i.e 21st ,23rd,25th,27th,29th) nights of this period. The Prophet ﷺ said: “Search for Laylatul Qadr on the odd nights of the last ten days of the month of Ramadan.” [ Agreed upon.] Some of the scholars, after studying several ahadith concerning Laylatul Qadr, said that it alternates among the odd nights.

Recommended Acts on Laylatul Qadr

1- Al-I’tikaf (seclusion for worship)

Al-I’tikaf is throughout the last ten days in Ramadan and is not restricted to only Laylatul Qadr. ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that “the Prophet ﷺ used to seclude himself for worship in the last ten days of Ramadan. ”[ Agreed upon.]

2- Standing up for prayer during the night, believing in and expecting rewards from Allah (eimanan wahtisaban ).

The Prophet ﷺsaid: “Whosoever stands up for prayer during Laylatul Qadr, believing in and expecting his reward from Allah Almighty, his past sins will be forgiven.” [ Agreed upon.]

3- Praying unto Allah

‘Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) reported that she said to the Prophet : “O Prophet of Allah! If I am blessed to witness Laylatul Qadr, what should be my prayer?” The Prophet replied: “Say: ‘Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni’,”

meaning: O Allah Almighty! You are Oft-Forgiving and You love Forgiveness. Please forgive me. [ Source: Tirmidhi.]

4- Awakening the family to strive in worship:

‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: “When the last ten days (of Ramadan) would come, the Prophet ﷺ would exert himself and tighten his Izaar (waistcloth), spend his nights in worship and awaken his family (at night).” [ Source: Bukhari.]

Signs of Laylatul Qadr

1- Laylatul Qadr is a brilliant night in which there is no heat nor absolute cold.

Reported by Jabir  that the Messenger of Allah said: “I was shown which day is Laylatul Qadr, then later I was made to forget which day it was, but it is within the last ten nights. It is free[ Free due to the absence of heat and much coldness..] and brilliant (baljatun)[ Baljatun i.e brightened.], and not too hot and not too cold.” [ Source: Ibn Khuzaymah.]

2- The sun rises the next morning without rays.

Ubay ibn Ka’b  said, when he was asked about the signs of Laylatul Qadr: “From among the signs that we were taught by the Messenger of Allah ﷺ is that the sun rises that day without rays.” Another narration by Muslim states: “The sun rises and brightens without rays.” [ Source: Tirmidhi.]

Instructions

1- In the last ten nights of Ramadan a Muslim should perform different acts of worship in abundance, because these are the best nights of the year.

2- A Muslim must not waste virtuous times and beneficial seasons in amusement, playing, shopping, roaming around and doing what is deemed unnecessary.