Laylat al-Qadr is literally means “The Night of Decree / Value ”. Layla-tul-Qadr is one of the odd nights in the last 10 days of the month of Ramadan. A Muslim has to search for this most blessed night in last ten nights of Ramadan. In Islam, Layla-tul-Qadr is the most blessed night and the value of this night is equal to 1000 nights.
Availing this night by good deed means 1000 times more reward than ordinary nights and spending this night in worship means worship equal to 1000 nights. The gift of catching this night is getting all past sins wiped away. Missing Layla-al-Qadr is indeed missing a great amount of Good.
How to spend Layla-ul-Qadr
Prophet Mohammed peace be upon illustrated the ways to spend this night. From His sunnah, we find the things we should be doing on this grand night.
Praying Qiyaam (night prayer)
Long Qayam is recommended in prayers during the nights in which the Layla tul Qadr could fall. A Muslim should be striving hard to offer the sunnah prayers on this night. It is authenticated by many Ahadith of Prophet Mohammed Peace be upon him.
“Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylatul Qadr [and it is facilitated for him] out of faith and expectation (of Allah’s reward), will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
A Muslim should not miss the travel prayer and offer extra ritual cycles of prayer (Rakat) in seeking this night as much as possible. It is also suggested to recite the Surah Qadr and Surah Ikhlas after the prayer.
Abu Hurairah, Related, the Messenger of Allah, Peace be upon him, said: “He who spends the night in prayer on the Night of Power, as a sign of His faith, and seeking rewards from Allah, his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari/Muslim)
This Hadith above indicates that even a person is not aware of this night, Allah will forgive him for his past sins.
Making Supplications
We should strive hard to find this night and spend it in sincere devotion to Allah SWT. Layla told Qadr is the night of acceptance of our supplications so it is suggested to spend this night in invoking supplications. This night we should pray for pardon and making benedictions.
Hazrat A’ishah R.A reported that she asked Prophet Mohammed Peace be upon Him “O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylatul Qadr, what should I say during it?” And he instructed her to say:
[su_quote]اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّك عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي[/su_quote]
“Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `Annee –
O, Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me.” [An authentic Hadith recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmidhi.]
Abandoning Worldly Pleasures for the Sake of Worship:
It is also recommended to spend the maximum possible time for worship on the nights in which Layla tul Qadr is expected to fall. We should abandon all worldly pleasures for the sake of getting benefitted from this night which is better than 1000 nights. Hazrat A’ishah R.A reported: [su_quote]When the (last) ten started, the Prophet (Sallallahu Alaihi wa Sallam) would tighten his izaar (i.e. he stayed away from his wives in order to have more time for worship), spend the whole night awake (in prayer) and wake up his family.[/su_quote] [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
And she said: “Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu Alaihi Wa Sallam) used to exert more (in worship) on the last ten than on other nights.” [Muslim]
It shows that we should spend most of our time, especially nights in the last ten days of Ramadan in worship, and try staying away from worldly affairs. It also sunnah to do Etiqaf in the last 10 days of Ramadan so that we can stay away from the world and fully deploy ourselves in the worship of Almighty Allah.
- Undoubtedly, We sent it down in the blessed and valuable night.
- And what you know, what the blessed night is?
- The blessed and valuable Night is better than a thousand months.
- Therein descend angels and Jibril (the Spirit) by the command of their Lord for every affair.
- That is all peace till the rising of the dawn.
