What is Laylatul Qadr?
Laylatul Qadr, or the Night of Power/Decree as it is otherwise referred to, is one of the most important and sacred nights in the Islamic calendar.
While the month of Ramadan is most widely known as the month that the Qur’an was first revealed to humankind, the Night of Power describes the exact night that the Qur’an was revealed.
When is Laylatul Qadr?
It is a commonly held belief that Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) occurs on the 27th Ramadan. However, scholars of Hadith recommend focusing on the last 10 nights of Ramadan, especially the odd nights, as it is most likely to have occurred in one of these nights based on the following Hadith:
It was advised by the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) to
“Look for it in the odd nights of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan.”
(Bukhari)
Humankind will never know the exact date of Laylatul Qadr however, and it is most likely one of the odd nights in the last ten nights of Ramadan – Allah knows best.
What to do on Laylatul Qadr
Muslims are encouraged to worship intently throughout Ramadan in order to catch the blessings of the Night of Power. On this night, the reward for worship is better than 1000 months! Therefore, muslims can earn phenomenal reward and acceptance of their repentance through sincere worship and reflection.
In the Qur’an, an entire Surah is dedicated to the Night of Power/Decree (Laylatul Qadr), and in it, Allah (SWT) reveals its purpose, reward and signs:
“Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree And what 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)
Here are five key acts of worship to focus on in your effort to catch Laylatul Qadr:
- Salah and voluntary Salah.
- Du’a, for yourself, loved ones, those who are oppressed, mankind and Allah (SWT’s) creatures.
- Tawbah (repentance) for major and minor sins.
- Acts of Sadaqah and Sadaqah Jariyah.
- Upright conduct and character towards others.
Due to the sanctity of this night, your deeds are multiplied. Consequently, praying just two rakat could equal 83 years of Salah!
May Allah accept our efforts, Ameen.