Laylatul Qadr
EsinIslam
Ramadan
Ramadan Explorer
Mufti Taqi Usmani
One of the most meritorious aspects of the month of Ramadan is that it
contains Laylatul Qadr, the most blessed night of the year. It is the night
which Allah Almighty chose to reveal the Holy Qur'an. The Holy Qur'an has
mentioned that this night is better than one thousand months. It means that
the worship performed in this night brings more reward than the worship
performed in one thousand months. The authentic traditions of the Holy Prophet
mention that, in this night, Allah Almighty directs His special mercy towards
the people of the earth, accepts the supplications made by His slaves and
forgives a large number of people who repent and pray.
Laylatul Qadr falls in one of the last five odd nights of Ramadan, i.e. 21st,
23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th. According to authentic sources, Laylatul Qadr
falls in any one of these nights alternately. The purpose of this alternation
is that one should spend all the five nights in worship and prayers, so that
he may find Laylatul Qadr with certainty.
No special form of worship is prescribed for Laylatul Qadr. The night should
be spent by offering as much nafl prayers as one can offer, in recitation of
the Holy Qur'an, in dhikr and tasbeeh, in supplications and in making sadaqah
(charity).
It is not advisable in this night to hold ceremonies or meetings or delivering
long lectures or illuminating the masjids. This is a night meant for
developing a special connection with one's Creator, for offering acts of
worship in solitude and seclusion, for having constant and exclusive contact
with his Lord Who is the Lord of the universe, for minimizing the diversity of
thoughts and actions and for devoting oneself to Allah Almighty with his heart
and soul.
This purpose can seldom be achieved in congregations and assemblies. That is
why the Holy Prophet never tended to celebrate this night by lectures,
meetings, illumination or even by offering prayers in jama'ah. Instead, he
used to perform acts of worship individually, and in solitude.
Sayyidah 'Aishah (ra) once asked the Holy Prophet as to what du'a
(supplication) she should recite in the Laylatul Qadr. The Holy Prophet taught
her the following du'a:
''O Allah, You are surely most forgiving and You like forgiving, so, forgive
me.''
The best way to benefit from the blessings of this night is to keep awake for
the whole night and spend it in worship and prayers. But people who cannot do
so for any reason should spare at least a considerable part of the night for
acts of worship. At least 8 rak'at should be prayed after midnight as tahajjud,
some part from the Holy Qur'an should be recited and the supplications of the
Holy Prophet should be offered. Any dhikr or tasbeeh should be constantly
recited, specially the following dhikr has numerous merits:
Glory be to Allah, praise be to Allah, there is nothing worthy of worship
except Allah, Allah is the greatest, there is no power nor might except with
Allah, the Most High, the Great.
Even when one is not in the state of wudu, the dhikr and tasbeeh may be
recited. Similarly, the dhikr may also be performed during other states, when
walking or in bed.
Source: The Month of Ramadan
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