Laylatul Qadr

Imagine a night worth 83 years of Ibadah. It is a night where the angels descend, blessings pour down, and sincere prayers are answered. A night where all your past sins can be forgiven. This is Laylatul Qadr – the Night of Power and Destiny.

Laylatul Qadr is no ordinary night. Allahﷻ declares it better than 1,000 months of worship in the Qur’an. Its excellence is unfathomable, like an endless ocean of mercy. To immerse yourself in its waters is to be purified of all wrongdoing. To miss it is one of the gravest misfortunes for the sincere seeker.

“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months,” (Qur’an, 97:3).

Laylatul Qadr is believed to have occurred for the first time when the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammadﷺ in 610 CE. The Prophetﷺ was meditating in the Cave of Hira near Makkah when Angel Jibreel (AS) appeared with the first verses of the Qur’an. This night marked the beginning of revelation and prophethood for Prophet Muhammadﷺ.

The Qur’an states: “Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree.” –(97:1)

While the exact date is unknown, Laylatul Qadr is believed to fall on one of the odd nights during the last 10 days of Ramadan. This is based on multiple authentic hadiths mentioning the Prophetﷺ would seek the Night of Power on the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th night. These sacred nights mark the revelation that changed the course of history and established Islam as the fastest-growing religion worldwide.

Allah’s Messengerﷺ said, “Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.” –[Bukhari]

The rewards for catching this blessed night are unparalleled. Allahﷻ forgives all sins from the previous year for those who catch Laylatul Qadr and engage in dedicated Ibadah. The Prophetﷺ would make an immense effort in worship during these nights and urged us to do the same; “Whoever establishes the prayers on Laylatul Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for Allah’s rewards, then all past sins will be forgiven.” –[Bukhari]

To attain such monumental rewards, we must immerse ourselves in the practices of Ramadan. Let us fill our nights with the Qur’an, Dua, Dhikr and Salah. Follow the sunnah and do I’tikaf, secluding yourself in the masjid, asking Allahﷻ for forgiveness. The Prophetﷺ strove harder each passing night, engaging in consistent worship to The Almighty.

This Ramadan, use this opportunity to turn over a new leaf. Regularly making Dua is one way to ensure you make the most of your Ibadah. There are many recommended Dua’s to recite on The Night of Decree, each showering you with blessings.

The Best Dua for Laylatul Qadr:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ كَرِيمٌ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

“O Allah, indeed You are Pardoning, (Generous) You love to pardon, so pardon me”

Dua for the Dunya and the Akhira:

رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ

“Our Lord! Grant us good in this world and good in the life to come, and keep us safe from the punishment of Hellfire.”

Dua for the Ummah:

اللَّهُمَّ أَصْلِحْ أُمَّةَ مُحَمَّدٍۖ اللَّهُمَّ فَرِّجْ عَنْ أُمَّةِ مُحَمَّدٍۖ اللَّهُمَّ ارْحَمْ أُمَّةَ مُحَمَّدٍ صلى الله عليه وسلم

“O Allah! Improve (help) the state of the Ummah of Muhammad. O Allah! Grant ease to the Ummah of Muhammad. O Allah! Have mercy on the Ummah of Muhammad.”

While your nights are spent in worship, don’t forget to give charity. Laylatul Qadr is the most opportune time for giving in Ramadan. Donating on this night plants seeds that will bear fruits for eternity and could erase years of sin. Giving to the less fortunate pleases the Most-Merciful, and cleanses our hearts of greed and attachment.

May Allahﷻ protect and guide us to attain the bounty of His mercy. Do good deeds, increase your worship, and help the needy to unlock your Gateway to Jannah.