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Ramadan
Ramadan, where the Laylat al-Qadr is ‘hidden’, is the most blessed month of the year for Muslims around the world. Not only was the Quran revealed in this month, but fasting is also prescribed for Muslims during Ramadan. The meaning of this month is such that in Surah al-Baqarah, Allah SWT Himself says [1]:
Ramadan is the (month) in which the Qur’an was sent down, as a guidance for mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between good and evil).
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is said to have said about Ramadan, as reported by Abu Hurairah (RA) [2]:
Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) said: “When the month of Ramadan begins, the gates of the heavens are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained.”
One of the most distinctive aspects of Ramadan is Laylat al-Qadr, or Laylatul Qadr.
Laylat al-Qadr
Layl means Night and Qadr means Power or Decree. So Laylat al-Qadr means The Night of Decision or The Night of Power. Allah SWT says in the Quran [3]:
Verily! We revealed the Qur’an on the night of the decree.
And what can make you know what the Night of Decree is?
The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months!
Gabriel and the angels descend therein, by the permission of their Lord.
Peace be with you until the break of dawn!
So from the Qur’an we come to know that it is the night in which the Qur’an was revealed and that it is the best night of the year, so that every good deed done on this night is a thousand times better than what is done on other nights.
Furthermore, Allah SWT says in The Quran [4]:
We have revealed him in a blessed night – We are warners verily – in which every wise commandment is made clear – as a commandment of Our nearness – We are surely sending – a mercy from your Lord.
There is a difference of opinion as to when the Laylat al-Qadr takes place. But in many hadiths, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advises that one should seek Laylat al-Qadr in the odd numbered nights, in the last ten days of Ramadan. So, the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th night of Ramadan could be Laylat al-Qadr.
Narrated by Aisha (RA) [5]:
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Seek the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan.”
Narrated by Ibn Umar (RA) [6]:
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Seek it in the last seven days (of Ramadan).”
Narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA) [7]:
The Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever prays on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.”
Again, as narrated by Abu Hurairah (RA) [8]:
Allah’s Apostle (PBUH) said: “Whoever prays on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah (not for showing off), then all his past sins will be forgiven.”
There is no special form of worship prescribed for this night. One can engage in offering prayers, making supplications, reciting the Qur’an or simply performing a good deed such as charity.
To aid us in this effort, the following prayer to be recited on Laylat al-Qadr was conveyed to Aisha (RA) [9]:
O Allah! You are the Great Forgiver, You love to forgive. Therefore I seek Your forgiveness.
May Allah enable each of us to engage in sincere worship during this blessed month, and especially on Laylat al-Qadr, so that we may all benefit from Allah’s Mercy, InshaAllah! Ameen!
1-The Quran 2:185 (Surah al-Baqarah)
2-Sahih Bukhari Vol 03, Book 31, Hadith 123
3-The Quran 97:01-05 (Surah al-Qadr)
4-The Quran 44:03-06 (Surah Ad-Dukhan)
5-Sahih Bukhari Vol 3, Book 32, Hadith 237
6-Sahih Bukhari Vol 9, Book 87, Hadith 120
7-Sahih Bukhari Vol 3, Book 31, Hadith 125
8-Sahih Bukhari Vol 1, Book 02, Hadith 34
9-Tirmidhi; Ibn Maya; Kitab al-Dua