Some places in Islam are more honored than others such as Al-Masjid al-Haram and Al-Masjid an-Nabawi. There are also times that are better than others such as the blessed month of Ramadan which is considered the greatest month of the year and one of the five pillars of Islam.
It is obligatory for every sane and capable Muslim to abstain from food, drink, and all prohibitions from Fajr until Maghrib. In this article, we will talk about the best of all nights which is the great Laylatul Qadr, its signs, and its great virtue that nothing can match.
The meaning of Laylatul Qadr
Laylatul Qadr is one of the nights of the blessed month of Ramadan and it is named as such to indicate the honor and virtue of this blessed night. When we want to enumerate the merits of someone, we say that he is (ذا قدر) “of Qadr”, that is, of a prominent and high status. It is the night in which the destinies of creatures are written, including provision, death, term, and so on, until its arrival in the coming year.
Therefore, it is desirable to supplicate and implore Allah SWT in it. No one knows its specific date, and Allah SWT has hidden it so that the Muslim strives in worship, thereby attaining Allah’s pleasure, intimacy with Him, and closeness to Him.
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The date of Laylatul Qadr and its relationship to the revelation of the Quran
Allah SWT says in His Holy Book:
«إِنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَٰهُ فِي لَيۡلَةِ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ (1) وَمَآ أَدۡرَىٰكَ مَا لَيۡلَةُ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ (2) لَيۡلَةُ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ خَيۡرٞ مِّنۡ أَلۡفِ شَهۡرٖ (3) تَنَزَّلُ ٱلۡمَلَٰٓئِكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمۡرٖ (4) سَلَٰمٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطۡلَعِ ٱلۡفَجْرِ (5)»
[Innaa anzalnaahu fee lailatil qadr (1) wa maa adraaka maa lailatul qadr (2) lailatul qadri khairun min alfi shahr (3) tanazzalul malaa’ikatu war roohu feeha bi-izni rabbihim min kulli amr (4) salaamun hiya hattaa matla’il fajr (5)]“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.”
Scholars have differed about how much of the Quran was revealed on that blessed night, whether it was revealed in its entirety or only in part. The majority of scholars believe that it was revealed all at once on that blessed night, and then the verses were revealed separately to the Prophet PBUH after that. As for its date, it has been since the beginning of the revelation when Surat Al-Alaq was revealed to our Prophet Muhammad PBUH.
Signs of Laylatul Qadr
There are signs that distinguish Laylatul Qadr from other nights. The Messenger of Allah PBUH said:
«إن أمارة ليلة القدر أنها صافية بلجة كأن فيها قمرًا ساطعًا ساكنة ساجية لا برد فيها ولا حر، ولا يحل لكوكب أن يرمى به فيها حتى تصبح»
“The sign of Laylatul Qadr is that it is pure and bright as if there were a shining moon in it, tranquil, calm, neither cold nor hot. And it is not permissible for a star to be thrown at it until morning.”
Some scholars pointed out that it only occurs at the end of the month, because the moon is not like half a bowl except at that time. Another distinctive sign after its end is that the sun rises in the morning white with no rays, that is, it does not spread its rays in the eyes due to the intensity of the light of this blessed night.
The Virtue of Observing Laylatul Qadr
Laylatul Qadr is better with Allah SWT than a thousand months which is approximately eighty-three years of a person’s life added to his age thanks to that blessed night. It is said that it is much better than that, but Allah used the word “thousand months” because it was the largest number that the Arabs had reached at that time.
The virtue of this night is great, and no one can deny it. Therefore, it is desirable to increase good deeds in it and diversify between them such as giving Sadaqah, donating to the poor and needy, feeding the hungry, meeting people’s needs, and increasing prayer, Dhikr, reciting the Quran, and Duaa.
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Duaas Narrated from the Prophet PBUH on Laylatul Qadr
There are many Duaas narrated from the Prophet PBUH as he used to repeat the Duaa:
«اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عُفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ، فَاعْفُ عَنِّي»
“Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni.”
“O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me.”
You can also repeat some correct and comprehensive Duaas such as:
«رَبَّنَا آتِنَا فِي الدُّنْيَا حَسَنَةً وَفِي الْآخِرَةِ حَسَنَةً وَقِنَا عَذَابَ النَّارِ»
“Rabbana atina fid-dunya hasanatan wa fil-‘akhirati hasanatan wa qina ‘athaban-nar.”
“Our Lord, give us in this world [that which is] good and in the Hereafter [that which is] good and protect us from the punishment of the Fire.”
FAQs
When does Laylatul Qadr begin and end?
Laylatul Qadr begins from Maghrib until Fajr in the last ten nights of Ramadan, especially the odd-numbered nights which are often on the twenty-first, twenty-third, twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, and twenty-ninth nights of Ramadan.
Ramadan Mubarak to meaning in Arabic is that Ramadan is a month filled with blessing and goodness, as Allah forgives sins for His servants and multiplies rewards, and people seek to do good deeds and help others, and this is evidence of the greatness of this holy month.
Is it permissible to pray on Laylatul Qadr after 12 am?
Muslim can pray Qiyam at any time from after Isha prayer until Fajr of the following day. It is even desirable to increase good deeds, whether prayer or other acts of worship, especially Duaa, because the Dua for last 10 days of Ramadan is more likely to be accepted due to the presence of Laylatul Qadr in it, and this is from Allah’s favor and grace upon us.
What happens if you sin during Ramadan? You should hasten to sincere repentance to Allah SWT and you should know that you have a merciful Lord who forgives all sins, no matter how great, as long as you return to Him repentant and remorseful. You must turn your bad deeds into good deeds by performing righteous actions, for Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
Is the 27th night Laylatul Qadr?
Scholars have differed greatly regarding the time of Laylatul Qadr. Many of them believe that it moves and changes every year, and some of them prefer the twenty-seventh night. Ahmad narrated with a Sahih Isnad from Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them) who said: The Messenger of Allah PBUH said:
«من كان متحريها فليتحرها ليلة السابع والعشرين»
“Whoever is seeking it should seek it on the twenty-seventh night.”
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How many Rakaat are there in Laylatul Qadr?
The number of Rakaat varies according to the individual’s ability. It is advised to exert the utmost effort so that Allah sees him striving in worship. He can take the reward of Qiyam al-Layl in several ways such as praying Isha in congregation and Fajr in congregation. It was narrated from the Prophet PBUH that:
«من صلى العشاء في جماعة فكأنما قام نصف الليل ومن صلى الصبح في جماعة فكأنما صلى الليل كله»
“Whoever prays Isha in congregation, it is as if he stood half the night, and whoever prays Subh in congregation, it is as if he prayed the entire night.”
And another Hadith:
«من قام مع الإمام حتى ينصرف كتب له قيام ليلة»
“Whoever stands with the Imam until he finishes, it is written for him that he stood the night.”
Then he prays any number of Rakaat in the house that he can afford. The most important thing is the sincerity of intention to Allah SWT.
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