(Qur'an 97 Verses 2-5)
THE NIGHT ABOVE ALL NIGHTS
An effort as little as performing ablution could be continually rewarded for the next 83 years, how’s that? That is the result of performing an act of worship during the night of Laylat-ul-Qadr. How much more the opportunity of making tilawah (recitation of the Qur'an), nawafil (non-obligatory salaah), dhikr (Glorification of Allah) and du’aa (requesting our needs from Allah) during that night.
Then our sins are forgiven as if we are born anew. And if we are able to witness this Night of Power every year for 13 years we will be in the rank of those who have spent a thousand years in pure worship of Allah.
Abu Hurayrah reported that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "The blessed month has come to you. Allah has made fasting during it obligatory upon you…. There is a night [during this month] which is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good is really deprived [of something great]." (Ahmad & Nasa'i)
Indeed, the Night of Qadr (Power) is the most virtuous night of the year. It is the night of Allah extended benevolence, "What will tell you what the night of power is? It is better than a thousand months." (Qur'an 97 Verses 2-3)
This is the night the Qur'an was revealed; it is indeed that night (once every year) when important issues are decreed. Allah says: “We sent it down during a blessed night: for We (ever) wish to warn (against Evil). In that (night) is made distinct every affair of wisdom, by command from Our presence. For We (ever) send (revelations) as a Mercy from thy Lord: for He hears and knows (all things).” (Qur'an 44 Verses 3-6) That night, sins of previous years, big or small, known or hidden, will be forgiven. The Prophet (peace be upon him) promised, "Whoever stands in (Prayer) in Laylatul-Qadr out of Iman and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven." (Bukhari)
When is this glorious night? The early Muslims asked the same question. The Prophet (peace be upon him) encouraged them to do I’tikaf (seclusion in the mosque away from all worldly thoughts, deeds and concerns) in the last ten days.
'Aisha (the Prophet’s wife, may Allah be pleased with her) said: “Allah's Messenger used to practice I’tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan and used to say, ‘Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan’.” (Bukhari)
How do you know you have witnessed that wonderful night? The Prophet (peace be upon him) gave us a few signs. He (peace be upon him) said: "On the morning following Laylatul-Qadr the sun rises not having any rays, as if it were a brass dish, until it rises up." (Muslim) He also said, "Laylatul-Qadr is calm and pleasant, neither hot nor cold, the sun arises on its morning being feeble and red." (Ibn Khuzaimah & al-Bazzar)And what do you pray for if you are able to witness this superior night? Aishah asked the Prophet the same question, what to say if she knew which night it was, and he told her to say, “O Allah, You are the One Who Pardons greatly, and You love to Pardon, so Pardon me." [Allahumma innaka affuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’ af anna] (Ahmad)
