97. Shab-e-Qadr or Lailatul Qadr (The Night of Power)

Surah No. 97, Al Qadr, Ayats No. 1 to 5

oوَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ o إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِالْقَدْرِ

o لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِخَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ

oتَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَابِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ

o سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ

Translation :

We have indeed revealed this (Quran) in the Night of Power (Night of Al Qadr ): And what will make you know what the Night of Power (Night of Qadr) is ? The Night of Power is better than a thousand Months. Therein the angels and the Spirit (Jibraeel) come down on the earth by Allah's permission, with all decrees : (All that Night) there is Peace until the appearance of dawn.

Surah No. 44, Ad Dukhan, Ayats No. 2 to 4

o وَالْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ

o إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ

o فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ

Translation :

By this Book, which makes things clear, We sent it down (this Quran) during a blessed night (in the night of Qadr): In fact ! We wish to warn (the mankind). In this night all affair of wisdom are made crear .

Comments :

This is one of the holiest and most blessed nights. During this night, the angels and the spirit [Jibraeel (as)] descends in the proximity of the Earth. This night is full of reward and blessing and is equivalent to a thousand months of worship. Anyone who takes part in Laylatul Qadr will have worshipped an equivalent to eighty three years and four months. In this night the Holy Quran was sent down from LOH-E-MEHFOOZ (the Preserved Tablet) to the earth.

There is no history in the Quran as to when the specific date is ? HOWEVER there are following Ahadis which indicates the probable days :

Ahadis :

Volume 3, Book 32, Number 234:

Narrated 'Aisha:

Allah's Apostle said, "Search the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan."

Volume 3, Book 32, Number 238:

Narrated Ibn Abbas:

The Prophet said, "Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan ,'

The Messenger of Allah (saws) told us to search for Shab-e-Qadr in the odd numbered nights, in the last ten days of Ramzan. So, the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th night of Ramadan could be Shab-e-Qadr.

Hazrat Aisha (ra) stated that Prophet Mohammad (saws) said, "Look for Lailat-ul-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadhan." (Bukhari)

Hazrat Aisha (ra) stated that the Prophet Mohammad (saws) used to do Ibadat in the last Ashra (ten days) of Ramadan (Ramzan)," (Muslim)

If a person wants to obey his Lord, increase the good deeds in his record and have all past sins forgiven, they should take part in Laylatul Qadr.

“Whoever stays up (in prayer and remembrance of Allah) on the Night of Qadr fully believing (in Allah’s promise of reward for that night) and hoping to seek reward (from Allah alone and not from people), he shall be forgiven for his past sins.” (Sahih Hadith Bukhari / Muslim)

How to worship in this Night :

Here are a few suggestions to worship in Laylatul Qadr :

• • One must prepared himself mentally that he will be worshipping in Laylatul Qadr.

  • While performing Nafil salats take regular breaks to avoid getting over-exhausted.

  • Try switching between different forms of worship.

  • Recitation of the Qur'an must be continued.

  • Zikr will be another form of worship to be performed.

  • Social gatherings and meaningless talk shold be avoided.

May Allah help us to purify our hearts, strengthen our faith and help us to worship in all the required nights of the last Ashra of the holy month.