Ramadan is among the most sacred of months in the Islamic calendar. It is a month full of Allah SWT’s benevolence and blessings. All Muslims who are of age and in good health are required to fast from sunrise to sunset throughout the whole month. It is a month of gaining Allah SWT’s favor and forgiveness.
Fasting, or ‘sawm’ as referred to in Arabic, is such an integral part of faith that it forms the third pillar of Islam. While the whole month of Ramadan is full of blessings, a particular night holds more significance than any other day of the year. This is Laylatul Qadr, the Night of Power.
What is Laylatul Qadr?
“We have sent it (the Qur’an) in the Night of Qadr. And what may let you know what the Night of Qadr is? The Night of Qadr is much better than one thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend in it, with the leave of your Lord, along with every command. Peace it is till the rising of dawn.” [1]
The Night of Qadr is of such significance that an entire chapter of the Holy Quran is dedicated to it. In it, Allah SWT proclaims that Laylatul Qadr marks the beginning of the revelation process. The very first verses of the Holy Book were revealed to the Holy Prophet (SAW) on this very night.
Laylatul Qadr has been designated as a special night by Allah SWT, as praying on this Night has superiority over several days. According to some scholars, praying and supplications on the Night of Power hold the same reward as praying for an entire lifetime.
Muslims are expected to offer extra prayers and repent for their sins to gain the favor of Allah SWT on this blessed Night. Laylatul Qadr, as a result, cannot be treated like any other night. It provides a special time for us to acquire blessings that we may not be able to do even if we pray our whole lives.
Things to do on Laylatul Qadr According to Sunnah
Aside from the Holy Quran, we understand the significance of the Night of Power through the sayings and traditions of the Holy Prophet (SAW). It is only fitting that we look towards the Sunnah of the Holy Prophet (SAW) to see how we can gain the maximum blessings and rewards that Laylatul Qadr has to offer.
Here are five things that every Muslim must do on the Night of Power, as per Sunnah, to get the most rewards:
Offer Extra Prayers
While praying the five daily prayers is obligatory, offering extra prayers, called Nafil, is recommended. Extra prayers usually carry a lot of rewards and are generally offered by people when they want to thank Allah SWT for a special blessing or request His help with an urgent and difficult matter.
However, extra prayers can be offered at any time except during the time of the day when prayer is prohibited. These prayers are offered in a pair of two rakahs and there is no restriction on the number of prayers that a person can pray. One special prayer is the Tahajjud prayer. It is a late-night prayer and carries immense reward.
Even obligatory prayers must be offered with extra preparations. The Maghrib, Isha, and Fajr prayers must be prayed in the congregation. This multiplies the reward of these compulsory prayers manifold. Just begin praying and supplicating after the Maghrib prayer and offer nafil, taraweeh, tahajjud, and Fajr prayer at the closing of the Night of Power.
Recitation of the Holy Quran and Dhikr
Since Laylatul Qadr is special because it marked the beginning of the revelation process, it only makes sense to recite the Holy Book. According to some traditions, the Holy Prophet (SAW) used to recite the entire Quran once the revelation was completed on this Night.
Reading the Quran holds excellent blessings, but these blessings are further multiplied on the Night of Power. You can read a portion of the Quran or particular chapters. Most people already read the Quran during the month of Ramadan, so reading extra on Laylatul Qadr is not a difficult task.
Between prayers and reciting the Quran, you can also do Dhikr. Dhikr is simply the remembrance of Allah SWT and can be done in many ways. You can recite any number of special supplications or duas that are associated with various Prophets (AS) or Tasbihat. Simply calling upon Allah SWT using any of His 99 Names and Attributes is also an act of worship that holds a lot of rewards.
Sitting in Iteqaf
As sacred as the Night of Power is, it is also kept elusive by Allah SWT. According to several authentic hadith of the Holy Prophet (SAW), Laylatul Qadr is among the last ten odd nights of the month of Ramadan. Hazrat Aisha (RA) narrates:
Allah’s Messenger (SAW) said, “Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.” [2]
This is why many Muslims observe iteqaf in the last ten days of Ramadan. It is to gain all the blessings of the month and entirely devote oneself to Allah SWT and His remembrance. Searching for the Night of Power in the solitude of iteqaf has its rewards.
Sitting in iteqaf consists of doing the same prayers as mentioned above, like obligatory and extra prayers, along with dhikr and recitation of the Quran. What makes iteqaf unique is the complete disassociation from worldly affairs.
Giving Charity
As the reward of any good deed is multiplied manifold on Laylatul Qadr, giving a lot of charity is better. Charity during the entire month of Ramadan is very important since abstaining from food and drink is about realizing the pain of hunger and thirst felt by those who do not have the means we do.
Many people feed others or arrange special iftar and suhoor feasts for the needy. Allah SWT loves those of His servants who care for fellow human beings, and charity is the ultimate way of helping others.
Abstaining from Worldly Distractions
Laylatul Qadr is a special time to ask Allah SWT’s forgiveness and mercy. It is for this reason that the Holy Prophet (SAW) advises us not to waste a single moment by engaging in useless worldly affairs. Avoid unnecessary matters like watching television, talking to friends, or wasting time online.
The Night of Power necessitates our respect and time. Worldly matters can be addressed anytime; however, the Night of Power comes only once a year. Prayer on this Night should be given preference over sleeping, eating, and interacting with our loved ones. It is a Night that we must dedicate to Allah SWT.
Gathering all the Blessings
Laylatul Qadr is a Night when Allah SWT showers His blessings and mercy on His servants. It is time for maximum prayer and supplication. Everything else can wait since gaining Allah’s SWT pleasure on the Night of Power is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. No one knows if we will live to see another Laylatul Qadr so we must be grateful for being blessed with such a sacred Night and gather all its blessings.
References
- Surah al-Qadr, verse 1 (97:1)
- Sahih al-Bukhari Vol. 3, Book 32, Hadith 233
Author: Rafia Tahir
