Written by M Rashid Tabassum
Laylatul Qadr is the most blessed night of the year. The worship of this night
is better than thousand months. It is the night of honour, dignity, peace and
safety in which message of peace and security is sent down for whole world.
There are 2 meanings of Qadr. One is fate (taqdeer). Allah says in Quran, “By
command, from Our Presence. For We (ever) send (revelations)”. [Surah Ad-Dukhan
- 5]. The other meaning of Qadr is the night of dignity and honour. Allah says,
“The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months”. [Surah Al-Qadr]
Holy Quran was revealed in the blessed night “Laylatul Qadr” of Holy month of
Ramazan. Allah says in Quran, “Verily! We have sent it (this Qur'an) down in the
night of Al-Qadr (Decree). And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr
(Decree) is? The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months.
(I.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand
months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months) Therein descend the angels and the Ruh [Jibrael
(Gabriel)] by Allah's Permission with all Decrees. Peace! (All that night, there
is Peace and Goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance
of dawn. [Surah Al-Qadr: 1-5]. Allah says in another place, “The month of
Ramadan in which Quran was revealed, guidance for mankind and clear proofs for
the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)”. [Surah Al-Baqarah:
185]. Allah says in another place of Quran, Indeed, We sent it down during a
blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind]. [Surah Ad-Dukhan: 3].
Furthermore, Holy Prophet (SAW) would stay awake at night in the last 10 days of
Ramazan, wake his family, strive hard in worship and tighten his waist wrap, to
find out Laylatul Qadr. He (SAW) would stay in reciting Quran, Offering prayer,
and making du’aa. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) looked for the Laylatul Qadr in the odd
nights of last ten nights of Ramazan. Allah's Messenger (SAW) said, “Search for
the night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramazan”. [Bukhaari].
Holy Prophet (SAW) said at another occasion, “Look for the night of Qadr in the
last ten nights of Ramazan; on the night when nine or seven or five nights
remain out of the last ten nights of Ramadan (i.e., 21, 23, 25, 27, 29)
respectively)”. [Bukhaari]. It is clarified from the above sayings of Holy
Prophet (SAW) that there is no fixed night of Laylatul Qadr. So we should search
for the night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights.
Laylatul Qadr is very superior. First is that it is better than 1000 months.
Second is, in the light of Holy Propthet (SAW) saying, “Whoever stays up and
prays on Laylatul-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins
will be forgiven.” [Bukhaari, Muslim].
Writing more, Holy Prophet (SAW) taught the following du’aa to Hazrat Aishah
(RA) that may be recited on Laylatul Qadr. Du’aa is, “Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun
tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni (O Allah, You are forgiving and You love
forgiveness, so forgive me)” Another sign of Laylatul Qadr is that the sun rises
on the following morning with no visible rays.
Concluding more, every Muslim should spend Laylatul Qadr in offering prayers,
reciting Quran and making Du’aas. He should seek the mercy of Allah. May Allah
accept our worships of Ramazan. Aameen.