We are in a month of abundant goodness, great righteousness and blessings. It is highly praised in the Noble Book of Allah, and the Ahadith of His last Messenger (peace be upon him). Accordingly, it is called the month of the Quran. Because, Muslims frequently recite the Holy Quran in this month. It is the month, in which people return to their Lord in repentance, and in a unique and matchless manifestation of true faith.

There is a Divine Gift in the last ten days of Ramadan, which Allah has favored His slaves with, is called Lailat-ul-Qadr (the night of Power or Decree). The term Al-Qadr has been frequently translated as “the power”, but a better translation may be “the value” or “the decree”.

The Night of the Power is a blessed and an honorable night, which Allah gave great characteristics to show its virtue and status, of which are:

Allah sent the Quran down on this night:

Allah informs us that He sent the Quran down during the Night of Al-Qadr, and it is a blessed night about which Allah says:

“We sent it down on a blessed night.” (Ad-Dukhan 44:3)

This night is blessed because of its abundant goodness, great virtue, and the good rewards which Allah gives to His true slaves who offer Qiyam (Voluntary Night Prayer) out of faith and expecting for Good Reward from Allah and the revelation of the Quran therein is a clear proof to its virtue and status where Allah, the Most Glorious, revealed therein the greatest type of Dhikr and the most honorable book. By reciting the Quran, a person can gain guidance and piety.

It is better than a thousand months:

Allah magnified the status of the Night of Al-Qadr, which He chose for the revelation of the Mighty Quran, by His saying:

“And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr is? The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months” (Al-Qadr 97:2, 3).

The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

“Verily, the month of Ramadan has come to you all. It is a blessed month, which Allah has obligated you all to fast. During it the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are shackled. In it there is a night that is better than one thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good, then he has truly been deprived.” (Ahmad: 8991. There is a witness for this narration from the Hadith of Anas bin Malik in the books of the Sunan).

It not only proves that it is a night in which sins are forgiven and erased, gates of goodness are opened, rewards are doubled and matters are decreed but shows the essence of performing Qiyam and the great reward for good deeds in this night. The reward of worshiping Allah in this night equals the reward of worshiping Him for one thousand months, which means eighty-three years and four months.

The Decree for every matter during the Night of Al-Qadr:

Allah says:

“We sent it (this Quran) down on a blessed night (in the month of Ramadan). Verily, We are ever warning. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainment. Amran (i.e. a command or this Quran or the Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messengers), (As) a Mercy from your Lord. Verily! He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” (Ad-Dukhan 44:3-6).

And Allah says:

“Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Jibril) by their Lord’s permission with every matter.” (Al-Qadr 97:4)

It indicates that the precise commands relating to the livings of people and their deaths are separated from Al-Lawh-ul-Mahfuz (the Preserved Tablet) to the sheets of angels – who record all matters of people, such as: sustenance, deeds, events and ages – up to the next year by Allah’s Knowledge, Wisdom and Ability; and it indicates the status of this night.

The Descent of the Angels:

Angles descend on the earth with goodness, blessings and mercy for the believers. Allah says:

“Therein descend the angels and the Ruh (Jibril) by their Lord’s permission with every matter.” (Al-Qadr 97:4)

Meaning, the angels descend in abundance during this Night due to its abundance blessings. They descend with blessings and mercy, just as they descend while the Quran is recited, they surround the circles of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah), and they lower their wings with true respect for the seekers of knowledge.

In reference to Ar-Ruh, it is said that here it means the angel Jibril. Therefore, the wording of the Ayah is a method of adding the name of the distinct object (in this case Jibril) separate from the general group (in this case the angels).

There is a peace until the appearance of dawn (Fajr):

Allah says:

“With every matter, there is peace until the appearance of dawn.” (Al-Qadr 97:4, 5)

This night is Peace concerning every matter, security in which Satan cannot do any evil or any harm, the angels giving the greetings of peace during the Night of Al-Qadr to the people in the Mosques until the coming of Fajr (dawn) and all of it is good and there is no evil in it until the coming of Fajr (dawn).

Specifying the Night of Power:

Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said:

“Look for the night of Al-Qadr in the last ten days of Ramadan; 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 and 29 respectively].” (Al-Bukhari, Hadith: 2021).

Allah concealed this night from His Pious Slaves out of mercy so that they would increase their acts of worship and achieve the great reward by offering Qiyam during these honorable nights, thinking that each night is Laylat-ul-Qadr. By this, they shall achieve the reward of each night, especially when they think it is Laylat-ul-Qadr and deeds are judged according to intentions, moreover to catching up Laylat-ul-Qadr if they offer Qiyam in the entire ten days.

It’s Signs:

Ubayy bin Kab (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated: “By the signs of which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) told us:

“On that day the sun rises with no rays.” (Muslim, Hadith: 762).

Moreover, said:

“It is an easy and moderate night. It is neither hot nor cold. On the morning following it, the sun rises reddish and weak (in light).” (Ibn Khuzamah, Hadith: 2192).

It is interesting to note that these signs occur after the night ends. Some scholars have indicated that the wisdom behind this is that one would not rely on definite knowledge in order to limit his worship to just one night of the whole year.

Supplication in the Night of Al-Qadr:

Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated that she asked: “O Messenger of Allah! If I realize that it is Lailat-ul-Qadr, what should I supplicate in it? He (peace be upon him) said:

“You should supplicate:

“Allāhumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni”

O Allah! You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me.” (Tirmidhi, Hadith: 3513).

Hard work in the last ten days of Ramadan:

Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated:

“With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to keep awake all night and perform prayer and also used to keep his family awake for the prayer.” (Al-Bukhari, Hadith: 2024).

Of things, which people should do are, paying more attention to these nights, showing respect to them, and following the Sunnah of the Messenger (peace be upon him) during these nights, because the Messenger (peace be upon him) used to awake his household for worship.

Those who are capable of waking up for Qiyam and Dhikr should do so to achieve the great reward and benefit themselves of these blessed nights in drawing near to their Lord, because these are the golden opportunities that should be availed.

We ask Allah for His Forgiveness and better health to all in this life as well as in the Hereafter. We ask Him to make us from those who hasten to repentance and Paradise and compete with one another in doing good deeds in order to gain the good reward and the high ranks in Paradise, for He is All-Hearer, All-Responsive to invocations of His Servants. Ameen!

( Source: Darussalam Publishers )