In our short lifespan of 60-70 years, we could have only wished to compete in the worship of Allah (swt) with our preceding Ummahs having a lifespan of 100’s of years. But Allah (swt) from His Everlasting mercy bestowed us with “Laylatul Qadr” (The night of power). A night that is greater than a thousand months. Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an:
- “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 is?
- The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).”
So, after puberty, a person with an average lifespan may witness the night of Qadr upto 50 times. If he sincerely seeks the night of Qadr and spends it in the worship of Allah (swt), it would be recorded around 4000 years (50 x 83) of worship for him.
This great opportunity is coming our way. Have you tightened up your belts in preparation for it as our dear Prophet (pbuh) would do? Prophet Mohammed (pbuh) strove hard in worship during the last ten days of Ramadan as he never did at any other time. Because among the virtues of Laylatul Qadr is that it is an opportunity to get our past sins forgiven
Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever stays up and prays on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
Who wouldn’t want to have the account of his bad deeds erased and start fresh? Who wouldn’t want to have his neck saved from the Hell fire? Who would want to miss the opportunity to worship Allah (swt) for 83 years in just one night in the strife to gain Paradise?
Let’s jot down a few do’s and don’ts to gain maximum benefits from this blessed night.
DO’S
Observe I’tikaaf
I’tikaaf is to stay at the mosque worshipping Allah (swt) while keeping away from people and worldly activities. It helps a person to detach his heart from the love of things and redirect it to loving Allah (swt). It is the sunnah of Prophet (pbuh) to observe I’tikaaf during the last ten days of Ramadan. I’tikaaf is to be observed in the mosque (for both males and females) and cannot be done at home. Whereas the number of days can be ten or less, as much as one is capable of performing.
Pray Qiyam Al Layl
Prayer is the best form of worship. Qiyam al Layl includes both Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers. However, Tahajjud more appropriately applies to the prayer that is performed after waking up from sleep. Attend both the Taraweeh and Tahajjud prayers held at mosques. Dedicate some time to pray Tahajjud prayers in the last third part of the night at your home, individually. This will enable you to connect with Allah (swt) spiritually at a personal level.
Related: Tahajjud: When The Lord Descends To Hear His Slave
Read Qur’an
The Night of Power is the celebration of the descent of the Qur’an, an eternal guidance to mankind. The Sahaba dedicated much of their time to the recitation of the Qur’an during Ramadan, especially during the last ten nights. Abu Qatadah (RA) completed the recitation of the Qur’an every night during the last 10 nights. We should also try to read and reflect as much of the Qur’an as possible.
Make Zikr
Won’t you wish to be counted among those who made Zikr of Allah for 83 years? Make lots of zikr and istighfar. Keep your tongue moist with the remembrance of Allah as Allah (swt) says in the Qur’an:
“O you who have believed, remember Allah with much remembrance.” [Qur’an Ch33: v41]
Grab your Hisnul Muslim handbook and look for the authentic azkaar carrying great virtues. Do not fall prey to books carrying unauthentic azkaar which are widely circulated.
Make lots of Dua
Make a list of the dua’s that you wish to make, the people you wish to remember in your duas. Refer to your Hisnul Muslim for the authentic beautiful duas regularly made by the Prophet (pbuh), asking for the goodness of this world and Hereafter. However, the best dua to be made on Laylatul Qadr is the one taught by Prophet (pbuh) to Aa’ishah (RA).
‘Aa’ishah said: “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allaah, if I know which night is Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say on that night?’ He said, ‘Say: Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni (O Allaah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).” [At-Tirmidhi]
Give Sadaqah and do charitable acts
Ascertain a certain amount to be given on every odd night. Give sadaqah-e-jariyah on behalf of your lost loved ones. Feed the poor, forgive the debts, overlook the faults and forgive one another. If you hurt someone, especially your parents, ask their forgiveness. If you have been on bad terms with someone, call them and make it up. Let go family feuds and strengthen family ties. Allah (swt) has united the hearts of the believers and loves the one who takes the first step in reconciling and the one who maintains family ties.
Involve your family
Educate your family about the virtues of Laylatul Qadr. Wake up your family and encourage them to do ibadah as the Prophet (pbuh) used to wake up his family.
Do Ibadah, even if you are menstruating
A menstruating woman is not allowed to pray, fast, do i’tikaf and tawaf. However she can recite Qur’an (without touching the mushaf with bare hands). She can make lots of zikr, istighfar and dua. So do not make your menses an excuse to miss out on the great blessings of this Blessed Night.
DON’TS
Do not seek it only on the 27th night
Prophet (pbuh), the Sahaba, Tabieen and Salaf as Saliheen (may Allah be pleased with them all) sought Laylatul Qadr on the odd nights during the last 10 days of Ramadan. Singling out the 27th night to be celebrated as Laylatul Qadr might cause you to miss this great night. It will also deprive you of a great deal of worship that you can perform seeking the Night of Power on the 5 odd nights, 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th of Ramadan.
Don’t be Busy
Do not accept any iftar parties, shopping invitations or outings. Take a break from worldly duties to devote as much time as possible to the worship of Allah (swt). Women give a break to their iftar delicacies and men sideline their job, business and trade.
“Aa’ishah (RA) said that when the last ten days of Ramadan came, the Prophet (pbuh) would stay up at night and would wake his family up, and would abstain from marital relations.” [Bukhari & Muslim]
Don’t waste time
Often we lose track of time when we sit to talk or browse our phone. Get rid of all applications on the phone that consume your time, whether games, social networking sites or messengers. Isolate yourself from chit-chat gatherings at home, outside mosques or on streets. You would not want to waste 83 years of your life over a game or vain talks.
Don’t be of the unfortunate
Time is money and we are always in short of time. This night of power equal to a 1000 months is a treasure. And none fails to accumulate its fortune except the most unfortunate ones. As Prophet (pbuh) said:
“A month has verily dawned over you wherein lies a night (i.e. Laylatul Qadr) which is better than a thousand months. Whoever misses such a night has indeed been deprived of all that is good; and none is deprived of it, except he who is really unfortunate.” [Ibn Majah]
May Allah grant us Laylatul Qadr and make us of those who celebrate it in its true essence and not become of the unfortunate ones
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Related Video: Laylatual Qadr – Yasir Qadhi
ASSALAMU ALIKUM WARAHMATULLAh WABARAKATUHU
MAY ALLAH SUBHANO WATA AALA help us to be in those fortunate,who can see the light of LAYLATUL QADER and make the most of these remaining nights of Ramadhan as well as days Amen.
ASSALAMU ALAIKUM WARAHMATULLAH WABARAKATUHU