THE SUPERIORITY OF LAILAT-UL-QADR (THE NIGHT OF DECREE)
Allah, the Exalted, says:
“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. 83 years and 4 months). Therein descend the angels and the Ruh [Jibril (Gabriel)] by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees. (All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn.” [Surah al-Qadr, 97:1-5]
“We sent it (this Qur’an) down on a blessed night [(i.e., the Night of Al-Qadr, Surah No. 97) in the month of Ramadan, the 9th month of the Islamic calendar]. Verily, we are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lord Worship and in Our Oneness of Lord Worship]. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments (i.e., the matters of deads, births, provisions, and calamities for the whole (coming) years as decreed by Allah). As a Command (or this Qur’an or the Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messengers). (As) a Mercy from your Rubb, Verily! He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” [Surah al 44:3-6]
1189. Abu Hurairah (RA) reported: The Prophet (SAW) said, “Whosoever performs Qiyam [that is keeping awake all night, praying ‘Isha and Fajr prayers in congregation, performing Nawafil, impelling one to beg pardon for sins from Allah and praising Him] during Lailatu-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), with Faith and being hopeful of Allah’s reward, will have his former sins forgiven.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
1190. Ibn ‘Umar (RA) reported: Some of the Companions of the Prophet (SAW) saw Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree) in their dreams in the last seven nights of Ramadan whereupon The Messenger of Allah (SAW) said, “I see that your dreams are all agree upon the last seven nights.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
Commentary: The Prophet (SAW) said that Lailat-ul-Qadr should be sought in the last seven nights of Ramadan. The wisdom of keeping it secret is to keep people awake to engage in worship for a larger number of nights in this auspicious month.
1191. ‘Aishah (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to seclude himself (in the mosque) during the last ten nights of Ramadhan. He would say, “Search for Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of the Decree) in the last ten nights of Ramadhan.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim]
1194. ‘Aishah (RA) reported: The Messenger of Allah (SAW) used to strive to worship during the Ramadan than he strove in any other time of the year; and he would devote himself more (in the worship of Allah) in the last ten nights of Ramadan than he strove in earlier part of the month. [Muslim]
Commentary: We learn in this Hadith that:
* One should concentrate more on prayers and worship on the last ten nights of Ramadan than the first twenty nights, in the same way one should do more worship in Ramadan than in the other months.
* One should keep oneself awake for prayer, worship and glorification of Allah in the last ten nights of Ramadan so that one can attain the blessings of Lailat-ul-Qadr.
* One should also persuade his family members to keep themselves awake for prayer and worship in the last ten odd nights of Ramadan so that they can also make effort to please Allah.
* ‘Itikaf (seclusion in the mosque for prayers) in the last ten days of Ramadan is also a meritorious act for its being a practice of the Prophet (SAW).
1195. ‘Aishah (RA) reported: I asked: “O Messenger of Allah! If I realize Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), what should I supplicate in it?” He (SAW) replied, “You should supplicate: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me).” [At-Tirmidhi]
Commentary: Although no specific sign of Lailat-ul-Qadr has been mentioned in the Ahadith, some eminent scholars have stated, on the basis of their own experiences and observation; that since angels descend on this night, one feels a peculiar tranquility and peace of mind and one is overwhelmed with a unique tenderness of heart. The night is neither very hot etc. etc. Allah knows the truth of the matter despite all that has been said in this regard. In any case, on this auspicious night every Muslim should earnestly pray to Allah for forgiveness of his sins with reference to his Attribute of Forgiveness.
