Lailatul-Qadr
Allâh says “and how would you know (the value of the) Night of Qadr” [97:2]
There is a powerful night in the month of fasting: Lailat-ul-Qadr. In this night the worship of Allah the Most High as well as the performance of any noble deed are more valuable than those which were being done during a thousand months. The Holy Qur’an says:
“Verily! We have sent it [this Holy Qur’an[1]] down in the Night of Power (Lailatul-Qadr). And what will make you know [o, Muhammad] what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months! Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (i.e. Jibreel [angel Gabriel]) by Allah’s permission with all decrees. Peace!(or – there is peace and quiet with any decree in this night [2])[It lasts] until the appearance of dawn” (see, the Holy Qur’an, 97).
The night can fall on any of one of the last 10 days of Ramadan strongly on the odd numbered nights, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 and there are many strong hadith’s that tell us this.
There is a difference of opinion as to when actually the Lailatul Qadr occurs. But there is no doubt that it is one of the odd numbered nights in the last 10 days of Ramadan. Some scholars do believe that the probability of Lailatul Qadr is on the 27th of Ramadan, but there is no way to be sure of it. Hence it is best to do ibaadat in all the nights without actually trying to “catch” Lailatul Qadr. It is not essential for the one who “catches” Lailatul Qadr to know that he has “caught” it. The point is to strive hard and to be sincere in worship, whether or not one knows that one has “caught” it. It may be that some of those who do not know may be better in sight of Allah and higher in status than those who did know which night it was, because the former struggled harder than the latter.
“Allâh’s Messenger sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam used to exert more (in worship) on the last ten than on other nights.” [Muslim]
Aa’isha radiallaahu 'anhu said: “When the (last) ten started, the Prophet sallallaahu 'alayhi wa sallam would tighten his izaar (i.e. he stayed away from his wives in order to have more time for worship), spend the whole night awake (in prayer), and wake up his family.” [Bukhaaree and Muslim] For a time, the only concern will be cleansing oneself of the forgetfulness that this life propagates in one’s heart, the sins that accumulate, darkening the heart, making it insensitive to disobeying Allâh. He begs Allâh to keep him away from misfortunes in this world, the punishment of the grave, and the torment of Hell. He asks Allâh to make him patient and steadfast in struggling to maintain his Islam in this world and asks Him to overlook his shortcomings, periods of laziness and neglect. Sincere devotion on that night will render the believer forgetful of the time, until he is surprised by the Adhan of Fajr. After Fajr, as the sun creeps above the horizon, reddish and weak in its appearance, without any rays, the effort at night will have been worthwhile. The believer rejoices, knowing that this was quite possibly Lailatul Qadr and “Whoever stays up (in prayer and remembrance of Allâh) on the Night of Qadr fully believing (in Allâh’s promise of reward for that night) and hoping to seek reward (from Allâh alone and not from people), he shall be forgiven for his past sins.” [Bukhârî, Muslim]
{By the manifest Book (the Qur’ân) that makes thing clear. We sent it (this Qur’ân) down on a Blessed Night (i.e. the Night of Qadr) in the month of Ramadhân. Verily We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torments will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of Worship]. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter (amran) of ordainment} [The Smoke 44:2-5]
Some special prayers and Zikr for Laitul Qadr
- Seeking Forgiveness. Hazrat Aa’ishah radhiyallahu anhaa asked the Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam that if she happened to get the night sublime what prayer should she say. The Prophet sallalahu alayhi wasallam replied that she should say the following prayer :
“Allahumma innaka afuwwun kareemun tuhib-bul af-wa fa-afo anni”
(O Allah, You are the One who grants pardon for sins, loves forgiving, so forgive me.)
-
Reciting Astaghfar. The following should be recited as much as possible:
“Astaghfirullah hallazi la-ila-ha illa huwal Hayyul Qayyumo wa atu-bu ilaihe”
(I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Almighty, there is no God but He. He is self-Existent, the Eternal and I return to Him) -
Reciting Surah `Inna anzalnahu…’
“Inna anzalnahu fee lailatul Qadr, Wa maa adraka maa lailatul Qadr.
Lailatul Qadri khairum min alfi shahr. Tanazzalul malai-katu var-roohu
fee ha bi izni Rabbihim min kulle amr. Salaamun heya hatta matla-il fajr.” -
zikr
May ALLAH forgive our sins and increase our eemaan and make us humble, save us from the Shaitan and guide us towards him. Ameen
I didn’t find any references, Jazak ALLAH khair and May Allah forgive me.