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Surah Al Qadr

All Praise is due to Allah, the Exalted. Peace and blessings of Allah be upon our beloved

Prophet Muhammad (SAW). We now have a few days of Ramadan left. Let us make the best of

it and gain maximum spiritual benefit from the last ten auspicious and blessed days. Who knows

if we will see the next Ramadan or not? Let us all make Istighfaar in abundance, stay away from

oppression, injustice, transgression, disobedience and all types of sin. Let us be concerned and

fulfil the rights of our fellow human beings. Let us all create love, unity and quality of helping

each other within the Ummah. Let us stay away from vain and futile activities, stealing away our

time for Zikrullah. Let us all review our covenant with Allah to obey His Commands as

prescribed in the Noble Quran. Let us also plead sincerely for forgiveness before our Most

Merciful Rabb and abstain from all evil.

'Lailatul-Qadr' or 'Night of Power'… a very important occasion in the history of Islam and in our

personnel lives.

Allah says in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Qadr: "We have indeed revealed this (message) in the Night

of Power. And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is?

The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the

spirit by God's permission, on every errand: Peace! This until the rise of Morn." (97:1-5)

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Allah also says about this powerful night in Surah Dukhan (smoke, mist): Ha. Mim. By the book

that makes things clear. We sent it down during a blessed night. For We (ever) wish to warn

(against evil). In that (night) is made distinct every affair of wisdom, by command, from Our

Presence. For We (ever) send (revelations), as a mercy from Thy Lord: for He hears and knows

(all things). (44:1-6)

Allah said in the Qur'an in Surah A 1-Baqarah (the Cow): "Ramadan is the (month) in which was

sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment

(between right and wrong)."(2:185)

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said about Lailatul-Qadr: It as narrated by Abu Hurayra that Prophet

said, "Anyone who stays awake for the Night Of Power with belief and for the pleasure of Allah,

all his previous sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari and Muslim)

The Revelation of the Qur'an started in the month of Ramadan and specifically on the Night Of

Power. The Revelation of the Qur'an; a sign of Mercy, a guide and a blessing of Allah to

mankind. Anyone who is interested in finding the best guide, he/she should look into the

teachings of the Qur'an. The Night of Power is a night of blessings Allah has blessed this Night.

Therefore whosoever is interested in receiving the blessings of Allah may look forward to the

Night of Power.

Anyone who seeks the Night of Power and lives it, all his/her sin will be erased. This is, as if,

he/she is, born again now free of all sin and mistakes. From amongst the blessed nights of the

month of Ramadan, one is known as “Lailatul Qadr” and during it, blessings, rewards,

forgiveness and an abundance of good is gained. So valuable is this Night of Qadr that the

Qur’an devotes a special chapter (Surah Al-Qadr) to it and by saying in it that “Lailatul Qadr is

better than a thousand months” (97:3). This one night surpasses the value of the nights of one

thousand months i.e. 83 years and 4 months. The most authentic account of the occurrence of

this Night indicates that it occurs on any one of the last ten, odd-numbered nights of the Islamic

month of Ramadan.

The fact that the exact night is unknown reflects Allah’s Will to keep it hidden. 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. 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 Rooh

[Angel Jibreel (AS)] 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: Chapter 97)

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Abu Hurairah (RA) relates that the Holy Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever fasted the month of

Ramadan out of sincere Faith (imaanan) and hoping for a reward from Allah (ihtisaaban), then

all his past sins will be forgiven; and whoever stood for prayers in the Night of Qadr out of

sincere Faith (imaanan) and hoping for a reward from Allah (ihtisaaban), then all his previous

sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari and Muslim) Allah, Most Exalted, has made worship during this

night worth more than a thousand months, i.e. anyone who spent this night in worship, would

have worshipped more than an equivalent of eighty three years and four months – lailatul qadri

khayrum-min-alfi shahr - “The Night of Qadr is better than a thousand months.” The reality is

that Allah can increase the rewards gained during this month to as much as He wants and the

amount is beyond our imagination.

THE TIMING OF LAILATUL QADR ACCORDING TO THE ULAMA

Although the timing of this night has been kept a secret, a great majority of scholars hold the

opinion that one of the odd nights of the last ten nights of the month of

Ramadan is Lailatul-Qadr. And amongst these also, most scholars think that it is the 27th night.

Below are some authentic Ahaadith which have been reported in this connection:

1. It is one of the nights of the last ten days of Ramadan:

Ummul Mu’minoon Aisha as-Siddiqah (RA) reports that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi

Wasallam) said: “Seek out Lailatul Qadr in the last ten days of Ramadan.” (Bukhari).

2. According to Abu Hurairah (radiyallahu anhu), the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi

Wasallam) said, in connection with Lailatul Qadr, that it is the 27th night. (Abu Dawood).

3. When Zirr bin Hubaish asked Ubayy bin Ka’b (radiyallahu anhuma) about Lailatul Qadr, he

stated on oath, and did not make any exception, that it is the 27th night. (Ahmad, Muslim, Abu

Dawood, Tirmidhi, Nasa’i, Ibn Hibban -- also see Tafsir ibn Kathir).

4. Sayyiduna Umar (RA) asked Abdullah ibn Abbas (radiyallahu anhu) about the timing of

Lailatul Qadr. He was given the following reply: “Allah the Almighty likes odd numbers and of

these, the number seven in particular. We can see this in His creation; for example He created

seven skies, seven worlds, seven days in a week, seven circuits around the Ka’ba to make one

tawaf and so on.” (See Tafsir al-Kabir of Imam Fakhrud-din Al-Razi, 32:30).

Probably (and Allah knows best) that Allah and His Messenger (SAW) have not specified any

one night for the reason so that the people, in their zeal to benefit from the virtues of Lailatul

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Qadr, should spend more and more nights in worship and devotion and should not remain

content with only one night.

SUPPLICATION (DUA) DURING THE NIGHT OF QADR

It is related from our Mother of the Believers Aisha as-Siddiqah (RA) that she asked the Holy

Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) what she should pray during Lailatul Qadr. He replied:

“Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa’fu anni” which means: “O Allah! You are the

One Who forgives and loves to forgive, so forgive me.”

As far as determining the Night of Power (Lailatul-Qadr) is concerned, it has been reported to be

during one of the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, i.e. 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th

or 29th. It has been emphasized that it is most likely to be the 27th night.

As far as the signs of Lailatul-Qadr are concerned:

1. The sun rises early in the morning without rays.

2. Rain may fall either during the night or during the day of that night.

3. During night the sky will be lightly foggy.

4. The sky will be slightly lighted without reflections and without rays.

5. The angels and Gabriel all descend down onto earth for many purposes. If you are interested

in living the Night of Power, let me remind you of some of the things that you might have to do.

1. Try to observe it during the last ten days of Ramadan, at the time of sunrise, during the days

and the nights.

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2. On the nights one may spend the time collectively and/or individually observing the following

activities:

a. Recitation of the Qur’an.

b. Prayers-Nafl after Taraweeh.

c. Remembrance of Allah or zikr

d. Supplication or Du'a for you and for others.

e. Pondering and contemplating into the universe, the creation of the Heavens and the Earth:

"...and they contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heaven and the earth…."(3:191)

f. Reading books of Hadith so as to enjoy the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).

g. Reading Tafseer of Qur'an.

h. Giving charity to others if you can afford it.

i. Trying to explain Islam, if you know something about it, to those next to you so they will

benefit from you.

1. RECITE THE QURAN ABUNDANTLY

Laylatul Qadr is the night the Qur’an was revealed so we should spend much of the night reciting

it for we will gain 700 hasanah or more by reciting each letter!

2. STRIVE TO GAIN FORGIVENESS

One should strive and do their utmost to gain the mercy of Allah especially in the odd numbered

nights of the last ten days. If one leaves Ramadan without gaining the mercy of Allah then surely

they are the most unfortunate ones and are the biggest losers in this world and the next.

3. DO MUCH SUPERAGATORY (NAFL) IBADAH ON THIS NIGHT

Rabi’ah ibn Malik al-Aslami reported that the Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam said: “Ask

(anything).” Rabi’ah said: “I ask of you to be your companion in paradise.” The Prophet said:

“Or anything else?” Rabi’ah said: “That is it.” The Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam said to him:

“Then help me by making many prostrations (i.e., supererogatory prayers).” (Muslim)

Here are some easy and very beneficial Dhikr:

1. Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘annee

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2. Subhanallah

3. Alhamdulillah

4. Allahu Akbar

5. Laa ilaha ilallah

6. LA HAWLA WA LA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH

7. Asthaghfirullah

8. SUB-HAN’ALLAH HIL AZEEM WA BI-HAM’DIHI,

9. Subhāna-llāhi, wa-l-hamdu li-llāhi, wa lā ilāha illā-llāhu, wa-llāhu akbar. Wa lā hawla wa lā

quwwata illā bi-llāhi-l-aliyyi-l-azīm

10. Lā ilāha illā-llāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lahu lahu-l-mulku wa lahu-l-ḥamdu yuhyi wa yumītu

wa huwa ḥayyu-llā yamūtu abadan abada, ḏū-l-jalāli wa-l-ikrām, biyadihi-l-khayr, wa huwa alā

kulli Shay-in qadī

May Allah give us the strength, the power, the courage and the effort to do our best to obey

Allah and to follow His teachings. May Allah guide us and may Allah strengthen our Iman May

Allah help us to live another year with sincerity and devotion. May Allah make us realize that

one year of our life is over and that we are one year closer to our graves.

Let us wake up and do our best to please Allah in our daily life. Let us ask Almighty Allah

forgiveness. AmeenI am sure every one of us would like to live a life free of sins an free of

mistakes. Everyone would like to meet Allah on the Day of Judgment without sins. Every one of

us would like to feel that he/she is reborn today. All of us wish to rejuvenate ourselves, and to

start a new year with a fresh outlook and a fresh life. Every one of us wants to live a pure life and

everyone wants to purify himself/herself without anguish or torment. The Night of Power is one

of the best ways in which a person is to achieve all these ideals. For this reason may I suggest

that you start looking for it, so you will be able to observe it and enjoy it.

Edited and Compiled by:

Irfan Iftekhar