This article explains what Laylat al-Qadr is, its virtues, signs, and the acts of worship and optional prayers recommended to seek it in the last ten nights of Ramadan.
Laylat al-Qadr – The Night of Greatness in Ramadan
Laylat al-Qadr or Laylat al-Qadr (Arabic: لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ, the night of decree) is an important night that occurs in the month of Ramadan, which in the Qur'ān is described as a night that is better than a thousand months. And it is also commemorated as the night the Qur'ān was revealed. A description of the virtues of this night can be found in Surah al-Qadr, the 97th surah in the Qur'ān.
According to Quraish Shihāb, the word Qadr (قﺩﺭ) according to its usage in the verses of the Qur'ān can have three meanings:
"Verily, We sent it down (the Qur'ān) on a blessed night. Verily, We are ever warning. On that night, every matter of wisdom is made distinct,"
"And they did not give Allah His due regard when they said, 'Allah did not reveal anything to any human being.'"
"Allah extends provision for whom He wills and restricts it (for whom He wills)."
Laylat al-Qadr can also be understood as a night of bestowing grace promised by Allah to the Muslim ummah who wish to obtain a share of this bestowed grace. This virtue is based on the value of Laylat al-Qadr as a night better than a thousand months.
The wisdom, virtue, and greatness of the night of Laylat al-Qadr in the month of Ramadan are mentioned in the Qur'ān, surah al-Qadr, which means: "The Night of Greatness is better than a thousand months." The night of Laylat al-Qadr is a night honored by Allah the Most High, whose value is better than 1,000 months, or 30,000 ordinary nights.
The blessings of Laylat al-Qadr are part of the wisdom and virtue of the month of Ramadan itself. Where one special night is enveloped in blessing, found only on one night in the month of Ramadan.
The night of Laylat al-Qadr also has virtues recorded in the Qur'ān and in the hadith of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him). The following are points that explain the greatness of the night of Laylat al-Qadr:
Allah the Almighty says:
"The Night of Greatness is better than a thousand months." (QS. al-Qadr: 3).
Al-Nakhā'ī said, "The act of worship on Laylat al-Qadr is better than worship in 1,000 months." (See Latā'if al-Ma'ārif, p. 341).
Mujāhid, Qatādah, and other scholars are of the opinion that what is meant by being better than a thousand months is that prayer and worship on Laylat al-Qadr are better than prayer and fasting in 1,000 months where Laylat al-Qadr is not present. (Zād al-Masīr, 9: 191). This is truly an extraordinary virtue of Laylat al-Qadr.
Allah the Almighty says:
"Indeed, We revealed it (the Qur'ān) on a blessed night and indeed, it is We who warn."(QS. al-Dukhān: 3).
The night full of blessing is the night of 'Laylat al-Qadr' and this already shows the virtue of that night.
Allah the Almighty says:
"On that night, every matter of wisdom is made distinct,"(QS. al-Dukhān: 4).
Ibn Kathīr in his tafsir (12: 334–335) explains that on Laylat al-Qadr, everything will be clarified from the Preserved Tablet regarding the writing of destiny for a year, and also the term of life and sustenance will be recorded. And everything will be recorded until the end in a year. This is narrated from Ibn 'Umar, Abū Mālik, Mujāhid, al-Ḍaḥḥāk, and other early scholars.
However, it should be noted—as explained by Imām al-Nawawī (may Allah have mercy on him) in his commentary on Muslim (8: 57)—that this recording of the annual decree is of course preceded by Allah's knowledge and writing. This decree will later be shown to the angel and he will know what will happen, then he will perform the task commanded of him.
One of the virtues of the night of Laylat al-Qadr is the forgiveness of sins for those who spend the night of Laylat al-Qadr in worship. A hadith from Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him), which means:
"Whoever performs prayer on the night of Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and hoping for reward from Allah the Most High, then Allah will forgive their previous sins."
These are some of the virtues of the night of Laylat al-Qadr. Certainly, there are still many other virtues that are implied in other verses and hadith.
As is known, the night of Laylat al-Qadr is a night of countless virtues for the Muslim who spends it in worship and drawing close to Allah.
There is an opinion that says that Laylat al-Qadr occurs on the 10 last nights of Ramadan; this is based on a hadith from 'Ā'ishah who said:
"The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) performed i'tikāf in the last ten days of Ramadan and he said, which means: 'Seek Laylat al-Qadr on (the odd nights) of the 10 last days of Ramadan.'" (Reported by al-Bukhārī 4/225 and Muslim 1169).
The determination and arrangement, so Laylat al-Qadr is understood as the night of Allah's determination for the journey of human life. The use of Qadr as decree can be found in surah al-Dukhān verses 3–5:
"Verily, We sent it down (the Qur'ān) on a blessed night. Verily, We are ever warning. On that night, every matter of wisdom is made distinct,"
Observe the following amazing signs of the night of Laylat al-Qadr.
During the night of Laylat al-Qadr, the air feels cool. Not hot and not cold. The atmosphere is very comfortable. On that night there is no hot or cold breeze.
This is as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Laylat al-Qadr is a night full of ease and goodness, not very hot, and not very cold. In the morning, the sun rises not very brightly and appears reddish." (Reported by al-Ṭabarānī and al-Bayhaqī in Shu'ab al-Īmān, see Jāmi' al-Ahādīth 18/361, authentic).
The atmosphere is indeed very cool, so it feels pleasant for those who perform i'tikāf and then encounter this night.
When the night of Laylat al-Qadr arrives, the atmosphere feels very peaceful. There is no noise. Everything feels very tranquil and comfortable. This is a night that feels very solemn for worshipping Allah the Most High.
In surah al-Qadr verse 4, it is explained:
"Therein descend the angels and the Spirit (Gabriel) by Allah's permission on every command."
Many angels will descend on the night of Laylat al-Qadr, because of the abundance of blessing on the night of Laylat al-Qadr. The descent of angels to the world to mark the descent of blessing and mercy.
Just as when angels descend when someone recites the Qur'ān, as they will surround people who differ in a gathering of remembrance of Allah. Just as angels will place their wings on seekers of knowledge, because they greatly revere them.
From Abū Hurayrah, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Whoever performs prayer on the night of Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and hoping for the pleasure of Allah the Most High, then his previous sins will be forgiven." (Reported by al-Bukhārī)
On the night of Laylat al-Qadr, the sky appears bright. The sky appears clear and looks beautiful. This is as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"That night is a bright night, that is, the night of the twenty-seventh (of Ramadan). And the signs of it are that in the morning the sun rises white without piercing rays." (Reported by Muslim no. 762)
In another hadith narrated by Ibn Hibbān, the Messenger of Allah said:
"I was indeed shown Laylat al-Qadr and then I was made to forget it. It is among the last ten nights. That night is bright, neither hot nor cold, like the moon revealing the stars. The devil does not emerge until the dawn breaks." (Reported by Ibn Hibbān).
Ibn Kathīr explains in his tafsir that the recording of destiny in the Preserved Tablet in a year will be clarified on the night of Laylat al-Qadr, and also the determination of the term of life and sustenance will be recorded.
On the morning after the night of Laylat al-Qadr, the sunlight shinessoftly. And the atmosphere of that day appears bright. This is as explained in a hadith, as narrated by Ibn Khuzaymah, authenticated by al-Albānī.
"Laylat al-Qadr is a bright night, neither hot nor cold; on that day the sun rises reddish and weak."
On the night of Laylat al-Qadr, the wind also blows softly. This makes the atmosphere feel very comfortable. Not hot and not cold.
On the night of Laylat al-Qadr, no rain occurs. At that time the night feels very sacred with a bright atmosphere in the sky.
The night of Laylat al-Qadr occurs in the last ten nights of Ramadan. This is as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan." (Reported by al-Bukhārī no. 2020 and Muslim no. 1169)
The arrival of Laylat al-Qadr is more likely to occur on odd nights of Ramadan. This is as the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
"Seek Laylat al-Qadr on the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan." (Reported by al-Bukhārī no. 2017)
The signs of Laylat al-Qadr should not then actually busy us to see and observe whether a certain night is the night of Laylat al-Qadr or not. Rather, on the contrary, every day, from the beginning to the end of Ramadan, we continue to increase our worship to Allah, by performing prayer, remembrance of Allah, and recitation.
Especially on the last ten days of Ramadan. We need to be more diligent in worshipping Allah the Most High. In this way, surely that blessed night will not escape us.
No one knows when this noble guest will come. Only Allah the Most High knows when the night better than 1,000 months will visit His servant.
Moreover, as a noble guest, Laylat al-Qadr is only granted to those who are guided and who perform righteous deeds on that night.
The night of Laylat al-Qadr is a night greatly anticipated by believers who have piety. Its arrival is eagerly awaited with preparations that have been made. On this night, the angels descend to earth by the command of Allah the Most High.
For this reason, do not let us miss the opportunity, very precious and only present in the month of Ramadan, pass by. Prepare ourselves by performing good acts on the last ten nights of the sacred month of Ramadan.
Here are some acts of worship recommended for the last ten nights of Ramadan and the night of Laylat al-Qadr, among which are the following:
"The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to, when he entered the last ten nights, stay up at night and wake his family and tighten his waist (i.e., his resolve to worship and keep away from his wife)."
It is also narrated by Ahmad and Muslim:
"He was earnest (in worship) on the last ten nights more than his earnestness in other (months of) Ramadan."
The Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) encouraged performing prayer on Laylat al-Qadr with full faith and hope. From Abū Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), verily he said:
"Whoever stands (performs prayer) on the night of Laylat al-Qadr with faith and hope (for reward), then his previous sins will be forgiven," (Agreed upon).
To specify a particular night in Ramadan as Laylat al-Qadr requires evidence that specifies that night, not another night. However, on the odd nights of the last ten nights, there is a greater possibility compared to other nights, and the night of the twenty-seventh is even more likely to be the night of Laylat al-Qadr.
From the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him), he said:
"Whoever performs prayer on the night of Laylat al-Qadr consisting of 2 (two) rak'ahs, in each rak'ah after reciting al-Fātihah (1) one time, then reciting Surah al-Ikhlās 7 (seven) times, and after the greeting reciting 'Astaghfirullāh al-'Aẓīm wa Atūbu Ilayh 70 (seventy) times, then as long as he performs it, Allah will forgive him and his parents, and Allah the Most High will send angels to plant (for him) trees in Paradise, build buildings and flow rivers within it, and he (the one performing the prayer of Laylat al-Qadr) will not leave the world until he has seen all of it." (Reported by Ibn 'Abbās)
More briefly, if quoting from the hadith above, the way to perform the optional prayer on the night of Laylat al-Qadr is as follows:
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