Night of Decree or Laylat al-Qadr is also known as the Night of measures, Night of Value, Night of Destiny, or Night of Power. It is a blessed night and is one of the odd number nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. Hazrat Aisha narrated that:
Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) said, Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.
Sahih al-Bukhari 2017
Night of Qadar comes with abundant mercy and countless blessings of Allah. Quran best explain this night as:
Surely, we sent the Quran down during the Night of Decree(Qadr). And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The Spirit and the angels descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace is until the appearance of dawn.
In this surah Allah, the Almighty guide us about what is this precious night. We will now explore one by one.
Revelation of the Quran in Laylat al-Qadr (لیلة القدر)
Laylat al qadr is the night in which Allah began the revelation of the Quran. Allah says on another place
By the clear Book, Indeed, We send it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [man].
Al-Dukhan 2-3
And in Surah Al Baqara Allah says:
The month of Ramadan, in which was the Quran revealed, a guidance for the people and obvious proofs of guidance and criterion (between right and wrong). So whoever sights the month [the new moon], let him fast it; and whoever is sick or on a journey than the same number of other days. Allah Almighty wants for you ease and does not want for you hardship and for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for He has guided you to, and perhaps you will be thankful.
Al-Baqara 185
Here it is clear that Allah reveals the Quran in the holy month of Ramadan. And the exact night is the night of decree. This night is precious of all as the Quran, precious gift for us from Allah, is revealed.
A Night better than Thousand Months
Night of Decree(Qadr) is better than a thousand months. That is worship performed in this night will reward as we have worship thousand months. Thousand months is equivalent to 84 years in a solar year. Today average life is below 60. It means this single night will reward us more than our lifetime worship. When a person performs worship with sincerity and pure intention, Allah will grant him forgiveness, countless blessings, and acceptance of supplications. As narrated from Prophet(PBUH):
Whoever prays on Laylat ul Qadr out of faith and sincerity, all their previous sins will be forgiven.
An-Nasāi 2206
Abu Huraira narrated that:
Prophet (ﷺ) said, “Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith and expecting for a reward from Allah, then all his former sins will be forgiven. and whoever stood for the worship in the night of Decree out of sincere Faith and expecting for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven.”
Sahih al-Bukhari 2014
Another meaning is that its better than a thousand months because of the Quran. It is the Night when the Quran comes down to us. The better Book than all the books in the world.
Angels Descend for Every Matter
Allah descends his angels and specially Hazrat Jibrail to the earth, and annual decree is revealed to them. The angels are in abundance due to the abundant blessing of Night of Decree. They are coming down with all commands from Allah, the Almighty. All the matters of the earth for the coming year are distributed among angels. And Jabrail(A.S) with the sanction of Allah supervise all of them. What will one do in next year whats his rewards, who will die, who is born, who will be rewarded and who punished everything is decided in this night. In the Quran, Allah says:
On that night is made clear every precise matter. [All] matter [proceeding] from Us. Indeed, We were to send.
(Al-Dukhan 4-5)
Peace till Dawn
Allah sends down His angels to earth in Laylat al-Qadr (لیلة القدر). Angel brings commands of the peace. They bring peace to those who are worshipping. Their coming down is itself a sign of peace. Moreover, devil/satan cannot interfere with any matter of Laylat al-Qadr (لیلة القدر). They are unable to hear any commands of Allah and the planning of angels. “Momin” also remains protected from the evils of satan. In Al Baqarra-185, Allah called it Lailatul Mubarak. It is “Mubarak” blessed night for everyone who works for it.
When is Laylat al-Qadr (لیلة القدر, Night of Decree?
Night of Decree is one of the last ten odd number nights of Ramadan. Exact knowledge of it is for Allah. Muslims have to find it through their good deeds in these specific nights. Hazrat Aisha (R.A) narrated that:
Prophet of Allah (ﷺ) said, “Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan(holy month).”
Sahih al-Bukhari 2017
Ubada bin As-Samit narrated that:
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) came out to inform us about the Night of Decree, but two Muslims were quarreling(arguing) with each other. So, the Messenger (ﷺ) said, “I came out to tell you about the Night of Qadr, but such and such persons were quarreling. So the news about it had been taken away, yet that might be for your good. So search for it on the 25th, 27th, and 29th. (in the month of Ramadan).
Sahih al-Bukhari 2023
So we have to find Laylat al-Qadr (لیلة القدر) in odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. Allah doesn’t reveal the exact night. This hidden truth may also be a blessing that we can worship Him more. As also depicted in Prophet (PBUH) saying.
What to Worship in these Nights
According to Hazrat Aisha, Our Prophet (PBUH) use to perform i’tikaf in these ten days. She narrated :
Allah’s Prophet (ﷺ) used to practice I’tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan(holy month) and say, “Look for the Night of Decree in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan.”
The worship done in Laylat al-Qadr (لیلة القدر) can take many forms such as:
- Extra prayers
- Recitation of the Quran
- Glorifying Allah (Dhikr)
- i’tikaf
- Charity
- Ask Allah for forgiving sins
- supplications
- Special supplication taught to us by Prophet(PBUH) is:
O Allah, truly you are The Pardoner, you love to forgive, so forgive me.
It is no doubt a beautiful dua as we are asking Allah to forgive us, something He loves to do and wants to do. ( forgive us all my Lord)
