Laylat-ul-Qadr: The Night of Power ( لَيْلَةُ القَدْرِ )

Lailat-ul-Qadr ( لَيْلَةُ القَدْرِ ), also known as the Night of Decree, is one of the most sacred nights in Islam. It is the night when the Holy Quran ( القُرَآنُ الكَرِيمُ ) was revealed from Loh-e-Mahfooz ( لوْحِ المَحْفُوظِ )—the Preserved Tablet—to the earth. The exact date of Lailat-ul-Qadr is unknown, but the Prophet Muhammad (صَلَّ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) instructed us to seek it in the odd-numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan ( رَمَضَان ).

Hadiths About Lailat-ul-Qadr

1. Hazrat Aisha (RA) ( عَائِشَةُ رَضي الله عَنها ) reported:”Look for Lailat-ul-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.” (Bukhari)
2. She also stated:”The Prophet (صَلَّ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ) exerted himself in worship during the last ten nights of Ramadan more than at any other time.” (Muslim)
3. Dua for Lailat-ul-Qadr: Hazrat Aisha (RA) asked the Prophet (صَلَّ اللهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ), “If I find Lailat-ul-Qadr, what should I say?” He replied:اللَّهُمَّ انْكَ عَفُوّن تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّيAllahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni.“O Allah! You are the Most Forgiving, and You love to forgive, so forgive me.” (Tirmidhi)

Acts of Worship on Lailat-ul-Qadr

The entire night, from Maghrib ( مَغْرِب ) to Fajr ( فَجْر ), is an opportunity for immense reward. Here’s what you can do:

• Pray Nawafil (Voluntary Prayers) ( نَوَافِل )
• Recite the Quran ( قُرْآن )
• Seek Forgiveness (Istighfar) ( اسْتِغْفَار )
• Send Salawat (Darood Sharif) upon the Prophet
• Make Dua (Supplications) ( دُعَاء )

Special Prayers for Lailat-ul-Qadr

1. 21st Night of Ramadan

• Pray 4 Rakat (2 sets of 2 Rakat each)
  • After Surah Fatiha ( الفَاتِحَة ), recite Surah Qadr ( سُورَة القَدْر ) once and Surah Ikhlas ( سُورَة الْإِخلَاص ) once.
  • After completing the prayer, recite Durood Sharif 70 times.

Benefit: Angels will pray for your forgiveness.

2. 23rd Night of Ramadan

• Pray 8 Rakat (4 sets of 2 Rakat each)
  • After Surah Fatiha, recite Surah Qadr once and Surah Ikhlas three times.
  • After completion, recite Third Kalima (Kalima Tamjeed) 70 times:سُبْحَانَ اللَّهِ وَالْحَمْدُ لِلَّهِ وَلَا إِلَهَ إِلْلَا اللَّهُ وَاللَّهُ أَكْبَر

Benefit: Allah will grant His mercy and forgiveness.

3. 25th Night of Ramadan

• Pray 4 Rakat (2 sets of 2 Rakat each)
  • After Surah Fatiha, recite Surah Qadr one time and Surah Ikhlas five times.
  • Recite First Kalima (Kalima Tayyab) 100 times:لَا إِلَهَ إِلْلَا اللَّهُ مُحَمَّدٌ رَسُولُ اللهِ

Benefit: Unlimited Sawab (Reward).

4. 27th Night of Ramadan

• Pray 12 Rakat (6 sets of 2 Rakat each)
  • After Surah Fatiha, recite Surah Qadr three times and Surah Ikhlas seven times.
  • After completion, recite Astaghfirullah ( أَسْتَغْفِرُ اللَّهَ ) 100 times.

Benefit: Sins will be forgiven, and duas will be accepted.

5. 29th Night of Ramadan

• Pray 2 Rakat
  • After Surah Fatiha, recite Surah Mulk ( سُورَة المُلْك ) once.
  • Make heartfelt duas for yourself and the Ummah.

Benefit: Protection from the torment of the grave.

The Rewards of Worship on Lailat-ul-Qadr

The significance of Lailat-ul-Qadr is described in the Holy Quran:

لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ

“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.” (Quran 97:3)

This means that worship on this single night is more rewarding than 83 years of worship! It is a chance for believers to have their sins forgiven, their prayers answered, and their destinies rewritten for the better.

How to Make the Most of Lailat-ul-Qadr

1. Clear Your Mind: Focus solely on your connection with Allah.
2. Disconnect from Distractions: Avoid social media and unnecessary conversations.
3. Engage in Silent Reflection: Think about your past, seek forgiveness, and set new spiritual goals.
4. Pray for Yourself and Others: Include your family, friends, and the entire Ummah in your duas.
5. Give Charity: Even a small act of charity on this night brings immense rewards.

Conclusion

Lailat-ul-Qadr is a night of immense blessings. Take full advantage by dedicating yourself to worship, seeking forgiveness, and making heartfelt duas. May Allah accept our prayers and grant us the rewards of this blessed night. Ameen!