The Night of Power

Lailatul Qadr:

by Panchamee Hewavissenti

The Night of Power or honour is a special gift given by Allah only to the Muslim Ummah. So why don't we humbly proud of that special gift? Our Creator has made Muslims distinguished by every means. This night is worthy witnessing even by angels in heaven.

This night is so rich with holiness, as the night when all the good deeds are returned and is equal to thousand months in the sight of Allah. The creator Himself says in His glorious book about this blessed night.

"We sent it (the Quran) down on a blessed night. Verily, We are ever warning (mankind of our torments). There in that night is decreed every matter of ordainment. Verily, We are ever sending (the messenger). (As) a mercy from your Lord. Verily! He is the All-Hearer, the All knower" (Ad-Dukhaan 44:3-6)

"We have indeed revealed it, (Al-Quran) in the night of Power" (97:1)

What does Lailatul Qadr mean?

Qadr means having power over something, as in the case of the Creator over the creation. This night has the power over other nights. It's the night of Taqdeer, meaning the one in which Allah (SWT) announces to the angels His already decreed commands, rules, events etc. for the coming calender year, from the present Night of Power to the next Night of Power.

Allah says that in His book "We sent it down during a blessed night; We forever wish to warn (against evil). In that (night) is made distinct every affair of wisdom" (44:3-4)

Allah's commands and rules are not made on that night. They've already been decreed in the eternity what is known to Allah, but that knowledge is not known to anyone including angels other than The Exalted, until He announces it to the angels on that night so as they will record it on the protective slate.

This is also the night of honer and prestige which may award to the servant who devotes himself to special deeds. Lailatul Qadr is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has indeed missed a great amount of blessings and virtues.

The hidden night

Why has Allah hidden the exact day of that night? We, his slaves are not supposed to question our creator The All Knower, Omnipotent of why has he done that. Because there's a reason behind everything what Allah does.

He has hidden the exact date of the Night of Power so that His slaves can double their efforts in the whole month of Ramadhaan, or at least last ten days. The seriously interested person in seeking the night will search for the night late and in the early hours until he or she attains it, regardless of the hardship.

When does it occur?

Lailatul Qadr is believed to be occurred during one of the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadhaan. The messenger of Allah (sal) reported to have said "Seek it on the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadhaan" (Bukhari).

The Muslims should seek out Lailatul Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of the fasting has been started. Lailatul Qadr might fall in one of the following days in this year 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th or 11th of October.

Seeking the night

It's recommended to seek the night and spend it diligently in devotion including night sunnah prayer (Tahajjad), recitation of Al Quran and supplications. In a Hadith related by Abu Hurairah (ral), the messenger of Allah (sal) said "He who spends the night in prayer on the Night of power, as a sign of his faith, and seeking reward from Allah, his previous sins will be forgiven" (Bukhari/Muslim).

Devotion is highly encouraged, indeed, you can achieve the honour of the Night of Power if you wish to spend the odd nights of the last ten days in acts of Ibadah.

When we are busy with acts of Ibadah to Allah (SWT) angels see our beautiful spirit getting closer to Allah, angels start loving us. And they are eager to pray for us. Allah says that "And they implore forgiveness for those who believe." (40;7)

Angels descend down to witness how we worship and obey Allah and by descending to earth they show their respect and love to us. Angels shake our hands when we are doing Ibadah to Allah, but we are not aware of that.

This is a once a year opportunity for us that no one likes to miss. If we preoccupy ourselves with Ibadah to Allah, Allah sends angels down to increase our rewards and that encourages human being to devote more time to do good deeds.

Signs of Lailatul Qadr

Many Muslims are believing in some sort of superstitious things about this blessed night. They say that trees are prostrating, buildings are sleeping. These are futile and baseless. Allah's messenger (sal) described the morning after Lailatul Qadr so that a Muslim knows which day it is.

Allah's messenger (sal) said "On the morning following Lailatul Qadr, the sun rises not having any rays, as if it were a brass dish, until it rises up".

Prophet (sal) asked his companions "Which of you remembers (the night) when the moon arose and was like a half a plate?" (Muslim) Qaadi Iyad said "It contains an indication that it was towards the end of the month-since the moon does not appear like that when it arises except towards the end of the month".

Messenger of Allah (sal) also said "Lailatul Qadr is calm and pleasant, neither cold nor hot, the sun rises on it's morning being feeble and red".

How to spend last ten days

You can take a vacation for Allah and focus this time on worshipping and thanking Allah. If possible you try to take a few days off and it'll enable you to stay awake at nights to do extra acts of Ibadah, not having worried about getting to work on the following day.

And also you can stay in the mosque and pray I'tikaf. During this time you can devote your time to recite the Quran. Finish reading the entire Quran at least once. Make special sincere long and deep Duas on odd nights after reciting the Quran.

Abu H urairah (ral) quoted as prophet (sal) saying, "When the last one-third of the night remains, our lord, The Glorious one descends towards the lower heaven and proclaims; Is there Recite the Quran as well as the biography of our beloved prophet (sal) and his companions. It may inspire you to push yourself even harder during these last ten days.

Dear brothers and sisters in Islam, as you fill the Masjid for Qiyamul Layl in the last ten nights of Ramadhaan, remember what Allah (SWT) wants you to know: "Know ye that Allah is strict in punishments and that Allah is oft-forgiving, Most Merciful".

May Almighty Allah accept our worships and devotions...Ameen...

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