Lu'lu' wal-Marjan

Sayyiduna Ibn Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrated that some companions of the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) saw in their dreams that Laylat al-Qadr was in the last seven nights (of Ramadan). Then the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: I see that all your dreams agree upon the last seven nights, so whoever seeks it should seek it in the last odd nights of this week (the odd nights of the last ten are meant: 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th).

Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that we sat in i'tikaf with the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) during the second ten days of Ramadan. Then, on the morning of the twentieth day, the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) came out of i'tikaf and delivered a sermon to us. He said: "I was shown Laylat al-Qadr, but it was made to be forgotten by me, or (he said) I myself forgot it. Therefore, seek it in the odd nights of the last ten days. I also saw (in a dream) as if I was prostrating in mud, so whoever has done i'tikaf with me should return and sit in i'tikaf." So we again sat in i'tikaf. At that time, there was not even a patch of cloud in the sky, but suddenly clouds appeared and it rained so much that water started dripping from the roof of the mosque, which was made of palm branches. Then the call for prayer was given, and I saw that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) was prostrating in mud, to the extent that I saw the mark of mud on his forehead.

Sayyiduna Abu Sa'id Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Noble Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to observe i'tikaf during that ten days of Ramadan which fell in the middle of the month. After twenty nights had passed, when the night of the twenty-first would come, he would return home in the evening, and those who were observing i'tikaf with him would also return to their homes. In one Ramadan, when he was observing i'tikaf, he remained (in the mosque) even on that night in which it was his habit to return home. Then he delivered a sermon to the people and commanded them with whatever Allah the Exalted willed. Then he said: "I used to observe i'tikaf in this (second) ten days, but now it has been made clear to me that I should observe i'tikaf in the last ten days. Therefore, whoever has observed i'tikaf with me should remain in his place of i'tikaf. And I was shown this night (Laylat al-Qadr), but then it was made to be forgotten, so seek it in the odd nights of the last ten days. I saw myself (in a dream) prostrating in mud on that night." Then, on that very night, clouds appeared in the sky and it rained, and water began to drip (from the roof) at the place where the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) prayed. This was the night of the twenty-first. I myself saw with my own eyes that after the morning prayer, when he was returning, there was mud on his blessed face.

Narrated by Sayyidah Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her): The Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) used to observe i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan and would say, "Seek the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan."