Allah Almighty says:
✿ «إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ ﴿١﴾ And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? ﴿2﴾ The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. ﴿3﴾ The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. ﴿4﴾ Peace it is until the emergence of dawn. ﴿5﴾ »
We have sent it (the Quran) down on the Night of Decree. And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and Gabriel descend therein by the permission of their Lord with every command. That night is entirely peace until the break of dawn.
In another place, Allah Almighty says:
✿ «حم ﴿١﴾ وَالْكِتَابِ الْمُبِينِ ﴿٢﴾ إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ ﴿٣﴾ فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ ﴿٤﴾ أَمْرًا مِّنْ عِندِنَا ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ ﴿٥﴾ رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ ﴿٦﴾ »
“Ha Mim. By the clear Book, indeed We sent it down on a blessed night, indeed We were to warn [mankind]. On that night is made distinct every wise matter—an order from Us. Indeed, We were to send [a messenger] as mercy from your Lord. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.”
The Virtue of Laylat al-Qadr
❀ «عن أبى هريرة رضي الله عنه عنه، عن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: من صام رمضان إيمانا واحتسابا غفر له ما تقدم من به، ومن قام ليلة القدر إيمانا واحتسابا غفر له ما تقدم من ذنبه.»
Hazrat Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Whoever fasts during Ramadan out of faith and seeking Allah’s pleasure, then his past sins will be forgiven. And whoever prays during Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and seeking Allah’s pleasure, then his past sins will be forgiven.”
The Practice of the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلم in the Last Ten Nights
«عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: كان النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم إذا دخل العشر شد مئزره، وأحيا ليله، وأيقظ أهله.»
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that when the last ten nights would come, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would tighten his waist belt (prepare for worship), stay up all night, and also wake his family members.
❀ «عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يجتهد فى العشر الأواخر، ما لا يجتهد فى غيره.»
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) exerted himself in worship during the last ten nights more than he did on other days.
Signs of Laylat al-Qadr
❀ «عن زر بن حبيش، يقول: ابي بن كعب رضي الله عنه، فقلت: إن اخاك ابن مسعود، يقول: من يقم الحول يصب ليلة القدر، فقال: ” رحمه الله اراد ان لا يتكل الناس اما إنه قد علم انها فى رمضان، وانها فى العشر الاواخر، وانها ليلة سبع وعشرين، ثم حلف لا يستثني انها ليلة سبع وعشرين “، فقلت: باي شيء تقول ذلك يا ابا المنذر؟، قال: ” بالعلامة او بالآية التى اخبرنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، انها تطلع يومئذ لا شعاع لها “.»
Zar bin Habeesh says that I asked Hazrat Abi bin Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) that your brother Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) says that whoever prays Qiyam throughout the year will find Laylat al-Qadr. Hazrat Abi bin Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) said, may Allah have mercy on him, he wants that people should not rely on just one night and sit idle, otherwise he certainly knows well that Laylat al-Qadr is in Ramadan, and it is also in the last ten nights of Ramadan, and that night is the twenty-seventh night. Then he swore without exception (i.e., without saying Insha’Allah) that Laylat al-Qadr is the twenty-seventh night. I asked: O Abu al-Munzir! Why do you say this? He replied: Based on the evidence and sign which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) informed us about, that this is the night after which the sun rises without rays.
❀ «عن جابر بن عبد الله رضي الله عنهما قال: قال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : إني كنت اريت ليلة القدر، ثم نسيتها، وهى فى العشر الأواخر من ليلتها، وهى ليله طلقه بلجة، لا حارة ولا باردة، وزاد الزيادي: كان فيها قمرا يفضح كواكبها، وقالا: لا يخرج شيطانها حتى يضيء فجرها.»
Hazrat Jabir bin Abdullah رضي الله عنهما narrates that the Messenger of Allah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said: “I was shown Laylat al-Qadr, then it was taken away. It is in the last ten nights of Ramadan. It is a pleasant and bright night, neither hot nor cold. It seems as if the moon dims the light of the stars in it. Its devil cannot come out until its dawn becomes clear.”
Dua for Laylat al-Qadr
❀ «عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: قلت: يا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، أرأيت إن علمت أى ليلة ليلة القدر، ما أقول فيها؟ قال: قولي: اللهم إنك عفو، تحب العفو فاعف عني.»
Hazrat Aisha رضي الله عنها says that I asked: O Messenger of Allah! If I come to know which night is Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say in it? You said: Say: «اللهم إنك عفو، تحب العفو فاعف عني.», meaning “O Allah! Indeed, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me as well.”
In which night is Laylat al-Qadr?
There are several different narrations regarding the night of Laylat al-Qadr. First, these narrations are presented, and to avoid lengthiness, only one narration is mentioned for each:
➊ In the last ten nights:
❀ «عن عائشة رضي الله عنها، قالت: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يجاور فى العشر الأواخر من رمضان، ويقول: تحروا ليلة القدر فى العشر الأواخر من رمضان.»
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to perform I’tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan, and he said to seek Laylat al-Qadr in the last ten days of Ramadan.
➋ On the odd nights of the last ten days:
❀ «عن عائشة رضي الله عنها : أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: تحروا ليلة القدر فى الوتر من العشر الأواخر من رمضان.»
Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) says that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “Seek Laylat al-Qadr on the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.”
➌ On the twenty-first night:
❀ «عن ابي سعيد الخدري رضي الله عنه: كان رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم يجاور فى رمضان العشر التى فى وسط الشهر، فإذا كان حين يمسي من عشرين ليلة تمضي، ويستقبل إحدى وعشرين، رجع إلى مسكنه، ورجع من كان يجاور معه، وانه اقام فى شهر جاور فيه الليلة التى كان يرجع فيها، فخطب الناس، فامرهم ما شاء الله، ثم قال: كنت اجاور هذه العشر، ثم قد بدا لي ان اجاور هذه العشر الاواخر، فمن كان اعتكف معي فليثبت فى معتكفه، وقد اريت هذه الليلة ثم انسيتها، فابتغوها فى العشر الاواخر، وابتغوها فى كل وتر، وقد رايتني اسجد فى ماء وطين، فاستهلت السماء فى تلك الليلة فامطرت، فوكف المسجد فى مصلى النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم ليلة إحدى وعشرين، فبصرت عيني رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم ونظرت إليه، انصرف من الصبح، ووجهه ممتلئ طينا وماء”» .
Hazrat Abu Saeed Khudri (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) used to observe I’tikaf in the middle ten days of Ramadan. When the twentieth night passed and the twenty-first night came, he would return to his home, and those who were in I’tikaf with him would also return. Once, in a Ramadan, the Prophet (peace be upon him) remained in I’tikaf on the night when he usually returned. After that, he gave a sermon to the people and commanded whatever Allah willed. Then he said: “I used to observe I’tikaf in this ten-day period, but now it has become clear that I should observe I’tikaf in the last ten days. So those who are in I’tikaf with me should remain in their place of I’tikaf. I was shown Laylat al-Qadr in a dream, but then it was taken away from me. Therefore, seek it on every odd night of the last ten days. And I saw in a dream that I was prostrating in water and mud.” Then, during the night, water rained down from the sky, and the mosque started dripping from the place where the Prophet (peace be upon him) prayed. It was the twenty-first night. Then I saw with my own eyes that the Prophet (peace be upon him) finished his prayer, and his face was covered with mud and water.
4. On the twenty-third night:
❀ «عن عبد الله بن أنيس رضي الله عنه، أن رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: أريت ليلة القدر، ثم أنسيتها، وأراني صبحها أسجد فى ماء وطين، قال: فمطرنا ليلة ثلاث وعشرين، فصلي بنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم، فانصرف وإن أثر الماء والطين على جبهته وأنفه، قال: وكان عبد الله أنيس رضي الله عنه يقول: ثلاث وعشرين.»
It is narrated from Hazrat Abdullah bin Anis (may Allah be pleased with him) that the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “I was shown Laylat al-Qadr, then it was forgotten, and I saw its morning while I was prostrating in water and mud.” Hazrat Abdullah (may Allah be pleased with him) says that it rained on the twenty-third night, so the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) led us in prayer. When he finished the prayer, there were marks of water and mud on his forehead and nose. Hazrat Abdullah bin Anis (may Allah be pleased with him) says: The twenty-third night is (Laylat al-Qadr).
5. On the twenty-first, twenty-third, and twenty-fifth nights:
❀ «عن ابن عباس رضي الله عنهما : أن النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم، قال: التمدوها فى العشر الأواخر من رمضان ليلة القدر، فى تاسعة تبقى، فى سابعة تبقى، فى خامسة تبقى.»
Hazrat Abdullah bin Abbas (may Allah be pleased with them) narrates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: “Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan, and it is among those nights when nine, seven, or five nights remain.”
➏ In the last seven days:
❀«عن عبد الله بن عمر رضي الله عنهما : أن رجالا من أصحاب النبى صلى الله عليه وسلم، أروا ليلة القدر فى المنام فى السبع الأواخر، فقال رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم : أرى رؤياكم قد تواطأت فى السبع الأواخر، فمن كان متحريها فليتحرها فى السبع الأواخر.»
Hazrat Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that some companions (may Allah be pleased with them) saw Laylat al-Qadr in a dream during the last seven nights, so the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: “I see that your dreams have agreed upon the last seven nights, so whoever seeks it should seek it in the last seven nights.”
➐ On the twenty-seventh night:
❀ «عن زر بن حبيش، يقول: سألت أبى بن كعب ربي رضي الله عنه، فقلت: إن أخاك ابن مسعود رضى الله عنه يقول: من يقم الحؤل يصب ليلة القدر، فقال: رحمه الله، أراد أن لا يتكل الناس، أما إنه قد علم أنها فى رمضان، وأنها فى العشر الأواخر، وأنها ليلة سبع وعشرين، ثم حلف لا يستثني، أنها ليلة سبع وعشرين، فقلت: بأي شيء تقول ذلك يا أبا المنذر؟ قال: بالعلامة، أو بالآية التى أخبرنا رسول الله صلى الله عليه وسلم أنها تطلع يومين، لا شعاع لها.»
Zar bin Habeesh says that I asked Hazrat Abi bin Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) that your brother Hazrat Abdullah bin Mas’ud (may Allah be pleased with him) says that whoever prays Qiyam throughout the year will find Laylat al-Qadr. Hazrat Abi bin Ka’b (may Allah be pleased with him) said: May Allah have mercy on him, he wants people not to rely on just one night and sit idle, otherwise he certainly knows well that Laylat al-Qadr is in Ramadan, and that too in the last ten nights of Ramadan, and that night is the twenty-seventh night. Then he swore without exception (i.e., without saying Insha’Allah) that Laylat al-Qadr is the twenty-seventh night. I asked: O Abu al-Munzir! Why do you say this? He said: Based on the evidence and sign which the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) informed us about, that this is the night after which the sun rises without rays.
Note: Dr. Zia ur-Rahman Azmi says: “From the hadiths of the previous chapters, it is understood that Laylat al-Qadr shifts from one night to another. Most narrations from the Prophet (peace be upon him) indicate that it is among the odd nights of the last ten days, i.e., the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th.
Imam Shafi’i (may Allah have mercy on him) says, as Imam Tirmidhi (150/3) mentioned: ‘In my opinion, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would answer according to what was asked. When asked if we should seek it on a particular night, he would say seek it on that night.’ It is narrated from Abu Qilabah that Laylat al-Qadr shifts among the last ten nights.
It may be that this is a divine wisdom so that it varies from country to country and year to year, so that people strive throughout the entire last ten days, whereas the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to exert more effort in the last ten days than on other days.”
