❖ Clear Signs of Laylat al-Qadr According to Authentic Hadith ❖
By: Shaykh Mubashar Ahmad Rabbani ḥafiẓahullāh
❀ Question:
Many people describe numerous signs related to Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree). Which of these are actually established through the Qur'an and Sunnah?
✿ Authentic Signs from the Qur'an and Sunnah
➊ The Sun Rises Without Rays the Morning After
Narrated by Ubayy ibn Kaʿb (RA):
«صَبيحةُ لَيلةِ القَدرِ تطلعُ الشَّمسُ لا شُعاعَ لها كأنَّها طِشتٌ حتَّى تَرتَفعَ»
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim – Kitāb Ṣalāt al-Musāfirīn, 762]
"On the morning following Laylat al-Qadr, the sun rises without rays, appearing like a flat plate until it elevates."
➋ The Moon Appears Like Half a Bowl
Narrated by Abū Hurayrah (RA):
«أيُّكُم يَذْكُرُ حِينَ طَلَعَ القَمَرُ وهُوَ مِثْلُ شِقِّ جَفْنَةٍ»
[Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim – Kitāb al-Ṣiyām, 1170]
"Do any of you remember when the moon rose that night looking like the edge of a large bowl?"
➌ The Moon Appears Like Half a Bowl
It is narrated:
«لَيْلَةُ القَدْرِ لَيْلَةٌ سَمْحَةٌ طَلْقَةٌ، لَا حَارَّةٌ وَلَا بَارِدَةٌ، تُصْبِحُ الشَّمْسُ صَبِيحَتَهَا ضَعِيفَةً حَمْرَاءَ»
[Musnad al-Bazzār 1/486; Musnad al-Ṭayālisī 349; Ibn Khuzaymah 3/231]
"Laylat al-Qadr is a calm and pleasant night, neither hot nor cold. Its morning is marked by a dull, reddish sun."
Shaykh Salīm al-Hilālī and Shaykh ʿAlī Ḥasan ʿAbdul Ḥamīd have graded this narration as ḥasan (sound).
[Ṣifat Ṣawm al-Nabī, p. 90]
Conclusion
These authentic narrations clearly describe some of the signs of Laylat al-Qadr:
◈ A sun without rays the next morning
◈ A moon resembling half a bowl
◈ A calm night, neither hot nor cold
◈ A soft red sun at dawn
Such signs assist the believer in identifying this most virtuous night, but the real essence lies in worship, prayer, Qur’an recitation, and sincere supplication.
⚠ A Final Reminder
One who fails to seek forgiveness and salvation on this blessed night, despite its immense virtues and opportunities for mercy, is truly unfortunate.
Make every effort to stand in prayer, engage in dhikr, recite the Qur’an, and beseech Allah for forgiveness—for perhaps it is this very night that may lead to your eternal salvation.
