Preparing & Searching For The Night Of Qadar (Shab e Qadar) In Ramadan

The prime objective of every Muslim during the month of Ramadan is to indulge in as much good deeds as possible so that they could receive as much reward as possible for their deeds. The month only comes once in a year, therefore, Muslims welcome it with open arms and try celebrating and cherishing each moment of this month.

The month of Ramadan is divided into three Ashras. All the Ashras have their own importance, however, it is the last Ashra of Ramadan that is the jewel of the Holy Month. Besides the fact that this Ashra is the last and the Ramadan is to end, it is the presence of the Laylatul Qadr in this Ashra that makes it special and during which the intensity with which Muslims pray also increases. The lines below discuss the importance of Laylatul Qadr and the preparations a Muslim must make to observe it in a proper manner.

Importance of Laylatul Qadr:

It is the most blessed of nights, which is to be found in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. In Islam, there are numerous ayah and hadiths that point towards the importance and significance of this night for a Muslim. The lines below give different hadith and ayahs of Quran to illustrate the importance of this Holy night in Islam and for a Muslim.

Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said in one of His hadiths:

“Whoever establishes Salah on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari)

This hadith clearly shows that Laylatul Qadar is the best night for seeking forgiveness from Allah Almighty. The last Ashra is Ramadan is about asking refuge from the fire of Hell, thus, in that Ashra if one finds the Holy Night and if one prays in it with true heart and seeks forgiveness, then he or she is surely to be forgiven by Allah Almighty for all the previous sins they have committed. Hence, if a Muslim wants an ideal time for seeking forgiveness in Ramadan, perhaps it would be the odd nights of the last Ashra of ramdan in which there is the Laylatul Qadr.

In addition to bringing forgiveness to a person, the Laylatul Qadr also brings is also a night that can help a Muslim earn humungous reward for the prayers he or she undertakes in that night. Allah Almighty says in Quran:

“The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).” (97:3)

This ayah explicitly tells that the Laylatul Qadr is far better than any other night, and the good deeds that would be committed in this night would be better than the good deeds committed in a thousand months. Hence, it is a matter of great honor for a Muslim to get hold of such a night and celebrate it with utmost zest and spirit.

Furthermore, another element of Laylatul Qadr is that makes it a supreme night for a Muslim. Allah Almighty says in Quran:

“Verily, We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree).” (97:1)

Perhaps the revealing of Quran in the Shab e Qadar is perhaps the biggest honor of this night. It is the night in which Allah the Magnificent opened its word on humanity and sent down His commandments in the form of Quran. Therefore, if not for forgiveness and reward, one should observe prayers and respect Laylatul Qadr with true spirit and cherish every moment of it.

Laylatul Qadr Dua:

Due to the special standing of Laylatul Qadr among the nights of the year in general and the nights of Ramadan in particular, therefore, it is quite natural that this night has a special Dua as well.

It is narrated by Hazrat Aisha (RA)that she asked Allah’s Messenger (PBUH):

“O Messenger of Allah! (sallAllahu `alayhi wa sallam),  If I knew which night is Laylat ul-Qadr, what should I say during it?”  Noble  Prophet (SallAllaahu Alayhi Wa sallam) advised her to recite: 

“Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuh.ibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee ”
Translation: O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me. (Tirmidhi)

Ergo, a Muslim should extensively supplicate with the abovementioned Dua in the last Ashra of Ramadan to ensure that maximum blessings and mercy is received.

Making Preparations:

As the Night is a special night, therefore, it is imperative that a Muslim takes special measures to celebrate the occasion. The lines below discuss some changes that Muslim can bring in the routine pertaining to the special night of Laylatul Qadr in Ramadan.

Itikaf:

Perhaps the best way of finding the Blessed Night and observing it in an appropriate manner is the observance of Itikaf. In the last ten days of Ramadan, some Muslims go into seclusion and in the ten days they only pray to and worship Allah Almighty with minimal human distraction and interference, which is known as Itikaf. As the Laylatul Qadr is also present in the odd nights of last ten days, therefore, the observance of Itikaf provides a chance to the Muslims to pray in the odd nights whole heartedly and gain as much blessings and mercy from Allah Almighty as possible in this Holy Night.

Take An Off:

Those who cannot find time to observe Itikaf, for them the reservation pertaining to praying long in the odd nights is that they have to go to work in the morning and lack of sleep makes it difficult for them to carry on their normal routine. Such Muslims can find motivation for prayer in the fact that the Night has no equal, therefore, if they can manage to take an off on the mornings after the odd nights, then they can worship the best and make sure that maximum reward gets counted for them in these odd nights. Hence, taking an off for Allah is something which every Muslim can manage and receive countless reward for it.

Quran Recitation:

In addition to all the excessive prayer, which one undertakes during the last ten days of Ramadan, the complementary element that should always be present with all sorts of prayer is Quran recitation. Quran was sent down in this month and on the Night of Qadr, therefore, Quran recitation with its understanding in the last ten days is perhaps the best time for reciting Quran. Moreover, since it is the night in which the Quran Revelationwas started, it is the best time to start learning to understand and read it with perfect pronouncing. For those who are naive to reading and understanding, can start their journey by simply registering with QuranTutor.com for online Quran Classes and Teaching.

Conclusion:

In short, a Muslim must make sure that the last odd nights of the month of Ramadan are given special importance and place in their calendar. In these nights, a Muslim must pray heavily and seek forgiveness, mercy and blessings of Allah Almighty.