Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power): When, Signs, Duas And What To Do 2024

Author

Sherein Al-Basyuni

23/2/2024

Table of Content

Laylatul Qadr, also known as the Night of Power or Decree, is the holiest night of Ramadan, occurring on the odd nights of the last ten days. It is a time when Allah opens His mercy doors for worshippers, granting acceptance of prayers and supplications.

Muslims strive for Allah's satisfaction, mercy, acceptance, and forgiveness through prayer and devotion. The night starts at sunset and ends at Fajr prayer the next day, typically falling on the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th night of Ramadan. Signs of Laylatul Qadr include calmness, a sun without rays, and a peaceful atmosphere.

Muslims engage in various acts of worship, such as reciting the Quran, making dua, praying tarawih, giving charity, and performing i'tikaf. The best dua for Laylatul Qadr is to seek forgiveness from Allah. This night holds immense significance as it marks the revelation of the Quran and offers the opportunity for forgiveness and blessings.

Laylatyl Qadr falls on Ramadan, the best month of the year. It’s the most heartfelt night in Muslims’ hearts and the most awaited night when Muslims dedicate their time to Allah’s worship by doing many good deeds.

Laylatul Qadr is not like any other night in Ramadan. It has a great position in Islam. In Quran, you’ll find Surah al Qadr which Allah mentioned its greatness:

"And what will make you realize what the Night of Glory is?"

Quran (97:2).

So what is Laylatul Qadr, its overdue, its virtues? All these questions will be answered in this article.

What is Laylatul Qadr?

Laylatul Qadr, often referred to as the Night of Power or Decree, holds profound significance in the hearts of Muslims worldwide. It stands as the pinnacle of spirituality and divine mercy within the sacred month of Ramadan, occurring on the auspicious odd nights of its final ten days.

This blessed night serves as a gateway to the acceptance of prayers and supplications, as the gates of Allah's mercy swing wide open to embrace the earnest pleas of His devoted worshippers. It is a time when the heavens are aglow with divine benevolence, beckoning believers to seek solace and guidance through fervent dua, or heartfelt invocation.

Muslims approach Laylatul Qadr with utmost reverence and devotion, recognizing it as an unparalleled opportunity to seek Allah's satisfaction, mercy, acceptance, and forgiveness. With hearts brimming with certainty and hope, they beseech their Lord with sincerity, knowing that His boundless compassion extends to those who seek it earnestly.

In essence, Laylatul Qadr encapsulates the essence of Ramadan - a time of spiritual renewal, reflection, and profound connection with the Divine. It is a night where the faithful strive to draw closer to Allah, seeking His blessings and guidance as they navigate the journey of faith and self-discovery.

What Time Does Laylat al-Qadr Start and End?

Laylat al-Qadr, the Night of Decree, commences with the onset of sunset on the blessed odd nights of the final ten days of Ramadan. Its divine presence graces the earth until the break of dawn, culminating with the Fajr prayer of the ensuing day.

Within this sacred window of time, believers immerse themselves in acts of worship and devotion, seeking the mercy and blessings of Allah Almighty. As the night unfolds, hearts are uplifted in prayer, supplication, and reflection, embracing the spiritual essence of this hallowed occasion until the first light of dawn heralds the conclusion of Laylat al-Qadr's divine presence.

When is Laylatul Qadr?

Every Ramadan, the night of Qadr falls on the odd nights. It should be in the last ten days of Ramadan. According to prophet Muhammed’s (PBUH) hadith:

“Seek it in the last ten days, on the odd nights”

(Bukhari and Muslim).

So, the Laylatul Qadr may fall on the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th night. In Islam, this night’s overdue is unclarified. Allah concealed its time to let his worshipers pray to him all day in the last ten days, not only on this night.

Signs Of Laylatul Qadr

Signs of Laylatul Qadr serve as guiding beacons for Muslims to recognize and honor this auspicious night. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) highlighted several distinct indicators:

1. Calm and Pleasant Atmosphere: Described as serene and temperate, Laylatul-Qadr emanates a tranquil ambiance. The Prophet (PBUH) elucidated, "Lailatul-Qadr is calm and pleasant, neither hot nor cold. The sun arises on its morning being feeble and red." [Ibn Khuzaimah]

2. Sun Without Rays: A unique phenomenon accompanies the morning following Laylatul-Qadr, as observed by the absence of rays in the sun. This extraordinary occurrence underscores the celestial significance of the preceding night. As narrated by Ubayy (RA), the Prophet (PBUH) remarked, "In the morning following Laylatul-Qadr, the sun rises not having any rays, as if it were a brass dish until it rises." [Muslim, Abu Dawud]

3. Odd Night Occurrence: Laylatul-Qadr occurs on one of the odd nights within the final ten nights of Ramadan. The Prophet (PBUH) advised, "Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan, on the night when nine or seven or five nights remain out of the last ten nights of Ramadan (i.e., 21st, 23rd, 25th, respectively)." [Sahih al-Bukhari]4. Peaceful Atmosphere: Laylatul-Qadr envelops worshipers in a profound sense of tranquility and reassurance, symbolizing divine peace. The Quran states, "It is all peace until the break of dawn." (Al-Qadr, 97:5) This peaceful ambiance pervades the night, fostering a serene environment conducive to spiritual reflection and devotion.

What to Do On Laylatul Qadr?

On Laylatul Qadr, you can dedicate this night to reciting the Quran, striving hard in making dua to Allah, praying tarawih prayer in the mosque, giving sadaqah to the poor and needy, and performing i'tikaf in the mosque:

1. Recitation of the Quran: Spend the night immersed in the recitation of the Quran, reflecting on its verses, and seeking guidance and inspiration from Allah's words.

2. Intensive Supplication (Dua): Engage fervently in supplication, beseeching Allah for forgiveness, mercy, guidance, and blessings. Pour out your heart in prayer, expressing gratitude and seeking divine intervention in all matters.

3. Tarawih Prayer: Participate in the special Tarawih prayers held in mosques during the nights of Ramadan. These prayers offer an opportunity to collectively worship and seek closeness to Allah.

4. Charitable Giving (Sadaqah): Extend generosity and compassion to the less fortunate by giving charity (Sadaqah) to the poor and needy. Your acts of kindness and generosity on this blessed night are highly rewarded.

5. I'tikaf (Seclusion in the Mosque): Consider observing I'tikaf, a spiritual retreat where one secludes oneself in the mosque for a specific period, dedicating time to worship, reflection, and seeking closeness to Allah. It is a profound way to deepen one's spiritual connection and focus solely on devotion.

These acts of worship and devotion on Laylatul Qadr are pathways to spiritual growth, purification, and divine blessings, allowing believers to draw closer to Allah and attain His mercy and forgiveness.

Laylatul Qadr Hadith

Abu Hurayrah (RA) reported that prophet Muhammed (SAW) said:” Whoever stands (in the voluntary night prayer of) Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”

[Sunan an-Nasa’i]

The prophet Muhammed (PBUH) said:

”I came out to inform you about (the date of) the night of Al-Qadr, but as so and so and so and so quarreled, its knowledge was taken away (I forgot it) and maybe it was better for you. Now look for it on the 7th, the 9th and the 5th (of the last 10 nights of the month of Ramadan).”

[Sahih Bukhari]

Best Dua for Laylatul Qadr

The best Dua for Laylatul Qadr is according to what Aisha (RA) reported:”: I said, “O Messenger of Allah if I know which night is the Night of Decree, what should I say during it?” The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, said, “Say: O Allah, Indeed, You are pardoning and generous. You love to forgive, so forgive me.”

Importance of Laylatul Qadr

It’s a blessed night that Allah revealed the Quran (Indeed, We sent it down on a blessed night, for we always warn) (Ad-Dukhan, 44:3).
On the night of the decree, Allah forgives all sins of his worshipers. Prophet Muhammed said: “Whosoever performs Qiyam during Lailat-ul-Qadr, with Faith and being hopeful of Allah's reward, will have his former sins forgiven.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].
In Quran, Allah described the night of decree as better than a thousand months {The Night of Glory is better than a thousand months.} (Al-Qadr 97:3)
This night witness the descending of the angels on the earth {That night angels and the spirit descend, by the permission of their Lord, for every matter.} (Al-Qadr 97:4)
It’s one of the best times for accepting prayers when Allah commands his angels to write fates {On that night every matter of wisdom is ordained} (Ad-Dukhan, 44:4).

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Conclusion

Laylatul Qadr or the night of decree is the holiest and most awaited night of Ramadan which falls on the last ten of this month.

Muslims spend this night making duas, reciting the Quran, praying the tarawih prayer, and performing i'tikaf.

The night of the decree falls on odd nights, which Muslims observe its time through particular signs like a sun without rays and a calm and peaceful night.