“Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Night of Power is?”
One of the most important and blessed nights of the Islamic year is the night of Laylatul Qadar. Occurring in the last ten days of Ramadan, the worship on this particular night is better than the worship of a thousand months, which totals eighty-three years.
Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah said, “Ramadan has arrived, a blessed month that Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has made obligatory for you to fast. During this month, the gates of heaven are opened, the gates of hell are shut, and every devil is restrained. In it, Allah has a night that is more rewarding than a thousand months; those who miss out on its blessings are truly missing out.”
Also referred to as the “night of power” or the “night of decree,” Laylatul Qadar marks the moment when the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad PBUH. For centuries, Muslims have spent this blessed night in prayer, their hearts content. Although the specific date for Laylatul Qadr is not stated in the scriptures, certain signs confirm its presence.
Why Isn’t The Date For Laylatul Qadar Known?
Before exploring the signs through which one can spot the night of power, they should know exactly why the date of laylatul Qadar is unknown to the ummah. It is recorded in various authentic narrations that the Prophet Muhammad PBUH, actually knew the date of this night. Still, when he came to inform the people about it, he saw some people quarreling, and he was caused to forget the exact date.
Narrated ‘Ubada bin As-Samit: Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) went out to inform the people about the date of the Night of decree (Al-Qadr). But a dispute arose between two Muslim men, and the Prophet (PBUH) said, “I came out to tell you about the Night of Al-Qadr, but because so-and-so and so-and-so quarreled, that knowledge was taken away, and perhaps this is better for you. So search for it on the ninth, the seventh, or the fifth (of the last ten days of Ramadan).”
Signs Of Laylatul Qadar
The Prophet PBUH described the following signs as indications of the Night of Power:
A Sun With No Rays
Zirr ibn Hubaish reported: I heard Ubayy ibn Ka‘b mention a statement of ‘Abdullah ibn Mas‘ud, who said, “Whoever prays at night throughout the year will surely encounter Laylat al-Qadr.” Ubayy replied, “By Allah, besides whom there is no deity, it is indeed in Ramadan. By Allah, I know which night it is—the night on which the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) instructed us to stand in prayer. It is the night before the morning of the twenty-seventh. Its sign is that the sun rises the next day clear, without rays.”
One of the most significant signs of Laylatul Qadar is the sunrise that follows the night. Many authentic hadith describe this sun as being with no rays, like a full moon. It is a calm and serene morning, and is accompanied by a peaceful atmosphere.
A Peaceful Night
“(The night is) Peace until the rising of the dawn.”
Laylatul Qadar is a night of peace and calm. It is characterized by a serene atmosphere and has no harshness. The night is neither too hot nor too cold. This peaceful and cool atmosphere is most visible at times when Ramadan occurs in the middle of either summer or winter.
Rain At Night
Some sources also suggest that nighttime rain may be a sign of Laylatul Qadar. The rain is like a light drizzle, not a full shower, which helps maintain the peaceful atmosphere described above. The hadith on which the possibility of this sign is based states that the Prophet PBUH used to perform I’tikaf during the second ashra of Ramadan, but on one occasion, he remained in I’tikaf until the night of the twenty-first, which was the night after which he would usually end his seclusion. He stated,
“Whoever has been in i‘tikaf with me should continue it during the last ten days. I was informed (of the date) of the Night of Qadr, but I was made to forget it. In my dream, I saw myself prostrating in mud and water on the morning after that night. So seek it during the last ten nights, and especially in the odd nights among them.” Abu Sa‘id Al-Khudri, the narrator of this hadith, also stated, “That night, it rained, and the roof of the mosque, which was made of palm-leaf stalks, began to leak.” I saw with my own eyes the trace of mud and water on the forehead of the Prophet (PBUH) (on the morning of the twenty-first).
Appearance Of The Moon
Narrated by Abu Huraira (RA): We were discussing Laylat al-Qadr in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (PBUH). He said, “Do you recall the night when the moon rose, appearing like half of a plate—towards the end of the month, in its waning state?”
The appearance of the moon is also a possible sign of Laylatul Qadar. The shape of the moon resembles a plate.
Praying On Laylatul Qadar
Abu Huraira narrated that the Prophet (PBUH) said, “Whoever performs prayers during the Night of Qadr with sincere faith and in the hope of receiving a reward from Allah, all of their past sins will be forgiven.”
Since this night occurs in the last ten days of Ramadan, Muslims strive to increase their prayers, Quran recitation, and Dhikr in these days. There are ways in which a Muslim can pray during these days, including reciting the dua that the Prophet PBUH told Aisha RA.
Aishah narrated that she asked the Messenger of Allah, “What should I say in my supplication if I encounter Laylatul-Qadr?” He replied, “Say: ‘O Allah, You are the Most Forgiving and love to forgive, so forgive me.'”
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
Transliteration
Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni
Translation
O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me
Interesting Facts About Laylatul Qadar
- Since it is named the ‘night of Qadar,’ the tafseer of Surah Qadar states that during this night, the times of death and the provisions of the people are decided.
- During this night, the angels descend in abundance, including Jibreel AS, and surround the circles where remembrance of Allah SWT is taking place.
- On this night, there is security from the devil and his harm and evil.