In Islam, certain nights and days are more sacred than others. They offer a heightened spiritual environment due to their sacredness and a greater likelihood that supplications will be accepted. They are mentioned in the Quran and the hadith of the Prophet PBUH, and often come with their own special worship.
This blog will explore one such night, “Laylatul Jaiza,” highlighting the worship the Prophet PBUH observed on it and what a Muslim should do during it.
The Night Of Reward
Laylatul Jaiza is an Arabic term that means “The Night of Reward.” It is the night preceding Eid ul Fitr. It starts from the Maghrib prayer of the night in which the Shawwal moon is sighted and remains until the adhan is called for Fajr prayer on the day of Eid. This night is a reward for the believers who fasted and observed the rules of shariah during the month of Ramadan. It is a gift from Allah to the Muslims, and one should make the most of it
The Prophet & Laylatul Jaiza
Abu Umamah narrated that the Prophet PBUH said: “Whoever spends the night of Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha praying voluntary prayers while seeking reward from Allah, then his heart won’t die on the day when other hearts will die.”
It was the sunnah of our Prophet PBUH that he wouldn’t sleep on Laylatul Jaiza. It is desirable to spend this night engaged in the worship of the Lord.
Note: This hadith is classified as weak.
Even though the hadith is weak, the scholars are of the opinion that it is suitable to practice what is written above based on the supporting narrations.
“Ibn Umar (RA) states: ‘There are five nights on which dua is not rejected. They are the night of Jummah, the first night of Rajab, the 15th night of Shaban, the night of Eid ul Fitr, and the night of Eid ul Adha.”
[Shuabul-Imaan, Baihaqi]
Imam Nawawi has also stated that the scholars are unanimously agreed that it is Mustahabb (recommended) to perform worship on the nights of Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha.
Acts Of Worship To Do On Laylatul Jaiza
There are several acts a Muslim can perform on the night preceding Eid ul Fitr. For example:
Reciting The Quran
The Prophet PBUH said: “Whoever recites a letter from the Quran, he receives the reward from it and the reward of ten like it. I don’t say that Alif Laam Meem is a letter; rather, all three of them are separate letters.”
A Muslim’s relationship to the Quran is not supposed to be seasonal. It is not only meant to be recited in Ramadan, but rather, reciting the word of Allah every day should be an integral part of every Muslim’s life.
As the moon for Eid is sighted, most get busy with preparations for the morning, and the recitation of the Quran is left behind as Ramadan ends. However, taking a minute in these busy times and actually remembering the One who was merciful enough to let his servants reach this joyous occasion is the real victory. It helps one ground themselves and ensures the soul’s heightened spiritual state doesn’t slip away as one gets busy with their worldly affairs. Whether it is reading one rukuh or a single chapter, reciting the Quran should be among the top acts one performs on Laylatul Jaiza.
Making Lots Of Dua
The Prophet PBUH said, “Supplication is Ibadaah (worship) itself.”
Whether one wants something material or spiritual, supplication is the way to get it. A Muslim should ask their Lord for whatever their heart desires. Whether that is forgiveness in the hereafter, mercy in this world, barakah in rizq, or whatever one wants. Reciting duas of the Prophet PBUH is also a great way to incorporate proven supplications in the worship. Such as,
Rabbana ātinā fid-dunyā ḥasanah wa fil-ākhirati ḥasanah wa qinā ʿadhāban-nār.
(Our Lord! Grant us the good of this world and the Hereafter, and protect us from the torment of the Fire.)
Duas shouldn’t be limited because one thinks they are too grand or too much. If Allah has put a desire in somebody’s heart to ask for something, He is the One who is going to fulfill it, too.
Giving Sadaqah
“Those who spend their wealth in charity, during the day and during the night, publicly or secretly, their reward is with their Lord, and they will have no fear nor will they grieve.”
Sadaqah is one of the most beloved acts to Allah. It saves a Muslim from hellfire and grants them safety from worldly problems. The Prophet PBUH strongly encouraged his ummah to participate in charity with whatever they had. It doesn’t have to be a grand gesture worth millions; it could just be a single date one gives someone. The reward is based upon the intention, and if the heart is in the right place, even a date can be one’s shield in this world and the akhirah.
Sadaqah also doesn’t have to be given in money. It could be any material thing that helps another and fulfills their need.
Asking For Forgiveness
The Prophet PBUH said: “Glad tidings to those who will have in the record of their deeds a lot of seeking forgiveness.”
Asking for forgiveness from Allah is a proven way to live a peaceful life. Not only does it bring calm into one’s daily routine, but it is also a way to gain Allah’s mercy. Therefore, one should ask for as much forgiveness as they can, especially with the dua Prophet PBUH stated in his hadiths.
The Prophet PBUH said: “The most superior way of asking forgiveness from Allah is by the following words:
Allahumma anta Rabbi la ilaha illa anta, Khalaqtani wa ana `Abduka, wa ana `ala `ahdika wa wa`dika mastata`tu, A`udhu bika min Sharri ma sana`tu, abu’u Laka bini`matika `alaiya, wa abu’u laka bidhanbi faghfir lee fa innahu la yaghfiru adhdhunuba illa anta
O Allah, You are my Lord, there is none worthy of worship except You. You have created me, and I am Your servant, and I am faithful to Your covenant and promise as much as I can. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I acknowledge Your blessings upon me, and I admit my sins. So forgive me, for none forgives sins except You.
The Prophet PBUH added: “If someone recites this during the day with firm faith, if he dies on the same day before the evening, Allah will make him from the people of paradise. And if someone recites this at night with firm faith and dies before the morning, Allah will make him from the people of Paradise.”