The last ashraa (10 days) of Ramadan is upon us and the pursuit for finding Laylatul Qadr (Night of Power) has already begun since the eve of 21st Ramadan. Today is the eve of the 23rd, the second odd night in which we continue to find Laylatul Qadr.
When we say find we do not mean we're literally on a discovery mission. Our mission is spiritual. As the tafsir (exegesis/explanation) of Surah Al-Qadr (Chapter: The Grandeur) in the Quran tells us, Laylatul Qadr is the night in which Allah (swt) delivered the entire Quran from His hidden treasures (Loh e Mehfooz) to the heaven of the world (Bait ul Izzah). It is from there then that the angel Jibrail alehe salam (Gabriel peace upon him) used to bring it bit by bit according to Allah's command, to His messenger Mohammad sallalahu alehe wa'alehi wasallam (peace be upon him and his family).
The Quran and Hadith (sayings of Prophet Mohammad (pbuh)) tell us that Laylatul Qadr is a hidden night. It could be any night from the last odd nights mentioned above. A large number of scholars, though, have agreed upon the 27th to be Laylatul Qadr. However, Muslims commemorate all odd eves of the last 10 days and offer special prayers and make special supplications to Allah (swt).
There is no prescribed method in the Quran and Hadith that tells us how to pray in these nights except for the information that whoever commemorates it shall receive endless merits in this world and the next. The night begins right from after sunset and according to the verse of Surah Al Qadr in the Quran, it lasts till Fajr (dawn). Allah (swt) descends from His throne, all the way down to the lower most of the 7 skies. He asks His servants (that's us!) to ask for what they desire. He has promised the grant of good desires, the forgiveness of sins, and refuge from Hell Fire. Only those who ask are rewarded!
The best worship is to stay awake and pray during these nights. There are basically 4 goals to all worships:
- Worship and exalt Allah (swt)
- Seek forgiveness
- Send Durood (peace and salvation upon Prophet Mohammad (saww) and his family)
- Make Dua'a (supplicate) for good desires
Exalting Allah (swt)
The daily prayer method is the best for of worship. You must offer the Maghrib (sunset) prayer and the Isha (night) prayer which are obligatory. Offering these with sincere heart would earn you great rewards because all deeds are multiplied during these nights. Additionally, you can offer 2 Raka'ahs (units) of prayers while reciting Surah Al Qadr after Surah Al-Fatihah. You can offer as many of these supplementary (nawafil) prayers as you want. Recite the Tasbih in which you chant praises for Allah (swt). The 3 chants are Subhaan Allah, Alhamdulillah, Allahu Akbar. They mean "Allah is the Exalted," "All praise for Allah," and "Allah is Great." You can also find some beautiful verses from the Quran, to recite, such as Ayat al Kursi, which exalts Allah (swt) in the most beautiful way.
Seeking Forgiveness
Perform a lot of Wuzu (ablution) in these nights because it rids you of sins, inshAllah. Each time you use the bathroom, refresh your wuzu. Repent from the depths of your heart and in full acknowledgement of your sins. Do not let egos clash!
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
"O Allah! Verily, You are the Oft-Pardoning,a You love to pardon, so pardon me.'
Recite the above dua'a that Prophet Mohammad (saww) prescribed to Hazrat Aishah when she asked him what to recite while she is in pursuit of Laylatul Qadr.
Duaa e Qunoot is a beautiful invocation as well. Usually it's recited in the Witr prayers of Isha but if you study the meaning, it's a beautiful way to invoke Allah and beg for His mercy while accepting His Majesty.
Durood: Sending Peace and Salvation to the Prophet (saww) and his family
No prayer and no supplication is complete without sending peace and salvation upon Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings on him) and on his family. Durood e Ibraheemi is the Durood we recite in our daily prayers and it also includes Prophet Abraham (Ibraheem) and his family.
Prophet Mohammad (peace and blessings on him and his family) is an essential entity in Laylatul Qadr because he was the very blessed soul through whom the Quran reached us later after it was descended from Allah's throne to Bait ul Izzah.
Make Dua'a
Laylatul Qadr is the night in which destinies of people are made or marred. This is the night in which Allah (swt) commands the angel to close the accounts of people's deeds and open new ones. Decisions regarding a person's eternal stay in heaven or hell are taken. Those who have performed their duties well, those who have repented and intended not to wrong again, their fate is liberated from hell fire. And those who have not been good, they earn the eternal life of doom.
While pursuing Laylatul Qadr, pray for forgiveness, pray for the end of troubles of you, your family, and the world at large, pray for strength of your faith, pray for means of livelihood, pray for good life partners, pray for good education and increase in religious knowledge, pray for the good desires your heart holds.
Have beautiful odd nights in pursuit of Laylatul Qadr.
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