Laylat al-Qadr (night of Decree) is one of the major blessings of Ramadan. During this night, Quran was sent to Prophet Muhammad (s.a.w.). About this night, the prophet has informed us that all our sins could be forgiven. Worshipping Allah on that night is better than worshipping Him for 1000 months.
The following ahadith shed light on the days of observing Laylat al-Qadr.
According to a hadeeth narrated by Ibn ‘Abbaas (may Allah be pleased with them both), the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Seek it in the last ten days of Ramadan, when there are nine days left, and seven days left, and five days left.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 4/260
‘Aa’ishah who said that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Seek Laylat al-Qadr in the odd-numbered nights of the last ten nights.” (Narrated by al-Bukhari, 4/259
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Seek it in the last ten nights, on the odd-numbered nights.” ( Narrated by al-Bukhari, 1912, see also, 1913. Also narrated by Muslim, 1167, see also 1165
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Seek it in the last ten nights of Ramadan, when there are nine left, when there are seven left, when there are five left” Narrated by al-Bukhari, 1917-1918
Shaykh al-Islam ibn Taymiyah said: “But odd-numbers have to do with what is past [i.e., when one starts counting from the beginning of the month], so it should be sought on the twenty-first, the twenty-third, the twenty-seventh or the twenty-ninth; or it may be with regard to what is left, as the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: ‘when there are nine left, or seven left, or five left, or three left.’ On this basis, if the month has thirty days, these will be even-numbered nights, so on the twenty-second there will be nine days left, on the twenty-fourth there will be seven days left. This is how it was explained by Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri in the saheeh hadeeth, and this is how the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) prayed qiyaam during this month. If this is the case, then the believer should seek it in all of the last ten days.” ( al-Fataawaa 25/284, 285).
Virtues of Laylat al-Qadr
There is a specific chapter in the Quran that describes the significance of Laylat al-Qadr. Allah says:
1. “Verily, We have sent it (this Quran) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).
2. And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?
3. 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).
4. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees,
5. (All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn”[Surah al-Qadr 97:1-5]
The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Whoever spends this night in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward will be forgiven his previous sins.” Narrated by al-Bukhari, 1901; Muslim, 760.
‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “Seek Laylat al-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan.” Narrated by al-Bukhari, 2017; Muslim, 1169
‘Aa’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) said: When the last ten days of Ramadan began, the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) would tighten his waist-wrapper, spend his nights in prayer, and wake his family. Narrated by Muslim, 2024; Muslim, 1174.
Allah says in the Quran:
“The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months” [Surah al-Qadr 97:3]
2. Revelation of Quran
In the following verses is another verse that mentions about revealing of Quran on that blessed night.
“Haa-Meem. [These letters are one of the miracles of the Quran and none but Allah (Alone) knows their meanings.] By the manifest Book (this Quran) that makes things clear. We sent it (this Quran) down on a blessed night [(i.e. the Night of Al-Qadr) in the month of Ramadan]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments. As a Command (or this Quran or the Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messengers) (As) a mercy from your Lord. Verily, He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower.” [Surah al-Dukhaan 44:1-6]
Ibn ‘Abbaas and others said: “Allah sent down the Quran at one time from al-Lawh al-Mahfooz to Bayt al-‘Izzah in the first heaven, then it was revealed to the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) in stages according to events over twenty-three years.” (Tafseer Ibn Katheer (529 / 4)
3. Better than a thousand months
The significance of this night is obvious from the fact that worshipping during this ONE night is better than worshipping Allah for more than a thousand months (not days). Allah says in the Quran:
“The night of al-Qadr is better than a thousand months” [Surah al-Qadr 97:3]
Allah also described it as being blessed, as He said (interpretation of the meaning)
“We sent it (this Quran) down on a blessed night” [Surah al-Dukhaan 44:3]”
4. Forgiveness of Sins
On this night, a person’s past sins could be forgiven. Considering that sins block happiness in this life and hereafter, this is a major reward. The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said:
“Whoever stays up during Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of earning reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (al-Bukhari, 1910; Muslim, 760)
“Whoever fasts the month of Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of earning reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven, and whoever stays up during Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of earning reward, all his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Agreed upon).
The phrase “out of faith and in the hope of earning reward” means, believing in Allah’s promise of reward for this, and seeking the reward, with no other aim or purpose, such as showing off etc.” (Fath al-Baari (25 1 / 4)