Lailatul Qadr - The Night of Power

What is this 'Night of Power?' Is it the theme for the annual Dinner and Dance Party of Singapore Power?

No, it's not.

For the knowledgeable, it is an important night. Very elusive. Very much sought after. Very very unknown.

But why is it sought after by these people? And who are these people?

Let's read what the Quran says about Lailatul Qadr --

In the name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

[1] We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power:

[2] And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is?

[3] The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.

[4] Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand:

[5] Peace!... This until the rise of Morn!

Benefits of Lailatul Qadr

From the surah above we find out that it is Better than 1000 months. Imagine if on that day you commit yourself sincerely to Allah S.W.T, your rewards would be better than as if you had performed 1000 months of the same ibadah. How long is 1000 months? Around 83 years. How long have you lived compared to what you will be receiving? Subhanallah!

Seeking

The Muslim should seek out Lailatul Qadr in the odd nights of the last 10: the night of the 21st (the night before the 21st day), the 23rd, the 25th, the 27th and the 29th.

If he is too weak or unable to seek it out in all the odd nights, then let him seek it out in the odd nights of the last 7: the night of the 25th, the 27th and the 29th.
The Malays here call this night 'Malam Tujuh Likur.'
Wallahu a'laam.

Hmmm ....

If we knew that those nights are the nights that we need to 'watch-out' then will it not make the rest of the nights of Ramadhan especially the even numbered nights not 'worth' doing our best?

Remember, Allah is All-Knowing and he knows that some of us have heavy bones and will only do ibadah on specific nights. Sorry ... to those lazy but calculative bums. The night of Qadr is hidden from our knowledge. Have you not noticed that each part of the world have different timezones and dates?

It could be the 21st of Ramadhan in Singapore but already the 22nd of Ramadhan in Jeddah. So is the night even or odd? Allah's knowledge is bountiful! What does that mean? That means that we have to perform our ibadahs be it on the odd nights or the even nights from the last 10 days.

Achieving

Aisha radhiya Allahu `anha, that she said: “O Messenger of Allah! What if I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was, then what should I say in it?”

He said.- “Say.-
Allahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'anni

“O Allah You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.”.
[at-Tirmithi and Ibn Majah with a Sahih Isnad]

Signs of Lailatul Qadr

Nobody can tell if Lailatul Qadr befalls upon them when it happens. Nobody knows when it will happen. But only after it happened the signs are revealed.

Lailatul Qadr happens between the beginning of Maghrib and the end of Fajar the next day (refer to the last verse of surah Al-Qadr). It is after Fajar will the signs be clear.


Al-Hadith

Allah's Messenger SAW described the morning after Lailatul Qadr, so that the Muslim may know which day it is.

From Ubayy, RA who said:
that he SAW said: "On the morning following Lailatul-Qadr the sun rises not having any rays, as if it were a brass dish, until it rises up."
(Muslim, Abu Dawood, at-Tarmidhi, Ibn Majah)

From Abu Hurairah, RA who said:
"We were discussing Lailatul Qadr in the presence of Allah's Messenger SAW, so he said: 'Which of you remembers (the night) when the moon arose and was like half a plate?'"
(Muslim)
[Qaadi 'Iyaad said: "It contains an indication that it was towards the end of the month - since the moon does not appear like that when it arises except towards the end of the month."]

From Ibn 'Abbaas, RA who said:
Allah's Messenger SAW said: "Lailatul Qadr is calm and pleasant, neither hot nor cold, the sun arises on its morning being feeble and red."
(at-Tayaalisee, Ibn Khuzaimah, al-Bazzaar with hasan isnaad)

Conclusion

Ibadah to Allah S.W.T. should be sincere. Do it whole-heartedly and willingly. Yes, seek rewards for your ibadah but it is up to Allah to reward you. The month of Ramadhan has 29 days. Seek Lailatul Qadr from the very beginning of this holy month and insya' Allah if it's your rezeki, you shall receive it. Perform prayers both obligatory and supererogatory prayers. Read the Quran more. Perform abundance of Zikrullah. Recite du'as and ask for forgiveness. Ask anything and if you do not get it here surely you will receive it in the Hereafter. Rewards of the Hereafter is much much better than worldly rewards.

Wallahu a'laam.