Peace until the appearance of Dawn...

Introduction:

The word 'Qadr' means decree; 'Qadar' It also means ‘majesty’ or ‘high esteem’. Thus, Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Qadr means ‘Night of Decree’ or ‘the Night of Majesty.’

Laylat al-Qadr is a very blessed night. It is the best night of Ramadaan, rather the whole year. Rewards in this night are multiplied to equal the worship of one thousand months. It is the night, which Allah chose to send down the Qur'aan to the lowest heaven, from where it was revealed in small parts to the Messenger of Allah (saws).

Laylat al-Qadr is the night, when Allah decrees His wise ordainment, matters of life, death, sustenance, disaster, etc. and the angels descend with these decrees: “Verily! We have sent this (Qur'aan) down in the Night of al-Qadr. And what will make you know what Night of Qadr is? The Night of al-Qadr is better than one thousand months. In it the angels and the Spirit (Angel Jibreel) descend, by the Permission of Allah, with all decrees. Peace it is until the appearance of dawn.” [Soorah al-Qadr (97): 1-5]

And He says: “We have sent this (Qur'aan) down on a blessed night. Verily! We always warn (people from  sinning). In it, every matter of ordainment is decreed by Our Command. Verily! We always send (the messengers for guidance). It is a Mercy from Your Lord; He is indeed All-Hearing, All-Knowing.” [Soorah ad-Dhukhan (44): 3-5]

 

The sending down of the Qur'aan here does not mean that it was revealed all at once to the Messenger of Allah (saws). According to the scholars, the Qur’aan was sent down on Laylat al-Qadr from al-Lawh al-Mahfoodh (the Preserved Tablet) to the lowest heaven; it was then revealed in small segments, as necessary over a period of twenty three years of the Messenger's life. [Ibn Katheer]

The same applies to Allah's Decrees; they (the Decrees) are not formulated on this specific night every year. Rather, Allah with His encompassing knowledge knew everything which will happen and recorded it all in al-Lawh al-Mahfoodh. On Laylat al-Qadr, Allah issues His decrees pertaining to the following year (life, death, sustenance etc.) to the angels, after having been in al-Lawh al-Mahfoodh. [Ibn Katheer]

When is Laylat al-Qadr?
The knowledge of the exact date of Laylat al-Qadr is hidden from us. Ubadah bin as-Samit t reported that the Prophet (saws) walked into the Masjid (Prophet's mosque) and found two men arguing. He (saws) said: “I was coming to tell you about (the time of) Laylat al-Qadr; when such and such men disputed, the knowledge of it was raised (taken); and this may be better for you. So seek it on the ninth, seventh, and fifth nights (after twenty).” [Saheeh al-Bukharee]

Various authentic reports indicate that Laylat al-Qadr falls on the nights of twenty first, twenty-third, twenty fifth, twenty seventh, twenty-ninth, or the last night of Ramadaan. Therefore, scholars differ regarding the exact date of Laylat al-Qadr, but definitely it falls on an odd night among the last ten nights of Ramadaan.

Note: Twenty-first night means the night preceding the twenty-first day of Ramadaan.

 

Scholars also differ whether Laylat al-Qadr always falls on a fixed night, or moves from year to year between nights. The safest approach is to follow the Ahadeeth, which instruct one to seek Layat alQadr (at least) on odd nights of the last ten days in Ramadaan. At the same time, special care should be given to the night of the twenty-seven because it is the night on which the Messenger of Allah (saws) gathered all his family, and spent it in prayer and worship.

How to seek Laylat al-Qadr?
Laylat al-Qadr is the most blessed night. One who misses it has indeed missed a great amount of rewards. If a believing person is zealous to obey his Lord and increase in good deeds, he should strive to encounter this night and spend it in worship and obedience. If this is facilitated for him, all of his previous sins will be forgiven.

Qiyam: It is recommended to make a long Qiyam (standing) in prayer during the nights on which Laylat al-Qadr could fall. This is indicated in a number of Ahadeeth. The Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “Whoever stands (in Qiyam) in Laylat al-Qadr (and it is facilitated to him) out of faith and expectation (of Allah's reward), will have all his previous sins forgiven.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim] “and it is facilitated to him.” This addition is recorded in Musnad Ahmad, it means that if he is permitted to be among the sincere worshipers during the blessed night.

Supplication: It is also recommended to make extensive supplications on the night of Laylat al-Qadr. Aa'ishah (ra) reported that she asked the Prophet (saws): "O Messenger of Allah! If I knew the night of Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say during it?” And he (saws) instructed her to say: “Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa'fu anni” O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me.” [(saheeh) by Shaikh al-Albanee (Musnad Ahmad, Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhee)]

It is further recommended to spend more time in worship during the night on which Laylat al-Qadr is likely to be. This calls for abandoning many worldly pleasures in order to secure the time and thoughts solely for Allah. Aa'ishah (ra) reported: “When the (last) ten days started, the Prophet of Allah would tighten his izar (i.e he stayed away from his wives in order to have more time for worship), spend the whole night awake (in prayer), and wake up his family.” [Saheeh al-Bukharee and Saheeh Muslim]

Signs of Laylat al-Qadr:
Allah and His Messenger (saws) have mentioned some signs to identify the night of Laylat al-Qadr. It is interesting to note that by the Wisdom of Allah, the All-Wise, these signs occur after the night has passed. Some scholars state that the wisdom behind this is that one would not rely on definite knowledge in order to limit his worship to just one night of the whole year. This understanding is supported from the Prophet’s statement: “…and this may be better for you.” (as in the previously mentioned Hadeeth).

Abu Dharr reported that the Messenger of Allah (saws) said: “On the morning following Laylat al-Qadr, the sun rises without rays, resembling a dish, until it becomes high.” [Saheeh Muslim] Also, a report from Ibn Abbas (ra) informs that it is a moderate night, neither hot nor cold. [(hasan) Ibn Khuzaimah]

Unfound folk-tales:
Many fables circulate among the common people, claiming unusual incidents occurring on Laylat al-Qadr, like trees making sujood, animals acting in a strange way etc. All this has no basis in the Qur’aan or the Sunnah. Laylat al-Qadr is a blessed night, which should be spent in worship and obedience; he who makes good use of it in accordance with the Sunnah as outlined above, can hope Allah's acceptance and blessings.