Laylat Al-Qadr | ليلة القدر
Laylat al-Qadr (لیلة القدر) or Qadr Night which also known with other names like Shab e Qadr, Night of Power, Night of Destiny, Night of Value, Night of Measures, and Night of Decree. Variously rendered in English as the in Islamic belief, It is the night when the Quran was first sent down from Heaven to the world. It is also the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). This night described as better than a thousand months (83 years and 4 month).
According to various sources of Muslims the precise date is unknown, although it occurred on one of the odd-numbered nights of Ramadan’s last 10 days, known as Ashra Nijat. Muslims regarded the last ten nights of Ramadan as being blessed ever since. the last ten day of Ramadan, They stay in Mosques for Itikaf. Muslims believe that Laylat al-Qadr is accompanied by Allah’s (SWT) abundant blessings and kindness, that sins are forgiven, that supplications are accepted, and that the yearly decree is revealed to angels who carry it out according to Allah’s (SWT) Grace.
Qadr Meaning
Al Qadr (القدر) means Measure, limit, Destiny or Value. the reasons behind its naming:
- It is stated that it was given the name Al-Qadr because Allah would determine each person’s yearly destiny (SWT).
- Some believe that if one prays, reads the Quran, or repents all night, one will achieve a lofty condition.
- Some have speculated that the name Al-Qadr comes from the fact that it is a great and valuable night.
Other names for this night include Laylat Al-Azama (ليلة العظمة), which means Night of Glory, and Laylat Al-Sharaf (ليلة الشرف), which means Night of Honor.
Revelation to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH)
Some interpreters claim that Muhammad (PBUH) received the Quran twice:
1. On the Laylat Al-Qadr, there was an immediate revelation.
2. Gradual revelation about in 23 years
According to Allamah Tabatabai, the word Anzal (انزل) is used in the Quran to justify instantaneous revelation. Others, on the other hand, believe that the Quran was revealed in two stages. The first phase was the whole revelation of Laylat al-Qadr to the angel Jibrael in the lowest heaven, followed by Gabriel’s verse-by-verse revelation to Muhammad.
The revelation began in 610 CE in Makkah’s Hira cave on Mount Jabal al-Noor.
Surah Al-Alaq (سورة العلق) was the first Surah to be revealed. The first five verses of this Surah, or chapter, were revealed at Muhammad’s first revelation.
Date of Laylatul Qadr
The Quran does not mention a precise date for Laylat al-Qadr. This is due to the fact that Allah (SWT) revealed the precise date of Laylat al-Qadr to Muhammad (PBUH) in a dream. He went to the Sahabah to inform them of the date. However, he witnessed two people fighting and forgot the date because Allah (SWT) took away his knowledge of Al-Qadr and replaced it with the day of the week, allowing a Muslim date to be precisely determined.
Sunni Islam believes that Allah (SWT) is the only one who hears and answers mankind’s supplications, that He is the only one who forgives people and gives them what they ask for, and that on this particular night, Allah (SWT) is the only one who hears and answers humanity’s supplications (Layla Al-Qadr). Muslims should actively seek forgiveness from Allah (SWT) and participate in different acts of devotion.
Seeking Laylatul Qadr
Laylat al-Qadr is observed by Muslim communities all around the globe on the last five odd nights of Ramadan which are 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th, when darkness precedes day. On the 27th, many civilizations commemorate it, and some researchers believe it is significant.
Importance of Laylat al-Qadr
In the eyes of Muslims, this night is unlike any other, and according to tradition, the blessings derived from acts of devotion performed during this night cannot be matched even by worshiping throughout one’s lifetime. The reward for one night’s worth of worship is greater than the prize for a thousand months, worth of worship. Thousand month means 83 years and 4 months.
Surah Al Qadr
A complete Surah or Chapter in the Quran is quoted to highlight the importance of Laylat Al-Qadr.
Surah Al-Qadr | سُوۡرَةُ القَدر
اِنَّاۤ اَنۡزَلۡنٰهُ فِىۡ لَيۡلَةِ الۡقَدۡرِ ۖ ۚ ﴿۱﴾ وَمَاۤ اَدۡرٰٮكَ مَا لَيۡلَةُ الۡقَدۡرِؕ ﴿۲﴾ لَيۡلَةُ الۡقَدۡرِ ۙ خَيۡرٌ مِّنۡ اَلۡفِ شَهۡرٍؕ ﴿۳﴾ تَنَزَّلُ الۡمَلٰٓٮِٕكَةُ وَالرُّوۡحُ فِيۡهَا بِاِذۡنِ رَبِّهِمۡۚ مِّنۡ كُلِّ اَمۡرٍ ۛۙ ﴿٤﴾ سَلٰمٌ ۛهِىَ حَتّٰى مَطۡلَعِ الۡفَجۡرِ﴿۵﴾
Inna anzalnahu fi laylat Al-Qadr (1) Wama adraka ma laylatul-Qadr (2) Laylatu Al-Qadri khayrun min alfi shahrin (3) Tanazzalu al-malaikatu wal-ruhu fiha bi-idh ni rabbihim min kulli amrin (4) Salamun hiya hatta matla’i Al-Fajri (5)
بيشک ہم نے اس (قرآن) کو شبِ قدر ميں اتارا ہے ﴿۱﴾ اور آپ کيا سمجھے ہيں (کہ) شبِ قدر کيا ہے ﴿۲﴾ شبِ قدر (فضيلت و برکت اور اَجر و ثواب ميں) ہزار مہينوں سے بہتر ہے ﴿۳﴾ اس (رات) ميں فرشتے اور روح الامين (جبرائيل) اپنے رب کے حکم سے (خير و برکت کے) ہر امر کے ساتھ اترتے ہيں ﴿٤﴾ يہ (رات) طلوعِ فجر تک (سراسر) سلامتي ہے ﴿۵﴾
Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) ﴾1﴿ And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? ﴾2﴿ The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshiping Allah in that night is better than worshiping Him a thousand months, (i.e. 83 years and 4 months). ﴾3﴿ Therein descend the angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees, ﴾4﴿ Peace! (All that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn. ﴾5﴿
Dua for Laylatul Qadr
It was narrated from Aishah (R.A.) that she said:
“O Messenger of Allah, what do you think I should say in my supplication, if I come upon Laylatul Qadr?” He said: “Say:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa fu annee
اے اللہ تو معاف کرنے والا ہے اور معافی و درگزر کو پسند کرتا ہے تو تو مجھ کو معاف فرما دے
O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me
(Ibn Majah: 3850)