Everything You Need to Know About the Night of Power

Salaam everyone!

Alhumdulillah, we are about to enter the last ten days of Ramadan. These days are important because Layltul Qadr, known as the Night of Power takes place on one of these days. But what exactly is the Night of Power, and how can you take advantage of it? Read on to find out.

What is it?

Layltul Qadr commemorates the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (saws). It is considered to be one of the holiest nights for Muslims and is celebrated widely throughout the Ummah. On that night, the angels of heaven and Angel Jibreel descend to the Earth with all the affairs of Allah (swt). Also with them, they bring peace until dawn the next day, which is why Muslims spend all night until dawn in worship. In the Quran, there is a chapter named Al-Qadr that talks about this night.

“Verily, We have sent it down in the Night of Al-Qadr. And What will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr is? The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Ruh by their Lord’s permission with every matter. There is peace until the appearance of dawn.” [Surah Al Qadr]

According to Abu Hurayrah, a companion of the Prophet, the Prophet Muhammad (saws) has been noted as saying: “Verily the month of Ramadan has come to you all. It is a blessed month, which Allah has obligated you all to fast. During it the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are shackled. In it there is a night that is better than one thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good, then he has truly been deprived.”

In this passage, the Prophet is acknowledging the importance of Laylatul Qadr and the virtues it holds.

Fun fact: The first chapter revealed to the Prophet was surah Al-Alaq – ““Read! In the Name of your Lord, Who has created (all that exists).”

When is it?

According to hadiths, the Night of Power falls on the 27th night of Ramadan, but that you should search for the signs of the night on the odd nights. Because Muslims have no idea when the odd nights are since they base their calendar off of the ever-so unpredictable moon, they spend the last ten nights of Ramadan worshipping all through the night, so as not to miss on the great virtues of this holy night.

Things you can do:

• The best you can is read Quran. This night is about the Quran first being revealed – reading it is the best thing you can do.
• Pray tahajjud during the last third of the night. These are night prayers, prayed two rakats at a time. This last third of the night is the most holy part of the day, and during this time Allah swt descends to the lowest level of Heaven and says: “Who will call upon Me, so that I may answer him; who will ask me so that I may give him; who will seek forgiveness, so that I may forgive him.”
• Ask for forgiveness. The best dua to read during this time is: Allahumma innaka afuyyun tuhibbul afwa fa afu anna (O Allaah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).
• Recite the Tasbeeh Fatima.

Hope you all take advantage of these last ten days!