Answer
Short Answer:
- Allah honored this night and made it better than a thousand months.
- The descending of the angels increases during this night, due to the vast amount of its blessings. And the angels descend along with the descent of blessing and mercy.
- Whoever stands in night prayer on Laylat Al-Qadr out of solely his true faith (iman) and seeks the divine reward, then his previous sins are forgiven.
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Salam Tony,
Thank you for your question and for contacting Ask About Islam.
May Allah shower His blessings on your first Ramadan!
The expression Laylat Al-Qadr actually means “The Night of Power” or “The Night of Decree”.
The Blessings of this Night
This was the night on which the Quran started being revealed (over a time span of 23 years) from God the Almighty to His messenger Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him).
Allah says what means:
{Verily! We have sent it [the Quran] down on the Night of Decree (Laylat Al-Qadr). And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the ruh [Gabriel] by Allah’s Permission with all decrees. Peace […] until the break of dawn.} (Al-Qadr 97:1-7)
Ibn Kathir, a famous scholar who wrote one of the most famous interpretations of Quran commented on the phrase: (Therein descend the angels and the ruh):
This means that the descending of the angels increases during this night, due to the vast amount of its blessings. And, the angels descend along with the descent of blessing and mercy, just as they descend during the time when the Quran is recited.
They encompass the gatherings in which Allah is remembered and spread their wings for the true seeker of knowledge, showing respect for him.
This night occurs only in Ramadan, since the Quran was revealed in it:
{Verily, We have sent it [the Quran] down in the night of al-Qadr.}
This means that its revelation from Allah to His prophet, Muhammad, began during that month.
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Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said:
The blessed month has come to you. Allah has made fasting during it obligatory upon you. During it, the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hellfire are locked, and the devils are chained. There is a night [during this month], which is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good is really deprived [of something great]. (Ahmad, An-Nasa’i and Al-Bayhaqi)
So, one who would miss Laylat Al-Qadr, is a very unfortunate person indeed!
This is how and why the Night of Power should become so special for worshipers, who strive hard to meet its blessings.
Abu Hurairah reported that the messenger of Allah said:
Whoever stands in night prayer on Laylat Al-Qadr out of solely his true faith (iman) and seeks the divine reward, then his previous sins are forgiven. (Al-Bukhari)
Every sincere believer is eager to stand in prayer during the Night of Power, aspiring the forgiveness of sins, as well as a great reward from Allah; because no one wants to miss a great deal of blessing by missing this night.
The hadiths quoted above are evidence for the virtue of the night of Al-Qadr, as well as of performing Qiyam Al-Layl (night vigil prayer) during it.
It is also clearly indicated that Allah has honored this night and made it better than a thousand months, which is equivalent to eighty-three years and four months!
The Night Vigil Prayer
For this reason, whoever performs Qiyam Al-Layl (night vigil prayer), with true faith, while seeking reward in it, will be forgiven.
So, we should give attention to our participation in the long prayers–whether conducted in mosques or privately at home–during the nights on which Laylat Al-Qadr could fall.
Concerning praying in congregation, the Prophet Muhammad has said:
Whoever stands in prayer with the imam (the prayer leader) until he (the imam) concludes the prayer, it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole night […] (Abu Dawud, At-Tirmidhi and Ibn Majah)
It is recommended to supplicate a lot during this night, as it was reported by Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her), that the Prophet recommended a specific supplication on this night:
Allahumma innaka `affuwwun, tuhibbul `afwa, fa`fu `annee : O Allah, You are the One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.
Spiritual Seclusion
Also, one form of worship, especially during Ramadan is i`tikaf.
The essence of this ritual is to devote oneself to the Almighty by praying, reading the Quran, etc. in the mosque for a chosen period of time that can extend from one hour to the last ten days of Ramadan. (Editor’s note: due to the COVID-19 pandemic itikaf can be performed at home)
It is optional and carries great reward. Muslims can undertake it at any point during the year as a sign of devoting oneself to worship for a set time. It is worth mentioning here that in Islam, monasticism is forbidden.
As for the endeavor of i`tikaf, it is recommended in the noble month of Ramadan, as mentioned. The maximum duration of i`tikaf is from the 19th of Ramadan, at sunset to the sighting of the new moon, whether this occurs on the 29th or the 30th.
I`tikaf can also be observed for a lesser period, but preferably the length should not be less than one night. Women can also enjoy it, either at the mosques or at home, by confining themselves to a specific space and devoting the time for prayers.
When is Laylat Al-Qadr?
Ibn `Abbas reported that the Prophet said:
Seek the Night of Power on the last ten nights of Ramadan, on the night when nine or seven or five nights remain out of the last ten nights of Ramadan [i.e. 21st, 23rd, 25th respectively]. (Al-Bukhari)
So, we should preferably seek out Laylat Al-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan: the night of the twenty-first, the twenty-third, the twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh, and the twenty-ninth.
If one is too weak or unable to seek it out in all the odd nights, then let us seek it out in the last odd nights: the night of the twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh, and the twenty-ninth.
I hope this answers your questions. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any more questions.
Salam.
(From Ask About Islam archives)
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