The night of great significance

KABEER YOUSUF

PUBLISHED: 10:13 PM, MAY 10, 2021

A boy takes part in evening prayers called 'Taraweeh' on Laylat-ul-Qadr or Night of Decree. -- Reuters

There is a night in the holy month of Ramadhan, the 9th month in Hijri year and this night, which is one of the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadhan, is a night that is more powerful than 1,000 months when the distance between the Creator and His People will be zilch.

Believers engage themselves in more prayers, supplications and in reciting the holy Quran, doing charity work and giving Zakath.

But, what are the exceptional features of this particular night? Scholars say it is the night when the Decree on every human being is scripted, and there should be constant efforts to earn his contentment by doing good things.

One of the blessings that are given by Allah Almighty to His servants is the Laylat-ul-Qadr, the blessed night, also known as the 'Night of Decree' or the 'Night of Power'.

The night is so unique and significant that Allah s.w.t. dedicated an entire chapter of the Qur'an to it.

Almighty Allah says in Surah Al-Qadr:

“Indeed, We sent the Quran down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.”

(Surah Al-Qadr, 97:1-5)

"Ramadhan is a month that is filled with immeasurable blessings, a month of purification of the hearts, minds and souls and a month when spirituality thrives and flourishes," says Hatim Abdissalam, religious scholar and one who runs Al Istiqama TV.

So, as we seek the Night of Decree in the last few days of Ramadhan, it's thought-provoking to learn what makes Laylat-ul-Qadr exceptional.

1. The date of the Night of Decree is Unknown and falls within the final ten nights of Ramadhan, and as believed by many on the odd nights. The Prophet Muhammad s.a.w. said,

“Search for Laylat-ul-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan.”

(Sahih Al-Bukhari)

2. The Holy Qur'an was revealed on this night and that is the biggest virtue associated with Laylat-ul-Qadr. Allah has bestowed the Quran upon humankind as a gift and as a source of guidance. Besides mentioning in the first verse of Surah Al-Qadr, Allah s.w.t. says in Surah Ad-Dukhan:

3. The 1,000 times higher reward is another fact that makes the night of Laylat-ul-Qadr exceptional. If we realise the value of it, every act of righteous deeds and worship completed on this single night are rewarded a minimum of at least 83 years of worship, which is equivalent to an entire lifetime.

4. The quick acceptance of supplications makes it even sweeter. As is said in the Surathul Qadr, the earth on that night will be flooded and occupied with so many angels that it becomes congested and pressured. And because it is filled with celestial beings of light and blessings, the earth is voided of every evil and calamity and becomes exposed to spiritual pressure. Sins are forgiven and supplications are accepted