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The Night of Power
Question
How can one attain [the reward] of Laylat al-Qadr?
Answer
The Divine wisdom decrees that Laylat al-Qadr (En. the Night of Power) be concealed during [the other days of] Ramadan. The reason for this is to encourage the fasting person to strive in seeking it, especially in the last ten days of the month and awaken his family [for prayers] as the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to do in the hope of attaining this night of which God says:
“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” (Quran 97:3-5).
By seeking Laylat al-Qadr, a person attains its honor in this life and the pleasure of God in both this world and the Hereafter. For this reason, God concealed this night among the other night of Ramadan to encourage those who are fasting to increase their good deeds during the month.
The time of Laylat al-Qadr
The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) used to strive in seeking Laylat al-Qadr during the last ten nights of Ramadan. Scholars differ regarding the exact day of Laylat al-Qadr; in view of this scholarly controversy, a Muslim must not relax his efforts in seeking it on the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.
Hadith on the virtue of attaining Laylat al-Qadr
Abu Huraira (may God be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, "He who spends the night in prayer, as a sign of his faith and in anticipation of its reward, will have his previous sins forgiven" (Bukhari and Muslim).
Supplication Recommended for this night
'Aisha (may God be pleased with her) said that she asked the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him), "O messenger of God! If [my prayers] coincide with Laylat al-Qadr, how should I supplicate God?" He replied, "Say, 'O God! You are oft-relenting and love to forgive, so forgive me" (Recorded by al-Tirmidhi and Al-Nisa`i, ibn Majah, Ahmed, and al-Hakem declared it authentic).
God Almighty knows best.
