Laylatul Qadr Dua
Laylatul Qadr is a very significant day for the Muslims. According to the Islamic beliefs, this is the day when the holy book of Quran was sent to this world. It was handed over by Allah’s angel Jibreel to Prophet Muhammad, peace and blessings be upon him. Muslims perform intense prayers during this period and recite Laylatul Qadr dua, mostly in accordance with a clear worshipping plan.
What is Laylatul Qadr?
Popular by many names – Laylatul Qadr is referred to as the night of power, the night of value, the night of decree, and the night of measures, among others. It is believed to bring a lot of blessings for those who observe it with prayers that have been prescribed by Islamic scholars around the world. It is the special night when the Quan was revealed to the Prophet.
There is no clarity on the exact day and date of Laylatul Qadr but it is believed that it was one of the last 10 nights of the month of Ramadan. Hence, for the Ummah community, the last 10 days of Ramadan are considered sacred. The last five odd nights of the month – 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th are when the Muslims focus on day as well as night prayers. The most important and significant night is that of the 27th. This is how the period of Laylatul Qadr observed among Sunnis. In Shia community, they observe it on odd nights of the 19th, 21st, and the 23rd. For them, 23rd is the most important night.
Laylatul Qadr Rituals
The popular rituals associated with Lalyatul Qadr are an extension to the of dos and don’ts of Ramadan. A few of the key rituals are as follows:
- Offering supplications – It is believed that during Laylatul Qadr, Allah accepts all prayers and dua. Offering sincere supplications and prayers to Allah Almighty is the way to ensure wellbeing of the world.
- Reciting the holy Quran- Islamic traditions recommends reciting the Quran every day. However, reciting the Quran during Laylatul Qadr has a great impact on the life of people; it removes past sins and ensures prosperity and happiness. Remembering any of the Surah during the Ramadan month should be reflective in your own life.
- Taking part in Sadaqah or charity- As per Islamic belief, performing charity during the holy days of Lalyatul qadr, the good deeds multiply one’s rewards by 70. Offering someone needy, even a glass of water is considered as Sadaqah.
- Having Iftar with family – Evening Ramadan meals, when Muslim open their day-long fast is considered an important part of the day. It is recommended that one breaks their fast with a meal (iftar) in the presence of their family and loved ones.
- Practicing solitude (itikaf) – During Laylatul Qadr, devout Muslims choose to perform itikaf during the last 10 days of Ramadan as it is meant to be the time to receive and earn great rewards from Allah. It is also the time to get detached from the material world and focus on doing good deed for the betterment of the whole world and developing humankind. This helps in attaining mental peace and performing all the rituals dutifully.
How to perform Laylatul Qadr Prayers?
According to the Islamic traditions and beliefs, one should offer Laylatul Qadr prayers in a mosque as performing dua in Masjid with one’s family and Muslim brothers makes Allah happy. During this period, all duas are accepted and are rewarded with choicest blessings from God.
Lalyatul Qadr is a time of the year when praying helps to have better control over emotions, pray more often, perform good deeds and detach oneself from materialistic greed and worldly affairs. This helps people to focus on spirituality and devote themselves to Allah. To get the best results, one must perform all rituals and prayers in accordance with a worship guide.
These plans need time and research and ideally specify, which Surahs or the chapters of Quran one should focus on. They also specify exact duas and prayers and how many times they should be recited in a day. The ideal timings of the prayers and the right way of how to perform them is also given in these plans. Some of the worship plans also go on to explain every Surah so that even layman can understand the gist and the message of it.
Worldly matters often make men (and women) do things that are not appreciated by the scholars of Islam. During Ramadan, and Laylatul Qadr specifically, one must focus on leaving a pious life and not getting into unnecessary arguments and backbiting. One must not indulge in any kind of violence or adultery either. There are many ways prescribed in Islam as to how lead a pure and pious life and be a good human being in the eyes of Allah.
Laylatul Qadr Hadiths
Some men amongst the companions of the Prophet were shown in their dreams that the night of Qadr was in the last seven nights of Ramadan. Allah’s Apostle said, “It seems that all your dreams agree that (the Night of Qadr) is in the last seven nights, and whoever wants to search for it (i.e. the Night of Qadr) should search in the last seven (nights of Ramadan).”
Hadith No 232, Narrated by Ibn Um, From Sahih Bukhari Chapter 32
I asked Abu Said, and he was a friend of mine, (about the Night of Qadr) and he said, “We practiced Itikaf (seclusion in the mosque) in the middle third of the month of Ramadan with the Prophet. In the morning of the 20th of Ramadan, the Prophet came and addressed us and said, ‘I was informed of (the date of the Night of Qadr) but I was caused to forget it; so search for it in the odd nights of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. (In the dream) I saw myself prostrating in mud and water (as a sign).
So, whoever was in ltikaf with me should return to it with me (for another 10-day’s period)’, and we returned. At that time there was no sign of clouds in the sky but suddenly a cloud came and it rained till rain-water started leaking through the roof of the mosque which was made of date-palm leaf stalks. Then the prayer was established and I saw Allah’s Apostle prostrating in mud and water and I saw the traces of mud on his forehead.”
Hadith No: 233, Narrated by Abu Salama, From Sahih Bukhari Chapter 32
Ibn ‘Umar said, “In the life-time of the Prophet I dreamt that a piece of silk cloth was in my hand and it flew with me to whichever part of Paradise I wanted. I also saw as if two persons (i.e. angels) came to me and wanted to take me to Hell. Then an angel met us and told me not to be afraid. He then told them to leave me. Hafsa narrated one of my dreams to the Prophet and the Prophet said, “Abdullah is a good man.
Would that he offer the night prayer (Tahajjud)!” So after that day ‘Abdullah (bin ‘Umar) started offering Tahajjud. The companions of the Prophet (p.b.u.h) used to tell him their dreams that (Laila-tul-Qadr) was on the 27th of the month of Ramadan. The Prophet said, “I see that your dreams agree on the last ten nights of Ramadan and so whoever is in search of it should seek it in the last ten nights of Ramadan.”
Hadith No 255, Narrated by Nafi, From Sahih Bukhari Chapter 21
The above Hadiths highlight the importance of the night of decree or Laylatul Qadr. Follow the instructions of how to offer the specified duas to earn maximum benefit.
