In the last 10 days of Ramadaan is the blessed night of Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Decree and Honour - sometimes incorrectly translated as 'Night of Power'), which every Muslim is encouraged to seek out because during this night the angels descend to earth with goodness, mercy and blessings. It is also well established that Laylat al-Qadr is an honoured night because it was the night on which the Qur'an was revealed.
"Verily, We have sent it (this Qur'an) 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 (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months). Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allah's Permission with all Decrees, (All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn"
(Qur'an - 97:1-5)
Waathilah ibn al-Asqa' said: The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: "The Scriptures of Ibraaheem (Abraham) were sent down on the first of the month of Ramadaan. The Tawraat (Torah) was sent down on the sixth of Ramadaan. The Injeel (Gospel) was sent down on the thirteenth of Ramadaan. The Zaboor (Pslams) was sent down on the eighteenth of Ramadaan, and the Qur'an was sent down on the twenty-fourth of Ramadaan."
(Hadith - Ahmad and al-Tabaraani)
Abu Hurayrah said: "The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: 'There has come to you Ramadaan, a blessed month. Allah has made it obligatory on you to fast (this month). During it the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are locked, and the devils are chained up. In it there is a night that is better than a thousand months, and whoever is deprived of its goodness is deprived indeed.'"
(Hadith - al-Nisaa'i)
It was the practice of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) to strive during the last 10 days of Ramadaan like no other time, to spend the night in prayer, supplication and recitation of the Qur'an. He also used to wake his family up to do the same.
Abu Hurayrah said that the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whoever stays up and prays on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven."
(Hadith - Bukhari & Muslim)
Thus, the Muslim should make good use of the last 10 nights of Ramadaan and spend them in prayer and remembering Allah. We do not know for certain which night Laylat al-Qadr is, but the odd-numbered nights in the last 10 days are the most likely according to the hadith:
"Seek it in the odd nights of the last third of Ramadan."
(Hadith - Bukhari)
The night of the 27th of Ramadaan (i.e. the night before the fast of the day of the 27th of Ramadaan) has been narrated as being Laylat al-Qadr.
Zurr ibn Hubaysh said: "I heard Ubayy ibn Ka'b saying - and it was said to him that 'Abd-Allaah ibn Mas'ood said: 'Whoever follows the Sunnah will 'catch' Laylat al-Qadr!' - Ubayy said: 'May Allah have mercy on him, he did not want people to take it for granted and only stay up to pray on one night. By the One besides Whom there is no other god, it is in Ramadaan - he was swearing without a doubt - and by Allah, I do know which night it is. It is the night in which the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) commanded us to pray (qiyaam). It is the night the morning of which is the twenty seventh, and the sign of it is that the sun rises on that morning white and without rays.'"
(Hadith - Muslim and others)
However, the timing of the night Laylat al-Qadr has not been narrated with certainty, and its timing may not be the same every year. The wisdom in this is that the Muslims will be more inclined to devote themselves in worship during the whole last 10 days, rather just on one night, as would be the case if its timing were known for certain.
With regard to what the Muslim should do on Laylat al-Qadr to gain benefit from it, aside from praying, reading Qur'an and making general du'aa' (supplication), there is a specific du'aa' that may be recited:
'Aa'ishah said: "I said, 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say on that night?' He said, 'Say: Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibb al-'afwa fa'affu 'anni (O Allah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me)."
(Hadith - al-Tirmidhi)
Even for menstruating women, they can recite this du'aa' and others, read Qur'an from memory (without touching the book itself) and like everyone they can seek forgiveness (by saying "Astaghfir-Allah" - I ask Allah for forgiveness), make dhikr (remembrance of Allah) by repeating phrases such as:
- Subhaan-Allah (Glory be to Allah)
- La ilaaha illa-Allah (There is no god but Allah)
- Al-Hamdu Lillah (Praise be to Allah)
- Allahu akbar (Allah is Most Great)
- Subhaan-Allah wa'l-hamdu Lillah, wa laa ilaaha ill-Allah, wa Allahu akbar (Glory be to Allah, praise be to Allah, there is no god but Allah and Allah is Most Great)"
- Subhaan Allah wa bi hamdihi, subhaan Allah il-'Azeem (Glory and praise be to Allah, glory be to Allah the Almighty)
In this way, no one will be deprived of the blessing of Laylat al-Qadr.
