Allah the Almighty has favored Friday over all other days, the month of Ramadan over all other months, and Laylat Al-Qadr over all other nights.
This triggered childhood memories of Ramadan in Australia and the day leading to the most favored night; Laylat Al-Qadr, the night of the decree.
As a child I was encouraged to discuss, ask many questions, and to form an opinion later. On hearing my father speaking with friends about Laylat Al-Qadr, I stopped him to ask what was so special about it.
He replied as simply as possible, calling on me to imagine for a moment, that we were invited for a special dinner by the town mayor.
This mayor told us in advance that he was going to reward us with wonderful gifts, depending on how we presented ourselves and behaved during the dinner; throwing the ball in my court, my father asked: what would you do?
Absorbing the initial excitement of my father’s tale, I paused to reflect as to how, indeed, I would present myself.
My imagination flooded with thoughts of what to wear, how to get there, and what I would say when the mayor arrived.
Sharing these ideas with my father, he then asked me to imagine the preparations that might be made for the mayor’s arrival. As with any important event, preparation is crucial; how would we prepare ourselves spiritually and physically for this special and valuable meeting?
Likewise, we should take this opportunity to remind ourselves about Laylat Al-Qadr.
Best of Nights
This is by the mercy of Allah the Almighty, and His kindness for the entire ummah, as He singled it out for this great night.
It is distinctly known as the best of nights, because what has been reported concerning its virtues has not been reported concerning other nights.
Thus, it is a unique opportunity to achieve in one night the value of a lifetime of worship, as is demonstrated in the Qur’an:
{Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’an) down in the Night of Al-Qadr (Decree).
And what will make you know what the Night of Al-Qadr is?
That night the angels and the Spirit descend, by the permission of their Lord, for every ˹decreed˺ matter.
It is all peace until the break of dawn.} (Al-Qadr 97:1-5)
Full of long lasting blessings, this night is also fraught with loss and regret for those who choose to ignore it, so let us be encouraged and hopeful in preparing for and seeking this special night with a few tips about Laylat Al-Qadr.
#1. Take A Vacation For the Sake of Allah the Almighty
How many of us painstakingly plan for our summer vacation? We plan what to wear, overlooking no detail; outfits are thought-out and activities scheduled.
We take a break from our jobs for most anything else we really want to do in this life, should we not also give equal – or greater – attention to the details of recognizing and honoring the quest for Laylat Al-Qadr; the most special and valuable time of our worship in Ramadan?
Should we not be grateful for the opportunity to thank our Creator and seek His forgiveness?
If a full-fledged vacation is not possible, perhaps a day or two off work could be arranged, in order to make it easier to remain awake at night to perform extra worship.
{That night the angels and the Spirit descend, by the permission of their Lord, for every ˹decreed˺ matter. It is all peace until the break of dawn} (Al-Qadr 97:4-5)
“Allah says, ‘I am as My slave thinks I am, and I am with him when he mentions Me:
On the Authority of Abu Huraira (may Allah be pleased with him), Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon him) said,
If he makes mention of Me to himself, I make mention of him to Myself;
if he makes mention of Me in an assembly, I make mention of him in an assembly better than it;
if he draws to Me a hand-span length, I draw near to him a forearm’s length.
and if he comes to Me walking, I go to him in a hurry.” (Ibn Majah: 3822)
How can you not make time for the one who created time?
#2. To Do List
Allah the Almighty wants us to strive in achieving something better for this life and the next. That is why the exact night of Qadr was not disclosed. Make a to-do checklist for each of the last ten nights of Ramadan.
Prioritize things from your list and define how you would like to do them. Avoid wasting time in unproductive chats and begin your worship, focusing on nothing else that does not otherwise require your direct or immediate attention.
#3. Supplications: Plan Ahead
Practice ahead and keep them posted everywhere so you can read them all day. I have mine on my mobile’s memo, my laptop and in the kitchen, too.
We know that the night of Qadr falls within the last 10-days of Ramadan. Make a record of prayers and supplications. They don’t have to be long. They can be for this world and the next.
But remember, the best-of-the-best of all supplications one can make on this special night was narrated by `A’isha:
‘I asked the Messenger of Allah, ‘O Messenger of Allah if I know what night the night of Qadr is, what should I say during it?’ He said, “Say:
اَللَّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ ، تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
Allahumma innaka `afuwwun, tuhibbul-`afwa, fa`fu `anni
O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me.“
(At-Tirmidhi, An-Nasa’i and Ibn Majah)
#4. Family Time
With the pressures of work, school and daily life, sometimes Taraweeh, or night prayers, are not easy to perform every night of Ramadan, but strive to do your best to make the extra effort in joining others at the mosque, or pray together as a family.
Something I will never forget was the congregational prayers we did as a family. My father would always reinforce the saying, “families that pray together stay together.”
While my family is now all separated in life’s journey, we hope to be reunited again in the hereafter. I pray for this daily. Regardless of the hardships in this dunya, we should all strive for the hereafter.
#5. Reflect
Reflection is one of the best acts of worship. During the night, take yourself away from the crowd, seek your own quiet space and reflect on the countless favors that Allah the Almighty has blessed you with.
Think about the beautiful and wonderful creation of Allah the Almighty and meditate on what you might imagine – and could scarcely dream of finding – in the Hereafter.
Communicate with Allah the Almighty. Speak to Him, plead with Him, ask Him in your own way; He is the All Knowing.
#6. Ask for Forgiveness and Show Remorse
Evaluate your past year and plan for the days ahead that, by the Mercy of Allah the Almighty, you may be granted. Renew your intentions and work towards the ultimate goal: Paradise.
On this special night, focus on calling to Allah the Almighty for forgiveness, showing true remorse. Have faith that Allah the Almighty will forgive you, and be sincere.
Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allah said:
“Whoever spend the night of Qadr in worship out of sincere faith and seeking reward, then his previous sins are forgiven“. (Bukhari)
These reminders are, first and foremost, for me.
Don’t forego this once-a-year chance of doubling, tripling, or even ten-fold, multiplying your rewards. We may be here this year, but who knows what the future holds; I personally know of many who were previously among us in Ramadan, who are no longer with us. May Allah the Almighty forgive them and us.
Laylat Al-Qadr: Better Than A Thousand Months
Lastly, never forget that the good deeds performed on this single night are equal to those performed over a thousand months.
Pray for yourself, your family, for the Ummah; and might I be so brave as to ask your remembrance of myself and my family in your supplications, too?
May Allah the Almighty bless you and yours during these beautiful remaining Ramadan days and nights.
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