Laylatul Qadr - The Night of Power - The last 10 Days of Ramadan

The Prophet Muhammad (Peace & Blessing upon them) said, “Whoever prays on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and sincerity, shall have all their past sins forgiven.” [Bukhari and Muslim, from Abu Hurayra (RA)]

The Prophet (Peace & Blessing upon them) also said, “Seek it in the last ten days, on the odd nights.” [Bukhari and Muslim from Abu Sa`id al-Khudri (RA)]

The scholars affirm that it is the best of nights, [al-Fatawa al-Hindiyya, quoting Mi`raj al-Diraya, 1.216] because of Allah Most High’s words,

“Lo! We revealed it on the Night of Power.

Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Night of Power is!

The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.

The angels and the Spirit [Jibril/Gabriel (AS)] descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, will all decrees.

(That night is) Peace until the rising of the dawn.”

(Qur’an, Surat al-Qadr: 97)

Imam Nawawi (KS) and others explain that ‘The Night of Power is better than a thousand months,’ means that it is better than a thousand months without it.

Given the immensity of this night, it is recommended to seek this night, and to worship Allah in it, with prayer, supplication (du`a), remembrance (Zikr/dhikr), and other actions. [Ibn Abidin, Radd al-Muhtar, quoting Mi`raj al-Diraya, and Nawawi, al-Majmu`(KS)]

When is Laylatul Qadr - The Night of Power?

In general, it is agreed that it is most likely to be in the last ten nights of Ramadan, with the odd nights being more likely. Of the odd nights, the night of the 27th (which is the night before the 27th of Ramadan, for the Islamic day starts with nightfall) is most likely. Imam Shafi`i(RA) said that it is most likely to be the 21st, then the 23rd, then the 27th. Imam Nawawi(KS) followed the position of Imam Muzani and Imam Ibn Khuzayma(KS) that it moves around within the last ten nights. [Nawawi, al-Majmu` Sharh al-Muhadhdhab(KS), 6.488]

However, it could be outside the last ten nights within Ramadan. It may even be outside Ramadan according to both early and late scholars. This has been transmitted from many of the Companions of the Prophet (Peace & Blessing upon them), including Ibn Mas`ud (RA). It is one of the reported positions of Imam Abu Hanifa(RA), and also of many of the great knowers of Allah, including Ibn Arabi (whose position is quoted by Ibn Abidin with support), Abu’l Hasan al-Shadhili, Sha`rani(KS), and many others.

May Allah give us the success of following in the footsteps of the inheritors of the Prophet (Allah bless him & give him peace), outwardly and inwardly, and may He make us of those whom He loves, forgives and supports here and hereafter.

This is one of the many reasons why one should strive to establish the night vigil prayer (Tahajjud), daily.

Salaams

'Manwithcarpets'