The Peace and blessings of Allah (God) be upon you all.

There is an odd night among the last ten days of Ramadan that the Quran describes as a better than a thousand months worth of prayer and other forms of worship. The Quran says in its 97th Surah (chapter):

[1] Behold, from on high have We bestowed this [divine writ] on Laylat Al Qadr (Night of Destiny).

[2] And what could make thee conceive what it is, that Night of Destiny?

[3] The Night of Destiny is better than a thousand months:

[4] in hosts descend in it the angels, bearing divine inspiration by their Sustainer’s leave; from all [evil] that may happen

[5] does it make secure, until the rise of dawn.

(Muhammad Asad’s translation is used here because of its great accuracy in translating this chapter compared to some other translations).

Why is Laylat al Qadr/Night of Power special?

There were two periods in which the Glorious Quran was revealed. The first complete revelation occured on the Night of Power. The second was throughtout twenty-three years at various events. Therefore, the fact that the Quran was revealed on this Night makes it a very special night.

When is the Night of Power?

The exact night is unknown but it is generally agreed that it is on one of the odd nights of the last ten days:

Shias says: “So that people would worship Allah copiously for many nights, the exact night of the Night of Power has been kept a secret, but it most likely falls on the 19^th, the 21^st, or the 23^rd of the month of Ramadan”. [source]

Sunnis say “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 said that it is most likely to be the 21st, then the 23rd, then the 27th”. [source]

What should a Muslim do on the Night of Power?

It is important to increase your worship throughout the whole of Ramadan, and especially throughout the last ten nights. Not knowing exactly which night is Laylat Al Qadr teaches us that we should not be lazy and simply worship on just that one night, but to worship throughout the month of Ramadan in which blessings and rewards are increased greatly.

Read more at these links:

http://www.crescentlife.com/spirituality/laylat_al_qadr.htm

http://islamworld.net/docs/LAYLAT_UL_QADR.html

http://islam-qa.com/en/ref/36832

http://www.islamonline.net/servlet/Satellite?cid=1119503544664&pagename=IslamOnline-English-Ask_Scholar%2FFatwaE%2FFatwaEAskTheScholar

What is the attitude of a Muslim during Ramadan?

The Prophet (peace be upon him) is reported to have said: “Whoever does not abandon false talk and evil deeds, Allah does not want him to leave his food and drink (i.e. fast).” (Al-Bukhari)

Reflect upon these wise words of the Prophet.

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