The Importance Of The Last Ten Nights Of Ramadan - Lailatul Qadr (Night Of Decree)
The month of Ramadan is a blessed month but the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan are extra special because within the last ten nights of Ramadan is Lailatul Qadr (night of decree). It is a night about which GOD revealed a full surah (chapter) of the Qur'an and it is described in the Qur'an as a night that is better than a thousand months:
Qur'an: 97: 1-5:
"1. Verily! We have sent it (this Qur'an) down in the Night of Decree (Lailatul-Qadr).
2. And what will make you know what the Night of Decree is?
3. The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.
4. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (ie. Jibreel [Gabriel]) by ALLAH's Permission with all Decrees,
5. Peace! until the appearance of dawn."
Qadr meaning fate or decree is the concept of divine destiny in Islam and it is one of the pillars of faith in Islam. The concept of divine decree is described in the Qur'an as follows:
Qur'an: 57: 22:
"No calamity befalls on the earth or in yourselves but is inscribed in the Book of Decrees (Al-Lauh So- Mahfuz), before We bring it into existence. Verily, that is easy for ALLAH."
The night of decree (Lailatul Qadr) is just one night, but we are advised to strive harder in worship through Itikaf in the Mosque or at home with night prayers, Qur'an recitation and dikr during the last ten nights of Ramadan because of the following hadith:
"Narrated by Abu Salama (May GOD be pleased with him): I asked Abu Sa'id (May GOD be pleased with him) about the night of Qadr and he said, " We practiced Itikaf in the middle of the third month of Ramadan with Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him). In the morning of the 20th of Ramadan, the Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) came to and addressed us and said, 'I was informed of the date of the Night of Qadr but I was caused to forget it, or I forget, so search it in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan.'
[Sahih Bukhari : Volume 3, Book 32 “Taraweeh”, Number 233].
"Aisha, the Prophet's wife (May GOD be pleased with her) reported that the Messenger of ALLAH (May peace be upon him) used to perform Itikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan and used to say, "Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan" [Bukhari].
Itikaf involves seclusion and staying in the Mosque without leaving for a period of time with the intention to strive harder in worship - praying, reciting the Qur'an and repeatedly reciting short statements exalting, praising and asking for forgiveness from ALLAH (Dikr).
One of Prophet Muhammad's (Peace be upon him) companions, Abu Hurairah (May GOD be pleased with him) said: "ALLAH's Messenger (Peace be upon him) used to perform Itikaf for ten days every Ramadan, then when it was the year in which he was taken (died), he performed Itikaf for twenty days. [Bukhari]
Abu Hurairah (May GOD be pleased with him) reported that the Messenger of ALLAH (Peace be upon him) said : "Whoever stands (in prayer) in Lailatul-Qadr out of Eemaan (faith and sincerity) and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven". [Bukhari].
He said.- "Say.- Allahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee."
Translation: "O ALLAH! You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.". [at-Tirmithi and Ibn Majah with a Sahih Isnad].
Zirr b. Habaish (May GOD be pleased with him) reported Ubayy b. Ka'b (May GOD be pleased with him) took oath (without making any exception, that is, without saying In sha ALLAH) that it was the twenty-seventh night. I said to him: Abu Mundhir, on what ground do you say that? Thereupon he said: By the indication or by the sign which the Messenger of ALLAH (Peace be upon him) gave us, and that is that on that day the sun would rise without having any ray in it.
Note: We (Modest Style Guide) witnessed this for a fact today - 22nd June 2017, the 27th day of Ramadan, the sun has no rays in it this morning.
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