Allah Ta’ala’s love for His Prophet Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) is evident and manifest in many Ayat (verses) of the Qur`an Sharif. Additionally, whilst other Ambiya (‘alayhimussSalam) were gifted with exclusive titles, it was Rasulullah (sallallahu' alayhi wa sallam) alone whose title was “Habibullah” (The Beloved of Allah).
Due to this Divine love for Sayyidina Muhammad (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam, his Ummah is the recipient of special mercy, blessings and favours from Allah Ta'ala.
It is only due to our connection and association with Nabi-e-Akram (sallallahu ‘alayhi wa sallam) that Allah Ta'ala has honoured us above all people.
Amongst many privileges, one divine mark of distinction that has been granted to us, is the great privilege of being “Ummate Marhuma” —The Ummah upon whom mercy is shown.
The explanation of this noble title, “Ummate Marhuma”, is that forgiveness is secured, and mercy is attained through our sicknesses, hardships and other tribulations. Through the Esalus Sawab that people convey to us after our demise, and through blessed days and nights such as are found in Ramadan and other special days and nights outside Ramadan[1], we can easily gain forgiveness.
The most special and most blessed of all nights is the Night of “QADR”.
Laylatul Qadr is a night singled out by Allah Ta'ala, who granted it such magnificent virtues and greatness that surpasses all other nights.
The fact that Allah Ta'ala has gifted this Ummah with this one night – year in and year out – highlights again the Divine mercy that is extended to this Ummah, as well as the graciousness and kindness of Allah Ta'ala in giving us opportunities to secure far more in rewards.
It is mentioned in the Tafasir that one meaning of the word “Qadr” is “greatness, honour, dignity”, and this is what the night of Qadr is – a night of greatness.
It is also stated that the night is called so because a person becomes a person of honour and dignity on account of his (or her) sincere repentance, noble deeds, prayers and supplications during this night.
Rasulullah (sallallahu' alayhi wa sallam) said: “Whoever stands in prayer and worship on the night of Qadr, with complete faith and sincere hope of gaining reward, all his previous sins are forgiven.”[2]
“Qadr” also means “pre-destination”, and we find that this is also a night where the destinies of people are assigned to respective Angels regarding life, death, sustenance, rain, and so forth – all of which will come to pass for the year that will follow.
Drawing from the different narrations, it becomes clear that the Night of Qadr should be sought in the last ten nights of Ramadan, specifically on the odd nights. Its greatness and merit are described in the speech of Allah Ta'ala, wherein it is stated that worship on this night surpasses the worship of 1000 months. Worship includes Salah, Tilawah (recitation) of the Qur'an Sharif, Zikrullah, Dua, etc.
The night is also a night for sincere repentance, as attested by a narration, wherein Ayesha (radiyallahu ‘anha) had asked Rasulullah (sallallahu' alayhi wa sallam) what prayer she should engage in if she finds Laylatul Qadr and Rasulullah (sallallahu' alayhi wa sallam) ) advised her the following dua: “O Allah, very You are Oft-Pardoning, You love to Pardon, so do pardon me.”
Rasulullah (sallahu' alayhi wa sallam) said: “Verily a month has dawned over you wherein lies a night better than a thousand months. Whoever misses such a night has indeed been deprived of all that is good, and none is deprived of it, except he who is unfortunate.”
May Allah Ta'ala grant us the appreciation of these beautiful opportunities and grant us the experience and rewards of Laylatul Qadr.
It is impossible to do justice to a discussion of Laylatul Qadr, but an excellent and detailed exposition is found in the book “Faza'il-e-Ramadan” by Shaykhul Hadith, Maulana Muhammad Zakariyya (rahmatullah' alayh), which offers tremendous inspiration, motivation, and encouragement.
[1] The first ten nights and days of Zul Hijjah, the nights of Eid, the 10th of Muharram, etc.)
[2] Sahih al-Bukhari