Laylatul Qadr (the Night of Power) is described in the Quran as, “better than a thousand months” (97:3). Any action done on this night such as reciting the Quran, remembering Allah, etc. is better than acting for one thousand months which do not contain the night of Qadr.
Allah’s Messenger, SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, used to exert himself in devotion during the last ten nights to a greater extent than at any other time.” [Muslim]. Allah’s peace and blessings be upon our beloved Prophet.
Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, related that the Prophet, SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, said: Look for Laylatul Qadr on an odd-numbered night during the last ten nights of Ramadan. [Bukhari].
The Prophet, SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, said: “Whoever prays during the night of Qadr with faith and hoping for its reward will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” [Bukhari and Muslim recorded from Abu Huraira].
Here are some tips of things we can do on the Night of Power and the time before and after it.
1. Take a vacation for Allah.
We take a break from our jobs for almost everything in life. Why not this time to focus on worshiping and thanking our Creator.
If this is not possible at least take a few days off if you can. This can make it easier to stay awake at night to do extra Ibadah, not having to worry about getting to work the next day. It will also facilitate doing Itikaf.
2. Do I’tikaf.
It was a practice of the Prophet, SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, to spend the last ten days and nights of Ramadan in the masjid for I’tikaf.
Those in I’tikaf stay in the masjid all this time, performing various forms of zikr (the remembrance of Allah), like doing extra Salat, recitation and study of the Quran. They do not go outside the masjid except in case of emergencies, therefore, they sleep in the masjid. Their families or the masjid administration takes care of their food needs. I’tikaf of a shorter period of time, like one night, a day or a couple of days is encouraged as well.
3. Make this special Dua.
Aisha, may Allah be pleased with her, said: I asked the Messenger of Allah: ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?’ He said: ‘Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.’ ”
[Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi].
The transliteration of this Dua is
“Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘annee”
4. Recite the Quran.
Perhaps you can choose Surahs or passages from the Quran, which you have heard in Tarawih this past Ramadan to recite.
If you attend a class where the recitation of the Quran is taught, this is a great time to put your knowledge into practice.
5. Reflect on the meaning of the Quran.
Choose the latest Surah or Surahs you’ve heard in Tarawih and read their translation and Tafseer. Then think deeply about their meaning and how it affects you on a personal level.
6. Get your sins wiped out.
Abu Huraira, RadhiAllahu Anhu, narrated that the Messenger, SallAllahu Alayhi Wa Sallam, said: Whoever stands (in prayer) in Laylatul Qadr while nourishing his faith with self-evaluation, expecting reward from Allah, will have all of his previous sins forgiven. [Bukhari and Muslim].
Don’t just pray using the shorter Surahs that you know. Try to make your prayers longer, deeper and meaningful. If you are familiar with longer Surahs, read the translation and explanation and then pray reciting these Surahs, carefully reflecting on the meaning while you pray.
Even if you are only familiar with the shorter Surahs, read the translation and explanation beforehand, and then pray reflecting on the message of the Surahs.
This is a good way to develop the habit of concentration, even in regular prayer, where many of us tend to be fidgety and/or easily distracted.
7. Make a personal Dua list.
Ask yourself what you really want from Allah. Make a list of each and everything, no matter how small or how big it is, whether it deals with this world or not. Allah loves to hear from us. Once this list is ready, you can do three things:
- Ask Allah to give you those things.
- Think about what actions you have taken to get those things.
- Develop a work plan to get those things in future.
- (Remember a Dua should not be for a sin or severing of relations.)