The Night of Destiny (Laylat al-Qadr)
Raamish Siddiqui- Blog, – 21 April, 2022
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We live in a world surrounded by diversions seen in different shapes and forms, and the distraction precludes our ability to engage in conscious contemplation in a sustained manner. In Islam, striving through reflection is crucial for a believer’s intellectual and spiritual development. And this is also the essence of worship.
Worship must be a synthesis of the spirit and the form to become a life guide for a believer. The development of such a thought-provoking and profound form of worship forms the basis of Ma’rifa (God-realisation). Ramadan is the month that allows a person to engage in this practice, especially the last ten nights of the month when a believer may engage in a deeper study of the Quran, ponder upon the signs of God, and express his gratitude and awe at the creation.
The Quran alludes to this special night as Laylat al-Qadr or the Night of Destiny in the following verses: “Indeed, ˹it is˺ We ˹Who˺ sent this ˹Quran˺ down on the Night of Destiny. And what will make you realize what the Night of Destiny is? The Night of Destiny is better than a thousand months. That night the angels and the ˹holy˺ spirit descend, by the permission of their Lord, for every ˹decreed˺ matter. It is all peace until the break of dawn.” (Qur’an, 97:1-5).
Over the years, scholars have tried to interpret the meaning of the term Qadr in different ways. According to a Hadith tradition narrated by the Companion, Anas ibn Malik, he once said to the Prophet: “Ramadan has approached”. The Messenger of God said: “This month has come to you, and there is a night better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of it is deprived of all goodness, and no one is deprived of its goodness except one who is truly deprived.”
According to Islamic teachings, man must acknowledge his Creator and engage in developing his spiritual core. And the Night of Destiny, or Laylat al-Qadr, is its pinnacle through which a believer attempts to reorient his life in a God-oriented manner. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) advised believers to “search for Laylat al-Qadr in the odd evenings of the last ten nights of Ramadan.” According to Seerah traditions, the Prophet remained awake on these last ten nights of Ramadan for worship. It is recorded on the authority of Ibn’ Uthaymeen that the Prophet said, “Whoever stands (in prayer) throughout Laylat al-Qadr, with trust and hope, will be pardoned.”
According to Islamic teachings, man must acknowledge his Creator and engage in developing his spiritual core. And the Night of Destiny, or Laylat al-Qadr, is its pinnacle through which a believer attempts to reorient his life in a God-oriented manner.
There is also a special connection between this night and requesting forgiveness and seeking God’s mercy. A’isha (wife of the Prophet) inquired of him, “O God’s Messenger! What should I say if I knew what night Laylat al-Qadr is?” And he told her to pray, “O God!” You are Most Forgiving, and you like forgiving others. So please forgive me.” Thus Prophet advised everyone that the most important thing to do on this night is to ask forgiveness. However, seeking forgiveness should not be done ritualistically; it should be a sincere effort. The most critical component of requesting forgiveness is that one acknowledges their error and pledges not to repeat it in the future.
Islamic scholars in the early period of Islam preferred to spend this night in prayer while others read the Qur’an and yet others performed Dua. This highlights the importance of purpose; there is no special ceremony associated with this night. One is only required to rise and seek forgiveness because intention supersedes every act in Islam.
The Quran says, “Do unto others what you want for yourself.” This implies that when a person wants forgiveness from God for himself, he should also seek goodness for people around him, including his family, friends, colleagues, and the entire humanity. He promises to live a life of virtue, free of ill will towards others, and to care for the needy, not to be extravagant.
Here I will write an incident from the life of the Prophet of Islam (PBUH). One day, he came to his Companions and said, “I came to tell you of the (certain) night of Laylat al-Qadr but discovered so-and-so arguing and (while resolving), the knowledge of the night was taken away from me.” This incident illustrates that God loves peace and only peace and that he lifted the knowledge he provided to his Prophet due to two quarrelling individuals. It should serve as a reminder that if we hold any bitterness toward anyone, we will be unable to reap the benefits of God’s blessings.
Ramadan is a month when we are meant to decondition our hearts and minds. One primary Islamic principle is to overlook and forgive one other’s flaws. Just like a parent forgives their child out of unconditional love. For his highest love of God, a man should likewise forgive others; only then will a person be indeed able to reap the infinite blessings of his Creator.