By Huma Rasuly
When someone says the word ‘power’, we usually automatically think of strength, authority, might, force, intensity, and other things of the sort which pertain to our definition of power. Laylatul-Qadr, ‘The Night of Decree’, also known as the night of power, is the most blessed and most powerful night in the lunar month of Ramadhan. Powerful in the sense that a little bit can go a long way, as stated by Allah (SWT) in the Holy Quran,
“The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months)” [97:3]
A thousand months is more than the estimated human lifespan of 79 years! So in other words, catching Laylatul-Qadr will give you the reward of more than 83 years of worship. I know a bargain when I see one, and that is one I can’t say no to. Speaking of which, when is Laylatul-Qadr you may be asking. Well, we’re taught that it is in the last ten nights of Ramadhan, and that is it an odd night in the last ten nights.
“Allah’s Messenger (صلى الله عليه وسلم) used to practice Itikaaf in the last ten nights and say: ‘Seek out Lailatul-Qadr in the (odd nights) of the last ten days of Ramadhan.’” (Bukhari, Muslim)
How can you get the most of these last few nights of Ramadhan other than the usual doing adhkaars and making du’aa? Listed below are 3 easy and practical things we can do in the last 10 nights to maximize and take advantage of this great opportunity Allah has given us.
- Give charity every night, even if it’s just $1. When this coincides with Laylatul-Qadr, it will be as though you have given charity daily for 1000 months.
- Praying just 2 rakaat of qiyaam every night. When this coincides with Laylatul-Qadr it will be as though you have prayed every night for over 83 years.
- Read Surah Ikhlaas 3 times every night, for this surah carries the weight of one-third of the Quran, despite its short length. When your recitation coincides with Laylatul-Qadr, it will be as though you completed the Quran nightly for 1000 months.
These above tips are just a few tips among the sea of things we can do in these last 10 nights. Spending time with family, feeding the homeless, reciting and reflecting on the Quran, memorizing a du’aa every night, attending taraweeh with your familiees, and performing itikaaf are all things we can do as well. Some things may be a little out of our capacity, but nothing we do will go by unnoticed and unseen, for Allah is The All-Seeing, and His mercy extends over us in ways we will never come to fathom. One of the scholars said that we even get rewarded for sleeping if our intention is to rest up to worship Him the coming day. SubhanAllah! Do not underestimate any action you do before Allah, especially in these last 10 nights!
