Night of Power

Racing to the Finish

We are fast reaching the end of Ramadan and about to enter the last ten blessed days. Ibn al-Jawzi (RA) said: "When the race horse knows that it is nearing the end of the track it exerts all of its effort to win the race. Do not allow the race horse to be more clever than you. For verily, deeds are judged by their conclusions. So if you didn't do well with welcoming Ramadan then perhaps you will do better bidding it farewell."

Ibn Taymiyyah (RA) said: "The lesson lies in perfection of the conclusion of a thing, not in the shortcomings of the beginning of it." Hasan al-Basri (RA) said: "Improve your performance in what is left (of time) and you will be forgiven for that which has already passed. So take special care of the time you have left because you do not know when your soul will be turned over to Allah's Mercy."

Living by Nature's Cycles

Ramadan demands a change in our schedules, impressing the importance of governing one's day according to the cycles of nature rather than the industrial clock. Submission to the cycles of the sun and moon affirms not merely living in harmony with nature, but submitting to Allah as Creator and Master of all things.

In the last ten days, some take time off work, some sit in i'tikaf. This is a rejection of what the modern world forces on us — yo-yo dieting, consumerism, the mechanization of time, the obsession to control our lives. It is a time to reorient ourselves towards Allah, redefining our relationship with time, community, and the natural world. Taqwa is achieved not through sound bites, but as a lived reality of intentional living.

The Night We Celebrate Revelation

We celebrate many occasions — birthdays, national days, Mother's Day. Ramadan is the celebration of the Quran, and the Night of Power is the celebration of its revelation. Consider: Jibreel was the best (khair) of the angels, the Prophet was the best of the messengers, Ramadan is the best of months, Qadr is the best of nights, and this Ummah is the best of nations. The common thread among all of these is the Quran.

The Quran was such a blessing that an entire surah, Al-Qadr, was dedicated to announcing its revelation. What's left of Ramadan should be spent developing a deep relationship with the Quran: fall in love with it, be addicted to it. Many ayahs seem as if heard for the first time — this used to happen to the Sahabah, as with Omar (RA) at the time of the Prophet's (PBUH) death, when he could not accept Muhammad had died until reminded of the verse: "AND MUHAMMAD is only a messenger; all the [other] messengers have passed away before him: if, then, he dies or is slain, will you turn about on your heels? But he that turns about on his heels can in no way harm Allah — whereas Allah will reward all who are grateful [to Him]" (Al-Imran 3:144).

The Quran Resolves What Others Debate for Centuries

The Quran was such a miracle that it resolved many issues. For example, it explained who Isa (AS) was and how he was raised, while Christianity debated the nature of Jesus for 300 years before arriving at the doctrine of the trinity, which continues to be revised by different sects even today. If they referred to the Quran, it explains everything about Jesus. May Allah guide them.

Surah Al-Ikhlas resolves so many issues in very brief ayahs — any new Muslim can comprehend the core of Islam just by knowing this surah: "Say, He is Allah, the One. Allah, the Absolute. He begets not, nor was He begotten. And there is none comparable to Him."

Al-Qadr: A Night Better Than a Thousand Months

Ibn Jareer narrates on the authority of Mujaahid that there was a man from Bani Israel who used to spend the night in prayer, then fight the enemy in the way of Allah by day until evening, and did this for a thousand months — and so Allah revealed this surah to give this Ummah an equivalent, condensed reward for its short lifespan and busy days.

In Surah Ad-Dukhan, Allah says: "By the manifest Book that makes things clear, We sent it down on a blessed night in the month of Ramadan. Verily, We are ever warning. Therein is decreed every matter of ordainments, as a Command from Us. Verily, We are ever sending the Messengers, as a Mercy from your Lord. Verily He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower" (44:1-6).

As for Surat al-Qadr, the merit of the night stands out with complete clarity in every ayah of it: the first ayah explains the Quran was revealed on this night; the second brings attention to its greatness; the third says it is better than a thousand months (thirty thousand days); the fourth describes the angels descending with Jibreel with every ordinance and decree; and the final ayah describes the night as peace, i.e. peace from evil until the dawn of morning.

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَیْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَیْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ لَیْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَیْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِیهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ

“We sent it down on the Night of Decree. But what will convey to you what the Night of Decree is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. In it descend the angels and the Spirit, by the leave of their Lord, with every command. Peace it is, until the rise of dawn.”

Al-Qadr 97:1-5

The Meaning of Al-Qadr

Al-Qadr is a special and unique night. The meaning of the Arabic word is mysterious — it can refer to Allah's power itself, to the unknown destiny of oneself, or to the predestined, decreed fate of a believer. This uncertainty adds to the mystery and sacredness of the night. Another meaning is rank or stature — the Night of Stature.

Fate (Qadr) is one of the six pillars of belief. Determinism versus free will is a longstanding question; we believe in free will, yet this remains a secret of Allah — He has decreed, yet we will be held to account. Why a thousand months? Perhaps because earlier peoples had more barakah in their time; we are busier, so we are given a compressed, concentrated version of that reward.

During this extraordinary night we believe the gates of paradise are open and sins can be forgiven — a golden chance to receive Allah's favor. In Ad-Dukhan it is said that every great affair is decided and established on Laylatul-Qadr for the year that follows. The Quran distinguishes between right and wrong, and this night reminds us to develop that relationship with the Book. Many practices have entered our communities because we don't focus on the Quran — we need to reflect, study, and become lifelong students of knowledge; any learned person can teach others, though scholars remain necessary for deeper study.

Guidance on Seeking It

Abu Hurairah (RA) said the Prophet (PBUH) said: "Whoever fasts Ramadan with iman and anticipation of reward, his past sins are forgiven, and whoever does qiyam on Laylat-ul-Qadr with iman and anticipation, his past sins will be forgiven" (Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawud, an-Nasa'i).

Anas bin Malik (RA) said the Prophet (PBUH) said when Ramadan began: "Verily this month has arrived upon you and in it is a night that is better than 1000 months. The one who is deprived of it has been deprived of all Goodness, and only the deprived person is deprived of it" (Ibn Majah, Ahmad, an-Nasa'i).

An-Nasa'i, at-Tirmidhi, and Ibn Majah narrated that 'A'isha (RA) asked the Prophet what to say if she caught Laylat-ul-Qadr. He (PBUH) replied to say:

The Dua for Laylatul Qadr

We have the right to be happy on this night, but should not waste too much time in eating, drinking, chit-chatting, or even fundraising (a common tradition). It is a night of reflection, being close to Allah SWT, asking for forgiveness, and making duas for ourselves and the Ummah.

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

“O Allah, You are the Pardoner, You love to pardon, so pardon me.”

Verses on Reverence for Revelation

لَوْ أَنزَلْنَا هَذَا الْقُرْآنَ عَلَى جَبَلٍ لَّرَأَیْتَهُ خَاشِعًا مُّتَصَدِّعًا مِّنْ خَشْیَةِ اللَّهِ وَتِلْكَ الْأَمْثَالُ نَضْرِبُهَا لِلنَّاسِ لَعَلَّهُمْ یَتَفَكَّرُونَ

“Had We bestowed this Qur'an from on high upon a mountain, you would indeed see it humbling itself, breaking asunder for awe of Allah. And such parables We propound unto men, so that they might learn to think.”

Al-Hashr 59:21

• Al-Hadid 57:16 — Is it not time that the hearts of the faithful should feel humble at the remembrance of Allah, lest they become like those before them whose hearts hardened with time?
• An-Nisa 4:82 — Will they not try to understand this Qur'an? Had it come from anyone but Allah, they would surely have found in it many contradictions.