Laylatul Qadr is a single night that brings a reward greater than the worship of a thousand months.
It is a gift given to this ummah and one that every Muslim should strive to take advantage of.
The question is, how can you make the most of this night if you catch it?
Here are 5 things to do on Laylatul Qadr:
The Night Prayer
The Prophet ﷺ said, “Whoever stands the night of Laylatul Qadr out of faith and seeking its reward, their previous sins will be forgiven.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
Now is not the time to socialize, scroll on your phone, or dip in and out of taraweeh.
Now is the time to increase in your worship throughout the night and make the most of it.
Work Smart AND Hard
Not everyone has the ability to spend the entire night in prayer.
Fortunately, Allah has graced us with incredible opportunities to maximize our reward still.
Pray isha with the imam and all of taraweeh (including witr). The Prophet ﷺ said:
“ Whoever prays Qiyam with the Imam until he finishes, Allah (SWT) will record for him the Qiyam of a (whole) night.” (Tirmidhi, Abu Dawud, Al-Nasa’i, Ibn Majah)
So by committing to praying the entire Isha and Taraweeh package at the masjid, in sha Allah, you will get the reward of praying the entire night.
Praying Isha and Fajr in congregation also accounts for this reward.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ said:
“One who performs ‘Isha’ prayer in congregation is as if he has performed Salat for half of the night. And one who performs the Fajr prayer in congregation is as if he has performed Salat the whole night.” (Muslim)
Perfect Your Obligations
In a hadith qudsi, Allah says:
“My servant does not come closer to me with anything more beloved to me than what I have obligated on them. And my servant will continue to come closer to me with voluntary actions until I love them.” (Bukhari)
The most beloved acts of worship that a person can offer then on Laylatul Qadr is what Allah has made obligatory.
Focus on perfecting the Maghrib, Isha and Fajr prayers that you offer.
Offer your zakah if it is due.
Show kindness and birr to your parents.
Perform the obligations with intentionality and seeking their perfection, for they are most beloved to Allah.
Forgive Others
This one can be challenging, and it’s not the first thing that comes to people’s minds, but there is great reward in it.
Empty your heart of rancour, malice, envy towards others.
As you are seeking the forgiveness of Allah. forgive others.
“and let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.” (Quran, 24:22)
It could be as simple as a text, a phone call, or a knock on the door, and it could be the deed that frees you from Jahannam!
Dua, Dua, Dua!
“Indeed, We sent it down on a blessed night, for We always warn [against evil].” (Quran, 44:3)
Laylatul Qadr is the night in which every matter is decreed.
Ibn Abbas said:
“Allah decrees what will transpire of life, death and provision.” (Tafsir Al-Qurtubi)
So if ever there was a moment where your destiny could be rewritten, it would be this night.
So increase in your dua throughout the night.
A’isha asked the Prophet ﷺ:
“If I knew which night is Laylatul Qadr, what should I say?”
He ﷺ told her to recite the following:
اَللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ اَلْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
“Oh Allah you pardon, you love to pardon, so pardon me.” (Tirmidhi)
May Allah allow us to witness the night of Al Qadr and grant us His forgiveness and mercy in it.
