“And whoever spends the night of Laylatul Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven” (Sunan an-Nasa’i).
“And whoever spends the night of Laylatul Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven” (Sunan an-Nasa’i).
“Laylatul Qadr is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn” (Quran 97:3-5).
With the holy month of Ramadan just one month away, many of us begin planning our worship with the hope of bringing more blessings into our lives through hard work.
Perhaps one of the biggest opportunities for gaining blessings from worship in this month is the night of Laylatul Qadr, or “The Night of Power,” about which the Prophet (on him be peace) said:
“And whoever spends the night of Laylatul Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven” (Sunan an-Nasa’i).
During this night, which is said to occur during the last 10 nights of Ramadan, the effects of our intentions and deeds are multiplied, and we have the chance to benefit immensely from even the smallest acts. The night of Laylatul Qadr presents an immense opportunity for us as Muslims and should be prepared for accordingly.
Here are some tips to prepare for Laylatul Qadr:
Tip #1: Set a strong Niyyah (also known as niyah)
Behind every good deed we do as Muslims, there should be a pure niyyah, or intention. Setting a proper niyyah before any daily task or act of worship ensures we keep our hearts and minds active. It also ensures we receive the best of blessings for our works.
Think about what niyyah (or niyah) you have for the night of Laylatul Qadr. Are you looking for forgiveness for past sins? Do you wish to gain increased blessings for your Ramadan charity and good deeds, which will affect the year to come? Will you be praying on behalf of your friends, family, or community?
The mental and spiritual benefits of setting a strong niyyah for your actions are immense and will only be magnified when used for this blessed night.
Tip #2: Make a worship plan
“Search for Laylatul Qadr in the odd nights among the last 10 nights of Ramadan” (Bukhari).
As Laylatul Qadr can fall on any one of the last 10 nights in Ramadan, when most of us have more free time, there is potential to do hours of worship.
Given this, it would be wise for us to take the time to make a plan for how we will utilize these hours. We can make a list of duas or sections of the Quran to read, plan what we will have by our side when we worship (such as prayer beads, a blanket, or even coffee, depending on where we are), and also build in periods for rest.
Try to stick to this plan as closely as you can and alter if needed when the last 10 nights of Ramadan approaches.
Tip #3: Include friends, family, and community members
Making your friends, family, and community members a part of your Laylatul Qadr planning can multiply the effects of your worship and bring your hearts closer together during this special time.
You can ask them what duas they’d like you to say for them, share ideas for worship routines and goals, and check in with each other to stay motivated.
Laylatul Qadr occupies an important space within Islamic spiritual practice and within the month of Ramadan itself. Taking care to plan for this special night will help us gain more blessings in our life and incorporate good habits for our worship.
