Laylah al-Qadr

In the Name of Allah, the Most Beneficent, the Most Merciful.
Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree)
And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?
The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) 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).
Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (Jibrael (Gabriel)) by Allahs Permission with all Decrees,
Peace! (All that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn.

97:1-5

Amongst the nights of Ramadan, there is one called "Laylah al Qadr", a night that is noted for its great blessings. The Quran describes it as being greater in blessings and spiritual virtue than a thousand months, which in turn means that it is more valuable than eighty three years and four months.

VIRTUES OF THE NIGHT OF POWER

Whoever stands (in prayer) on the night of power with Iman and with hope of reward all his previous sins are forgiven.

al-Bukhari, Muslim

Look for the night of power amongst the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.

al-Bukhari

THE ORIGIN

Regarding this night, in a Hadith reported by Anas t that Rasulullah P.B.U.H. is reported to have said: "Allah, the mighty and magnificent has gifted this Ummah Laylah al-Qadr and He had not given it to any who came before them".

al-Firdaws

The Messenger of Allah P.B.U.H. mentioned a man from the Children of Israel, as having worn his battle-garb in the path of Allah for a thousand months. The Sahabah were overawed at that, (in not being able to emulate it due to their lives not being as long as their previous counterparts"). Thus Allah revealed Surah al-Qadr and (the night better than a thousand months) in which a person can wear the battle-garb in the path of Allah.

al-Bayhaqi, Ibn Kathir, as-Suyuti in Lubab an-Nuqul

Along these lines another tradition adds:
"There was a man amongst the Children of Israel who would stand the nights in prayer and the days in fighting the enemies (of Allah). This, he continued for a thousand months. Thus Allah revealed Surah al-Qadr and (the night better than a thousand months) in which a person can equal that.

as-Suyuti in Lubab an-Nuqul

The above show that Allah, in His love for this Ummah, offers us the opportunity to overtake the monumental works of previous nations through this month and more specifically this night.

WHEN IS LAYLAH AL-QADR?

In regards to the date of Laylah al-Qadr, its exact date is not mentioned in the Quran. In the Ahadith, also, no exact date is given.

The Messenger of Allah has said:
"I was shown this night but I was made to forget its date."

al-Bukhari

The Messenger of Allah has said this to guide us to it:
Look for the night of power amongst the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.

al-Bukhari

He further mentioned:
"Search for it in the last seven nights."

al-Bukhari

This narrows the search down to the 25th, 27th and 29th, as they are the only odd numbers in the last seven days when the month is of thirty days. However, one should also remember that a month can be of twenty-nine days, in which case the 23rd day would also be in the threshold of the above traditions.

Many people have speculated that Laylatul Qadr is the 27th night.

While this is indeed possible, it has not been confirmed by the Messenger P.B.U.H.. What one should endeavour to do is to allocate as much time as possible for worship in all of the said nights as they all can very possibly be the Night of Qadr.

Note: One must always remember that Islam considers the night to precede the day. So when searching for the night of power always remember to set aside the night before the corresponding fast. So if one were to try to stay awake the 25th night, one will stay awake the night that follows the 24th Sawm.