In Islam Laylatul Qadr (Shab-e-Qadr) is considered to be the most blessed night in the month of Ramadan which is better than a thousand months. This is a night which should be spent worshipping Allah, making dua and seeking his forgiveness.
Allah (Swt) mentioned about Laylatul Qadr in Surah Qadr: The Night of Decree 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 (97:3-5)
And if we look the seerah of our Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) then we will know that how specially attention he gave to the last 10 nights of Ramadan. He not only gave preference to these nights but also told us to pray in Laylatul Qadr so that our previous sins may be forgiven.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Whoever stands (in the voluntary night prayer of) Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. And whoever spends the night of Lailat Al-Qadr in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Sunan an-Nasa’i]
Which Night Is Laylatul Qadr?
Though many scholars and Muslims believe that 27th night of Ramadan is Laylatul Qadr but the Quran and Hadith does not mention the exact night. Rather we are taught to look for the blessed in the last 10 days of Ramadan and especially in the odd numbered nights which are 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th of Ramadan.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) also spent the last 20 days in worshipping Allah (swt) as it is narrated by Aisha (Ra):
With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet ?used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work harder) and used to pray the whole night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers. [Bukhari]
Duas For Laylatul Qadr:
Many people ask what should the read or do in Shab e Qadr? The best thing to do in these blessed nights is to make duas from Allah (Swt). There are many duas which are narrated from Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) which we can use during the blessed nights of Ramadan.
It is narrated from Aisha (Ra) that:
I asked: “O Messenger of Allah! If I realize Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), what should I supplicate in it?” He (?) replied, “You should supplicate: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me).” (Tirmidhi)
Anas (Ra) narrated that: The supplication most often recited by the Prophet (?) was: “Allahumma atina fid-dunya hasanatan, wa fil-akhirati hasanatan, wa qina ‘adhab-annar (O our Rubb! give us in this world that which is good and in the Hereafter that which is good, and save us from the punishment of the Fire).”‘
[Al-Bukhari Book 17, Hadith 1467].
The Messenger of Allah (?) supplicated: “Allahumma musarrifal-qulubi, sarrif qulubana ‘ala ta’atika (O Allah! Controller of the hearts, direct our hearts to Your obedience).” (Book 17, Hadith 1470)
Make Charity:
In Ramadan the reward is increased for every good deed, and in Laylatul Qadr the reward is increased even greater so we should do our best to help those who need our financial help.
Nawafil:
What can be better then praying to your lord for the whole night? If you remember surahs of Quran then try your best to offer as much nawafil as you can especially Tahajud.
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: When one, out of two persons of my Ummah gets up at night and motivates himself for Wudhu despite not feeling to do so since, Shaytaan had tied knots on him. When he washes his two hands in Wudhu, one knot is loosened, when he washes his face, another knot is loosened when he wipes his head with wet hands another knot is loosened, when he washes his feet yet another knot is loosened. Allah Subhanahu Wa Ta’ala says to those behind the veil- His angels: “Look at My slaves! How much hardship he is enduring in dealing with his Nafs (inner self), so now whatever this slave asks of Me, it will be granted to him.” (Ahmad)
Reciting Quran:
This is a blessed night during which the blessed Quran was revealed so why not spend part of the night reading the words of your Lord?
Many people narrates unauthentic stories about this night, others shares signs of the blessed night which have no sources from Islam and we should avoid them.