Ramadhan is running fast. The countdown has begun, and in the blinking of an eye, the ‘night of power’ (laylatul qadr) has already descended on us. “Ramadhan began so the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: 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,” narrated Anas Ibn Malik. Due to lockdown, and slow pace of work and life, such opportunities for finding the night of power are the rarest.
“Ramadhan is the month in which the rehmah of Allah is on huge spike. Who would not like to make the most of it? Some people reached Ramadhan this year whilst for others the previous one was the last. May Allah pardon all of us. And I am grateful to be alive to witness it this year too,” says Warisha Shamim, who lives in Bengaluru and is a B-Tech student.
“I was fortunate enough to reach the nights of Laylatul Qadr but sadly I didn’t do ibaadah to the hilt. The increment, which I felt in my imaan after Ramadhan 2018, was not felt again. Each passing day, I felt like I am losing my grip from the rope of hidaayah. Small worries started appearing huge to me. Somewhere, my tawakkal was weakening. I started doing things for the sake of people and not for Allah,” she sadly recalls how she was unable to make the best out of those powerful nights.
And within a moment she is back with the spirit of a Muslimah: “I have decided to put an end to all my sins. I know I can’t be perfect. But I will strive. I want to see my Lord. I want to meet Him in Jannah. I want to meet Rasool ﷺ and my mothers and the rashidoon and the saaleheen and the momineen and the muhsineen. Because of the pandemic, everybody is panicking but don’t know why, I find peace in this lockdown. I feel like “people of cave” who were saved by Allah when the outside world was in chaos.” She has now decided to be “more submissive to Allah,” and will not become weak, in the odd nights to bring “goodness and imaan back into her life.”
Many have already started preparing, and have plans at their disposal for Laylatul Qadr, as Nadiya, who currently works for Tata Consultancy Services, puts it, “Taking adequate sleep in daytime so that body is fully energised to perform Salah and do Ibaadah. Reading the Qur’an and reflecting and imbibing its message.
“The only difference is that this time there is no worldly relations and interference due to lockdown. This will help in full devotion and dedication. Planning and dividing time for each act. Preparing the dua list and salahs to be performed. How fortunate is it in lockdown if you find a night which is better than a thousand months or 83 years,” she told Radiance.
“Last year my daughter was born, and I missed my Laylatul Qadr due to health issues. But this year I will try to make the best out of it In Sha Allah,” mentions Kahkashan Aziz, who lives in Pune. And reminds us, “What can be better than finding that night. May Allah help us strive more and accept our ibadah. I also have plans for itikaaf, let’s see if I am able to do it or not as my daughter is very young.”
The ‘Productive Muslim’ website, which helps and guides us on organisational skill and how life of every Muslim/Muslimah should be productive, has shared pointers to consider in worship plan which might help us.
- Remain in I’tikaf: The best way of catching the blessed night is to remain in I’tikaf, which both men and women can do.
- Worship all the 10 nights: Try to worship the whole of the 10 nights or as many days you can manage as that is the best way to catch the unimaginable and incomprehensible rewards of Laylatul Qadr. Each and every good deed from Maghrib until Fajr on Laylatul Qadr is rewarded a minimum of at least 83 years of worship. Subhan Allah, that is longer than most of us will live!
- Best dua of the last 10 nights: Aisha reported: I asked: “O Messenger of Allah! If I realise 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).”
- Give charity: Any good act such as charity during Laylatul Qadr is rewarded like you have done it for over 83 years.
- Eat light: As you will be staying up until Fajr, the more you eat, the harder it will be for you to stay up and the less productive you will be!
- Hydrate well: Keep some water with you all times. This will help you stay up, feel energised and refreshed and have a clearer mind.
- Complete all tasks beforehand: Make arrangements to clear as many of your pending tasks as possible or make a plan for tackling them later. This way, we are free to worship during the 10 nights without being distracted by worldly tasks.
- Show exemplary character: The Prophet said: “Nothing will be heavier on the Day of Resurrection in the Scale of the believer than good manners. Allah hates one who utters foul or coarse language.” [At- Tirmidhi]. So, we must aim to be the best in character during these blessed nights and continue to do so for the rest of the year. We must not argue, swear, backbite, slander or gossip.
- No time wasting: We must make a firm intention that during these blessed 10 nights, we will not take part in idle talk, watch TV, play computer games or spend time on the social media. This is just 10 nights! There will be indeed an utter loss and regret for those of us who waste these blessed 10 nights.
- Making life changes: We should make the necessary changes to improve ourselves as Muslims and what better time to make such changes than during these blessed 10 nights where we can change our lives forever. We must internalise these changes and make a firm commitment to Allah, and maybe that he will wipe off our sins until we become newborn babies, In Sha Allah.
The Messenger of Allah said; “On the morning following Laylatul Qadr, the sun rises not having any rays, as if it were a brass dish, until it rises up.” [Sahih Muslim]. We could be at this moment during last ten days as the 21st night, 23rd night, 25th night! Or the 27th or 29th of Ramadhan.