How to Observe Laylat Al-Qadr

Someone sent this question: “As-salamu `alaykum. How should we observe Laylat Al-Qadr and which night of Ramadan is it?“

Wa `alaykum as-Salamu wa Rahmatullahi wa Barakatuh.

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.

Imam Ahmad and Muslim narrated that the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) used to strive harder in worship during the last ten days of Ramadan than he ever did at any other time, praying, reciting the Quran, and making duaa.

Al-Bukhari and Muslim narrated from Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) that when the last ten days of Ramadan came, the Prophet (peace and blessings of be upon him) would stay up at night and would wake his family up and would abstain from marital relations.

The Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) enjoined staying up and praying on Laylat Al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward.

Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him) narrated that the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) said, “Whoever stays up and prays on Laylat Al-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”(Al-Bukhari and Muslim)

The previous hadith indicates that it is recommended to observe Laylat Al-Qadr by spending the night in Prayer.

One of the best supplications that may be recited on Laylat Al-Qadr is that which the Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) taught to Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her).

Aishah (may Allah Almighty be pleased with her) said, “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is Laylat Al-Qadr, what should I say on that night?’ He said, ‘Say: Allaahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibb al-`afwa fa`affu `anni ’” (At-Tirmidhi)

With regard to specifying which night of Ramadan is Laylat Al-Qadr, this needs specific evidence, but the odd-numbered nights during the last ten nights are more likely than others, and the night of the 27th is the most likely to be Laylat Al-Qadr because that is mentioned in the Prophetic hadiths.