‘Laylat Al-Qadr’ - A night equivalent to a thousand months

‘Laylat Al-Qadr,’ or the Night of Decree, is a night equivalent to a thousand months. It was in this night of destiny that the very first verses of the glorious Al-Qur’an were revealed to the last and final messenger of God, Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). They were indeed manifest signs of guidance and distinction between right and wrong to the whole of mankind.  

Laylat Al-Qadr, or the Night of Power, may fall in any day among the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadhan. Muslim devotees in every corner of the world await the dawning of this precious night. This holiest of nights is a commemoration of the arrival of the final direction for humans.  

An important announcement is made in the final Testament (the Qur’an) to the mankind by the Creator; “O You who have believed; decreed upon you is Fasting as it was decreed upon those before you, that you may become righteous.”  

It is believed that Laylat Al-Qadr, which marks the beginning of the last and final revelation, was sent down from the preserved tablet ‘Al-Lawh-Al-Mahfooz’ to the first heaven through Angel Jibreel (Gabriel) for a period of 23 years, in stages.  

The last and final Messenger Mohammad (peace be upon him) in the chain of Prophethood of Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Ishmael, Jacob, Moses, Jesus (peace be upon them all), was 40 years old when he received this first revelation of the last testament -- “Ikra! (Recite) in the name of your Lord who created man from a clinging substance.” This distinguished message is to remain till the end of times of man which is a criterion between the right and wrong, and a guide and mercy to mankind. (Quran ch.97)  

The true believer takes advantage of every night by fasting during day and standing in prayer in congregation even till dawn, tears flowing, hearts tremble with devotion towards their maker to whom they ultimately return. The obedient servants of God fall down in prostration, striving to read and comprehend the revelation directly sent down from their Lord and Creator, which gives greatest reasons of guidance and piety.  

This night was given great value. Actions of goodness and piety are valued over 1,000 months which equals to 83 years and 4 months, providing us an opportunity of a lifetime full of worship and reward, in merely one night. Whosoever seeks the graces of Laylat Al-Qadr -- the night of power and grandeur -- all his or her past sins will be forgiven by the Almighty, as He is the Oft’ forgiving, most merciful.  

Do we all not yearn to be labelled ‘sin free’ when we meet our Creator on the Day of Judgement? This month of Ramadhan itself is the best way to rejuvenate our spiritual selves and detox our bodies too. This training of self-restraint supports the believer to abstain from all sorts of sinful temptations.  

This night during Ramadhan is part of a divine scheme without any human intervention. Firstly, an opportunity is paved to mankind to ponder in the realities in this message full of guidance, mercy and blessings. Secondly, matters of paramount importance are settled and decided during this night of Power. Angels descend on this night of decree with ‘Salaam’ (abundant blessings) or peace, verily with the permission of their Lord. In order to rise to the highest spiritual level in this night, many believers throng the mosques in retreat adoring their Lord and Creator, and seek His guidance and blessings. Many have left us, some just prior to this month, so our being alive alone is a blessing to seek its benefits as our presence on the next most blessed night is uncertain.