Now that Ramadan is gradually approaching its last third, it is our task to watch carefully for the Night of Destiny which is "better than a thousand months" and which "is a blessed night in which all affairs are wisely decided." Some scholars have said that the complete Qur’an was sent down from the Guarded Tablet (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfoozh) in the night of Al-Qadr to the House of Glory (Bayt Al-`Izzah) in the lowest heaven, from where it was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad over a period of 23 years. It has been said that someone for whom the secrets of the night are unveiled, will witness blazing lights, the open doors of heaven, angels ascending and descending, and may even see the whole creation prostrating to God, its Maker.

Scholars differ on when the Night takes place; generally it is agreed that it is most likely to occur during the last ten nights, and that it is more probable to fall on an odd-numbered night. It is said that the date is not fixed but moves from year to year. Scholars say that the wisdom in this, is that the believer should devote himself completely to God during all of these nights in hopes that one may coincide with the Night of Destiny.

It has been reported that, “Once the last ten [days of Ramadan] started, the Messenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon him, his family, and companions) used to spend the nights in worship, wake his family, strive, and tighten his belt.” [Bukhari and Muslim]. The phrase "tighten his belt" refers to determination.



Given the tremendousness of this night, it is recommended to seek this night, and to concentrate on Allah in it, with prayer, supplication (du`a), remembrance (dhikr), and other actions of worship. Because obligatory acts are more beloved to Allah than supererogatory ones, the most important thing is to pray both Isha and Fajr at the mosque. After that, the most important of spiritual actions on that night is sincere repentance: one should seek to return to one's Lord through making the firm commitment to leave one’s state of heedlessness and disobedience and make the commitment to turn one’s heart in the direction of Divine Pleasure.



One should strive to "give life" to the night by spending as much of possible in reciting God's book, glorifying Him and asking for forgiveness, because Prophet Muhammad (Peace be upon him) said:



“Whoever prays on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and sincerity, shall have all their past sins forgiven.” [Bukhari and Muslim, from Abu Hurayra (Allah be pleased with him)]



It has been related that angels descend, with their Lord’s permission, saluting those who worship Allah on that night, bringing with them a wish of safety and peace.



For most of us, our state during the fasting month was far from perfect. In fact, all of our acts of worship are accepted only through God's mercy, a drop of which is enough to cover their shortcomings. The Night of Qadr is the period in which this compassion is at its nearest. But we need to make ourselves receptive to it. In the last third of the night, let's try to pull aside the veil of egoistic desires and distraction that covers the heart, and approach God as servants who may leave this world soon, and who need Him at every moment. May Allah guide us inwardly and outwardly, and make us among those that He loves, those who "glorify with praises the Name of your Lord, the Most Great" (al- Waqiah :74)

- taken from an e-zine in nus.-