6 Worship Practices to Attain the Night of Lailatul Qadar, According to the Sunnah of the Prophet Muhammad SAW in Hadith

Kapanlagi.com - Ramadan becomes a sacred month eagerly awaited by Muslims. Ramadan is a special moment where Muslims have the opportunity to get closer to Allah SWT by performing good deeds. One of the highlights of Ramadan is the arrival of the Night of Laylat al-Qadr. Muslims are encouraged to perform various acts of worship on the Night of Laylat al-Qadr.

The exact date of the Night of Laylat al-Qadr is unknown. However, one of the hadiths narrated by Bukhari, Prophet Muhammad (SAW) mentioned that it will fall on one of the odd nights in the last 10 nights of Ramadan.

"Seek Laylat al-Qadr among the odd nights in the last ten nights of Ramadan." (HR. Bukhari)

In Islam, the Night of Laylat al-Qadr is also known as a night better than a thousand months. Laylat al-Qadr, which means "The Night of Power", is a night in the month of Ramadan that has extraordinary virtues. Therefore, worship performed on the night of Lailatul Qadar is considered to have great value.

To obtain the blessings of the night of Lailatul Qadar, Muslims are advised to perform various acts of worship. Here are some acts of worship for the night of Lailatul Qadar according to the recommendation of the Prophet Muhammad in hadith:

1. Maintaining Congregational Prayer

Maintaining Congregational Prayer (credit: unsplash)

Congregational prayer has more virtues compared to individual prayer. The virtue of congregational prayer is multiplied in the month of Ramadan. Therefore, to attain the night of Lailatul Qadar, Muslims are advised to maintain their congregational prayers. This is as stated by Imam Shafi'i based on the saying of the Prophet Muhammad SAW narrated by Uthman bin Affan RA,

"The Prophet Muhammad SAW said: Whoever attends the congregational Isha prayer, then he will have the reward of praying half of the night. Whoever performs the congregational Isha and Fajr prayers, then he will have the reward of praying the whole night." (Narrated by Muslim and Tirmidhi)

2. I'tikaf

I'tikaf (credit: unsplash)

One of the most recommended practices for a Muslim to do on the last nights of Ramadan is i'tikaf or secluding oneself in the mosque. During i'tikaf, Muslims are encouraged to pray, engage in remembrance of Allah, recite the Quran, and perform night prayers. The recommendation for i'tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan is mentioned in the following hadith:

"Aisha reported: The Messenger of Allah, peace and blessings be upon him, would always observe i'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan and he said, 'Seek the Night of Decree in the last ten nights.'" (Sunan al-Tirmidhi)

3. Night Prayer

Night Prayer (credit: unsplash)

As mentioned earlier, during i'tikaf, Muslims are encouraged to perform various acts of worship, including night prayer. The recommendation for night prayer to seek the blessings of Laylat al-Qadr is mentioned in a hadith narrated by Abu Hurairah:

"Whoever stands in prayer on the Night of Decree, out of faith and seeking reward from Allah, their previous sins will be forgiven." (Sahih al-Bukhari and Sahih Muslim)

4. Increasing Quran Recitation

Increasing Quran Recitation (credit: unsplash)

Another recommended practice for a Muslim during the night of Lailatul Qadar is to recite the Quran. This is as exemplified by the Prophet Muhammad in the following hadith:

"Gabriel used to meet him every night in Ramadan, and he would recite the Quran with him." (Bukhari)

5. Praying for Forgiveness

Praying for Forgiveness (credit: unsplash)

One of the virtues of the night of Lailatul Qadar is the opening of the door of forgiveness for all sins. Therefore, in the last nights of Ramadan, Muslims are advised to pray for forgiveness for all the sins they have committed. Here is a hadith that encourages Muslims to pray for forgiveness in the last nights of Ramadan:

"Aisha said, 'I asked the Prophet, 'O Messenger of Allah, if I find the night of Lailatul Qadar, what should I say on that night?' He replied, 'You should say the supplication, 'Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annii (O Allah, You are the Most Forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).'" (Ahmad, Tirmidhi, Nasa'i & Ibn Majah).

6. Reciting Dhikr

Reading Dhikr (credit: unsplash)

To perfect the prayer for forgiveness, on the night of Lailatul Qadar, Muslims are also encouraged to recite the sayyidul istighfar dhikr. This is based on a hadith narrated by Imam Bukhari:

"Allahumma anta rabbii laa ilaaha illaa anta khalaqtanii wa anna 'abduka wa anaa 'alaa 'ahdika wa wa'dika. Mastatha'tu a'uudzu bika min syarri maa shana'tu abuu u laka bini' matika 'alayya wa abuu-u bidzanbii faghfir lii fa innahu laa yagfirudz dzunuuba illa anta."

Meaning:

"O my Lord, You are my Lord. There is no god but You. You created me and I am Your servant. I am committed to my faith according to Your covenant as far as my ability allows. I seek refuge in You from the evil I have done. I acknowledge all Your blessings upon me. I acknowledge my sins. So forgive me, for no one forgives sins except You." (HR Bukhari)

Those are some of the recommended acts of worship that Muslims can do to attain blessings on the night of Lailatul Qadar. May it be beneficial, increase knowledge, and strengthen faith as a Muslim. Ameen.

(kpl/psp)