Rituals of the Night of Power
Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr) is the night, which is the most blessed and excellent of all nights. A prayer during this night is superior to the prayer of a thousand months. The destiny for the year is decided on this night. The Angels and Roohul Ameen (a highly dignified Angel) descend on this earth, with the permission of Allah (swt) & call on the Imam of the time, and what is ordained (by Allah) for everybody is presented before the Imam.
1. Take a Ghusl preferably near sunset time (wudhu also required) and Give/pre arrange for Sadqa/Charity tonight.
2. Recite two units prayer, in every unit recite Sura-al-Hamd, and Sura Ikhlaas seven times. (for seeking protection against sinning for the seven organs) After finishing the prayer, recite 70 times:
I seek the forgiveness of Allah and I repent before Him.
It is reported from the Prophet (pbuh&hh) that by the time the reciter will rise from his place Allah (swt) will have forgiven him and his parents. Try to first be really repentant for serious mistakes done, sincerely ask for forgiveness either by: (a) recalling 70 different sins OR (b) feeling remorseful for 10 sins of the 7 main organs: eyes, ears, tongue, hands, mouth, stomach + private parts OR (c) some particular sins that you may have committed repeatedly OR (d) recalling the variety of punishments of different sins and finally resolve NOT TO Repeat them in the future, then only can one realistically expect to deserve the reward the HP has promised “Whoever performs this act will surely be forgiven by the Almighty even before here rises from his place".
3. Remember your sins & seek forgiveness. Recite 100 times
"I seek the forgiveness of Allah, my Lord, and I repent before Him."
Recite other supplications related to Repentance:- Munajat e Taebeen, Tauba (Repentant) Supplication & Kumayl Supplication.
4. The Holy Qur’an should be opened and placed in front, then one should recite:
When opening the Qur’an and praying for your needs with the intercession of the Qur’an, realize that while the Qur’an is a cure for spiritual illness, it only benefits the pious ones and the evil doers are deprived of its illumination. Thus increase the chances for Qur’an intercession to work on your behalf by earnestly following the rulings of the Qur’an.
O Allah, in the name of this Holy Book sent by Thee, whatever there be in the Book. Including Ism-e-A'azam and Asmaa-e-Husnaa and the things to be dreaded, the things that may be expected and desired, (like blessings of Heaven). Treat me as one of those who are free from Hell fire
Place the Holy Qur’an on ones head and say,
While placing the Qur’an on the head. Remind yourself that true salvation can only be achieved by always keeping the rules of qur’an ahead of us to follow. The fact that we put the Qur’an on our head is a sign of respect and reverence. We beseech Allah by the thaqalayn - the speaking and the silent Qur’an. - Holy Qur’an (39:56) Pray for Aql/Intelligence to be Kamil (complete), it is Kashe (submits) to Qur’an & acquires Noor (light) from it.
O Allah! I appeal to Thee in the name of this Qur’an and the Rooh that was sent along with it, and in the name of the Momin (believer) whose praise is contained in this Book and The obligation that is on them. No one else recognizes the right and truth more than Thee
After this repeat 10 times each: As you seek intercession of the Almighty (bika ya al…) and the 14 Infallibles (Ahlulbayt as) realize that God is limitless in Mercy and the Infallibles are pure agencies for the distribution of divine mercy to all creations.
For Your sake, O Allah,
for the sake of Mohammad,
for the sake of Ali,
for the sake of Fatima,
for the sake of Hasan,
for the sake of Hussein,
for the sake of Ali ibn Hussein,
for the sake of Mohammad ibn Ali,
for the sake of Ja`far ibn Mohammad,
for the sake of Musa ibn Jafar,
for the sake of Ali ibn Musa,
for the sake of Muhammad ibn Ali,
for the sake of Ali ibn Mohammad,
for the sake of Hasan ibn Ali,
for the sake of al-Hujjah.
One should then pray to Almighty Allah to fulfill one’s desires.
5. Recite the Ziarat of Imam Hussein (A.S.). According to Hadith, during Lailat-e-Qadr an angel proclaims from the Arsh (throne) on the Seventh sky that Allah has forgiven who have visited the grave of Imam Hussein (as).
While performing Ziyarah of Imam Hussein (as), remind yourself that on this night, the souls of 124,000 Prophets (peace be upon them all) visit Imam, who is aware of our inner spiritual reality and is hurt and repulsed by our record of repeated evil deeds, indifference to God’s commandments; thus, we should avoid disgracing ourselves in that great audience of Imam. Also, associate the themes in the ZIYARAH of: - Firm bond of love and obedience of God (SALAT). -Economic betterment of community (ZAKAT). -Overall mobilization of forces towards virtue (AMR BIL MA`RUF). -Overall cleansing of evil from society. -All-out war in all spheres of life to promote truth (JIHAD). -Tremendous endurance of all ensuing difficulties (SABR). -Complete distancing (LA`NAH) from all forms of injustice (DHULM) with destiny- shaping opportunity of this night and resolve to become on active player in improving the future in preparation for the REAPPEARANCE OF AL-MAHDI.
6. Recite supplication:
Jawshan Kabir (1000 names of Allat swt) & Jawshan Saghir.
7. Pray for others - Think of the many people all over the world who are in great difficulty & pray for them.
8. Keep awake the whole night. Ensure that you don't doze /nap at all. It has been reported that whoever keeps awake during Laylatul Qadr will have all his sins forgiven even if they number the stars in the sky, the stones in the mountains and are of the quantity of water in the seas.
9. Remember Imam Mahdi (May Allah hasten his honorable revelation) much throughout the night & recite
Faraj Supplication for Imam (May Allah hasten his honorable revelation) as many times as possible intermittently. Ziarat Ale Yasin & Nudba Supplication may also be recited.
10. Recite Makarem akhlaq Supplication (noble traits) & 15 Whispered prayers from Sahifa Sajjadia
11. Recite prayer of Jafar e Tayyar & Tahajjud prayer at the end of the night.
12. Allama Majlisi has stated that the best prayer during these nights is to seek forgiveness and seek ones wishes for this world and the hereafter and recite as much salwaat as possible. The Holy Prophet (pbuh&hh) was asked what should be sought from Allah (swt) on Laylatul Qadr and he replied, "Health".
13. Recite a hundred units and it is preferable that in each unit after the recitation of Sura Fatiha, Sura Ikhlaas be recited ten times. (It can be recited as 6 day prayer if someone has Qaza or sitting)
14. Last 10 Nights supplications
15. Al-Kafamiy has narrated that Imam Zayn al-Abiden (a.s) used to say this supplication very frequently at the Qadr nights while sitting, standing, in rukuu', and prostrating:
O Allah, surely I am at this evening Your passive slave;
I have no control of hurt or good to myself
and I cannot drive back any evil from myself.
I testify to this against myself.
To You do I confess of my powerlessness
and my feebleness.
So, (please do) send blessings to Mohammad and the Household of Mohammad
and fulfill what You have promised me,
as well as all the believing men and women;
that is Your forgiveness at this night,
and accomplish that which You have conferred upon me,
for I am Your slave—the poor, the humble,
the weak, the needy, and the humiliated.
O Allah, (please) do not make me negligent of the mention of You as regards that which You have bestowed upon me,
do not make me inadvertent to Your favors to me as regards that which You have given me,
do not make me despair of Your responding to me, even if such response is postponed,
whether I be in prosperity, adversity,
hardship, comfort,
wellbeing, ordeal,
misery, or bliss.
Verily, You are the Hearer of prayers.
Alternate Translation: I have passed the evening as a very humble servant of Thee. I have no control over the gains and losses for my person. I cannot remove any evil from myself. I depose against my conscience. I admit my weakness and inability of managing my affairs. Bestow Thy blessings on Mohammad (saw.) and his Family. Whatever Thou hast given me or promised, fulfill that. Verily! I am Thy humble, weak and destitute servant. O Allah! Let me not forget the blessings that Thou hast bestowed on me, and let me not be forgetful about Thy kindness. Do not deny me Thy acceptance though it may be delayed, may it pertain to sorrow or happiness, and may it be connected with peace and tranquility or hardship and vicissitudes or pertaining to blessings. Thou hears and accepts invocations in every condition.
In surah Al Qadr Allah (swt) clearly states: ﴾Surely We revealed it (the Holy Qur’an) on the grand night. And what will make you comprehend what the grand night. The grand night is better than a thousand months. The angels and Gabriel descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair, Peace! It is till the break of the morning. (97:1-5)﴿
Allah (swt) is inviting all the believers for a Divine feast; the invitation which has been brought by the messengers. Allah (swt) is the host, his most favorite angels are the servants and the believers are the guests. The table is spread with Divine blessings containing all sorts of rewards and favors. Though the eyes cannot see them nor the ears hear them not the human hearts imagine them, yet the bounties are all kept in readiness to be awarded to the guests in accordance to her actions.
On a final note, our destiny to large extent can be changed in this very night and much depends on us, how we decide to utilize both the night and the day of Qadr and for that matter each single moment of this blessed month of Ramadan.
Let us therefore pray together that we may be granted the Tawfiq to be able to do the rituals of Laylatul Qadr in its correct essence, that we may be granted the Maghferah and that we may earn the Pleasure of Allah (swt) in such a manner that our lives take a positive turn in a manner that we may earn the salvation for both this world and the Hereafter. Ameen
A humble request that we remember each other in our prayers and especially those we do not forget the oppressed, the suffering & our Deceased and our moujahideen.
/129
Night of Power (Laylatul Qadr) is the night, which is the most blessed and excellent of all nights. A prayer during this night is superior to the prayer of a thousand months. The destiny for the year is decided on this night. The Angels and Roohul Ameen (a highly dignified Angel) descend on this earth, with the permission of Allah (swt) & call on the Imam of the time, and what is ordained (by Allah) for everybody is presented before the Imam.
1. Take a Ghusl preferably near sunset time (wudhu also required) and Give/pre arrange for Sadqa/Charity tonight.
2. Recite two units prayer, in every unit recite Sura-al-Hamd, and Sura Ikhlaas seven times. (for seeking protection against sinning for the seven organs) After finishing the prayer, recite 70 times:
I seek the forgiveness of Allah and I repent before Him.
It is reported from the Prophet (pbuh&hh) that by the time the reciter will rise from his place Allah (swt) will have forgiven him and his parents. Try to first be really repentant for serious mistakes done, sincerely ask for forgiveness either by: (a) recalling 70 different sins OR (b) feeling remorseful for 10 sins of the 7 main organs: eyes, ears, tongue, hands, mouth, stomach + private parts OR (c) some particular sins that you may have committed repeatedly OR (d) recalling the variety of punishments of different sins and finally resolve NOT TO Repeat them in the future, then only can one realistically expect to deserve the reward the HP has promised “Whoever performs this act will surely be forgiven by the Almighty even before here rises from his place".
3. Remember your sins & seek forgiveness. Recite 100 times
"I seek the forgiveness of Allah, my Lord, and I repent before Him."
Recite other supplications related to Repentance:- Munajat e Taebeen, Tauba (Repentant) Supplication & Kumayl Supplication.
4. The Holy Qur’an should be opened and placed in front, then one should recite:
When opening the Qur’an and praying for your needs with the intercession of the Qur’an, realize that while the Qur’an is a cure for spiritual illness, it only benefits the pious ones and the evil doers are deprived of its illumination. Thus increase the chances for Qur’an intercession to work on your behalf by earnestly following the rulings of the Qur’an.
O Allah, in the name of this Holy Book sent by Thee, whatever there be in the Book. Including Ism-e-A'azam and Asmaa-e-Husnaa and the things to be dreaded, the things that may be expected and desired, (like blessings of Heaven). Treat me as one of those who are free from Hell fire
Place the Holy Qur’an on ones head and say,
While placing the Qur’an on the head. Remind yourself that true salvation can only be achieved by always keeping the rules of qur’an ahead of us to follow. The fact that we put the Qur’an on our head is a sign of respect and reverence. We beseech Allah by the thaqalayn - the speaking and the silent Qur’an. - Holy Qur’an (39:56) Pray for Aql/Intelligence to be Kamil (complete), it is Kashe (submits) to Qur’an & acquires Noor (light) from it.
O Allah! I appeal to Thee in the name of this Qur’an and the Rooh that was sent along with it, and in the name of the Momin (believer) whose praise is contained in this Book and The obligation that is on them. No one else recognizes the right and truth more than Thee
After this repeat 10 times each: As you seek intercession of the Almighty (bika ya al…) and the 14 Infallibles (Ahlulbayt as) realize that God is limitless in Mercy and the Infallibles are pure agencies for the distribution of divine mercy to all creations.
For Your sake, O Allah,
for the sake of Mohammad,
for the sake of Ali,
for the sake of Fatima,
for the sake of Hasan,
for the sake of Hussein,
for the sake of Ali ibn Hussein,
for the sake of Mohammad ibn Ali,
for the sake of Ja`far ibn Mohammad,
for the sake of Musa ibn Jafar,
for the sake of Ali ibn Musa,
for the sake of Muhammad ibn Ali,
for the sake of Ali ibn Mohammad,
for the sake of Hasan ibn Ali,
for the sake of al-Hujjah.
One should then pray to Almighty Allah to fulfill one’s desires.
5. Recite the Ziarat of Imam Hussein (A.S.). According to Hadith, during Lailat-e-Qadr an angel proclaims from the Arsh (throne) on the Seventh sky that Allah has forgiven who have visited the grave of Imam Hussein (as).
While performing Ziyarah of Imam Hussein (as), remind yourself that on this night, the souls of 124,000 Prophets (peace be upon them all) visit Imam, who is aware of our inner spiritual reality and is hurt and repulsed by our record of repeated evil deeds, indifference to God’s commandments; thus, we should avoid disgracing ourselves in that great audience of Imam. Also, associate the themes in the ZIYARAH of: - Firm bond of love and obedience of God (SALAT). -Economic betterment of community (ZAKAT). -Overall mobilization of forces towards virtue (AMR BIL MA`RUF). -Overall cleansing of evil from society. -All-out war in all spheres of life to promote truth (JIHAD). -Tremendous endurance of all ensuing difficulties (SABR). -Complete distancing (LA`NAH) from all forms of injustice (DHULM) with destiny- shaping opportunity of this night and resolve to become on active player in improving the future in preparation for the REAPPEARANCE OF AL-MAHDI.
6. Recite supplication:
Jawshan Kabir (1000 names of Allat swt) & Jawshan Saghir.
7. Pray for others - Think of the many people all over the world who are in great difficulty & pray for them.
8. Keep awake the whole night. Ensure that you don't doze /nap at all. It has been reported that whoever keeps awake during Laylatul Qadr will have all his sins forgiven even if they number the stars in the sky, the stones in the mountains and are of the quantity of water in the seas.
9. Remember Imam Mahdi (May Allah hasten his honorable revelation) much throughout the night & recite
Faraj Supplication for Imam (May Allah hasten his honorable revelation) as many times as possible intermittently. Ziarat Ale Yasin & Nudba Supplication may also be recited.
10. Recite Makarem akhlaq Supplication (noble traits) & 15 Whispered prayers from Sahifa Sajjadia
11. Recite prayer of Jafar e Tayyar & Tahajjud prayer at the end of the night.
12. Allama Majlisi has stated that the best prayer during these nights is to seek forgiveness and seek ones wishes for this world and the hereafter and recite as much salwaat as possible. The Holy Prophet (pbuh&hh) was asked what should be sought from Allah (swt) on Laylatul Qadr and he replied, "Health".
13. Recite a hundred units and it is preferable that in each unit after the recitation of Sura Fatiha, Sura Ikhlaas be recited ten times. (It can be recited as 6 day prayer if someone has Qaza or sitting)
14. Last 10 Nights supplications
15. Al-Kafamiy has narrated that Imam Zayn al-Abiden (a.s) used to say this supplication very frequently at the Qadr nights while sitting, standing, in rukuu', and prostrating:
O Allah, surely I am at this evening Your passive slave;
I have no control of hurt or good to myself
and I cannot drive back any evil from myself.
I testify to this against myself.
To You do I confess of my powerlessness
and my feebleness.
So, (please do) send blessings to Mohammad and the Household of Mohammad
and fulfill what You have promised me,
as well as all the believing men and women;
that is Your forgiveness at this night,
and accomplish that which You have conferred upon me,
for I am Your slave—the poor, the humble,
the weak, the needy, and the humiliated.
O Allah, (please) do not make me negligent of the mention of You as regards that which You have bestowed upon me,
do not make me inadvertent to Your favors to me as regards that which You have given me,
do not make me despair of Your responding to me, even if such response is postponed,
whether I be in prosperity, adversity,
hardship, comfort,
wellbeing, ordeal,
misery, or bliss.
Verily, You are the Hearer of prayers.
Alternate Translation: I have passed the evening as a very humble servant of Thee. I have no control over the gains and losses for my person. I cannot remove any evil from myself. I depose against my conscience. I admit my weakness and inability of managing my affairs. Bestow Thy blessings on Mohammad (saw.) and his Family. Whatever Thou hast given me or promised, fulfill that. Verily! I am Thy humble, weak and destitute servant. O Allah! Let me not forget the blessings that Thou hast bestowed on me, and let me not be forgetful about Thy kindness. Do not deny me Thy acceptance though it may be delayed, may it pertain to sorrow or happiness, and may it be connected with peace and tranquility or hardship and vicissitudes or pertaining to blessings. Thou hears and accepts invocations in every condition.
In surah Al Qadr Allah (swt) clearly states: ﴾Surely We revealed it (the Holy Qur’an) on the grand night. And what will make you comprehend what the grand night. The grand night is better than a thousand months. The angels and Gabriel descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair, Peace! It is till the break of the morning. (97:1-5)﴿
Allah (swt) is inviting all the believers for a Divine feast; the invitation which has been brought by the messengers. Allah (swt) is the host, his most favorite angels are the servants and the believers are the guests. The table is spread with Divine blessings containing all sorts of rewards and favors. Though the eyes cannot see them nor the ears hear them not the human hearts imagine them, yet the bounties are all kept in readiness to be awarded to the guests in accordance to her actions.
On a final note, our destiny to large extent can be changed in this very night and much depends on us, how we decide to utilize both the night and the day of Qadr and for that matter each single moment of this blessed month of Ramadan.
Let us therefore pray together that we may be granted the Tawfiq to be able to do the rituals of Laylatul Qadr in its correct essence, that we may be granted the Maghferah and that we may earn the Pleasure of Allah (swt) in such a manner that our lives take a positive turn in a manner that we may earn the salvation for both this world and the Hereafter. Ameen
A humble request that we remember each other in our prayers and especially those we do not forget the oppressed, the suffering & our Deceased and our moujahideen.
/129