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'Lailat ul-Qadr' or 'Night of Power'…  a very important occasion in the history of Islam and in our personnel lives.

Allah says in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Qadr:
"We have indeed revealed this (message) in the Night of Power. And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the spirit by God's permission, on every errand: Peace! This until the rise of Morn." (97:1-5)

Allah also says about this powerful night in Surah Dukhan (smoke, mist):
Ha. Mim. By the book that makes things clear. We sent it down during a blessed night. For We (ever) wish to warn (against evil). In that (night) is made distinct every affair of wisdom, by command, from Our Presence. For We (ever) send (revelations), as a mercy from Thy Lord: for He hears and knows (all things). (44:1-6)

Allah said in the Qur'an in Surah A 1-Baqarah (the Cow):
"Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong)."(2:185)

Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) said about Lailatul-Qadr:
It as narrated by Abu Hurayra that Prophet said, "Anyone who stays awake for the Night Of Power with belief and for the pleasure of Allah, all his previous sins will be forgiven."
(Bukhari and Muslim)

It has also been reported by Aisha, the wife of the Prophet (pbuh) who said:
"I asked the Messenger>Of A11ah if I knew which night was the Night of Power and what Prayer I should say during that night? He said to me: Say: "O Allah! You are forgiving and you love forgiveness, so you too forgive me.

From the foregoing verses of the Qur'an and the sayings of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) I would like to mention to you the following:

The Night Of Power is better for you to live, to experience and to enjoy than one thousand months of your personal life. Even if you were to live one thousand months (83.3 years) with sincerity, dedication, and sacrifices and with good intentions and deeds, the Night Of Power is still far better for you to live and to enjoy.

The Revelation of the Qur'an started in the month of Ramadan and specifically on the Night Of Power. The Revelation of the Qur'an; a sign of Mercy, a guide and a blessing of Allah to mankind.

Anyone who is interested in finding the best guide, he/she should look into the teachings of the Qur'an.

The Night of Power is a night of blessings Allah has blessed this Night. Therefore whosoever is interested in receiving the blessings of Allah may look forward to the Night of Power.

Anyone who seeks the Night of Power and lives it, all his/her sin will be erased. This is, as if, he/she is, born again now free of all sin and mistakes.

I am sure every one of us would like to live a life free of sins an free of mistakes. Everyone would like to meet Allah on the Day of Judgment without sins. Every one of us would like to feel that he/she is reborn today. All of us wish to rejuvenate ourselves, and to start a new year with a fresh outlook and a fresh life. Every one of us wants to live a pure life and everyone wants to purify himself/herself without anguish or torment. The Night of Power is one of the best ways in which a person is to achieve all these ideals. For this reason may I suggest that you start looking for it, so you will be able to observe it and enjoy it.

As far as determining the Night of Power (Lailatul Qadr) is concerned, it has been reported to be during one of the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, i.e. 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. It has been emphasized that it is most likely to be the 27th night.

As far as the signs of Lailatul-Qadr are concerned:

1. The sun rises early in the morning without rays.
2. Rain may fall either during the night or during the day of that night.
3. During night the sky will be lightly foggy.
4. The sky will be slightly lighted without reflections and without rays.
5. The angels and Gabriel all descend down onto earth for many purposes.

If you are interested in living the Night of Power, let me remind you of some of the things that you might have to do.

1. Try to observe it during the last ten days of Ramadan, at the time of sunrise, during the days and the nights.

2. On the nights one may spend the time collectively and/or individually observing the following activities:
a. Recitation of the Our'an.
b. Prayers-Nafl after Taraweeh.
c. Remembrance of Allah or zikr
d. Supplication or Du'a for you and for others.
e. Pondering and contemplating into the universe, the creation of the Heavens and the   Earth:  "...and they contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heaven and the earth…."(3:191)
f. Reading books of Hadeeth so as to enjoy the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (pbuh).
g. Reading Tafseer of Qur'an.
h. Giving charity to others if you can afford it.
i. Trying to explain Islam, if you know something about it, to those next to you so they will benefit from you.

To summarize, I would like to mention the following:

The Night of Power is a very important occasion in Islam. Everyone is asked to live it and to enjoy it. This Night is a night of Mercy, a night of Blessing, a night of Peace and a night of Guidance. It is a night of Unification between the finite world of ours and the Infinite Universe of the Unseen.

Anyone who is interested in attaining the Mercy of Allah will strive very hard to look for the Night of Power. Anyone who is interested in receiving the blessings of Allah on the Blessed Night will work very hard to enjoy the Night of Power. Anyone who is interested in attaining peace of mind, peace of body and peace in society, he has to look for this Night and to live it.

May Allah give us the strength, the power, the courage and the effort to do our best to obey Allah and to follow His teachings. May Allah guide us and may Allah strengthen our Iman May Allah help us to live another year with sincerity and devotion. May Allah make us realize that one year of our life is over and that we are one year closer to our graves.

Let us wake up and do our best to please Allah in our daily life. Let us ask Almighty Allah forgiveness. Ameen.

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