The Night of Power
The Night of Power is a very important occasion in Islam. It is a night of mercy, blessings, peace and guidance. God says what can be translated as, “We have indeed revealed this (Quran) in the Night of Power. And what will explain to you what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit (Archangel Gabriel) by God’s permission, on every errand. Peace is this night until the rise of morning.” Chapter 97
When the night of spiritual darkness is removed by the glory of God, wonderful peace and sense of security arise in the soul. Such an occasion is one in which divine Wisdom places before us, through Revelation, the solution of spiritual problems of the highest import to mankind. The night that a message descends from God is indeed a blessed night like a day of rain for a parched land.
Why was it named Night of Power?
The following verse of the Quran gives us the answer: “...... in it (the Night of Power) is made distinct every affair of wisdom, by command from Our (Allah’s) presence. We ever send revelations.” (44:4 -5) Qatadah (Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) companion) said, “God passes judgments and prescribes injunctions for His creatures on that night in terms of what will happen in the following year.
In it, God also predetermines the sustenance of His servants, their life span and the moments of each one’s death. It is enough to call it the “Night of Power” due to the fact that the Quran, which has been a great school for mankind, was revealed in its entirety to the first heaven during this blessed night.” Muslims celebrate the Night of Power wholeheartedly and enthusiastically.
Mosques and communities celebrate the night by staying up all night, listening to lectures, reading and reciting the Quran and supplicating to God Almighty to give them more favors and blessings, to forgive their sins and to secure for them a lofty place in Paradise. What is recommended, however, is to reflect on the Divine Words and to act upon them. Unless that is done, the real power will not be received from that night.
When should Muslims await the Night of Power?
Muslims are encouraged to await the Night of Power during the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan, especially the 27th and the 29th. Since over fourteen centuries, Muslims have been and are still striving valiantly to benefit greatly from it. Allah says what can be translated as: “Ramadan is the (month) in which was sent down the Quran, as a guide to mankind, also as clear (signs) for guidance and judgment (between right and wrong).” (2:185)
The Night of Power is better than 1,000 Months Mujahid narrated that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) mentioned to his companions the virtues of a man from the children of Israel who fought sincerely in the cause of God in order to spread freedom and justice for a thousand months. The man used to pray all night long until morning and after it dawned he would pursue his career of fighting against the enemies of God.
Mujahid went on to say that Prophet Muhammad’s (PBUH) companions admired the work of that noble Jewish man and belittled their acts of devotion compared to what he did. In addition, they felt their life span was less than his. The following verse was revealed in order to comfort them and encourage them to continue doing good deeds - and in fact to urge them to vie with each other in doing good deeds.
Good deeds are many and unrestricted depending on one’s purity of intention. We read in the Quran translated as: “We (God) have indeed revealed this Message (Quran) in the Night of Power. And what will explain to you what the Night of Power is. The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.” (Chapter 97)
Some of the Virtues of the Night of Power:
(1) The revelation of the Quran started on this night as stated earlier.
(2) Abu Huraira narrated that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: “Whoever prays at night during the Night of Power with pure belief in God Almighty and in anticipation of great rewards from Him, he will be forgiven his previous sins.” (Reported by Imam AlBukhari and Muslim)
(3) Angels continue descending from the heavens in ranks due to the blessings and mercy of God. Almighty God besets that night with goodness, blessings, and mercy as well as direct acceptance of supplications.
He says what can be translated as: “Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by God’s permission, on every errand.” (97:04) The Spirit is usually understood to be Archangel Gabriel, for he is the spirit of inspiration.
(4) It is such a peaceful night that Satan and his henchmen are unable to spread insinuations and mischief amongst believers. His temptations are fruitless and futile in that neither he nor his cronies can harm anyone. Abu Huraira reported that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said, “It (the Night of Power) certainly occurs either on the 27th night or the 29th of Ramadan and indeed angels on that night spread around the earth and heaven like pebbles.” (By Al-Tayalisi)
Why isn’t there a special fixed night?
It was narrated by Ubadah bin Samit, that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) once set out to inform his companions about the Night of Decree; he passed by two men who were deeply engrossed in an argument. There and then he said, “I had set out to inform you about the special date of the Night of Decree then suddenly I found so and so disputing over trivial matters. Due to that, I was caused to forget it. Perhaps that would be better for you. Therefore, seek that night on the twenty seventh of Ramadan and the twenty ninth.” (Related to Imam Al-Bukhari)
The wisdom behind leaving it ambiguous without one fixed date is that God wanted Muslims to strive hard, especially in the last ten days of Ramadan, in anticipation of the due effects of their tedious efforts of prayer and supplication to God. On that Night, their rewards are tripled or quadrupled and thus they gain forgiveness from God.
How to maximize benefits of the Night of Power (1) Recite the Holy Quran as much as you can
(2) Perform optional prayers after Taraweeh
(3) Remember God continuously and frequently (4) Supplicate for yourself and your fellow Muslims (5) Read books of Hadith (Prophet’s (PBUH) sayings).
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