The Night of Blessings and Forgiveness

Shab-e-Qadr, or ‘The Night of Power,’ is one of the sacred nights and is believed to be the night when the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). From far and wide, Muslims hold on dearly for this night that affords them blessings, mercy, and forgiveness from Allah. For during this night, a verse in the Holy Quran says, ‘It is better than a thousand months, meaning the worship performed in this night will earn the worshipper the reward of such worship during more than eighty years of his life.’

Shab-e-Qadr is sought during the last ten days of Ramadan; the exact date for this sacred night is unknown, but it is widely believed to lie on the 27th night of Ramadan. However, other scholars are of the opinion that every odd night in the last ten days may also be Shab-e-Qadr, such as the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th. This uncertainty stirs Muslims into continuous worship for all these nights.

Shab-e-Qadr is a night full of meaningful reflection and connection with Allah. Believers engage all night long in prayer, recitation of the Quran, engaging dhikr, supplicating for their needs, and asking forgiveness for their sins. Circuitously, many more Muslims spend time praying the Tahajjud prayer so that they may draw closer to Allah and ask Him for guidance and mercy. It truly is the time to throw oneself before Allah with complete sincerity and devotion.

Forgiveness is one of the central themes of this night. The Prophet (PBUH) used to say that Muslims should say this supplication: “O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love to forgive; so forgive me.” These simple words remind the believers of Allah’s abundant mercy and kindness. No matter how grave one’s sins might have been, the door of forgiveness is always open for anyone who turns back to Allah in true repentance. In fact, the merits of this worship are beyond comprehension. The angels descend to this world, with peace everywhere. The Quran says: “It is the night of peace until the emergence of dawn.” So anyone that prays, seeks forgiveness, and makes dua during this night becomes a recipient of tranquility and blessings in their lives. Many Muslims celebrate Shab-e-Qadr with charity. Even more, deeds become valuable since the rewards are exponentially multiplied. Acts of feeding the hungry, helping the needy, and contributing to good causes are encouraged. This serves the true spirit of Islam, in which compassion and generosity are the main tenets.

A gathering for prayers is organized by families in mosques or at home. Some people may tend to stay awake the whole night, while others go on and off. While being so filled with worshippers from every corner of the world, the ambience in mosques becomes spiritually overwhelming. The sense of togetherness amongst Muslims is quite intense this night, with everyone engaged in the spirit of the night in search of Allah’s mercy.
The Quran bestows upon Shab-e-Qadr the honor of being the night of enactment of destiny for the coming year. The belief is that it is on this night that Allah actually writes fates of the people-from health to wealth and life events-for the next twelve months. Hence, everybody will pray for a nice and prosperous future and protection from hardships.

This night denotes the emphasis on the significance of the Quran in a Muslim’s life. On this night the first verses of the Quran were revealed. It is stressed that Muslims should nurture their relationship with the Quran by reading, understanding, and implementing its teachings in their daily lives. The Quran is not a history book but a book of directions for every aspect of life.
Another notable act this night includes praying for one another with utmost sincerity and devotion. Individuals petition Allah for everything they desire: fine health, success, guidance, and inner tranquillity. An ardent belief exists that whatever is requested on this night is granted. Many pray especially for their parents, the good health of the entire Muslim Ummah, and worldly peace.

Shab-e-Qadr is a lesson of patience, humility, and gratitude. It serves as a reminder to Muslims that faith and devotion count. In a world filled with distractions of materialism, the night provides a break from the usual and a way to reestablish that spiritual connection. It’s a time to purify the mind and renew one’s promise to Allah. In the last ten nights of Ramadan, the Prophet (PBUH) engaged in prayer and seclusion. This practice of retreating into prayer and reflection is called Itikaf and has been followed by many Muslims until today, who retreat to mosques far removed from the distractions of daily life for the purposes of prayer and contemplation. Itikaf cleanses the soul and deepens the bond with Allah.

Although Shab-e-Qadr is a significant night, the carrying of its spirit into the day’s affairs and activities should be really done by a Muslim every day in the year. It should be a worship that should not really end with that one night of praying but should be continued as part of life in daily living. Children learn about the significance of such nights as early as possible. Parents tell them of the blessings and times when they should pray, even if for some time. This, in return, teaches them a love for worship and appreciates the religion a little bit more.

The night also reminds one about being thankful for what he has been given. Most individuals forget to appreciate the blessings they have due to the rush of life. Shab-e-Qadr moves one toward self-reflection and reminds him to be thankful for what he has and seek guidance on how to become a better person. It is also a time of the year for seeking forgiveness from everybody. As Allah forgives His servants, Muslims are also taught to break their hatred for others and prescribe courses for reconciliation after years of conflict. As a matter of fact, the act of a single word or a simple favor can bring peace within him and fortify the tie with families and friends.

With the dawn coming, the people who spent the night in prayer feel contentment and peace. This function is not wasted as Allah promises huge rewards in the end. The inner happiness and contentment lie in the feeling of being close to Allah.

Shab-e-Qadr isn’t only about private worship. It becomes an act through which one may make the world better. Most of the Muslims who experience this night with sincerity have inspired themselves to make goodness in their society, whether through helping the needy, being kind to others, or living an honest life: all the long lessons of this night inspire his positive change.

Though it comes only once in a year, the implications of Shab-e-Qadr can last a longer time. It teaches the importance of faith, the strength of prayer, and the beauty of forgiveness. It reminds one that, no matter how hard life is, the mercy of Allah surpasses it all. At the end, Shab-e-Qadr is a night of hope, a night of mercy, and a night with infinite possibilities ahead. At this time, opening hearts, forgiven sins, and prayers are realized. Every Muslim should idealize this night, spend time on it, and convey all such blessings into his regular life.

(Author is Professor and Secretary General of Forum for Muslim Studies & Analysis (FMSA) Email: profjasimmd@gmail.com)