The Night of Qadr: A Guarantee for a Bright Future

Seyed Hashem Moosavi

Introduction

The upcoming week holds several significant occasions, including the night of the attack on Imam Ali (peace be upon him), his martyrdom, and the grand Nights of Qadr. Each of these events could serve as the main topic of discussion in this article. Since we have previously discussed the noble character of Imam Ali (peace be upon him) on the anniversary of his birth, we refer our esteemed readers to that article. In this edition, we will focus on the value and significance of the Nights of Qadr.

What is the Night of Qadr?

The word “Qadr” means measure, destiny, and decree. The Night of Qadr is also referred to as “Laylat al-‘Azamah” (The Night of Greatness) and “Laylat al-Sharaf” (The Night of Honour).

The significance of the Night of Qadr is universally recognized among all Muslims, with the only difference being the exact determination of its date.

The Night of Qadr is the night when the Qur’an was revealed, and it is the night when the destinies of people for the upcoming year are decreed. The Qur’an speaks about this night in Surah Al-Qadr and Surah Al-Dukhan. According to Quranic verses and narrations, the value of this night surpasses a thousand months.

It is considered the most blessed night of the year, a night of divine mercy and forgiveness of sins. On this night, angels descend to the earth, and according to some Shia narrations, they present the decrees of the coming year to the Imam of the time (peace be upon him).

Muslims spend this night in worship, reciting the Qur’an, supplicating, praying, and engaging in scholarly discussions to gain knowledge and understanding. For Shia Muslims, the struck on Imam Ali (peace be upon him) and his martyrdom during these nights further elevates their significance, and mourning for him has become an integral part of the Night of Qadr rituals.

The Reason Behind Naming the Night of Qadr

Islamic scholars and religious thinkers have provided various explanations regarding the naming of Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree). Some of the most notable interpretations are as follows:

• A Night of Decrees and Destiny: The Night of Qadr is when the destinies of human beings and the events of the upcoming year are determined. Scholars such as Allama Tabatabai and Imam Khomeini have endorsed this view, and Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi considers it to be the most well-known and reliable explanation, aligning with narrations. The Qur’anic evidence for this interpretation comes from Surah Al-Dukhan (44:3-4):

«إِنّا أَنْزَلْناهُ فی لَیْلَة مُبارَکَة، إِنّا کُنّا مُنْذِرینَ، فیها یُفْرَقُ کُلُّ أَمْر حَکیم؛

“Indeed, We sent it down on a blessed night, for We have always been warning [humankind]. On that night, every wise decree is determined.”

• A Night of Great Honor and Status: Since this is a night of immense virtue and dignity, and the noble Qur’an was revealed through a noble angel (Jibreel) to a noble Prophet (Muhammad, peace be upon him) for a noble nation (the Muslim ummah), it is called the Night of Qadr (Destiny, Honor, or Power).
• A Night When the Earth Becomes Constrained: Due to the large number of angels descending to the earth on this night, space on earth becomes “constrained” (Qadr also means restriction or tightness), and hence, it is called the Night of Qadr.
• A Night of Great Status for Worshippers: The high spiritual rank of those who stay awake and worship on this night, along with the great honour of the Qur’an being revealed, makes this night worthy of the name Qadr. 

The Exact Timing of the Night of Qadr

The exact date of the Night of Qadr is unknown, but all Muslims agree that it occurs in the blessed month of Ramadan.

• Shia Belief: According to numerous narrations from the Infallible Imams (peace be upon them), the Night of Qadr is believed to fall on one of the three nights: the 19th, 21st, or 23rd of Ramadan. However, Shia scholars place greater emphasis on the 23rd night.
• Sunni Belief: Sunni scholars, based on Prophetic traditions (hadiths), believe that the Night of Qadr occurs within the last ten nights of Ramadan. Among these, they give special importance to the 27th night of Ramadan.

The Importance of Observing the Night of Qadr

In addition to Quranic verses that highlight the significance of the Night of Qadr, numerous narrations (hadiths) strongly emphasize the importance of worship and night vigil during this blessed night.

Imam Ali (peace be upon him) narrates a fascinating account of the Prophet Muhammad’s (peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny) devotion to the Night of Qadr:

 «أنَّ رَسُولَ اللّهِ کانَ یَطْوى فِراشَهُ وَ یَشُدُّ مِئْزَرَهُ فِى الْعَشْرِ الاْءَواخِرِ مِنْ شَهْرِ رَمَضانَ

“The Messenger of Allah used to fold away his bed and tighten his waistbelt in the last ten nights of Ramadan.” (Nahj al-Balagha, Sermon 192)

He further states:

 « وَ کانَ یُوقِظُ أَهْلَهُ لَیْلَةَ ثَلاثٍ وَ عِشْرینَ وَ کانَ یَرُشُّ وُجُوهَ النِّیامِ بِالْماءِ فى تِلْکَ اللَّیْلَةِ؛

“On the night of the 23rd of Ramadan, he would wake up his family and sprinkle water on the faces of those who were asleep so that they would not miss the blessings of this great night.”

Even on rainy nights, despite the lack of a roof in the Prophet’s Mosque in Medina, he did not abandon prayer and night worship. He remained in water and mud, setting an example for others to stay awake and pray, no matter the conditions.

Additionally, it has been narrated that some of the Infallible Imams (peace be upon them), despite suffering from illnesses in certain years, would request assistance from their companions to take them to the mosque so they could engage in worship and supplication until dawn.

The reason behind the emphasis and recommendations of the Infallible Imams (peace be upon them) regarding the importance of the Night of Qadr lies in its uniqueness among all nights of the year.

The Nights of Qadr present an exceptional opportunity for a person to secure a bright future and gain spiritual insight into their eternal destiny. Instead of reaching a state of regret and remorse after death-when one finally realizes their true position in the hereafter-one can, through spiritual purification in this world, elevate their soul toward the higher realms.

By experiencing the pleasures of divine closeness, one will no longer find sinful pleasures desirable, as they will have tasted a far greater and more profound joy in their connection with Allah.

The opportunity to secure one’s future through the Nights of Qadr is explicitly mentioned in the words of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny)

: «مَنْ اَحْیا لَیْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ حُوِّلَ عَنْهُ الْعَذابُ اِلَى السَّنَةِ الْقابِلَةِ؛

“Whoever revives the Night of Qadr, the punishment will be averted from them until the following year.”

To understand this concept better, imagine a student who is highly regarded by his wise and compassionate professor. This professor provides excellent resources and opportunities for the student to complete his education in the shortest possible time and reach the highest levels of success.

However, due to negligence or bad company, the student fails to attend classes, does not use the university’s facilities, and ignores exams, leading to a bleak future. As a result, he loses hope and become less motivated to make an effort in the coming years.

Now, consider that the kind professor, deeply concerned for the student’s well-being, decides to offer him one last chance. He instructs the student to spend one full day in the university library, studying alongside other students. In return, the professor promises to erase all past failing grades, replace them with passing marks, and cancel the decision to expel the student.

This merciful opportunity is similar to the Nights of Qadr-a time when Allah, out of His infinite compassion, grants His servants the chance to erase their past mistakes, receive divine blessings, and secure a successful and bright future.

Here, we can see three key outcomes of this special opportunity:

1. A Single Night for a Year of Success

By dedicating just one night to worship and spiritual reflection, a person can secure their success for the entire coming year, just as the student, by spending one day in the library, ensures their academic future.

2. Increased Motivation for Continued Growth

Once the student realizes that their future is now secure, they become more motivated to continue striving for success. Similarly, when a believer understands that their sins have been forgiven and that Allah’s mercy has embraced them, they feel an even greater drive to stay on the path of righteousness.

3. A Lasting Love for Worship and Spirituality

Just as the student, after experiencing the joy of studying, may develop a lifelong passion for learning, a believer who truly immerses themselves in worship on the Night of Qadr may taste the sweetness of spirituality and long to maintain that connection with Allah beyond this single night.

Thus, the Nights of Qadr are not just an opportunity for forgiveness but a gateway to a transformed life filled with purpose, motivation, and spiritual enlightenment.

This concept is further confirmed by the words of the Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him and his progeny):

 «مَن قامَ لَیلَةَ القَدرِ إیماناً وَ احتِساباً ، غُفِرلَهُ ما تَقَدَّمَ مِن ذَنبِهِ؛

“Whoever stands in prayer on the Night of Qadr with faith and seeking Allah’s reward, their past sins will be forgiven.” (Sahih Bukhari, Sahih Muslim).

Additionally, the Prophet reassures believers that the punishment they might have faced in the coming year will be averted if they observe this night in worship:

 «مَنْ اَحْیا لَیْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ حُوِّلَ عَنْهُ الْعَذابُ اِلَى السَّنَةِ الْقابِلَةِ؛

“Whoever revives the Night of Qadr, the punishment will be turned away from them until the following year.”

This means that by dedicating a single night to sincere worship, one not only attains forgiveness for past sins but also secures divine protection for the future. Indeed, it is important to recognize that all of Allah’s boundless generosity and grace toward His servants is rooted in His unfathomable love for them. To understand the immense extent of Allah’s love for His creation, we can refer to a sacred narration (Hadith Qudsi) shared by Al-Fayz al-Kashani in his book Al-Mahajat al-Bayda. He quotes a powerful statement from Prophet David (peace be upon him) that is both astonishing and hopeful:

 « أوحَى اللّه ُ إلى داودَ عليه السلام: يا داودُ ، لَو يَعلَمُ المُدبِرونَ عَنّي كَيفَ انتِظاري لَهُم ورِفقي بِهِم وشَوقي إلى تَركِ مَعاصيهِم لَماتوا شَوقا إلَيَّ ، وتَقَطَّعَت أوصالُهُم مِن مَحَبَّتي؛

“Allah revealed to Prophet David (peace be upon him): ‘O David, if those who turn away from Me knew how I wait for them, how I am compassionate toward them, and how I yearn for them to abandon their sins, they would die from longing for Me, and their limbs would be severed from My love.

 «يا داودُ ، هذِهِ إرادَتي فِي المُدبِرينَ عَنّي ، فَكَيفَ إرادَتي فِي المُقبِلينَ عَلَيَّ ؟!؛

O David, this is My will for those who turn away from Me-so how much greater is My will for those who turn toward Me?!

 « يا داودُ ، أحوَجُ ما يَكونُ العَبدُ إلَيَّ إذَا استَغنى عَنّي ، وأرحَمُ ما أكونُ بِعَبدي إذا أدبَرَ عَنّي ، وأجَلُّ مايَكونُ عَبدي إذا رَجَعَ إلَيَّ ؛

O David, the most needy My servant is to Me is when he feels self-sufficient, and the most merciful I am toward My servant is when he turns away from Me. The greatest honour My servant receives from Me is when he returns to Me.

Such a degree of love and mercy toward others, outside the divine realm of Allah, is unfathomable and unique. This level of affection is unparalleled anywhere in the universe. Such a degree of love and mercy towards others is incomprehensible and unparalleled outside the divine realm. This level of love is unparalleled anywhere in the universe. Furthermore, this immeasurable love is related to the ordinary days of interaction between the Creator and His servant, not the special days of the year such as Friday (Jumu’ah), the Day of Arafah, the three white days (Ayyam al-Baid) and especially the month of Ramadan, especially the Nights of Qadr.

During these sacred and luminous moments, only Allah truly knows how much He waits for His servants’ return, how much He suffers from their delayed repentance, and what He is willing to forgive. He is ready to forgive mountains of sins for a speck of repentance.

Therefore, the Night of Qadr is indeed a golden opportunity-an extraordinary chance for forgiveness of sins, experiencing the joy of worship, averting calamities, and asking for the best fate for the future. In essence, it guarantees a bright and blessed future for those who take full advantage of this divine mercy.