This document discusses the Night of Decree (Lailatul Qadr) in Islam. It notes that on this night, Allah decrees all matters for the coming year. The most correct view is that Lailatul Qadr falls in the last ten nights of Ramadan, most likely on the odd nights of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. The document provides guidance on how Muslims can seek this night through prayer, supplication, reading Quran and staying awake with their families. Signs of Lailatul Qadr include the sky being calm and peaceful and the sun rising in the morning in a weak and red manner. The document also discusses the prescription

1. LAILATUL-QADR
(THE NIGHT OF DECREE)
Its excellence
Allaah the Mighty and Majestic says,
“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.” Al-Qur’aan 97:3
And it is on this night that all the Wise Decrees of Allaah are made.
“Therein is decreed every matter of ordainment, as a command from
us.” Al-Qur’aan 44:4-5
Note - Some people say that the decree of matters happens on the 15th
of Sha’baan. This is an erroneous and baseless claim.

2. When is it?
The most correct saying, and Allaah knows best, is that it occurs in
the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadhaan. Allaah’s
Messenger sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam while doing I’tikaaf (Seclusion in
the Masjid) in the last ten days of Ramadhaan used to say,
“Seek out Lailatul-Qadr in the (odd nights) of the last ten of
Ramadhaan.” Bukhaaree # 2017
That is, the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and the 29th
night. And the
Prophet ‘alaihissalaam said,
“And if one of you is too weak or unable then let him not allow
that to make him miss the final seven.” Bukhaaree # 2015
That is the 25th, 27th and the 29th night.

3. How should a Muslim seek Lailatul-Qadr?
The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,
“Whoever stands (in Prayer) in Lailatul- Qadr out of Eemaan
(correct belief) and seeking reward then his previous sins are
forgiven.” Bukhaaree # 1901
It is recommended to supplicate a great deal in it with the Du’aa,
“Allaahumma innaka ‘affuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘annee.”
Which means,
“O Allaah you are the One who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon,
so pardon me.” Tirmidhee # 3760

4. During these nights, to stay awake in prayer, to
instruct one’s family the same and to stay away
from one’s wife is from the Sunnah of the Prophet
sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam. Bukhaaree # 2024
And the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam used
to exert himself more in the last ten nights of
Ramadhaan than he would at other times. Muslim # 1174
How should a Muslim seek
Lailatul-Qadr? Cont.,

5. The Signs of Lailatul-Qadr
The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,
“On the morning following Lailatul-Qadr the sun
rises not having any rays, as if it were a brass
dish, until it rises up.” Muslim # 762
And he sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,
“Lailatul-Qadr is calm and pleasant, neither hot
nor cold, the sun rises on its morning being feeble
and red.” Ibn Khuzaimah # 3/23

6. TARAAWEEH PRAYERS
(It was the practice of the Prophet sallallaahu‘alaihi wa sallam to pray an odd number of
rak’ahs after the ‘Ishaa prayer in the last third part of the night. Nevertheless it may be
prayed anytime from after the ‘Ishaa prayer until before the dawn of Fajr. See also the
next chapter on Witr. Irwaa ul Ghaleel # 2/158 and Bukhaaree # 996)
It is important first of all to understand that
Taraaweeh (resting), Tahajjud (from hajada:
remained awake at night), Qiyaamul-lail (standing
at night)**, all refer to the same prayer.
**Some people think that Tahajjud is a night prayer different from Qiyaamul-lail or Taraaweeh. Others think
that Nafl (supererogatory) prayers at night are only recommended during Ramadhaan. Thus, it is important
to clarify these misunderstandings, and emphasize what was mentioned above, i.e. that there is only one
Nafl prayer at night, with different names used to describe it. Even though Taraaweeh is most commonly used
to describe it in Ramadhaan, this does not make it a different prayer. Furthermore, in some countries and
Masjids, mostly during the second half of Ramadhaan, people pray Taraaweeh early in the night, and then
pray another prayer that they call Tahajjud at the end of the night. This practice is a Bid’ah (innovation) that
has no basis in the practice of the Salaf (the Pious Predecessors). See The Night Prayer, Jibaaly Pg 7-8

7. It’s Prescription in Congregation
According to the long Hadeeth of Aa’ishah
radhiallaahu ‘anhaa, Allaah’s Messenger sallallaahu
‘alaihi wa sallam led the congregation in Qiyaamul-
lail for three nights and the people participated in it
with a great amount of zeal and enthusiasm. Then
he sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, due to the fear that
this night prayer would be made obligatory upon
the people stopped leading the people in the night
prayers. Bukhaaree # 1129

8. It is from this Hadeeth that we get the proof for
performing the Taraaweeh prayer in congregation.
And based upon this action of the Prophet
sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, ‘Umar radhiallaahu
‘anhu revived this Sunnah of praying the
Taraaweeh prayer in congregation during his
caliphate since the fear of the Prophet sallallaahu
‘alaihi wa sallam that this prayer may become
obligatory upon the people was removed with his
passing away. Bukhaaree # 2010
It’s Prescription in Congregation Cont.,

9. The Number of Rak’ahs
Aa’ishah radhiallaahu ‘anhaa said,
“Allaah’s Messenger sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallamdid not increase upon
eleven Rak’ahs in Ramadhaan, or outside of it.” Bukhaaree # 2010
And the righteous Caliph ‘Umar radhiallaahu anhu, when he revived the
Sunnah of praying the Taraaweeh in congregation, he instructed Ubay Bin
Ka’ab and Tameem ad-Daaree radhiallaahu ‘anhumaa to lead the people in
11 Rak’ahs of Qiyaamul-lail. Muwattaa Imaam Maalik # 1/115
And the prayer of Allaah’s Messenger sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was
well-spaced -meaning, that his bowing, prostration and his standing would
be of similar length and his prostration would be as long as it would take
to recite 50 verses of the Qur’aan. Bukhaaree # 1123
And his recitation of the Qur’aan would be with proper pronunciation and
a slow pace. Those who hasten in their recitation, their bowing and
prostration should learn a lesson from this.

10. THE WITR PRAYER
Insha'Allah to be continued.!Insha'Allah to be continued.!
O Allah make us one of those who understood and practiced Your
Religion as of those whom You have bestowed Your Grace,
not of those who earned Your Anger
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