We have indeed sent down it (the Quran) on the Night of Decree. And what have you known, what the Night of Decree is? (Worshipping in) the Night of Decree is better than (worshipping/or) a thousand months. In it descend the angels and Jibra ‘eel, by the command of their Lo rd, Jo r all tasks. That (night) is (full oj) peace until the rising of dawn. [Kanz-ul-Iman (Translation of Quran)] (Part 30, Surah AI-Qadr, Ayah 1-5)
It means that Shab-e-Qadr is a night of such excellence that in this very night, Allah descended the Holy Quran on to the sky of the world from the Secured Tablet. In addition, the worship in this one night is more virtuous than the worship of a thousand months. In this night, Sayyiduna Jibra ‘eel
descends on the earth with a group of angles from the skies. This night is a symbol of peace for the earth, the skies and for all the worlds. The manifestation of blessings and Divine light continues from the sunset till dawn.
It is reported that once the Beloved Rasool narrated an event of a devout person belonging to Bani Israel who worshipped and performed Jihad for a thousand months. The Rasool’ s companions exclaimed, ‘Ya Rasoolallah ! The life spans of your followers are very short. Then how will we be able to perform so much worship?’ Seeing the sadness of his companions, the Holy Rasool became a bit worried. Then Allah revealed this Surah mentioning, ‘O My Beloved! We have given your people such a night that is better than a thousand months.’ (Iafseer As-Saawi, vol. 6, pp. 2399; part 30, Surah Al-Qadr, Ayah 3)
Angels salute the believers
It has been reported that on Shab-e-Qadr (in the night of Qadr), a multitude
of the angels of Sidra-tul-Muntaha, headed by Sayyiduna Jibra ‘eel descend on the earth and they have four flags with them. They hoist one flag on the top of Bayt-ul-Muqaddas, one on the top of the Holy Ka’bah and one on Mount Sinai. Then these angels visit the homes of the Muslims and pay Salam to all those Muslim men and women who are engaged in worship.
However, these angels do not enter the homes where there is idol, portrait, dog, alcoholic, pork-eater, one upon whom Ghusl (ritual bath) is due, or one who breaks ties with relatives without any Shari’ah-approved reason.
It is mentioned in one of the narrations that the number of these angels is more than the number of pebbles on the face of the earth and these angels descend carrying peace and blessings.
(Iafseer As-Saawi, vol. 6, pp. 2401; part 30, Surah Al-Qadr, Ayah 4)
Which night is Shab-e-Qadr?
The Holy Rasool has said, ‘Search for Shab-e-Qadr in the oddnumbered nights of the last ten days of the month of Ramadan i.e. in 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th night.
(Sahih Bukhari, Kitab-us-Sawm, vol. 1, pp. 270; Sahih Muslim, Kitab-us-Siyaam, pp. 369)
For this reason, some scholars have mentioned that there is no fixed night for Shab-e-Qadr. Therefore, it should be searched in these five nights. But on the other hand, it has been mentioned by Sayyiduna Ubayy Bin Ka’b and Sayyiduna Ibn ‘Abbas and some other Islamic scholars that Shab-e-Qadr is the 27th night of the month of Ramadan.
(Iafseer As-Saawi, vol. 6, pp. 2400; part 30, Surah Al-Qadr)
Some Islamic scholars have also provided a hint from the fact that in J:Wi ), there are nine letters and the word has been mentioned thrice in this Surah. If nine is multiplied by three, the product is ’27’. Therefore, Shab-e-Qadr is the 27th night of the month of Ramadan.
(Iafseer As-Saawi, vol. 6, pp. 2400; part 30, Surah Al-Qadr)
Salah and supplications of Shab-e-Qadr
It has been narrated that the one who offers Nafl [supererogatory] Salah in Shab-e-Qadr with sincere intention, all his past and future sins will be forgiven. (Iafseer Ruh-ul-Bayan, vol. 10, pp. 480-481; part 30, Surah Al-Qadr, Ayah 3)
1. In Shab-e-Qadr, offer four Rak’aat Nafl Salah in such a way that recite Surah Al-Qadr three times and Surah Al-Ikhlas fifty times after Surah
Al-Fatihah in every Rak’at and then, after performing Salam, perform Sajdah and recite .
once in Sajdah. Then after raising the head from Sajdah, whatever Du’a is supplicated will be accepted, . (Fadaail-ush-Shuhoor wal-Ayyaam).
2. Sayyidatuna ‘Aaishah asked, ‘Ya Rasoolallah, if I find Shab-e-Qadr, then which Du’a should I supplicate?’ It was advised to supplicate following Du’a:
(Sunan Ibn Majah, Kitab-ud-Du’a, vol. 4, pp. 273, Raqm 3850)
3. It has been reported that the one who recites this Du’ a three times in night, it is as if he has got Shab-e-Qadr. Therefore, this Du’ a should be recited every night. That Du’ a is:
4. This Du’a should also be recited as much as possible. This has also been reported in Hadees. The Du’ a is:
