Prophet of Islam, Muhammad (PBUH) said that whoever prays at night throughout Ramadan will have all their previous sins forgiven.
The main prayer carried out each evening during Ramadan is tarawih. It is an extra prayer that Muslims are advised to carry out at a mosque among fellow worshippers.
But others may also choose to pray Qiyam Al Layl – or night prayers – to develop their taqwa [piety] throughout Ramadan.
“Fasting is a shield; charity extinguishes sin (as water extinguishes fire); and the praying of a man in the depths of the night remove his faults”, the Prophet told one of his companions before reciting from the Quran: “[Those] who forsake their beds, to invoke their Lord in fear and hope, and they spend (charity in Allah’s cause) out of what We have bestowed on them” – Qur’an: 32:16.
Those who pray at night should call upon Allah and ask for His grace and mercy. Night prayers are said to be ideal for asking God for blessings because it is said he is more likely to listen.
“The most excellent prayer after what is prescribed is prayer during the night”, the Prophet said.
“The most beloved prayer to Allah is the prayer of Dawud (peace and blessings be upon him). He used to sleep half the night, stand for one-third of it (in prayer), and sleep for one-sixth of it”, he said.
Praying at night will calm the spirit and purify the soul, the sermon will say before inviting worshippers to call upon Allah to bless them by helping them become someone who stands for night prayers.
“May Allah bless me and bless you with the Noble Qur’an and with the Way (Sunnah) of His Noble Prophet”.
Nigh of Power during Ramadan
We have indeed revealed this (Message) 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 by Allah’s permission, on every errand: Peace!…This until the rise of morn! (97:1-5)
The Night of Power in His infinite wisdom is encouraged to be searched during the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan. Since over fourteen centuries Muslims are striving diligently to benefit greatly from it. A rare trade indeed – pure profit and thousand times more!
Interestingly we have embraced the night for its mathematical magic but seemingly misplaced the very essence of the night. In fact, it was just another dark night. But it became the Night of Power because of what was revealed in the darkness. It is now known to us, a night better than a thousand months. The dark night is illuminating the world and the Quran is guiding the humanity ever since.
The Night of Power is celebrated powerfully. Masajid and communities celebrate the night by staying up all night, listening to lectures, reading Quran, etc. What seems to be missing though is to reflect on the Divine Words and to act upon it. Unless that is done, the real power will not be received from the Night of Power.
Ramadan visits us every year and offers us a reason to reflect on all aspect of our lives. The objects of our wants and fears far surpass the limits of human genius, energy, and mortal life. The sum of all that we need and desire .. spiritual or material, essential or superfluous .. simply exceeds our ability to attain it. What, then, is one to do? The believer turns to his or her Creator in prayer. The response is natural. Whether moved by need or hope, or faced with misfortune or danger, people instinctively call upon God. Prayer is at the center of our very being and the marrow of the Muslim way of life. For many in the English-speaking world, however, this face of Islam is virtually unknown.
Prayers during night – particularly late hours of nights are emphasized in almost all the religions in the world.
About prayer at night, a Christian scholar said: “If you are a person whose eyes are open and watching in the wee hours, if sleep sometimes eludes you because you aren’t sure who’s actually in charge when you aren’t, you may need words to remind you of the large truth that God’s sovereignty, goodness, and love are in effect, even in the hours of darkness, even in the midst of chaos and pain. Prayer in the night is both historical and biblical. With twenty-five references in the Psalms alone, we find the writers seeking counsel, crying out, meditating, and remembering God–at night!
“Consciously turning to nighttime prayer reminds our hearts that the same God who was in charge during the daylight hours has not nodded off or left his post. Because he is sleepless, you can sleep”.
Dua for the Laylatul Qadr
O Allah! Forgive us of sins that would hinder our supplications,
O Allah! Forgive us of sins that would suppress hope,
O Allah! Forgive all sins that we have committed and every error that we have erred,
O Allah! Accept out apologies and have pity on our intense sufferings and set us free from my heavy fetters (of evil deeds),
O Allah! You are aware of my weakness to bear even a minor affliction of this world and its consequence and adversity affecting the denizen of this earth, although such afflictions are momentary, short-lived and transient.
How then can I bear the retributions and the punishments of the Hereafter which are enormous and of intensive sufferings, of prolonged period and perpetual duration, and which shall never be alleviated for those who deserve the same as those retributions will be the result of Your wrath; and Your punishment which neither the heavens nor the earth can withstand and bear!
My Lord! How can I, a weak, insignificant, humble, poor and destitute creature of Yours be able to bear them?
O’ my God! My Lord! My King! And Master! Which of the matters shall I complain to You and for which of them shall I bewail and weep?
Shall I bewail for the pains and pangs of the punishment and their intensity or for the length of sufferings and their duration?
Therefore (my Lord!) If You will subject me to the penalties (of hell) in company of Your enemies and cast me with those who merited my punishments and tear me apart from Your friends and those who will be near to You, then my God, my Lord and my Master, though I may patiently bear Your punishments, how can I calmly accept being kept away from You?
I reckon that though I may patiently endure the scorching fire of the hell, yet how can I resign myself to the denial of Your pity and clemency? How can I remain in the fire while I have hopes of Your forgiveness?
So, my Lord! I look earnestly towards You and towards You, my Lord!
I have stretched forth my hands therefore, by Your honor, respond to my supplication and let me attain my prayers and, by Your bounty, frustrate not my hopes and protect me from the evils of my enemies and O’ My Lord! have mercy on me whose only asset is hope and whose only weapon is lamentation.
