Question :
How should we observe Laylat al-Qadr? Is it by praying, or
by reading Qur’aan and the Prophet’s Seerah, listening to
lectures and lessons and by celebrating it in the mosque?.

Answer :

Praise be to Allaah.

Firstly:

The Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be
upon him) used to strive hard in worship during the last
ten days of Ramadaan as he never did at any other time,
praying, reading Qur’aan and making du’aa’. Al-Bukhaari and
Muslim narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be pleased with
her) that when the last ten days of Ramadaan came, the
Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) would
stay up at night and would wake his family up, and would
abstain from marital relations. Ahmad and Muslim narrated
that he used  to strive hard in worship during the last ten
days of Ramadaan as he never did at any other time.

Secondly:

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him)
enjoined staying up and praying on Laylat al-Qadr out of
faith and in the hope of reward. It was narrated from Abu
Hurayrah (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet
(peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said:  “Whoever
stays up and prays on Laylat al-Qadr out of faith and in
the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.”
Agreed upon. This hadeeth indicates that it is prescribed
to observe Laylat al-Qadr by spending the night in prayer.

Thirdly:

One of the best du’aa’s that may be recited on Laylat
al-Qadr is that which the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allaah be upon him) taught to ‘Aa’ishah (may Allaah be
pleased with her). Al-Tirmidhi narrated, and classed the
report as saheeh, that ‘Aa’ishah said: “I said, ‘O
Messenger of Allaah, if I know which night is Laylat
al-Qadr, what should I say on that night?’ He said, ‘Say:
Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni (O
Allaah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so
forgive me).”

Fourthly:

With regard to specifying which night of Ramadaan is Laylat
al-Qadr, this needs specific evidence, but the odd-numbered
nights during the last ten nights are more likely than
others, and the night of the twenty-seventh is the most
likely to be Laylat al-Qadr, because that is mentioned in
the ahaadeeth.

Fifthly:

With regard to innovations, they are not permissible during
Ramadaan or at other times. It was proven that the
Messenger of Allaah (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) said: “Whoever innovates anything in this matter of
ours that is not part of it will have it rejected.”
According to another report, “Whoever does any action that
is not part of this matter of ours will have it rejected.”

We know of no basis for the celebrations that are held
during some nights of Ramadaan. The best of guidance is the
guidance of Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon
him) and the worst of matters are those which are innovated
(bid’ah).

And Allaah is the Source of strength. May Allaah send
blessings and peace upon our Prophet Muhammad and his
family and companions.

Standing Committee for Academic Research and Issuing Fatwas
, 10/413 .
Courtesy of Sheikh Muhammed Al-Munajjid.

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