The Importance of Lailatul Qadr

"The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months." (Surah Al-Qadr 97:3)

Lailatul Qadr, also known as the Night of Decree, is one of the holiest nights in Islam. It is the night when the Quran was first revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), marking a moment of divine mercy and guidance for all humanity. We seek Lailatul Qadr on the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan.

Why is Lailatul Qadr So Special?

Forgiveness of Sins – Even though we should always seek Allah's Forgiveness, the night of Qadr is like a special opportunity for us to do that. The Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) said: "Whoever stands (in prayer) during Lailatul Qadr out of faith and seeking reward, his past sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari & Muslim)

A Night of Destiny – We often blame on our 'Luck' when something goes wrong, thinking we cannot achieve so and so because it's not in our luck. Allah (SWT) Gave us a privilege to seek out for what our hearts intend, to ask Allah to re-write our destiny, to seek Allah's Guidance. It is a night when Allah decrees matters for the coming year, shaping the destinies of individuals.

Angels Descend – Not to forget the true essence of this precious night, The Holy Quran- Allah's Book of Guidance for the entire mankind of all generations was revealed in this very night. The night is filled with divine peace and blessings as angels, led by Jibreel (Gabriel), descend upon the earth.

An Opportunity for Acceptance of Duas – While making Dua, we should keep in mind that there are some sort of Duas which Allah hates. For example, wanting something bad for ourselves or others, making dua for only the Dunya, making dua saying 'if you please/In Sha Allah' because these create doubts in hearts that Allah may not listen to our supplications. Lailatul Qadr is the perfect time to seek Allah’s guidance, forgiveness, and mercy through heartfelt supplications.

How Can We Prepare for Lailatul Qadr?

Engage in Extra Prayers – Perform additional Nafl (voluntary) prayers and seek closeness to Allah. Keeping in mind that quality is better than quantity, let us not compete on how many Rakats can we pray, rather try our best attain Khushu in our prayers.

Recite and Reflect on the Quran – This is the night when the Quran was revealed, making it an ideal time to connect with its divine message.

Make Duas with Sincerity – One of the best supplications for this night, as taught by the Prophet (PBUH), is:

"Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun, tuhibbul-‘afwa, fa’fu ‘anni" (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness, so forgive me.)

Give Charity – Acts of kindness and charity hold immense rewards, and giving during this night multiplies the blessings.

Educating Our Children About Lailatul Qadr

As parents, one of the greatest responsibilities we have is to instill the love of Islam in our children. Teaching them about Lailatul Qadr from an early age can help nurture their faith and appreciation for this blessed night.

Here’s how you can make it engaging for them:

Storytelling: Share inspiring stories about Lailatul Qadr, its significance, and how the Prophet (PBUH) spent this night in devotion. Hakma also has a separate Ramadan series where you can find booklet on this topic which you can also print out!

Interactive Learning: Encourage children to engage in simple acts of worship, such as making duas and reciting short surahs. If they are more of a visual learners, try introducing them with Hakma Sparks within the app where they can watch endless videos on various Islamic topics.

Creative Activities: Help them create Ramadan journals to write about their prayers and reflections on the night. Try to create an Islamic atmosphere in the house, as we all know, children do what they see adults doing.

Keep Kids Engaged with the Hakma App

If you’re looking for a fun and interactive way to educate your children about Islam, the Hakma app is the perfect solution! Hakma provides a collection of Islamic stories, quizzes, and animated videos that help kids remain engaged while learning about their faith. By using technology in an engaging and meaningful way, children can develop a stronger understanding of Islamic values, including the importance of Lailatul Qadr.

Download the Hakma app today and introduce your kids to the beauty of Islam in a way that is both educational and enjoyable.

Available on both Appstore and Playstore