Seeking Forgiveness

Any act of worship on Laylat ul Qadr – known as the Night of Power or the Night of Decree – carries immense blessings and rewards, so it’s imperative we put all the effort we can to gain maximum benefit during the last 10 nights of Ramadan. No one knows if they will live to see the next Ramadan, and we should embrace the gift of Laylat ul Qadr presented to us by Allah swt by ramping up our good deeds and practices on the odd nights.

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her), the wife of the Prophet (Peace and Blessings of Allah Be Upon Him), said that he (PBUH) used to increase his worship when the last 10 days of Ramadan started, praying the whole night and keeping his family awake for prayers.

While there are many acts, ranging from salah to reciting the Qur’an, that we can perform with rigour and dedication, one dua in particular has special significance. Although we cannot know for certainty as to which night is Laylat ul Qadr – other than it will be one of the odd nights in the last 10 of Ramadan – we can make sure that Allah hears our pleas for forgiveness on those 10 nights and in particular on the Night of Decree.

Hazrat Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) asked the Prophet (PBUH): “O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylat ul Qadr, what should I say during it?” He instructed her to say: Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul-afwa, fa’fu anni O Allah! You are Most Forgiving, and you love to forgive. So forgive me. (Hadith Tirmidhi)

This dua, sometime referred to as the Laylat ul Qadr dua, highlights the special attribute of forgiveness that is available from our Lord on this particular night, for He loves to forgive those who turn to him for redemption and mercy.

Not knowing when Laylat ul Qadr will fall, it is incumbent on us to recite this as much as possible during the last 10 nights, especially the odd nights. By invoking this dua, we also need to embrace the virtues of patience and forgiveness that we can practise in our lives.

Other short duas that are easily memorised and should be recited as much as possible as we seek our Lord’s forgiveness:

Astaghfirullaah aladhee laa ilaha illa huwal Hayyul Qayyoom wa atoobu ilayh I seek Allah’s forgiveness, there is no God but He, the Ever Living and the One who sustains, and I turn to Him in repentance.

Astaghafirullahi Rabbi Wa Atubu Ilayhi Verily, I seek the forgiveness of Allah, who is my Lord and Sustainer, and I turn to Him in repentance

Taking Action

•  Avoiding wasting time on unnecessary or trivial matters. Forget the TV, computer games and social media. Our attention should be on the spiritual rewards and blessings that we are striving for to benefit us in this life and the Hereafter
• The night technically starts at Maghrib (sunset), so from that point we should make the intention to spend it in increased worship
• Read salah, not only the obligatory five times a day but as many voluntary (nafl) prayers such as tahajjud (between Isha and Fajr) as we possibly can. Our beloved Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever stands in prayer during Laylat ul Qadr with faith and hope in the reward of Allah, all of his previous sins will be forgiven.” (Hadith Bukhari)
• The Qur’an was first revealed on the night of Laylat ul Qadr when the Angel Jibril commanded our beloved Prophet (PBUH) “Iqra”, meaning read. So we should devote as much time as possible to reading the Qur’an or memorising its verses
• Say as many duas as possible, especially those that seek forgiveness from Allah swt
• Perform itikaf if possible. For men, that means seclusion in the mosque for the entirety of the last 10 days, away from all distractions and tempations. Women can perform itikaf in their homes
• Give charity. Any act of charitable giving on the night Laylat ul Qadr carries the rewards of having given for 84 years.

Devoting ourselves to the worship of Allah swt on one special night, the night of Laylat ul Qadr, can reward us with 84 years of blessings. That is longer than most of us will probably have in this life. May Allah swt strengthen our faith and help us see the light of Laylat ul Qadr. Ameen.