Laylatul Qadr Is Not a Carnival Night
The manner with which some of us observe the night is quite different from what is expected of us.
The night of power otherwise known as Laylatul Qadr is a prominent night in the month of Ramadan.
It is the night we are expected to seek from the 20th of Ramadan to the end of the holy month.
However, seeking the night requires Muslims to stay up all night observing vigil (Tahajud), remembering Allah (adhkar), reciting the Holy Qur'an and other forms of Ibadah.
However, the manner with which some of us observe the night is quite different from what is expected of us. Some people sees the night of majesty as some forms of entertainment.
This stems from the misconceptions we have about the night. In the Holy Qur'an Allah informed us about the night and its virtues.
Allah says:
"The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn."
Literally, this means worshipping Allah on this night is equivalent to 83.3 years. And is the reason why Muslims are expected to devote the whole of the last 10 days to the worship of their Lord.
However, this is not the case in most Muslim communities. Laytul Qadr has a different meaning in these communities as it comes with funfare and entertainment.
The night of majesty has no specific date. The prophet only enjoined us to observe it in the last 10 days and seek it within the odd days of the period. The night comes on the 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29 of Ramadan.
Laylatul Qadr in some communities has become more or less a praise jamz because it has some elements of carnival. It comes with drums, music and food to entertain the guest. Only few hour is spent for Ibadah.
That is not the version of the night of power Allah and his Prophet informed us about.
Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I asked: "O Messenger of Allah! If I realize Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), what should I supplicate in it?'' He (PBUH) replied, "You should supplicate: Allahumma innaka `afuwwun, tuhibbul-`afwa, fa`fu `anni (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me).'' [At-Tirmidhi].
It is a night to seek forgiveness, praise Allah, pray for ourselves, and repent from our sins. It is not called the night of majesty and power for no reason.