The Quran was revealed in Ramadan (to the prophet Muhammad’s soul), on the Night of Destiny (2:185, 44:3, 53:1-18, 97:1). Sura (chapter) 97 of Quran is titled “Destiny” (in Arabic, Al-Qadr) and this night is also referred to as Laylat al-Qadr. It tells us about the Night of Destiny and why those who submit to the will of God alone are always eager to make the most of this night. [97:3] The Night of Destiny is better than a thousand months.
Dates for Ramadan & Night of Destiny
One cannot overemphasize the importance of this night and the blessing God bestows upon the believers who follow the instructions in His scripture. We can look upon this night as a Gift from God to grow our souls.
While meditation and commemoration of God is encouraged every night (73:1-8), God emphasizes this night as an opportunity for us to observe His commandments and grow closer to Him. What are some of the ways to remember God through this night with His help?
Some of the things we could do through the night in order to make the best of every moment are meditating on God, Dhikr, Quran reading, etc. While Dhikr and Quran reading are usually well-known, there are several other tools that could be included in meditation that are also Quranic. For example: Thanking God, Praising and Glorifying Him, Commemorating God, Praying to Him and seeking his Forgiveness; all these tools serve to enhance the experience of meditation making it more fulfilling and enriching.
Commemoration (Dhikr) Glorification, and Praise of God serve to bring us closer to him. There are verses in the Quran that tell us so. [73:8] You shall commemorate the name of your Lord, to come ever closer and closer to Him.
[76:26] During the night, fall prostrate before Him, and glorify Him many a long night.
[18:1] Praise GOD, who revealed to His servant this scripture, and made it flawless.
[15:98] You shall sing the praises of your Lord, and be with the prostrators.
While praising God in any form is an enriching experience, we must sing his praises as instructed by God in the Quran (15:98).
Dhikr is absolutely one of the most beloved forms of worship, according to the Quran. It is important to focus on the Dhikrs and let every word of it become an integral part of our being so that every cell in our body is praising and glorifying our Lord. While we must commemorate God because we appreciate His greatness and because we love God, it just happens that this is God’s law, several places in the Quran, that He will pay us for commemorating Him with health, wealth and perfect happiness, guaranteed dignity. But we must do it because we appreciate God and do it without expecting anything for it.
Note: some commemorations (dhikrs) are available online (including a recording of past Night of Destiny dhikr)
Thanking God: is a way of showing our appreciation to God for his guidance. We must continuously remember to thank God for his guidance, as we were astray before He guided us. [2:185] Ramadan is the month during which the Quran was revealed, providing guidance for the people, clear teachings, and the statute book. Those of you who witness this month shall fast therein. Those who are ill or traveling may substitute the same number of other days. GOD wishes for you convenience, not hardship, that you may fulfill your obligations, and to glorify GOD for guiding you, and to express your appreciation. Guidance is a blessing that can never be taken for granted as staying on God’s path can be a challenge in this fast-paced, competitive life. That is why it is important to pray to God to keep us continuously guided as we know that Satan waits for every opportunity to lead us astray. [7:16] He said, "Since You have willed that I go astray, I will skulk for them on Your straight path. Seeking guidance is important in order for us not to fall into Satan’s trap. God guides the sincere and He is aware of our innermost thoughts. We must also thank God for the numerous blessings he continuously bestows upon us; those we are aware of and those that we are unaware of.
Meditation: helps us be aware of God and reflect on his greatness, God urges us to mediate in several places in the Quran
[17:79] During the night, you shall meditate for extra credit, that your Lord may raise you to an honorable rank.
[25:64] In the privacy of the night, they meditate on their Lord, and fall prostrate.
[39:9] Is it not better to be one of those who meditate in the night, prostrating and staying up, being aware of the Hereafter, and seeking the mercy of their Lord? Say, "Are those who know equal to those who do not know?" Only those who possess intelligence will take heed.
As part of meditation, God encourages us to meditate on His names: [50:40] During the night you shall meditate on His name, and after prostrating. Being aware of God includes being aware of his qualities, it is being aware, accepting and submitting that He is in charge of everything and that he is the doer of all things (8:17). Besides, remembering God’s qualities continuously enables us to be appreciative of God and everything he does for us. Submitting to the will of God alone is the only true religion that is acceptable to God. [2:112] Indeed, those who submit themselves absolutely to GOD alone, while leading a righteous life, will receive their recompense from their Lord; they have nothing to fear, nor will they grieve.
Praying to God: Another tool in meditation is to pray to God. Especially on ‘Night of Destiny’ we know that the angles descend down to earth to carry out God’s command. [97:4] The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by their Lord's leave, to carry out every command. This is a good opportunity to pray to God for perfect health wealth and happiness. [2:186] When My servants ask you about Me, I am always near. I answer their prayers when they pray to Me. The people shall respond to Me and believe in Me, in order to be guided. As the angels carry out God’s commands they are capable of fixing all that is ill and needs mending in our bodies by God's leave; all we have to do is ask God to heal us: heal our bodies and minds.
Magnifying God: This is related to commemoration. Magnifying God allows us to appreciate His greatness. While it is important to magnify God constantly throughout our lives (17:111), as we need every bit of God’s support and mercy, the Night of Destiny is an opportunity to earn huge amounts of credit in one night.
In addition, seeking forgiveness and repenting to God are very essential. We seek forgiveness for our original sin and the sins we commit on a day to day basis. [4:106] You shall implore GOD for forgiveness. GOD is Forgiver, Most Merciful. Seeking forgiveness from God helps us revitalize our body and our soul and gives us the strength to cope with life’s ups and downs. It also gives us hope as we know that God is the most forgiving. In the Quran, God frequently tells us to ask for forgiveness. [23:118] Say, "My Lord, shower us with forgiveness and mercy. Of all the merciful ones, You are the Most Merciful”.
To summarize, the objective of the ‘Night of Destiny’ is to constantly remember God and be in a state of awareness of his majesty. It is a special night that God has designed for us to earn extra credit. It is a great blessing and as believers we must make the most of this opportunity.