The most important thing of this month is the Night of Power (Lailatul-Qadr) – the night which is superior, than a thousand months, one thousand months jihad, one thousand months reign, and the worship in it is superior than one thousand months of worship, (as has been narrated in the traditions). Yes! the Night of Power is a very precious and distinguished night, in accordance with the Qur’anic interpretation it is a very auspicious night; and as could be derived from the traditions, in this night the sustenance and age of servants, and the good and evil of their affairs are destined; the Holy Qur’an was descended in this night; also the angels are descended all over the earth, and when they pass through the gathering of believers, send salutations and praises upon them, and consider their prayers until the dawn.
“It has been narrated that during this night the prayers of all are accepted, and the prayer of no one remains unanswered except the following:
The one who has displeased and angered his parent and was declared disinherited or rebellious by them.
The one who has cut off his relationship with his kith and kin.
The one who possesses animosity and vengeance of a believer in his heart.
The one who consumes alcoholic drinks.”
In the book “Iqbal”, a tradition has been narrated from the Holy Prophet [s]:
“That Prophet Moses [a] in his prayer said: ‘O’ Allah! I desire Your nearness and union. ‘My nearness and union belong to someone who remains vigilant and awake during the Night of Power.’ Replied Allah. Prophet Moses [a] said: ‘O’ Allah! I want Your blessing and forgiveness.’ ‘My blessing belongs to someone who is kind towards the destitute on the Night of Power.’ Replied Allah.
Prophet Moses [a] said: ‘O’ Allah! I want to pass through the bridge of Serat on the road to Paradise safely.’ ‘The safety in passing through the bridge of Serat belongs to someone who pays alms on the Night of Power,’ replied Allah. Prophet Moses [a] said: ‘O’ Allah! I want the trees and fruits of Paradise.’ They belong to someone who does not forget to remember and praise Me on the Night of Power.’ Replied Allah. Prophet Moses [a] said: ‘O’ Allah! I wish to have your pleasure and consent.’ My pleasure and consent belong to someone who offers two rak’ats of prayer during the Night of Power.’ Replied Allah.
In the same book of Iqbal it has been narrated from the Holy Prophet [s]:
“On the Night of Power the gates of Heaven are opened. There for every is no servant who offers prayer in this night, but Allah for every prostration stores a tree in the Paradise – the tree whose branches and shade is so vast that if a rider travels for one hundred years through its shade he would not be able to cross it; for every ra’kat would build a home for him in Paradise – the home decorated and built by pearls, topaz, and rubies; for every verse recited a crown from the crowns of Paradise; for every praise (tasbeeh) a bird from the birds of Paradise; for every sitting a rank from the ranks of Paradise.
For every witnessing (tashahud) – a chamber from the chambers of Paradise, and for every salutation – a robe from the robes of Paradise would be bestowed upon him by Allah. And at the breaking of the dawn, companions – youthful and sympathetic, houris of Paradise – pure and decorated, servant obedient and well uniformed, horses – most obedient and swift, flowers, greenery, and good smells, running elegant fountain streams, and many other bounties which make the soul pleased and eyes to shine, would also be bestowed upon him by Allah.”
It may be derived from some of the traditions that there are ranks and degrees for the Night of Power and each one of the nights of 19th, 21st, 23rd, and 27th may be considered possessing one of those degree. And the night which possesses the most superior distinction, has been mentioned in the Holy Qur’an as equal to thousand months, and whatever is destined in that night wouldn’t be changed is the night of 23rd of the Holy Month, which is also known as the Night of Juhanni.135
And the one who wants that his actions should be exact and precise, better be vigilant during all these four nights. Of course, regarding the Night of Power there are some other narrations as well, but since their authenticity is not confirmed, it would not be appropriate to describe them here.
The efforts which are desirable and should be undertaken are, that during the whole year before the arrival of the Night of Power, he must repeatedly beseech Allah (the Glorious, the Exalted) to bestow upon him the divine grace (towfiq) to be vigilant during this night; bless him with most esteemed and dearest deeds; consider that night superior than one thousand months for him and may accept from him; make him His most favourite and nearest one during this night; bless him with His love, learning, nearness, union, pleasure, and consent together with health, happiness, and welfare; should be pleased with him in such a manner, that after this he would never be displeased with him; should make the prophets.
Imams, and especially the Imam of the Age (may Allah hasten his appearance) pleased with him; and allocate him to live in Allah nearness accompanied by the impeccable ones, bestow upon him divine favour to succeed in establishing Allah’s obedience and consent, and make his ultimate end Allah’s countenance and pleasure.
The other decent efforts for this night are that before its arrival, the prudent wayfarer should arrange for its preliminaries and necessities, e.g. for worshipping in this night a suitable place, dress, and perfume should be arranged in advance for engaging in private humming communications Allah (the Glorious, the Exalted), as well as for communications with his masters, i.e. sinless Imams [a] he should arrange suitable themes and contents; for paying alms during this night should allocate some money, even for the invitation of guests and for payment of alms, he should plan in advance to select the most suitable guests and the genuinely poor people who really deserve financial support.
Let us imagine that if an emperor dispatches a special courier before someone, with compassion and mercy invites him for a special feast, gives him glad-tidings that if he appears in the royal feast with decency and decorum, rewards and magnificent gifts would be bestowed upon him, and the more respectfully he would behave in the assembly, the emperor too would increase his rewards and gifts in proportion with his behaviour.
