Often one wonders “OK, so it`s a `BIG` night but what should I do on this night?”

Attending lectures in the Masaajid is important but in order to obtain maximum benefit from this auspicious night, one should allocate a specific portion of the night for solitude and close communion with Allah. Fervent dua and repentance should be given priority and make the sole intention for Allah’s pleasure and reformation of the inner self.

There are various forms of worship which one can engage in:

(a) Salaah – Salaah is one of the most preferable acts to be performed during this night. There is no particular number of Rak’ats nor is there any specific salaah with specific surahs to be read. The Night prayer (Tahajjud) of Nabi ﷺ consisted of eight rakaats (followed thereafter by the three rakaats of witr). It is also advisable that each part of the Salaah like qiyam, rukoo’ and sajdah should be longer than normal. Also try and recite as much qiraat in salaah as possible.

(b) Tilawah – The recitation of the Holy Quraan is another form of worship that is very beneficial on this night.

(c) Zikr – Engage ones heart in Zikr (remembrance of Allah). One should also recite abundant durood on Rasulullah ﷺ.

(d) Dua – The best benefit one can draw from the blessings of this night is prayers and supplications. Dua (supplication) itself is an Ibadah, and Allah gives reward on each prayer along with the fulfilment of the supplicator`s needs. Even if the purpose prayed for is not achieved, one cannot be deprived of the reward of the prayer, which is, sometimes more precious than the mundane benefits one strives for. The prayers and supplications also strengthens one’s relation with Allah, which is the main purpose of all kinds and forms of worship.

(e) There are some people due to circumstances will not be able to carry out any vigorous or lengthy Ibadah. Such people should not deprive themselves completely of the blessings of this night. They should attempt to fulfil the following:

(i) Perform Maghrib, Esha and Fajr with congregation in the Masjid, or at home in case of illness.

(ii) Keep ones tongue moist with Zikr, in whatever condition they are, until they sleep.

iii) Plead to Allah for forgiveness and for their other objectives. One can do so even whilst one is lying in bed.

(f) Women during menstruation cannot perform salaah, nor can they recite the Quran, but they can recite any Zikr, tasbeeh, durood sharif and can pray to Allah for whatever need they have.

(g) According to a Hadith, Rasulullah ﷺ visited the graveyard of Baqi’ during this night where he prayed for the Muslims buried there. But the authentic Hadeeth of Muslim narrated by Aisha RA states that whenever it was her turn for Rasulullah ﷺ to spend the night with, he would visit the Baqi` (Graveyard of Madinah) and would pray for its inhabitants. Sahih Muslim Page 313 Vol. 1

The turn of Hadhrat Aisha RA would occur once every week. It can thus be concluded from the above hadeeth that Nabi ﷺ would visit the graveyard a minimum of once a week.

What should NOT be done on this night!

Every effort should be made to attain the pleasure of Allah on this night and throughout our lives.

1. As discussed previously, the Night of Bara’ah is a night in which special blessings are directed towards the Muslims. Therefore, this night should be spent in total submission to Allah, and one should refrain from all those activities, which may displease Allah. Although it is always incumbent upon every Muslim to abstain from sins, yet this abstinence becomes all the more necessary in such nights, because committing sins on such an occasion is tantamount to responding to divine blessings with disobedience and felony. Such an arrogant attitude only invites the wrath of Allah. Therefore, one should strictly abstain from all types of sins, as these deprive one of the blessings of this night.

2. On this night some people indulge in some activities, which they regard as necessary for the celebration of the Night of Bara’ah, like cooking some special type of meal, or illuminating houses or masjids, or improvised structures. All such activities are not only baseless, but in some cases they are pure imitation of some rituals performed by non-Muslim communities. Such imitation in itself is a sin; performing it in a blessed night like the Night of Bara’ah makes it worse. Muslims should strictly abstain from all such innovations.

3. The acts of worship like Salaah; recitation of the Quran and Zikr should preferably be performed on this night individually, not collectively. The Nafl Salaah should not be performed in congregation. Rather this night is meant for worshipping Allah in solitude. It is the time to enjoy the direct contact with the Lord of the Universe, and to devote one’s attention to Him and Him alone. These are the precious hours of the night in which nobody should intervene between one and his Creator, and one should turn to Allah with total concentration, not disturbed or intermitted by anyone else.

That is why Rasulullah ﷺ observed the acts of worship on this night in total seclusion, not accompanied by anyone, not even by Aishah RA, and that is why all forms of optional worship (Nafl Ibadah), should be observed individually.

Unfortunate people

It is understood from the Ahadith that even on this great night, some unfortunate individuals are deprived of Allah’s forgiveness. They are:

1. Idolaters

2. Those who harbour enmity against others

3. Those who consume alcohol

4. Those who disobey their parents

5. Those who wear their trousers, kurtas, lungis, etc. below their ankles

6. Those who commit murder

7. Those who sever family ties.

We can thus gauge the severity of these sins and need to abstain from them at all times.