What to do on this night

Often one wonders “What should I do on this night?”

We should keep in mind that attending lectures and listening to talks on this night is recommendable, as it guides us to understanding the virtues of the night, however just attending the talks is not sufficient. We should engage in some form of physical worship as well.

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 Ta’ala. Fervent Dua and repentance should be priority and make the sole intention for Allah Ta’ala’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 Quran is another form of worship that is very beneficial on this night. After performing Salaah, or at any other time, one should recite as much of the Holy Quran as possible.

(c) Zikr – Engage ones heart in Zikr (remembrance of Allah Ta’ala). One should also recite abundant durood on Rasulullah ﷺ. Zikr can also be recited while walking, lying on bed and while engaging in other tasks.

(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 Ta’ala 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 strengthen one’s relation with Allah Ta’ala, 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 wet with Zikr, in whatever condition they are until they sleep.

iii) Plead to Allah Ta’ala 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 (sallallahu alayhi wa sallam) visited the graveyard of Baqi’ during this night where he prayed for the Muslims buried there. But the authentic Hadeeth of Muslim Shareef narrated by Sayyidatina Aisha (R.A.) states that whenever it was her turn for Rasulullah ﷺ to spend the night with, he would visit the Baqee (Graveyard of Madinah) and would pray for its inhabitants. Sahih Muslim Page 313 Vol. 1

The turn of Hadhrat Aisha (R.A.) would occur once every week. It can thus be concluded from the above hadeeth that Nahi ﷺ would visit the graveyard a minimum of once a week.