The special virtues of the night of Bara’ah are:

Contrary to other nights wherein the last third of the night has special blessings and Allah descends to the lowest Heaven during this section of the night, on the night of Bara’ah the special rain of the mercy and forgiveness of Allah begins to shower down right from the beginning of the night and continues right up till dawn.

The sins of countless of people are pardoned. As already mentioned, Allah’s descension during this night to the nearest Heaven occurs from the very beginning, unlike the other nights. Furthermore, the number of pronouncements seeking out those who want forgiveness far supercede those which occur on other nights. (This is the opinion of Hafez Zaynuddeen Iraqi – Faydhul Qadeer Page 317 V2)

It should be remembered that while all the narrations regarding the night of Bara’ah are weak, the narrations regarding Allah’s descending to the nearest Heaven during the last third of every night are totally correct.” It should therefore be understood in this manner, that Allah has bestowed upon his grateful servants a chance to earn His mercy and forgiveness every night. How unfortunate are we that we fail to capitalise on this wonderful opportunity that frequents us every night.

Each one of us knows exactly how sinful we are, from morning to night we engage in sins and in the disobedience of Allah, we have discarded almost every Sunnah of Nabi ﷺ, and even in the little that we do, we know the quality of those actions, yet this is our attitude, whereas Rasulullah ﷺ, who was sinless, used to get up during the nights and perform Salaah of lengthy qiraat, rukus and sajdahs. The Ummah should never forget this Sunnah of Rasulullah ﷺ. Consider the following Ahaadith:

Rasulullah’s ﷺ Ibaadat every night

Hadhrat Abu Hurairah RA reports that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Almighty Allah descends to the nearest Heaven during the last third of every night. He then proclaims: “Is there anyone who will make dua unto me so that I may accept his dua? Is there anyone who will ask of Me so that I may grant him? Is there any who desires forgiveness so that I may forgive him?” [Bukhari, Muslim].

The narration of Muslim contains this addition: “He thereafter spreads out his hands and says: “Who will grant a loan to a being who is neither in need of it nor is he an oppressor.” [Mishkaat].

Amar bin Absah RA reports that Rasulullah ﷺ said: “Allah is nearest to His bondsmen during the last portion of the night. If you have the ability, then make dhikr (remembrance) of Allah during this time.” [Tirmidhi]

Hadhrat Aisha RA reports that Rasulullah ﷺ used to go to bed during the first portion of the night and he would stay awake the last portion of the night (i.e. he used to spend this portion of the night in Ibaadat) [Bukhari and Muslim].

Hadhrat Aisha RA says that in Ramadaan as well as in other months, Rasulullah ﷺ would never perform more than eleven rakaats of Salaah (i.e. referring to his Tahajjud and Witr). He would first perform four raka’ats, the sheer magnificence and length of these rakaats is beyond words. He would then perform another four rakaats of resplendent beauty and length (i.e. the rakaats were both excellent and long). He would thereafter read three rakaats (of Witr). [Bukhari]

Hadhrat Aisha RA says that Rasulullah ﷺ used to perform such lengthy Salaah that his feet would swell. Sometimes she would say that his feet would crack. When it would be asked of him: ‘Why do you strain yourself so much whereas your past and future errors have been forgiven?” he would reply: ‘Should I not be a grateful servant?’ [Bukhari]