Qadr Night; A Lifelong Opportunity
Ramadan is the month of God's feast and the night of Qadr is the heart of this month. This is a night of divine mercy and forgiveness of sins and people are recommended to deepen their relationship with God by reciting the Quran and performing prayers and supplications.
The most important piece of advice on Laylat al-Qadr is to remain awake until sunrise. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would attend itikaf ritual in the last 10 days of Ramadan. Although the mosque in Medina had no roof, he would not leave the mosque even when it was rainy.
Religious leaders have said the events of a year are determined on this night, meaning that God determines matters such as life, death, sustenance, happiness, and misery of human beings (according to Tafsir al-Mizan) and what humans do during this night affects their destiny.
Islamic sources have explained the heavenly aspects and the meaning of the destiny of world affairs. The rituals recommended on the Night of Qadr are focused on keeping the memory of God alive in the hearts. Repenting of sins and making great decisions for the future are the themes that one can find in all these practices. This is especially apparent in famous supplications such Al-Iftitah and Abu Hamza al-Thumali.
The Night of Qadr is the night of man’s turning towards God. The holy Prophet (PBUH) said “the value of human deeds depends on the intentions” and this night influences one’s intentions.
Many of the actions of Muslims are similar to those of non-Muslims, but the Islamic law has determined rewards for actions such as drinking, working, studying, helping the needy, etc. for believers in the month of Ramadan. Why? Because these actions are done with the intention of approaching God and acquiring divine attributes. Purification of human intention requires a great decision that becomes easy on the Night of Qadr.
Now, let’s take a fresh look at verse 3 of Surah Al-Qadr: “The Qadr Night is better than a thousand months”. A thousand months equals about 83 years, which probably refers to the average life expectancy of a human being. This means that one can attain achievements at this night that may need a lifetime otherwise. Actions on this night shape one’s behavior in the future and put him among righteous human beings.
Destiny has no contradiction with the freedom of man’s free will because divine destiny is according to the merits of individuals and the degree of faith and piety of their intentions and actions. That is, nothing is destined for individuals unless they prepare the grounds for it.
