One of the most distinctive aspects of the Holy month of Ramadan is Qadr (the night of power), which is the most blessed night of the year. Qadr means honor and dignity. Lailatul Qadr also known as Shab-e-Qadr, means the night of destiny, night of power, night value, the night of decree or night of measures. In this very night, the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW), when he was in prayer in the cave of Mount Hira. The Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW) was forty years of age at that time. Since this night enjoy the honor of having the first revelation brought to the Prophet Hazrat Muhammad (SAW), it has been named Lailatul Qadr.
The importance of Lailatul Qadr is great since Holy Quran was sent down in this night. The Muslims who find Lailatul Qadr should stay up and pray whole night out of faith and hoping for reward from Almighty Allah. This means the worship performed in this night brings more reward than that worship carried out for the period of a thousand months. In the authentic teachings of Rasulullah (SAW), it is mentioned that Allah Almighty showers his special mercy in this night towards the inhabitants of the earth, accepts the Dua's made by His servants and forgives all those people who repent sincerely, as Rasulullah (SAW) has stated in a hadith: " Whosoever stood up in front of Allah on the night of Qadr with Iman and true conviction of attaining reward from Allah, in return, Allah will forgive all his previous sins." (Muslim)
Lailatul Qadr is a blessed night because the Allah Almighty brings down the night goodness, bliss, and forgiveness for His servants. It is a feast which has come with a message that shows one the way to achieve happiness in both the worlds. Lailatul Qadr is a feast for the spirit, a feast of worship and prayers. We have been advised to beseech Allah Almighty during the whole year before the arrival of the Night of power, to keep us alive for this night. Not a single night of the year is comparable with the Night of power. The Night of power is the most suitable night for attaining nearness to Allah.
