Laylat al-Qadr

Laylat al-Qadr (Arabic: لیلة القدر‎) which is also known as Shab-e-Qadr, variously rendered in English as the Night of Destiny, Night of Power, Night of Value, the Night of Decree or Night of Measures. It is the anniversary of two very important dates in Islam that occurred in the month of Ramadan. It is the anniversary of the night the first verses of the Al Quran al Kareem were revealed to the Islamic prophet Muhammad (S.A.W.W) peace be upon him.

Revelation to Muhammad

Laylat al-Qadr is believed to be the night when the Quran was first revealed. Some but not all Muslims believe that revelation of the Quran occurred in two phases, with the first phase being the revelation in its entirety on Laylat al-Qadr to the angel Gabriel (Jibril in Arabic) in the lowest heaven, and then the subsequent verse-by-verse revelation to Muhammad by Gabriel, across 23 years. The revelation started in 610 CE at the Hira cave on Mount Nur in Mecca. The first Surah that was revealed was Surah Al-Alaq (in Arabic ) "العلق" which is also commonly referred to as Surah Iqra (in Arabic) "اقرأ". During the first revelation the first five verses of this surah, chapter, were revealed.

Sunnah

Muslims often pray extra prayers on this day, particularly the night prayer. They awake, pray, and hope God will give them anything they may desire on this night. Mostly, they perform Tilawat (reading or recitation of the Quran).

Those who can afford to devote their time in the remembrance of God stay in the mosque for the final ten days of Ramadan. This worship is called Aiʿtikāf (retreat). They observe a fast during the day and occupy themselves with the remembrance of God, performing voluntary prayers and studying the Quran, day and night, apart from the obligatory prayers which they perform with the congregation. Food and other necessities of life are provided for them during their stay in the Masajid. Devoting time to remember Almighty Allah , Muslims also hope to receive divine favors and blessings connected with Lailat ul-Qadr.
As per the Quran (Surah Qadr) Angels come down on the earth with all things (destiny of the people for the coming year). "The angels and Jibrael descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair" (97:4)

Date

Sunni Islam

Laylat al-Qadr is to be found in the last five odd nights of the 3rd decade of Ramadan. There is no history in the Quran as to when the specific date is. Therefore in the Islamic countries, the Laylat al-Qadar is found to be on the last nights of Ramadan. Mostly it is on one of the odd nights, i.e. the 21st (means the night that follows the day number 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th night. Many traditions insist particularly on the night before the 27 of Ramadan.

Religious importance

Quran

We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power:
And what will explain to thee what the night of power is?
The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand:
Peace!...This until the rise of dawn!

—Surah 97 (Al-Qadr), āyāt 1-5

The verses above regard the Night as better than one thousand months. The whole month of Ramadan is a period of spiritual training wherein believers devote much of their time to fasting, praying, reciting the Quran, remembering Allah, and giving charity. However because of the revealed importance of this night, Muslims strive [give more effort] harder in the last ten days of Ramadan since the Laylat al-Qadr could be one of the odd-numbered days in these last ten (the first, third, fifth, seventh or ninth). Normally, some Muslims from each community perform aiʿtikāf in the Masjid: they remain in the Masjid for the last ten days of the month for prayers and recitation.Women too observe ai'tikaf . They remain in prayer and meditation mostly, although they are allowed to do the minimum domestic work to run the family .When Muhammad (S.A.W.W) observed ai'tikaf in a tent, he saw a few tents around his . His wives joined him by pitching tents.

Common Aamal of all the three nights of Shab-e-Qadr

It is recommended that momineen perform ablution in the evening so that the prayers of Maghrib and Isha'a are performed in absolute cleanliness. Step by Step aamal are stated below for the purpose of clarity.
Prophet Mohammad(s.a.w.w) has said that whoever performs two Raka'at of prayers during Shab-e-Qadr in a manner that after Sura Al-Hamd, recites 7 times Sura Tawheed (Qul ho-Allah ho Ahad) and after prayers recites 70 times , then before his rising up from the prayers, Allah(salawat) will forgive all his sins and the sins of his parents.

 RECITE KALMAH E TAYYABA ONCE....