By Ishola Haroon Balogun

The significance of the Night of Majesty or Laylatul-Qadr cannot be overemphasised.  Inspite of our knowledge about the glorious night and its importance, preparation towards it has not shown enough awareness and consciousness about its gains. It is one marvellous gift the Creator, Allah (SWT) has given to the Muslim Ummah to redeem and renew themselves every year of all iniquities, attract abundant blessings and of course change their destinies.

It is the night when the whole multitude of angels and the spirit (Ruh) descend on earth, greeting and praying for the believers and conveying messages of peace  It is the night of unsurpassed grandeur when the Quran was revealed through angel Gabriel (Jubril) into the heart of  Prophet Mohammad (s.a.w). It is a night of long lasting blessings. It is a night in one whole Islamic year that influences or better still changes our destinies. A colleague had once told me that even the non-Muslim who recognise the power of the night make proper use of the period in their own way.

The Muslim Ummah who know what Allah has given them should make proper use of it, prepare for it and explore it

Those who know never joked with the nights in the last ten days of Ramadan. There are several Tahajuds (night prayers) going on every night in and around the cities during these last lap of the Ramadan fast.

“Surely We revealed it (the Holy Quran) on the Grand Night. And what will make you comprehend what the grand night. The Grand Night is better than a thousand months. The angels and Gabriel descend in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair, Peace! It is till the break of the morning.” Holy Quran (97:1-5)

The scholars have explained to us that Allah in his infinite wisdom had planned the system of the universe in such a way that every person’s destiny will be determined on a yearly basis.

Allah offered this gesture to mankind as a unique opportunity to influence his own future. This is done by performing certain supererogatory acts, such as dua, salat, zikr sadaqah, and recitation of the Holy Quran.  The important thing at this period is never to miss any night till the end of Ramadan.

Prayer of the day

Rabbana zalamna anfusina wa il lam taghfir lana wa tarhamna lana kuna minal-khasireen
Our Lord! We have wronged our own souls: If thou forgive us not and bestow not upon us Thy Mercy, we shall certainly be lost. [7:23]