The religious performances of laylatul -Qadr (19th, 21st & 23rd of Ramadan)

The common religious performances

1. To take a bath. Allama Majlisi says, "It is better to take a bath before sunset so that the night prayers may be performed after bath".

2. To offer two Raqats of prayer, in every Raqat offer Surat-al-Hamd, and Surat-al-Tawhid/ Surrah Ikhlaas (Kulhowallah) seven times, and after finishing the prayer, 70 times recite: "Astagferullaah Rabbi Wa atoobo elaihe" i.e., "I seek pardon from God and ask for penitence from Him".

3. The Holy Qur'an should be opened and placed in front, then one should recite,

O Allah treat me as one of those who are free from Hell, in the name of this Holy Book sent by Thee, whatever there be in the Book. Including Ism-e-A'azam and Asmaa-e-Husnaa and the things to be dreaded, the things that may be expected and desired, like blessings of Jannat(heaven).

"Alaahumma inni asaloka be kitaabekal munzale Wa maa feeh, wa feehismokal akbaro wa asmaaokal husnaa, wa maa yokhaafo Wa yurjaa an taj-alani min otaqaaeka minan-Naar",

(SALAWAT-After this he may beg from Allah whatever he wants).

4. He should place the Holy Qur'an on his head and say,

O Allah! I appeal to Thee in the name of this Qur'an and the spirit that was sent along with it, and in the name of the believers whose praise is contained in this Book and Tine obligation that is on them. No one else recognizes the right and truth more than Thee.

"Allaahumma be haqqe haazal Qur'an we be haqqe man arsaltahoo beh, Wa be haqqe kulle momenin madahtahoo feeh, we be haqqeka alaihim fa-laa ahada a'arafo be haqqeka mink",

(SALAWAT-After this he should repeat 10 times each):

BEKA YA ALLAH'HO (S.W.T.)

BE MOHAMMADIN (S.A.W.)

BE ALIYYIN (A.S.)

BE FATEMATA (A.S.)

BIL HASANE (A.S.) BIL HUSAINE (A.S.)

BE ALIY IBN-IL HUSAIN (A.S.)

BE MOHAMMED IBN ALIYYIN (A.S.)

BE JA'FAR IBN MOHAMMEDIN (A.S.)

BE MOOSA IBN JA'FAR (A.S.)

BE ALI IBN MOOSA (A.S.)

BE MOHAMMED IBN ALIYYIN (A.S.)

BE ALI IBN MOHAMMED (A.S.)

BIL HASAN IBN ALIYYIN (A.S.)

BIL HOJJATIL QAEM (A.S.)

5. To recite the Ziarat of Imam Hussain (A.S.). According to Hadith, during Shab-e-Qadr an angel proclaims from the Throne on the Seventh sky, "Allah the Benevolent forgives him, whosoever performs the Ziarat of the grave of Imam-e-Hussain (A.S.)."

6. One should keep himself awake throughout these three nights. The vigil during these nights carries great heavenly reward (sawab).

7. To offer 100 Raq'ats of prayer. It has been highly recommended. It is better to recite (after Surat-al-Hamd)10 timesthe Surat-al-Tawhid/ Sure Ikhlaas (Kulhowallah).

8. Recite: "Astagferullaah Rabbi Wa atoobo elaihe"100 times (i.e., "I seek pardon from God and ask for penitence from Him").

9. Recite: "Allaahummal'an qatalatal Ameeril Momeneen"100 times (i.e., "O Allah! Thy malison upon the assassin of Ameerul Moineneen Ali ibne Abi Talib").

10. Give Sadqa/charity

11.Recite Dua Nudba & Remember Imam e zamana (atfs) much throughout the night.

12. Seek forgiveness & Recite Dua Kumail & Dua Tawba & the 15 whispered prayers from Sahifa Sajjadia

14. Read some Fiqh rules

Invocation for the 19th night

One Who was before everything and then brought everything into existence. He will remain while all else will be destroyed. O the One sole and solitary excepting Whom there is none else in the high heavens or low earths or above and below them, or in between them who is worth worshiping. Only Thou art the deity and none else deserves to be worshipped. Thou only deserves the praise which cannot be encompassed but by Thee. Therefore bestow Peace and Blessings on Muhammad (PBUH) and Aal-e-Muhammad (A.S.) such as no body else has the power to encompass.

On 23rd night, Recite the following Surahs from the Holy Qur'an:Ankabut (the Spider) 29th Surah.

Roum (The Roman Empire) 30th Sura.Dukhan (Smoke or Mist) 44th Sura.

This Invocation is to be recited

I have passed the evening as a very humble servant of Thee. I have no control over the gains and losses for my person. I cannot remove any evil from myself. I depose against my conscience. I admit my weakness and inability of managing my affairs. Bestow Tine blessings on Mohammad (P.B.U.H.) and his Family(A.S.). Whatever Thou hast given me or promised, fulfill that. Verily! I am Tine humble, weak and destitute servant. O Allah! Let me not forget the blessings that Thou hast bestowed on me, and let me not be forgetful about Tine kindness. Do not deny me Thine acceptance though it may be delayed, may it pertain to sorrow or happiness, and may it be connected with peace and tranquility or hardship and vicissitudes or pertaining to blessings. Thou hearse and accepts invocations in every condition.

The Prophet (PBUH) when asked what should one invoke Allah during these nights, said: "Ask for your safety (here and in the hereafter)".

Invocation for the 19th night

O Allah! Whatever is decided and ordained by Thee during Laila-tul Qadr (night of Destiny) is final and full of wisdom. Whatever changes are affected, in the Night in previous decrees that could not be changed by anybody else.  Do let me be one of those whose Hajj is acceptable, whose efforts are rewarded, the efforts of those respected Hajis whose sins have been pardoned and whose errors have been forgiven. Add to my destiny the length of my life, increase my life, increase my livelihood and fulfill my desires.

Note: After this, beg from Allah whatever you desire.

Invocation for the 21st night

O the One Who turns day into night and night into day. O the One Who brings out the living from the dead and the dead from the living. O the One Who gives sustenance to whomsoever and whatsoever he likes. O Allah! O Merciful! O Allah! O Allah! O Allah! The best names are for Thee alone. The best examples are for Thee. The grandeur and choice things are for Thee. I beg of Thee to bless Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) and his Family(A.S.). Write down my name, in this night with the fortunate ones. Let my soul be in the company of the martyrs. Let my good acts be reckoned as "Illyeen" (exalted). Let my sins be condoned. Bestow on me that belief by virtue of which Thou may be nearest to my heart, that "Eemaan" which may remove all doubts from my mind. Let me be satisfied with that whatever Thou hast ordained for me. Let me have the virtues of this world and the Hereafter (Aakherat). Save me from the fire of Hell. Let me be attentive to Tine praise and thanks and let me presentmyself in Tine court. Do bestow the same "tawfique" (ability) to me which Thou hast bestowed upon Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) and his Family (A.S.).

Invocation for the 23rd night

O Lord of Lailatul Qadr! (Night of  Destiny!) Who has made it better than 1000 months! O the Lord of the day and the night and the mountains and oceans, the Lord of light and darkness! O the Lord of the earth and the skies! O the Creator! O the Designer! O the Kind! O the One Who favors! O Allah Who maintains everything! O Allah! O the Kindest! O Allah! O the Creator of new things! O Allah! O Allah! O Allah! The best names are for Thee alone. Thou hast control over all virtues. I ask Thee to send blessings on Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) and his Family (A.S.). Write my name, in this Night of Qadr, among the names of the fortunate. Let my soul keep the company of the martyrs. Let my good deeds be reckoned with "Illiyeen" (those exalted). Forgive my sins. Bestow on me such belief that Thou may be nearest to my heart. Give me such understanding that all the doubts may be removed. Let me be contended over that which has been ordained for me: Let me have goodness and virtues in this world and the next. Save me from the glowing fire of Hell. Encourage metowards Tine remembrance with pleasure and to be penitent. Give me all those virtues that Thou hast given to Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) and his Family(A.S.).