What, then, is the Lailatul Qadr?

by Dr. Aslam AbdullahGod Almighty revealed the Quran at a time when the world was living in a spiritual vacuum and darkness.  It was a world that had forgotten the significance of the divine revelation or Wahi in one's life. In fact, the renewal of the revelation was a turning point in human history and the beginning of a new era.      It was expected that men and women under divine guidance would create a world that would bring about peace and justice and end the exploitative ways of managing things. It was meant to redefine God and His message in an objective manner. The night when the revelation began was indeed the most blessed night, better than 1,000 months.This night created the intellectual conditions for the coming of an era where human beings under divine guidance would be inspired to explore the forces of nature and learn about their real purpose of existence. They would overcome superstitions and irrational thoughts that had dominated them for centuries in the name of God.The guidance would inspire Human beings to rid of all darkness and ignorance and ultimately bring material resources in full harmony with divine guidance. The resources created by the divine would be used for serving humanity not destroying it. It was expected that Humans would draw strength from their intellect, sincerity, and commitment to divine guidance as well as from the hidden forces of Allah.It’s a night when human beings should focus on rediscovering their real purpose in the universe under divine guidance and refresh their commitment to those values. If they do that this one night would be better than 1000 months and they would rediscover the real essence of life.So what should we do on this night.Select a few passages of the Quran that reminds human beings of their role in this universe and reflect on them while offering prayers as many times as one can and seek clarity for future work.Spend the night in seclusion pondering about the Quran message. In addition to having big lectures and extra congregational prayers with lengthy duas sung in heart-melting voices also spend the night reflecting upon your existence, your purpose and your future commitment and Allah has promised that you would find the power in this night.