The Messenger of Allah (Peace Be Upon Him) is reported to have said: “Whoever stands up (in worship) in the nights preceding the two Eids expecting rewards from his Lord, his heart will not die when the other hearts will die”. (Ibn Majah)
As stated in the above hadith, unlike Laylatu-al-Qadr, Laylat al-Jaiza, also known as Night of Rewards, is the night preceding both the Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha. Essentially, it is believed that whoever wakes up to pray on the night before Eid, they’ll earn rewards for all the fast and good deeds performed throughout the month of Ramadan. This is why Muslims consider this night a blessed night to offer prayers and supplications to Almighty Allah (SWT).
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), in Suyuti, said, “There are five nights on which du’a is not rejected: the first night of Rajab, the fifteenth night of Sha’ban, Thursday night, the night before Eid al-Fitr and the night before Eid al-Nahr (al-Adha).”
So what should we be doing during Laylatul-Jaizah?
As a Muslim seeking for more blessing and reward from Allah (SWT), it important to work towards being carried away or too occupied by the preparations for Eid. In other words, they should spend the night preceding the Eid to seek for forgiveness from Allah for the sins of a lifetime, engage in nawafil (i.e. supererogatory prayers), say a lot of azkar, recite the Quran and make other personal prayer requests deeply close to their heart.
Numerous hadith narrate that Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) would not sleep in the night preceding the day of Eid al-Fitr; instead, he would engage in nawafil (supererogatory prayers) all night.
Hence, let’s explore some verses of Qur’an and hadiths of Prophet Muhammad that specifically guide us on how to call unto Allah, especially on the Night of Rewards (Laylat-al-Jaizah).
Recite Quran
According to At-Thirmidhi, Prophet Muhmmad (PBUH) said: “Whoever reads a letter from the Book of Allah, he will have a reward, and this reward will be multiplied by ten. I am not saying that ‘Alif, Laam, Meem’ (a combination of letters frequently mentioned in the Holy Quran) is a letter, rather I am saying that ‘Alif’ is a letter, ‘Laam’ is a letter and ‘Meem’ is a letter.” Also, in Sahih Al-Bukhari and Muslim, the Prophet is reported to have said: “Indeed the one who recites the Quran beautifully, smoothly, and precisely, will be in the company of the noble and obedient angels. As for the one who recites with difficulty, stammering or stumbling through its verses, then he will have twice that reward.”
Seek forgiveness
In Qur’an chapter 73 verse 20, Allah (SWT) say: “And seek forgiveness of Allah; surely Allah is Forgiving, Compassionate.”. He further says in Qur’an chapter 4 verse 110 that “whoever does evil, or wrongs his own soul, but afterwards seeks Allah’s forgiveness, will find Allah is Forgiving, Compassionate.”
Perform Nawafil
Most Islamic scholars recommend that we should perform solatul tasbih on Laylatul Jaiza, as it is highly rewarding. Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) is reported to have said that those who perform solatu tasbih will have their past and future sins forgiven. In his recommendation, he said we should try to perform this prayer once every Friday, once a month, once a year or at least once in a lifetime.
Do Azkar and Make Personal Prayer Requests
“In Paradise there is a castle reserved for those who read Tahajjud and those who pray at night will enter paradise without having to account for their acts in this life,” the Prophet (PBUH) has said. More so, Muslims are encouraged to engage in azkar (repeatedly saying subuhanallah walhadulillah wallahillaha illa Allah wallahu akbar wa laa haola wala kuwwata illa billahi al-aliyu al-‘azeem.
As we wrap up Ramadan, we should take on the habit of worshipping Allah regularly, as we did during Ramadan and take advantage of the Night of Reward to call unto Allah for cleansing of our sins and granting us abundant rewards here and the hereafter.
On the last note, borrowing from the words of Ibn Rajab al-Hanbali (may Allah be pleased with him), ‘how can a believer not shed tears at the departure of Ramadan, when he doesn’t even know whether he’ll be alive for its return or not?’ May Allah elongate our life to witness more and more of Ramadan and Night of Rewards.
