THE NIGHT OF REWARD

In a Hadith, the Prophet of Islam has said: “Every deed in Islam is rewarded from ten to seven hundred times. But God says, ‘Fasting is for me, and I will give unlimited reward to one who fasts.’” (Sahih Muslim, Hadith No. 1151)

According to this tradition a believer who keeps fasts ‘for the sake of God’ will be given unlimited reward from God Almighty. Another portion of an authentic Hadith reported by Abu Hurairah and recorded in Musnad Ahmed is as follows:

“During the last night of Ramadan, the sins of all the believers who have been fasting are forgiven. It was asked, ‘O Prophet of God, is this night the one known as the ‘night of power’?’ The Prophet replied, ‘No, but as soon as the deed is done, the reward for the deed is immediately bestowed’.” (Musnad Ahmad, Hadith No. 7917) This night of Ramadan is referred to in other Hadith literature as the ‘night of reward’. (Shu’abul Iman by Al-Bayhaqi, Hadith No. 4271)

According to this Hadith, on the last night of Ramadan is called ‘the night of reward’. Those amongst the followers of the Prophet who have fasted in the true spirit will be rewarded for their deeds, and this will be noted in their records.

We should understand the importance of this night and not lose this great opportunity to earn rewards by spending it in frivolous shopping and entertainment.

The ‘night of reward’ is best utilized in more prayer and supplication, in introspection of the whole month of Ramadan that has just passed and in making fresh resolutions for the new year to come.

In reality, those who have spent the month of Ramadan in its true spirit can never even contemplate that they can spend the last night of Ramadan in frivolous activity.