The Arabic includes the chain of narration (sanad) and the collector's commentary; the English translation shows the Prophet's words only.
حَدَّثَنَا مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ الْمُثَنَّى، حَدَّثَنَا أَبُو عَامِرٍ، حَدَّثَنَا هِشَامٌ، عَنْ يَحْيَى، عَنْ أَبِي سَلَمَةَ، قَالَ تَذَاكَرْنَا لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ فَأَتَيْتُ أَبَا سَعِيدٍ الْخُدْرِيَّ - رضى الله عنه - وَكَانَ لِي صَدِيقًا فَقُلْتُ أَلاَ تَخْرُجُ بِنَا إِلَى النَّخْلِ فَخَرَجَ وَعَلَيْهِ خَمِيصَةٌ فَقُلْتُ لَهُ سَمِعْتَ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَذْكُرُ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ فَقَالَ نَعَمْ اعْتَكَفْنَا مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم الْعَشْرَ الْوُسْطَى مِنْ رَمَضَانَ فَخَرَجْنَا صَبِيحَةَ عِشْرِينَ فَخَطَبَنَا رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَقَالَ
" إِنِّي أُرِيتُ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ وَإِنِّي نَسِيتُهَا - أَوْ أُنْسِيتُهَا - فَالْتَمِسُوهَا فِي الْعَشْرِ الأَوَاخِرِ مِنْ كُلِّ وِتْرٍ وَإِنِّي أُرِيتُ أَنِّي أَسْجُدُ فِي مَاءٍ وَطِينٍ فَمَنْ كَانَ اعْتَكَفَ مَعَ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم فَلْيَرْجِعْ " . قَالَ فَرَجَعْنَا وَمَا نَرَى فِي السَّمَاءِ قَزَعَةً قَالَ وَجَاءَتْ سَحَابَةٌ فَمُطِرْنَا حَتَّى سَالَ سَقْفُ الْمَسْجِدِ وَكَانَ مِنْ جَرِيدِ النَّخْلِ وَأُقِيمَتِ الصَّلاَةُ فَرَأَيْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم يَسْجُدُ فِي الْمَاءِ وَالطِّينِ قَالَ حَتَّى رَأَيْتُ أَثَرَ الطِّينِ فِي جَبْهَتِهِ .
'We discussed amongst ourselves Lailat-ul-Qadr. I came to Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) who was a friend of mine and said to him: Would you not go with us to the garden of date trees? He went out with a cloak over him. I said to him: Did you hear the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) making mention of Lailat-ul-Qadr? He said: Yes, (and added) we were observing i'tikaf with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) in the middle ten days of Ramadan, and came out on the morning of the twentieth and the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) addressed us and said: I was shown Lailat-ul-Qadr, but I forgot (the exact night) or I was caused to forget it, so seek it in the last ten odd (nights), and I was shown that I was prostrating in water and clay. So he who wanted to observe i'tikaf with the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) should return (to the place of i'tikaf). He (Abu Sa'id al-Khudri) said: And we returned and did not find any patch of cloud in the sky. Then the cloud gathered and there was (so heavy) a downpour that the roof of the mosque which was made of the branches of date-palms began to drip. Then there was prayer and I saw the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) prostrating in water and clay till I saw the traces of clay on his forehead.
Narrated by Abu Salama reported:
Context
This hadith recounts an incident where companions of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ discussed the significance of Lailat-ul-Qadr, the Night of Decree, during the month of Ramadan. They sought clarification from Abu Sa'id al-Khudri about the Prophet's ﷺ teachings on this night. The Prophet ﷺ indicated that it could be found in the last ten nights of Ramadan, specifically on odd-numbered nights, and he demonstrated his devotion by prostrating in water and clay, highlighting the importance of humility and worship during this sacred time.
Modern Application
During Ramadan, many Muslims strive to enhance their spiritual practices, especially in the last ten nights, seeking Lailat-ul-Qadr through prayers and reflection. This dedication can inspire individuals to engage more deeply in their faith, encouraging acts of charity, community service, and personal growth during this holy month.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Prayer and Fasting because it emphasizes the significance of worship and devotion during the holy month of Ramadan.
Indeed, your Lord knows, [O Muhammad], that you stand [in prayer] almost two thirds of the night or half of it or a third of it, and [so do] a group of those with you. And Allah determines [the extent of] the night and the day. He has known that you [Muslims] will not be able to do it and has turned to you in forgiveness, so recite what is easy [for you] of the Qur'an. He has known that there will be among you those who are ill and others traveling throughout the land seeking [something] of the bounty of Allah and others fighting for the cause of Allah. So recite what is easy from it and establish prayer and give zakah and loan Allah a goodly loan. And whatever good you put forward for yourselves - you will find it with Allah. It is better and greater in reward. And seek forgiveness of Allah. Indeed, Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.
The month of Ramadhan [is that] in which was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for the people and clear proofs of guidance and criterion. So whoever sights [the new moon of] the month, let him fast it; and whoever is ill or on a journey - then an equal number of other days. Allah intends for you ease and does not intend for you hardship and [wants] for you to complete the period and to glorify Allah for that [to] which He has guided you; and perhaps you will be grateful.
And he said, "Indeed, I gave preference to the love of good [things] over the remembrance of my Lord until the sun disappeared into the curtain [of darkness]."
سُورَةُ القَدۡرِ
Al-Qadr (The Power, Fate)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
2 ayahs
وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ
And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree?
إِنَّآ أَنزَلْنَٰهُ فِى لَيْلَةِ ٱلْقَدْرِ
Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree.