The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) observed i'tikaf in the middle ten days of Ramadan to seek Lailat-ul-Qadr before it was made manifest to him. When (these nights) were over, he commanded to strike the tent. Then it was made manifest to him that (Lailat-ul-Qadr) was in the last ten nights (of Ramadan), and commanded to pitch the tent (again). He then came to the people and said: O people, Lailat-ul-Qadr was made manifest to me and I came out to inform you about it that two persons came contending with each other and there was a devil along with them and I forgot it. So seek it in the last ten nights of Ramadan. Seek it on the ninth, on the seventh and on the fifth. I (one of the narrators) said: Abu Sa'id, you know more than us about numbers. He said: Yes, indeed we have better right than you. I said: What is this ninth, seventh, and fifth? He said: When twenty-one (nights are over) and the twenty-second begins, it is the ninth, and when twenty-three (nights) are over, that which follows (the last night) is the seventh, and when twenty-five nights are over, what follows it is fifth. Ibn Khallad said: Instead of the word Yahliqan (contending), he said Yakhtasiman, (they are disputing).
Narrated by Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported:
Context
Abu Sa'id al-Khudri narrates that the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ observed i'tikaf during the middle ten days of Ramadan to seek Lailat-ul-Qadr. However, after realizing that it was in the last ten nights, he instructed the tent to be pitched again. This hadith illustrates the Prophet's dedication to worship and the significance of seeking out special nights during Ramadan.
Modern Application
During Ramadan, many Muslims engage in spiritual practices such as i'tikaf, seeking to deepen their connection with Allah. This dedication to worship during the holy month encourages individuals to reflect on their spirituality and strive for personal growth.
Topics
This hadith is tagged with Fasting and Night Prayer (Tahajjud) because it emphasizes the importance of worship during Ramadan and the special significance of Lailat-ul-Qadr.
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.
سُورَةُ الفَجۡرِ
Al-Fajr (The Dawn)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
1 ayah
وَلَيَالٍ عَشْرٍۢ
And [by] ten nights
سُورَةُ القَدۡرِ
Al-Qadr (The Power, Fate)
بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَـٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ
2 ayahs
لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌۭ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍۢ
The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.
وَمَآ أَدْرَىٰكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ ٱلْقَدْرِ
And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree?
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.
This hadith is #2658 from Sahih Muslim, in the Book of The Book of Fasting. It is graded Sahih and narrated by Abu Sa'id al-Khudri (Allah be pleased with him) reported:.