Recognize the value of the Night of Qadr [97:3]

Here is today's reflection from the Quran:

The grand night is better than a thousand months [Sura Qadr, 97:31]

Laylatul Qadr (the grand night, night of power, night of destiny) is the anniversary of the night when the verses of the Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (saw). This night, the holiest in the Islamic calendar, is a celebration to commemorate the arrival of the final guidance for humankind. While we know that Laylatul Qadr is during the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan, Allah swt in His infinite wisdom, has decided to keep the exact date a mystery.

The verse we are discussing from Sura Qadr today, tells us that Laylatul Qadr, or the Grand Night is better than a thousand months.

In the verse preceding this one, the Quran has invited us to raise our consciousness by asking And what will make you comprehend what the grand night is? [97:2].

The verse [97:3] answers this question by informing us that the Grand Night, or Laylatul Qadr is better, more elevated than one thousand months.

A thousand months is equal to more than 80 years, a quantity of time that is equal to, if not more than, a lifetime for many of us.

Clearly the Quran wants us to understand that there is a difference in quality of time if we recognize the value of this night.

One way to understand this is that one night of consciousness, of enlightenment, of making a paradigm shift, is better than living 80 years in a state of unconsciousness or confusion.

The Holy Prophet (saw) in a famous narration is reported to have said: "An hour of contemplation is superior to an entire year's worship." Just as a small quantity of contemplation has the potential to forever change the quality of our worship, a paradigm shift in life (facilitated by the supporting energies of this night) has the potential to transform the way we live our life, from heedlessness to comprehension, to vision and to understanding.

It is a night which invites us to have a major "aha" moment, to recognize the purpose of our existence, where we are headed and to mold the rest of our life accordingly. It has the potential of helping us awaken to our full potential, to open our heart to revelation so that we recognize Truth itself.

So whatever else we do on this night, let us take a few moments to reflect and contemplate on this verse: what can we do to make this night worthy of a lifetime's worship and awareness?

One way to think about this is to consider that He is asking us to be co-creators in our own destiny by allowing us and inviting us to worship on this Grand Night and ask for what we need in order to live our purpose on this planet. This is a night which is filled with the opportunity to change the story of our lives.

While considering what to ask for (in addition to the health and safety of ourselves, our families and the Ummah) it is worth taking some time to reflect on our purpose in life, how we can fulfill it and what we need to get going. This important reflection will help us in beginning to take responsibility for our lives and become proactive in creating a life that is meaningful and fulfills the purpose for why we are here.

It is only once we have a purpose that we can ask for meaning help in fulfilling it.