‘A'isha said she asked God’s messenger to tell her what prayers to say on lailat al-qadr if she knew which night it was, and he told her to say, “O God, Thou art forgiving and lovest forgiveness, so forgive me.” Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi transmitted it, and Tirmidhi declared it to be sound.
Commentary on the Supplication for Laylat al-Qadr
This noble hadith from the Mother of the Believers, 'A'isha (may Allah be pleased with her), recorded in Mishkat al-Masabih 2091, contains profound wisdom regarding the most virtuous night of the year. The Prophet's instruction demonstrates that the essence of worship during Laylat al-Qadr is seeking Allah's mercy and forgiveness.
Scholarly Analysis of the Supplication
The supplication "O God, Thou art forgiving and lovest forgiveness, so forgive me" employs the divine name "Al-'Afuww" (The Pardoner), which signifies Allah's attribute of completely erasing sins and overlooking faults. The phrase "and lovest forgiveness" indicates that Allah not only grants forgiveness but delights in doing so, encouraging believers to seek it abundantly.
Scholars note that this concise prayer encompasses the ultimate purpose of Laylat al-Qadr - spiritual purification. The Night of Decree is when destinies are determined, and what greater destiny could a believer seek than divine pardon? The Prophet taught this specific formula because it acknowledges Allah's nature while humbly requesting what He loves to give.
Practical Implementation
Traditional scholars emphasize repeating this supplication throughout the last ten nights of Ramadan, particularly on odd-numbered nights when Laylat al-Qadr is most likely to occur. The brevity of the prayer allows for frequent repetition while maintaining presence of heart (khushu').
This teaching also illustrates that the best supplications are those taught by the Prophet himself, as they contain the most comprehensive meanings in the most concise forms. The chain of transmission being declared sound (sahih) by Imam Tirmidhi gives this narration particular weight in Islamic jurisprudence regarding Ramadan worship.