By Allah, I know about Lailat-ul Qadr and I know it fully well that it is the twenty-seventh night (during Ramadan) on which the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) commanded us to observe prayer. (Shu'ba was in doubt about these words:" the night on which the Messenger of Allah [may peace be upon him] commanded us to observe the prayer." This has been transmitted to me by a friend of mine.)
The Book of Prayer - Travellers
Sahih Muslim 762 b
Hadith Commentary
This narration indicates the virtue of the twenty-seventh night of Ramadan as being Laylat al-Qadr, based upon the practice and instruction of the Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ). The command to observe prayer refers to standing in night prayer (Qiyam al-Layl) with particular devotion on this blessed night, seeking its immense rewards.
The narrator's certainty ("I know it fully well") reflects the strength of this transmission regarding this specific date, though scholars note that Laylat al-Qadr may shift within the last ten nights to increase believers' worship. The parenthetical remark by Shu'ba demonstrates the meticulous care of hadith scholars in verifying every word of transmission.
The wisdom in specifying prayer emphasizes that the best way to honor this night is through sincere devotion, recitation of Qur'an, and seeking forgiveness - for worship therein is better than a thousand months of worship.
Scholarly Insights
Imam An-Nawawi comments that while this hadith specifies the 27th, other authentic narrations indicate it could be any of the odd-numbered nights in the last ten days of Ramadan, encouraging believers to worship throughout all these nights.
Ibn Hajar al-Asqalani notes that the differing opinions among scholars regarding the exact night serve a divine wisdom - to motivate Muslims to increase worship during all the last ten nights rather than limiting their efforts to one specific night.