Which nights have scholars specifically recommended for worship and performing good deeds?

Allah Almighty has endowed certain nights and days with unique merits and blessings to motivate individuals to engage in worship of their Lord and to bestow upon them mercy and rewards. Scholars have specified these nights as Laylut al-Qadr (the Night of Power), the eve of Eid al-Fitr, the eve of Eid al-Adha, the ten days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah, the last ten nights of Ramadan, the eve of 15th Sha’ban, the eve of the day of Arafat, the eve of Friday, and the eve of the first day of the month of Rajab.

Many scholars have noted that there are certain nights which occur throughout the year that hold special significance, making it highly recommended for Muslims to commemorate them due to their great virtue in the sight of Allah Almighty. Ibn Nujaym, the renowned Hanafi scholar, wrote in Al-Bahr Al-Ra`iq (2/56-7), “Among the recommended acts is commemorating the [last] ten days of Ramadan, the eve of the two eids, the ten days of Dhul-Hijjah, and the eve of 15th Sha’ban as mentioned in the hadiths and as detailed in Al-Targhib wal Tarhib … The apparent meaning is that all these nights are included, although it is possible that the majority of them are specified. It is disliked to commemorate these nights in congregation in mosques; rather, it is mentioned in Al-Hawi Al-Qudsi, ‘No voluntary prayers should be performed in congregation except for tarawih prayers. As for the prayers reported to be performed during blessed times, such as Laylut al-Qadr, the eve of 15 Sha’ban, the eve of the two eids, Arafat, Friday and others, they are to be performed individually.”

Sheikh al-Islam Taqiy al-Deen al-Subki wrote in his Tafseer, “Observing worship on the eve of the 15th Sha’ban atones for the sins of the year, the eve of Friday atones for the sins of the week, and Laylut al-Qadr atones for the sins of a lifetime.” This was transmitted by Al-Zabaydi in Ithaf al-Sada al-Muttaqin (3/427).

The ruling

Based on the above, the nights that scholars have identified as recommended for worship are Laylut al-Qadr, the eve of Eid al-Fitr, the eve of Eid al-Adha, the ten nights of Dhul-Hijjah, the last ten days of Ramadan, the eve of 15 Sha’ban, the eve of Arafat, the eve of Friday, and the eve of the first day of Rajab.

And Allah Almighty knows best