The Place of Laylat al-Qadr in Ramadan

Question:
In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful. Honorable Shaykh, is it possible for Laylat al-Qadr to be in the first or second third of Ramadan?

Answer:
It can be in Ramadan; it is definitely in Ramadan, either at the beginning, the end, or the middle. Allah concealed it so that we would strive throughout the entire month. Whoever strives throughout the month attains the reward of the month and the reward of Laylat al-Qadr, combining the two virtues, and this is what Allah loves for His servant. As for whoever limits himself to some of the nights in which Laylat al-Qadr is expected, he may hit upon it or he may not. It may be in nights other than those he intended. So Allah concealed it so that the servant would strive throughout the month, attaining both rewards: the reward of standing in prayer in Ramadan and the reward of standing in prayer for the month. Whoever stands in prayer in Ramadan, his previous sins are forgiven. Whoever stands in prayer with the imam until he finishes, it is recorded for him as standing in prayer for a whole night. A whole night, even though you only stood for the beginning and a few rak'ahs with the imam, but if you do not leave before he finishes, it is recorded for you as standing in prayer for a whole night, and this is from the favor of Allah, Glorified and Exalted is He.