Salaam alaykum warahmatullaah wabarakaatuh,
Please, kindly note the following few important points as regards the adhkaar for Laylatul Qadr:
1. The authentic text of the supplication taught by the Rasuul is:
اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي ”
“Allaahuma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa’fuannii”
This statement was reported by Aisha (may Allah be pleased with her) who said, I said to Allah’s Apostle, “Yaa Rasuulallaah, what should I say on the occasion of the Laylatul Qadr?
قال الشيخ الألباني في السلسلة الصحيحة عند حديث رقم 3337:
تنبيه : وقع في سنن الترمذي بعد قوله : ( عفو ) زيادة ( كريم ) ! ولا أصل لها في شيء من المصادر المتقدمة ، ولا في غيرها ممن نقل عنها ، فالظاهر أنها مدرجة من بعض الناسخين أو الطابعين ، فإنها لم ترد في الطبعة الهندية من سنن الترمذي التي عليها شرح ( تحفة الأحوذي ) للمباركفوري ( 4 / 264 ) ولا في غيرها ، وإن مما يؤكد ذلك أن النسائي في بعض روا يته أخرجه من الطريق التي أخرجها الترمذي ، كلاهما عن شيخهما ( قتيبة بن سعيد ) بإسناده دون الزيادة .
انتهى كلامه رحمه الله
Shaykh Albaani said: Note: It is found in the Sunan of Tirmidhi the addition of “Kareem” after the word “Afuwwun”. Such addition has no basis at all in all the sources previously mentioned. Apparently, it was a mistake on the part of the transcribers or printers, for such was not contained in the Indian publication of the book which was the source for Al-Ahwazi’s translation and commentary on the work…”
So, stop adding “Kareem” to your supplication. It is unfounded and baseless.
2. The supplication is to be made individually and not collectively (in a single voice) as we witness today in most of our Mosques. It’s so unfortunate that many Imams have turned this beautiful supplication into a chorus that they chant on top of their voices, disturbing the peace and decorum of others. More so, they have changed the wordings of the hadith from singular pronoun to plural. Today, فاعف عنِّي is now being pronounced as فاعف عنّا just to satisfy their conscience.
3. The saying of the adhkaar is a continuous act throughout the last ten days of Ramadaan, especially during the odd days. It is not limited to after Salaat as the Imams have reduced it. It’s a statement that we should chant at all times.
May Allah grant us guidance and understanding.
Sirnucy Lafiagi