> The Night of Power - A night greater than 1000 months

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The Night of Power - A night greater than 1000 months

"Verily, We sent it down in the night of al-Qadr. And what will make you know what the night of al-Qadr is? The night of al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Spirit by their Lord's permission with all Decrees. Peace! Until the appearance of dawn."(Al-Qadr: 1-5)

"We sent it (this Qur'an) down on a blessed Night. Verily, We are ever warning (mankind of Our Torment). Therein (that Night) is decreed every matter of ordainment. Amran (i.e. a command or this Qur'an or His Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messenger). (As) a Mercy from your Lord. Verily! He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. {Surah Dukhan 44:3-6}

As Mujaahid reported, the Prophet SAW mentioned, "When the month of Ramadhan came, the Messenger of Allah SAW said: "The month of Ramadhan has come, a blessed month in which Allah SWT has made it obligatory for you to fast, in it the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained. In it is a night better than a thousand months, whoever loses the benefits of it has lost something irreplaceable." {Ahmad}

"Allah's Messenger, (SAW), looked back at the previous communities and saw that his community lived for a much shorter period in comparison to them. He was concerned about how his community would be able to gain as many rewards as those of the previous communities. So when Allah the Exalted saw the concerns in the heart of His Beloved, (SAW), then he, (SAW), was given Laylatul-Qadr, which is more virtuous than a thousand months." {Imām Mālik, Muatta}

The Night of Power is indeed unique in every sense. Most befittingly it has been afforded exclusively to the Ummah of Rasulullah (SAW), which is in itself unique from all previous nations. The magnanimous rewards and benefits of this auspicious night also dictate that its occurrence remains partially disclosed. Allah (SWT) alone knows the true date of Laylatul Qadr and those wanting to earn this night have to vigilantly search for it in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan.

It was narrated by Abdullah that the Prophet SAW said: Allah's Apostle went out to inform the people about the date of the night of decree (al-Qadr) but there happened a quarrel between two Muslim men. The Prophet SAW said:"I came out to inform you about (the date of) the night of al-Qadr, but as so and so and so and so quarrelled, its knowledge was taken away (I forgot it) and maybe it was better for you. Now look for it in the last 10 nights of the month of Ramadhan." {al-Bukhari, Volume 1:46}

It was also reported by Aishah (Ra): "The Messenger of Allah SAW used to exert more (in worship) on the last ten than on other nights." {Muslim}

Allah SWT tells us that the Qur'an was sent down in the night of al-Qadr, or Lailatul Qadr. Lailatul Qadr occurs in the month of Ramadhan, as Allah says: "The month of Ramadhan in which the Qur'an was sent down." (Al-Baqarah: 185)

As we read the texts above, we can gather that the night of al-Qadr or Lailatul Qadr is the most blessed night in a year. A person, who misses it, has indeed missed great benefits. It is recommended to seek the night and spend it diligently in devotion, including performing Tahajjud prayers, and reciting the Qur'an and supplications.

It was narrated by Nafi: Ibn Umar said, "In the lifetime of the Prophet (SAW) I saw a dream that a piece of silk cloth was in my hand and it flew with me to whichever part of Paradise I wanted. I also saw as if two persons (that is angels) came to me and wanted to take me to Hell. Then an angel met us and told me not to be afraid. He then told them to leave me." Hafsa narrated one of my dreams to the Prophet (SAW) and the Prophet (SAW) said: "Abdullah is a good man. Would that he offers Tahajjud!" So after that day Abdullah (bin Umar) started offering Tahajjud. The companions of the Prophet (SAW) used to tell him their dreams that (Laylatul Qadr) was on the 27th of the month of Ramadhan. The Prophet SAW said: "I see that your dreams agree on the last 10 nights of Ramadhan and so whoever is in search of it should seek it in the last 10 nights of Ramadhan." {al-Bukhari, Volume 1:777}

In a report by Abi Hatim and Al-Wahidi, by way of Mujahid, the Messenger (SAW) mentioned that there was a man among the Israelites who devoted his life to the cause of Allah for a thousand months. The companions were amazed and impressed, but were saddened because they knew there would be no way that they could reach this status of devotion. So Allah (SWT) revealed this surah to inform them that He had just blessed this Ummah with the Night of Honor, which is equal to a thousand months.

It was the practice of Rasoolillah(SAW) to perform itikaaf(Seclusion) in the mosque during the last 10 days of Ramadhan:

Abu Hurairah, radiyallahu 'anhu said: "Allah's Messenger, (SAW), used to perform i`tikaf for ten days every Ramadan, then when it was the year in which he was taken (died), he performed I`tikaf for twenty days. {Bukhari}

Ibn Abbas (Radiyallahu anhu) relates that Rasulullah (SAW) said: "The person performing "I'tikaaf" remains free from sins, and he is indeed given the same reward as for those who do righteous deeds (in spite of not having done these deeds) as a result of having been secluded in the masjid."

Abu Saeed Khudri (RA reports that Rasulullah (SAW) once performed 'I'tikaaf' in a tent (inside the Masjid) for the first ten days of Ramadan. Thereafter, he extended it to the middle ten days. Thereafter, he put his head out of the tent and said: "Verily in search of "Laylatul Qadr" did I perform "I'tikaaf" for the first ten days and extended it to the next ten days for the same purpose; then I was told that this night is in the last ten days; so those with me should also continue the "I'tikaf". I had indeed been shown that night and then made to forget which one it shall be. And verily did I see myself prostrating to Allah with my forehead in mud on the morning after that night. Therefore, seek "Laylatul Qadr" among the last ten nights of Ramadan; seek it among the odd ones." Abu Saeed (RA) says: "That same night it rained. The roof of the Masjid leaked, and I saw Rasulullah (SAW) performing 'Sujood' (prostration) in muddy clay; and that was the morning of the 21 st night." {Saheeh Muslim Book 6, Number 2621}

Even if you cannot remain in itikaaf for the full 10 days intention should be made to spend any time in the masjid as itikaaf.
Ya'la ibn Umayyah said: "I secluded myself in the mosque for some time for I`tikaf." 'Ata told him: "That is I`tikaf, as long as you secluded yourself there."

Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Seek it (Lailat-ul-Qadr) in the last (ten nights).If one among you shows slackness and weakness (in the earlier part of Ramadan), it should not be allowed to prevail upon him in the last week. {Book 6, Number 2622}

It is reported from Ibn 'Umar, who said: Allah's Messenger said: "Seek it in the last ten, and if one of you is too weak or unable then let him not allow that to make him miss the final seven.' {Bukhari and Muslim}

The person who finds this night and observes it appropriately earns himself a great fortune, a fortune that will only be realised and appreciated in the hereafter.

What are the signs of laylatul-Qadr?

Allah's Messenger , (SAW), described the morning after Lailatul-Qadr, so that the Muslim may know which day it is. From Ubayy, (RA), who said: that he, (SAW), said: "On the morning following Laylatul-Qadr the sun rises not having any rays, as if it were a brass dish, until it rises up." {Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmithi and Ibn Majah}

Abu Hurairah, (RA), said : "We were discussing Laylatul-Qadr in the presence of Allah's Messenger so he said : 'Which of you remembers {the night} when the moon arose and was like half a plate? {Muslim}

Ibn 'Abbaas (RA), said: Allah's Messenger, (SAW), said: "Lailatul-Qadr is calm and pleasant, neither hot nor cold, the sun arises on its morning being feeble and red." {at-Tayaalisee, Ibn Khuzaimah and al-Bazzaar with a Hasan Isnad}

Narrated by Ubayy Ibn Ka'b, "Zirr Ibn Hubaysh reported: I thus asked Ubayy Ibn Ka'b: Your brother (in faith) Ibn Mas'ud says: He who stands (for the night prayer) throughout the year will find Lailatul Qadr. Thereupon he said: May Allah have mercy upon him. (He said these words) with the intention that people might not rely only (on one night), whereas he knew that it (Lailatul Qadr) was in the month of Ramadhan and it was the 27th night. I said to him: AbulMundhir, on what grounds do you say that? Thereupon he said: By the indication or by the sign which the Messenger of Allah SAW gave us, and that is that on that day (the sun) would rise without having any ray in it." {Muslim}

It was narrated by Abu Salama: "Once I went to Abu Said al-Kudri and asked him, "Won't you come with us to the date palm trees to have a talk?" So Abu Said replied, "Once Allah's Apostle performed Iktikaaf on the first 10 days of the month of Ramadhan and we did the same with him. Gabriel came to him and said, "The night you are looking for is ahead of you." So the Prophet SAW performed the Iktikaaf in the middle (second) 10 days of the month of Ramadhan and we too performed Iktikaaf with him. Gabriel came to him and said, "The night which you are looking for is ahead of you." On the morning of the 20th Ramadhan, the Prophet SAW delivered a sermon saying: "Whoever has performed Iktikaaf with me should continue it. I have been shown the Night of 'Qadr', but have forgotten the date, but it is in the odd nights of the last 10 nights. I saw in my dream that I was prostrating in mud and water." In those days the roof of the mosque was made of branches of date palm trees. At the same time the sky was clear and no cloud visible, but suddenly a cloud came and it rained. The Prophet SAW led us in the prayer and I saw the traces of mud on the forehead and the nose of Allah's Apostle. So it was the confirmation of that dream."{al-Bukhari, Volume 1:777}

What actions should one undertake on this Blessed Night

On this night, a countless number of angels descend with blessings and mercy until dawn, as they descend when the Qur'an is recited and they surround those sitting in circles in remembrance of Allah (SWT) and they lower their wings in presence of the sincere seeker of knowledge in honor of Him.

If a believer is eager to obey Allah (SWT) and increase the good deeds in his record, he should work hard to encounter this night and to pass it in worship and obedience. If this is facilitated for him, all of his previous sins will be forgiven.

It is recommended to perform a long Qiyaam prayer and read Qur'an during the nights on which Lailatul Qadr could fall. This is indicated in many Hadiths, like:

Abu Hurairah Radhiya Allahu `anhu reported that the Messenger of Allah, (SAW), said : "Whoever stands (in prayer) in Lailatul-Qadr out of Eemaan (faith and sincerety) and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven". {Bukhari}

Related by Abu Tharr r.a.: We fasted with the Messenger of Allah SAW in Ramadhan. He did not lead us (in Qiyaam) at all until there were seven (nights of Ramadhan) left. Then he stood with us (that night - in prayer) until one third of the night had passed. He did not pray with us on the sixth. On the fifth night, he prayed with us until half of the night had passed. So we said, "Allah's Messenger! Wouldn't you pray with us the whole night?" He replied: "Whoever stands in prayer with the imam until he (the imam) concludes the prayer, it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole night." {Recorded by Ibn Abi Shaybah, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmizi (who authenticated it), an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah, at-Tahawi (in Sharhu Ma`an il-Athar, Ibn Nasr, al-Faryabi, and al-Bayhaqi}

Abu Hurairah r.a. narrated that the Messenger of Allah SAW said: "Whoever stands (in Qiyaam) in Lailatul Qadr (and it is facilitated for him) out of faith and expectation (of Allah's reward), will have all of his previous sins forgiven." {Al-Bukhari and Muslim} (The addition "and it is facilitated for him" is recorded by Ahmad from the report of `Ubaadah Bin as-Samit. It means that he is permitted to be among the sincere worshippers during that blessed night.

Abdullah ibn `Amr reported that the Messenger of Allah, (SAW), said: "The fast and the Qur'an are two intercessors for the servant of Allah on the Day of Resurrection. The fast will say: 'O Lord, I prevented him from his food and desires during the day. Let me intercede for him.' The Qur'an will say: 'I prevented him from sleeping at night. Let me intercede for him.' And their intercession will be accepted." {Ahmad}

It is also recommended that a person make extensive supplications, as stated in the following Hadiths:

Aishah (Ra). reported that she asked the Messenger of Allah (SAW): "O Messenger of Allah! What if I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was, then what should I say in it?" He said.- "Say.- (Allahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee.)

"O Allah You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.". {at-Tirmithi and Ibn Majah with a Sahih Isnad}

Jabir, radhiya Allahu `anhu relates that the Messenger of Allah, (SAW) said :" In every day and every night, during the month of Ramadan, there are people to whom Allah grants freedom from the Fire, and there is for every Muslim a supplication which he can make and will be granted". {al-Bazzaar, Ahmad and Ibn Majah; Sahih}

Abu Hurairah reported that the Prophet, (SAW), said: "There are three people whose supplications are not rejected: the fasting person when he breaks the fast, the just ruler and the supplication of the oppressed". {Tirmithi, Ibn Majah and Ibn Hibban}

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