The Virtues of Lailatul

Qadr

In the Name of Allah, Most Gracious, Most Merciful All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace and blessings be upon His Messenger.
My dear brothers, dont miss this golden opportunity, take full advantage from Allahs Offer for his slaves, better than thousand months, means 83.33 years of worship/good deeds (1000 months divided by 12) Any action done on this night such as reciting the Quran, remembering Allah, etc. is better than acting for one thousand months which do not contain the night of Qadr, take advantage of this night, from sunset till sunrise. Offer nawafil (prayers), recite QUR'AAN, do repent (Istaghfar), and Pray for pardon and hidaya of whole ummah, and for the unity of Muslims. `'ishah tells us: "During the last ten nights of Ramadan, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would tighten his waist belt and spend the night in worship. He would also wake up his family." [Sahh al-Bukhr (1920)] `'ishah also says: "I had never known Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) to read the entire Qur'n in a single night, or to spend the whole night in prayer up until the morning, or to spend a whole month in fasting except in Ramadan." [Sunan al-Nas' (1641) and SunanIbnMjah (1348)] Special Dua : "ALLAH HUMMA INNAKA AFUVUN TOHIB BUL AFVA FAAFU ANNI" (Tirmidhi) "O Allah! You are the Forgiver and You like forgiving so forgive me The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to strive hard (in worship) during the last ten days of Ramadan in a way that he did not strive at any other times. [Muslim, 1175, from 'A'ishah] Among the things he did were secluding himself in I'tikaf and seeking Laylat al-Qadr during this time [Al-Bukhari, 1913; Muslim, 1169] Hazrat Aisha RadiallahAnha stated that as much Rasool Allah peace be upon him tried (Ibadat) in the last Ashra (ten days) of Ramadhan, did not try in any of the Ashra." (Muslim) Hazrat Aisha RadiallahAnha stated that Rasool Allah peace be upon him said, "Look for LailatUl-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadhan." (Bukhari) Hazrat Aisha RadiallahAnha stated that I asked Rasool Allah peace be upon him, "If I find Lailatul Qadar then what should I do? HE peace be upon him said, recite this Dua."ALLAH HUMMA INNAKA AFUVUN TOHIB BUL AFVA FAAFU ANNI(O Allah! You are the Forgiver and You like forgiving so forgive me)" (Tirmidhi)

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Messenger of ALLAH (Blessings of Allah and peace be on him) told us to search for Shab-eQadr in the odd numbered nights, in the last ten days of Ramzan. So, the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th night of Ramadan could be Shab-e-Qadr. In al-Sahihayn it is reported from the hadith of 'A'ishah that when the last ten days of Ramadan came, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would stay up at night, wake his family and gird his loins. [al-Bukhari, 1920; Muslim, 1174] Muslim added: he strove hard and girded his loins. Her phrase "girded his loins" is a metaphor for his preparing himself to worship and strive hard in worship, more than usual. It has the meaning of "rolling up one's sleeves" to worship (i.e. getting ready to make a great deal of effort). It was also said that it was a metaphor for keeping away from women and abstaining from sexual relations another hadith that 'A'ishah said: "I never saw the Prophet (peace be upon him) recite the entire Quran in one night, or spend a whole night in prayer until the morning, or fast an entire month, except in Ramadan." [Sunan al-Nasa'i, 1641] The last ten days have a special place in Islam because among them comes Laylat al-Qadr (Night of Power). The Prophet used to enter i`tikaf (seclusion) in these last ten days, and so did his wives. I`tikaf generally means to be holy with Allah, to stay in the mosque or any place you choose for yourself and spend your time in prayer, reading Qur'an, making dhikr (remembering Allah) and glorifying Him. This definitely will help you to develop a better sense of taqwa and shake off your sins, worries and anxieties. May Allah help and guide you!" The last ten nights of Ramadan are very special. The first of these nights occurs on the eve of the 21st day of Ramadan. In other words, it is the night that commences after the completion of the 20th day of fasting. Sometimes there are only nine nights, whenever the month of Ramadan lasts for only 29 days. Nevertheless, they are still traditionally referred to as "the last ten nights". The last ten nights of Ramadan are very special. These are the nights that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would spend in constant worship. Among these nights is Laylah al-Qadr a night more blessed than a thousand months. The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to single these nights out for worship and the performance of good deeds. He would exert himself in worship during these ten nights more than any other nights of the year. When we say that the Prophet (peace be upon him) spent the whole night in worship, we should qualify it. This is because he would spend some time eating dinner, partaking of his pre-dawn

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meal, and other similar activities. However, he would spend most of the night in worship. Waking Up the Family `'ishah informs us that the Prophet (peace be upon him) used to wake up his family during the last ten nights of Ramadan. Indeed, he used to wake up his wives for prayer throughout the year, but that was so that they could pray for a small fraction of the night. We know this, because Umm Salamah relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) woke her up one night and said: "Glory be to Allah. What has been sent down of trials during this night? What has been sent down of treasures, so that the denizens of the bedchambers will be awakened? O Lord! To be clothed in this world by naked in the Hereafter." [Sahh al-Bukhr (1074)] During the last ten nights of Ramadan, the Prophet (peace be upon him) would wake up his wives to pray for a much longer portion of the night than during the rest of the year. Exerting Oneself in Worship `'isha tells us: "The Prophet would exert himself in worship during the last ten nights more than at any other time of the year." [Sahh Muslim (1175)] The great jurist, al-Shfi` declares: "It is Sunnah for one to exert greater efforts in worship during the last ten nights of Ramadan." [al-Majm` (6/397)] When `'ishah tells us that the Prophet (peace be upon him) would "tighten his waistbelt", she is speaking figuratively. The phrase means to set about to devote oneself fully and wholeheartedly to the task at hand. Seeking Out Laylah al-Qadr One of the greatest distinctions of these ten special nights is that one of them is Laylah al-Qadr the Night of Decree. This is the greatest night of the year better than a thousand months. This means that a Muslim can earn more rewards on Laylah al-Qadr than he would if excluding this special night he were worship his Lord for eighty-four years straight. This is one of the immense favors that Allah has bestowed upon the Muslim community. Ibrhm al-Nakha` says: "Good works performed on this night are better than those performed consistently for a thousand months." AbHurayrah relates that the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Whoever spends Laylah alQadr in prayer, believing in Allah and seeking His reward, will be forgiven all of his past sins." [Sahh al-Bukhr (1802) and Sahh Muslim (760)] Belief in Allah, in this hadth, means not only to believe in Allah, but to believe in the reward that we are promised for observing prayer on this night.

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Laylah al-Qadr is on one of the odd nights. `'ishah relates that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "Seek out Laylah al-Qadr in the odd nights during the last ten nights of Ramadan." [Sahh al-Bukhr (1913) and Sahh Muslim (1169)] It is most likely one of the last seven odd nights. Ibn `Umar relates that Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) said: "Look for it in the last ten nights. If one of you falls weak or unable to do so, then he should at least try on the seven remaining nights." [Sahh Muslim (1165)] The most likely candidate for Laylah al-Qadr is the 27th night of Ramadan. This is indicated by the statement of `Ubayy b. Ka`b: I swear by Allah that I know which night it is. It is the night in which Allahs Messenger (peace be upon him) ordered us to observe in prayer. It is the night on the eve of the 27th of Ramadan. Its sign is that the Sun will rise in the morning of that day white without exuding any rays. [Sahh Muslim (762)] A Muslim should seek out this special night by spending the last ten nights of Ramadan engaged in various acts of worship. These include reciting the remembrances of Allah, reading the Qur'n, and begging Allah's forgiveness. It is best for us to strive hard on all ten nights, because the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: The way we "look for" Laylah al-Qadr is by engaging in extra worship. When the Prophet (peace be upon him) said: "Look for it in the last ten nights" he did not mean that we should literally "look for" signs and indications that distinguish Laylah al-Qadr from other nights. The things that distinguish Laylah al-Qadr from other nights are part of the Unseen. Allah says: " Surely We revealed it on a blessed night. Surely We ever wish to warn (against evil) On this night, every wise matter is made distinct." [Srah al-Dukhn (3-4)] Allah says: "Laylah al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, with every decree. (This night is) peace, until the rising of the dawn." [Srah al-Qadr (3-5)] These are the ways in which Laylah al-Qadr is special. They are not things that we can see with our eyes. No one after the Prophet (peace be upon him) can see the angels. Observing a Retreat in the Mosque (I`tikf) Observing a retreat in the mosque is of the best things we can do during the last ten nights of Ramadan. `'ishah tells us: "The Prophet (peace be upon him) used to observe a retreat in the mosque during the last ten nights of Ramadan up until he died. His wives continued to observe this practice after his death." [Sahh al-Bukhr(1922) and SahhMusli (1172)] The practice of i`tikfis a strongly recommended act. It is defined as remaining in retreat in the mosque for the express purpose of worship. The purpose of doing so is to devote one's heart exclusively to Allah. The person engaging in i`tikf keeps this intention close to mind and seeks Allah's blessings. He should not forget the reason why he is observing this retreat.

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A person observing i`tikf does not leave the mosque except for what is absolutely necessary (like going to the bathroom). While in the mosque, he should busy himself with theremembrance of Allah. He should make sure to offer the remembrances of the morning and evening and the prescribed remembrances for the five daily prayers. He should perform all of the Sunnah prayers and all other recommended prayers, like the Duh prayer. He should read as much of the Qur'n as he can. He should spend less time eating and sleep as little as possible. He should avoid unnecessary talk. However, he should engage in advising his fellow Muslims and in enjoining them to truth and to patience. Generosity It is encouraged for us to be extra generous during the last ten nights of Ramadan, without being extravagant or ostentatious in our giving. Ibn `Abbs relates that: "Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) was the most generous of all people in doing good, and he was at his most generous during the month of Ramadan. Angel Gibreel used to meet with him every year throughout the month of Ramadan, so the Prophet could recite the Qur'n to him. Whenever Gabriel met with him, he became more generous than a beneficial breeze." [Sahh al-Bukhr(1902) and Sahh Muslim (2308)] Al-Nawaw states [al-Majm` (6/398)]: Generosity and open-handedness are strongly encouraged in Ramadan, especially during the last ten nights. By doing so, we emulate the example of Allah's Messenger (peace be upon him) as well as of our Pious Predecessors. Also, this month is noble, and good works carried out in this month are more blessed than they are at any other time. Also, during this month, people are preoccupied with fasting and worship, and this distracts them from their livelihood, so they might need some assistance during this time. Allah Knows better.

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BismillahWalhamdulillah Was Salaatu Was Salaam 'alaRasulillahAsSalaam AlaikumWa-RahmatullahiWa-Barakatuhu

THE ORIGIN Regarding this night, in a Hadith reported by Anas (RadiallahoAnho) Rasulullah (SallallahoAlaihiWasallam) is reported to have said Laylatul Qadr was granted to my Ummah and not to any other Ummah before this . Regarding the reason for the granting of Laylatul Qadr, various reasons are mentioned. One reason, according to some Ahadith is given thus: Rasulullah (SallallahoAlaihiWasallam) used to look at the longer lives of the earlier people and was saddened when pondering over the much shorter lives of his own Ummah. If His Ummah had wished to compete with the people before them in the doing of righteous deeds, because of their shorter lives it would be impossible for them to either emulate or surpass them. To compensate for this difference in their life span, Allah in His infinite mercy granted them with this night of great blessing. This means that if any fortunate one of this Ummah spends 1 such night in the worship of his maker, he would have gained the reward for Ibaadah of 1000 nights (approx 83 years and 4 months).

Still another report states that our Nabi (SallallahoAlaihiWasallam) once mentioned the names of the four most pious people from among the Bani Israel who each spent eighty years in Allahs sincere service, worshipping Him, and not sinning in the least. They were NabiAyyub (Alaihi Salaam),Zakariyya (Alaihi Salaam), Hizqeel (Alaihi Salaam) and Yushaa (Alaihi Salaam). The Sahabahs heard this with astonishment. The Jibraeel (Alaihi Salaam) appeared and recited Surah Qadr, wherein the blessings of this night was revealed.

1. All Sins Forgiven on Worshipping during this Night Abu Hurairah (RadhiallahoAnhu) reports (Rasulullah (SallallahoAlaihiWasallam) said, Whoever stands in prayer and Ibaadah on the night of Power with sincere faith and with sincere hope of gaining reward, his previous sins are forgiven (Targheeb from Bukhari and Muslim) COMMENTARY In the above Hadith "standing" refers to Salaah as well as any other form of Ibaadah, as for example Zikr, Tilaawah etc. The phrase ...with sincere hope of gaining reward means that one should be sincerely occupied with Ibaadah solely for the pleasure of Allah and to receive reward from Him. This should not be done for others to see, or to deceive them.

It will be noted that the Hadith speaks about previous sins being forgiven. The Ulama have said that this forgiveness are mentioned in the Hadith above and other Ahadith, refers only to minor sins. Major sins can only be forgiven, according to the Quran after sincere repentance, with the

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vow and promise never to return to such sins again. This is the reason why the Ulama are unanimous that major sins are not forgiven except by sincere repentance. Hence, whenever, forgiveness of sins mentioned in the Ahadith the Ulama specify it to be minor sins.

2. To be deprived of Laylatul Qadr is to be deprived of all Good Anas (RadiallahoAnho) reports : "Once when Ramadhan began, the Rasulullah (SallallahoAlaihiWassallam) said: "A month has verily come upon you, wherein lies a night better than a thousand months. Whoever misses such a night has indeed been deprived of all that is good and none is deprived of it, except he who is really unfortunate." Note: Who can have any doubt as to the misfortune of the person who is either deprived or deprives himself of the great good of Laylatul Qadr ? There are those who, during their service and terms of employment, have to stay awake by night throughout the year. How easy should it be for the sake of gaining the reward of over eighty years of worship of Allah (SubhanahuwaTaala) to stay awake for one night in Allah (SubhanahuwaTaala) 's service? Because of lack of interest there is no desire in the heart. If that were present then even a thousand nights in worship of Allah (SubhanahuwaTaala) would become exceedingly easy. It is this urge and desire that we must create. Our Nabi (SallallahoAlaihiWassallam) had been promised time and again that he had nothing to fear in the Akhirah and had been given good news as to his exalted position. Yet night after night he was seen in worship of Allah (SubhanahuwaTaala) so much so that his feet would became swollen. 3. Descent of the Angels Anas (RadiallahoAnho) reports that Rasulullah (SallallahoAlaihiWassallam) said: "On Laylatul Qadr, the Angel Jibraeel (Alaihi Salaam) descends upon the earth with a group of Angels making Dua for blessings for every servant of Allah (SubhanahuwaTaala) whom they see in worship, standing or sitting and engrossed in Allah (SubhanahuwaTaala) 's praise. Then on the day of Eid , Allah (SubhanahuwaTaala) boasts about them to the Angels (who had been critical at the time of Adam ( Alaihi Salaam) 's creation), 'O My Angels, what is the reward of that worker who had done his job very well?' The reply: 'O our Sustainer, his reward should be given to him in full.' To this Allah (SubhanahuwaTaala) replies, O' My Angels, verily My servants, the males among them as well as females, have today duly performed their obligatory duty, thereafter they set forth to place for EidSalaah raising their voices in Dua to Me. I swear by My Honor, by My Grandeur, by My Grace and by My Exalted Position, that I shall surely answer the Dua 's of these people. 'Thereafter, Allah (SubhanahuwaTaala) addresses the people: 'Go forth, I have forgiven your sins and have replaced your evil deeds with righteous ones.' These people then return from the place for EidSalaah in such a condition that their sins stand forgiven."

It is reported that Jibraeel (Alaihi Salaam, after his descent, commands the Angels to go to the house of everyone busy with worship of Allah (SubhanahuwaTaala) and greet him by shaking his hands. There upon the Angels spread forth, visiting every House, whether large or small,

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whether in the Jungle or on a ship, wherein a believer lives to shake his hands. However, certain houses are not entered: The house wherein a dog of a pig is found, the house wherein there is someone who has committed adultery and is still unclean because he has not even taken a bath after it and the house wherein pictures (images) of men and animals are displayed. How unfortunate that Muslims houses should be deprived of the blessed entry of Angels simply because there are pictures of men and animals being displayed, solely for the sake of decoration. A single picture may have been hung by some member of the Household, as a result of which the complete household is deprived of these blessings.

4. When to look for Laylatul Qadr? Aisha (RadiallahoAnha) reports that Rasulullah (SallallahoAlaihiWassallam) said "Seek Laylatul Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of the month of Ramadhan". Note: According to the great majority of the religious scholars, the last ten nights commence on the 21st night. Such is the case whether the month of Ramadhan consists of 29 days or 30. S0, one should seek Laylatul Qadr on the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th night.

5. Precise Knowledge of Laylatul Qadr was taken away 'UbaadahIbnSaamit (RadiallahoAnho) said "Once the Nabi (SallallahoAlaihiWassallam) came out to inform us of the (correct date of) Laylatul Qadr. Unfortunately, a quarrel took place between two Muslims, whereupon He (SallallahoAlaihiWassallam) said 'I came out to inform you as to when Laylatul Qadr occurs, but because two people quarreled with each other, the knowledge of the correct date was taken away. Perhaps that is better for you. So, seek it among the ninth, seventh and fifth nights.'" Note: Three important points are referred to in this Hadith. Firstly it tells us of a quarrel, as a result of which the knowledge of the precise night of Laylatul Qadr was lost to us. Arguments and quarrels are always the cause of loss of blessings. Once Rasulullah (SallallahoAlaihiWassallam) inquired of the Sahabah: "Shall I inform you of an action that is better than Salaah, fasting and charity?" The Sahabah replied: "Certainly." Rasulullah (SallallahoAlaihiWassallam) then said" "Maintain peaceful and good relations amongst yourselves, for verily quarrels among yourselves destroy (shave off) faith," i.e. just as a razor shaves off the hair, so does quarrelling affect the Deen.

Rasulullah (SallallahoAlaihiWassallam) said that he who severs relations with a brother Muslim for more than three days and dies in this state, will go straight to Jahannam. In another Hadith,

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it is stated that on every Monday and Thursday, the actions of human beings are brought before Allah (SubhanahuwaTaala). Then through His mercy (as a result of certain good deeds), forgiveness is granted, except to the idolaters and those who set up equals to Allah (SubhanahuwaTaala), However, regarding those two people between whom a quarrel has taken place, friendship having been cut off, it shall be said, "Leave their affair in suspense until such time as they become reconciled." Another Hadith states that, when actions are produced before Allah (SubhanahuwaTaala) every Monday and Thursday, repentance is accepted from those who repent and forgiveness is granted to those who seek pardon. As for those who had arguments (with each other) they are left as they were.

6. Signs of Laylatul Qadr ' UbadahIbnSaamit (RadiallahoAnho) reports that he asked Rasulullah (SallallahoAlaihiWassallam) about Laylatul Qadr, He (SallallahoAlaihiWassallam) replied "It is in Ramadhan, during the last ten days on the unevenly numbered nights, either 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or the last night of Ramadhan. Whosoever stands in worship of Allah (SubhanahuwaTaala) on this night with sincere faith and with genuine hopes of gaining reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. Among the signs of this night is that it is a serene, quiet, shining night, neither hot, nor cold but temperate as if a moon is shining clear and no meteors are shot at the Shayateen on that night. It lasts until the break of the dawn. Another sign is that at morn, the sun rises without any radiant beams of light, appearing rather like the moon in its fullness. On that day, Allah (SubhanahuwaTaala) prohibits the Shayateen from rising up with the sun."

7. What One should make Dua for in Laylatul Qadr Aisha (RadiallahoAnho) reports "I said 'O Rasul of Allah (SallallahoAlaihiWassallam) , should I find myself the Laylatul Qadr, what shall I ask of Allah (SubhanahuwaTaala) ? Rasulullah (SallallahoAlaihiWassallam) replied, 'Say, "O Allah, You are the One who grants pardon for sins, You loves to pardon, so pardon me.""

"Allahummainnakaafuwwuntuhibbulafwafafuannee O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me."