(taken from Kalamullah)
1 – The Meaning of Qadr
Ibn Hajar said in ‘Fath al-Bari’ (4/323-324):
“There are various explanations of the meaning of the qadr that this night is ascribed to.
It was said that it means veneration, as in the verse: {“…and they didn’t venerate (qadar) Allah as He deserved…”} [al-An’am; 91] This refers to it being a night of veneration due to the revelation of the Qur’an taking place in it, or due to the descent of the Angels in it, or due to the blessing and mercy and forgiveness that descend in it, or that those who stay up that night in worship are venerated.
It was also said that qadr here means constriction, as in the verse: {“…and who is constricted (qadara) in his provision…”} [at-Talaq; 7] This refers to it being a night of constriction due to the exact night being hidden, or because the Earth is constricted due to the presence of such a large number of Angels.
It was also said that it is qadar, derived from the word for judgment. This refers to the fact that all the judgments of that year are made on this night…”
2 – Better than a Thousand Months
Ibn Kathir mentioned in ‘Tafsir al-Qur’an al-‘Adhim’ (4/686) that Mujahid said:
“There was a man from the Children of Israel who would pray all night and then fight Jihad against the enemy all day, and he did this for a thousand months. Allah then revealed the verse: {“The Night of Qadr is better than a thousand months…”} So, praying on this night is better than the actions of that man.”
3 – The 27th Word
Ibn Kathir mentioned (4/690):
“…And it was reported that some of the Salaf used the Qur’an to conclude that it is on the 27th night because the word هي (it is) is the 27th word in the chapter, and Allah Knows best.”
4 – Why the Exact Day Was Hidden
Ibn Hajar said (4/328):
“…This might have a benefit linked to legislation…or exertion in worship, because if the Night of Qadr was specified to be on an exact night, people would limit themselves to that night and miss out on the worship on other nights. It is as if this is what the Prophet meant when he said: “…this might be better for you.””
5 – Heavy for the Hypocrite
Ibn Kathir mentioned (4/692) that Ka’b al-Ahbar said:
“By the One in Whose Hand my soul is, the Night of Qadr is so heavy on the disbeliever and hypocrite that it feels like a mountain on his back.”
6 – What to Supplicate on the Night of Qadr
In ‘as-Silsilah as-Sahihah’ (3337), it’s reported that ‘A’ishah asked the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم): “If I happen to catch the Night of Qadr, how should I supplicate?”
He replied: “You should say:
O Allah, You Pardon and Love pardoning. So, Pardon me.”
7 – In the Shade of the Night of Qadr
Sayyid Qutb said in ‘Fi Dhilal al-Qur’an’ (6/3945):“…This night is better than thousands of months in the lives of human beings. How many thousands of months and years have passed by without leaving in our lives the changes that this single blessed, joyous night leaves us? The might of this night is such that its reality transcends the limits of human comprehension: {“And what will make you understand what the Night of Qadr is?”}
…When we look today after the generations of the past to this noble, joyous night and imagine the amazing festive atmosphere that the Earth witnessed on that night, and we reflect over the reality of what took place that night, and we let its significance in history in the reality of the world, and in the outlook of our hearts and minds sink in, we see something that is truly great. We begin to understand a bit of the purpose of the Qur’anic mention of this night: {“And what will make you understand what the Night of Qadr is?”}
On that night, every wise judgment was made. Values, principles, and scales were laid down. Ordainments were made that surpassed that of individuals: ordainments for nations, countries, and peoples. In fact, it is even greater and mightier than this: ordainment of realities and hearts!
Humankind has become heedless – due to its ignorance and disconnection – of the value of the Night of Qadr and the reality and significance of this event. Since the time that it became heedless of this, it has been deprived of the most joyous and beautiful gifts from Allah. It lost the true happiness and peace – the peace of mind, and peace in the home and society – that Islam granted it. This cannot be replaced by the material bounty, civilization, and power that it has been given. It is in a bad state despite the outpouring of production and high standards of living it possesses!
The beautiful light that shone on it at one time has been put out, as has the illuminating happiness that carried it to the highest levels. The peace that once soaked hearts and souls is absent, and the spiritual joy and heavenly light and ascension to the highest levels can never be replaced.
We as believers are commanded to never forget or be heedless of this memory. Our Prophet (صلى الله عليه و سلم) showed us an easy way to bring this memory to life in our souls and remain connected to it forever, as well as to remain connected to the universal event that occurred in it. This is why he encouraged us to pray on this night every year and to seek it out on the last ten nights of Ramadan. In the two ‘Sahih’s, it says: “Seek out the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan,” and: “Whoever prays in the Night of Qadr out of faith and expectation of reward will have all of his past sins Forgiven.”
Islam is not simply outer actions meant for show. This is why the Messenger of Allah (صلى الله عليه و سلم) said that this prayer should be out of faith and expectation of reward. Likewise, this night prayer should bring back to life the massive concepts that this night encompasses. It should be done out of faith in order to make it purely for Allah, as well as in expectation of reward. At this point, the heart will have a specific reality ingrained in it because of this night prayer that is tied directly to the purpose for which this Qur’an was revealed.
The Islamic method of tarbiyah ties worship to the reality of belief in the conscience. It turns worship into a method of resurrecting these realities, clarifying them, and solidifying them in a living image that transcends mere emotion and isn’t limited to theory. It is confirmed that this method alone can resurrect these realities and turn them into a movement in one’s conscience and character, and that mere realization of these realities without the support of physical worship will not establish these realities or push them into a movement in the life of an individual or the life of a group.
This direct connection between the memory of the Night of Qadr and praying at night out of faith and expectation of reward is just one aspect of this sound and successful Islamic method…”
GPS for the Night that is the Best
•September 1, 2010 • Leave a Commentby Suhaib Webb (Taken from: www.suhaibwebb.com)
Its Blessed Name: Laylat al-Qadar
- Night [Layl]: indicates the time from sunset till dawn.
- Power [al-Qadar]: This word carries a number of different meanings such as honor, serenity, judgment, and power. The scholars differed over the meaning of this word when used in relation to that special night that takes place during the month of Ramadan. Here are the most common interpretations:
This meaning is obvious because it is the night that the Qur’an was sent, Prophethood was announced and the angels descend. Other scholars held that the one who revived this night with worship would become honorable because Allah (swt) would raise rank.
Lessons
As Muslims we should feel honored because Laylat-al-Qadar was the night that the Qur’an was sent and the Prophet ﷺ was chosen by Allah. However, this was also the night that witnessed the birth of a new religious nation – the nation of the Prophet ﷺ – and we are blessed to belong to that nation. Do you feel humble? Do you feel blessed to be a part of that nation? Do you feel and share the greatness of this night? Do your actions reflect that humility? If one wants to be honored, then let him do so by worshiping Allah.
2. Something Restricted or Difficult to Attain.
The exact date of Laylat al-Qadar is unknown; the knowledge of its occurrence is restricted from men. The only way to find it is to put forth effort and seek it. It is also said that the earth becomes full with the presence of an infinite number of malaikah (angels).
Lessons3. Judgment and Decision.
When something is hidden, it is a sign of its value. One who truly understands this will work to find the hidden treasure in this night.
This is the night when the angels will distribute what is destined for Allah’s servants with regards to those servants’ provisions and lifespan for the next year. Some scholars contended that the night which ones provisions and life were to be given is during the middle of the month of Sh’aban (the month preceding Ramadan). However, the majority of scholars hold that it is this night, the Night of Power.
THE SIGNS
When Does it Occur?
Laylat al-Qadar takes place in the last ten nights of Ramadan. The Prophet ﷺ said, “I witnessed the Night of Power, then I forgot [which night it was]. It happens in the last ten nights (of Ramadan).” (Ibn Hiban)
The Night:
- The night is mild, as stated by the Prophet ﷺ, “The night of power is a mild night neither hot nor cold.” (Ibn Khuzaymah, authentic.)
- The number of angels out that night are too numerous to count. The Prophet ﷺ said, “The number of angels present that night on earth cannot be counted.” (Ibn Khuzaymah, good hadith)
- It is a clear night and the stars are visible: The Prophet ﷺ said, “The night of power is a clear night… as though its moon uncovers the nights’ stars.” (Ibn Hibban)
- The sun rises in the morning after the Night of Power “red and weak.” (Ibn Khuzaimah, authentic)
- The Prophet ﷺ said about the sunrise, in another hadith, that it is “white, having no rays”. [Muslim]. Having no rays is explained by the narration above as being “weak.”
- Pray.
- Read Qur’an.
- Make dhikr.
- Engage in worship in its strict sense.
- Be kind to others.
- If you’re in the Masjid, be clean.
- Avoid being rude.
- Talk and waste one’s time socializing.
- Commit sins.
- Sleep the night away.
- Making the Masjid untidy.
Scholars noted that one does not have to stand the entire night to experience it. One could worship for a short while and still receive the blessings of the night. Thus those who have to work, take care of the kids, or other responsibilities need only worship for a short while. [See Fath al-Bari of Ibn Hajar.]
May Allah grant us guidance to experience this night.
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