Written by M Rashid Tabassum
Laylatul Qadr is the blessed night in which Quran revealed. It is the night of honour and dignity which is better than thousand months. It is the night of peace and safety in which message of peace and security is sent down for whole world.
Allah says in Quran: “Verily! We have sent it (this Qur’an) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree). And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is? The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months. (I.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months) Therein descend the angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees. Peace! (All that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn. [Surah Al-Qadr: 1-5]. Allah says in Surah Baqarah: “The month of Ramadan in which Quran was revealed, guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)”. [Surah Al-Baqarah: 185]. Allah says in another place of Quran: Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind]. [Surah Ad-Dukhan: 3]. These verses clearly show that Holy Quran is revealed in Laylatul Qadr and Holy month of Ramazan.
There are 2 meanings of Qadr. One is fate (taqdeer). The confirmation of this meaning is through Surah Ad-Dukhan verse no 5 where Allah says: “By command, from Our Presence. For We (ever) send (revelations)”. The other meaning of Qadr is the night of dignity and honour. The confirmation of this meaning is through following verse of Quran. Allah says: “The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months”.
Holy Prophet (SAW) would stay awake at night in the last 10 days of Ramazan, wake his family, strive hard in worship and tighten his waist wrap, to find out Laylatul Qadr. He (SAW) would stay in reciting Quran, Offering prayer, and making du’aa. Prophet Muhammad (SAW) looked for the Laylatul Qadr in the odd nights of last ten nights of Ramazan. It is narrated by Hazrat Aishah (RA) that Allah’s Messenger said, “Search for the night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramazan”. [Bukhaari]. Hazrat Ibn-e-Abbas (RA) narrated that Holy Prophet (SAW) said, “Look for the night of Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramazan; on the night when nine or seven or five nights remain out of the last ten nights of Ramadan (i.e., 21, 23, 25, 27, 29) respectively)”. [Bukhaari]. It is clarified from the above sayings of Holy Prophet (SAW) that there is no fixed night of Laylatul Qadr. It can be 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29 night of Ramazan. So we should not worship in 27th of Ramazan. But we should search for the night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten nights.
Laylatul Qadr is of very superiority. First is that it is better than 1000 months. As well as, it was narrated by Hazrat Abu Hurairah (RA) that Prophet (SAW) said: “Whoever stays up and prays on Laylatul-Qadr out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Bukhaari, Muslim]. It indicates that we should observe Laylatul Qadr in offering prayer.
Writing more, Holy Prophet (SAW) taught the special du’aa to Hazrat Aishah (RA) that may be recited on Laylatul Qadr. It is narrated in Al-Tirmidhi, Hazrat Aishah (RA) said, “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is Laylatul-Qadr, what should I say on that night?’ He said, ‘Say: Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni (O Allah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).” Stepping more, the sign of Laylatul Qadr is that the sun rises on the following morning with no visible rays.
Concluding more, every Muslim should spend Laylatul Qadr in offering prayers, reciting Quran and making Du’aas. He should seek the mercy of Allah and bend his forehead in the front of Allah which is merciful and kind.
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