11-17-00
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Allah Hafiz
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M. Editor
Lailatul-Qadr
Its excellence is great, since in this night the Noble Qur'aan was
sent down, which leads one who clings to it, to the path of honour
and nobility, and raises him to the summit of distinction and
everlasting life. The Muslims who adhere strictly to the Sunnah of
Allaah's Messenger (saw) do not raise flags on this night, nor
suspend colourful decorations. Rather they vie in standing during it
(Lailatul-Qadr) in prayer out of sincere faith and hoping for reward.
Here, O Muslim, are the Qur'aanic ayaat and authentic prophetic
ahaadeeth referring to this night:
Its excellence
As regards its excellence it is more than sufficient to mention that
Lailatul-Qadr is better than a thousand months, He, the Mighty and
Majestic, says:
"Verily! We have sent it (this Qur'aan) down in the Night of Decree
(Lailatul-Qadr). And what will make you know what the Night of Decree
is? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. Therein
descend the angels and the Rooh (i.e. Gabriel) by Allaah's Permission
with all Decrees, Peace! until the appearance of dawn."
Al-Qadr 97 : 1-5
And in it every decreed matter for the year is conveyed, He, the Most
High says:
"We sent it (this Qur'aan) 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'aan 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."
Ad-Dukhaan 44 : 3-6
When is it ?
It is reported from the Prophet (saw.) that it is within the twenty-
first, twenty-third, twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh, twenty-ninth or
the last night of Ramadhan. Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee, rahimahullaah, said:
To me it is as the Prophet (saw.) used to answer according to the
question posed, it would be said to him: "Shall I seek it in such and
such night?" So he would reply: "Seek it in such and such night." And
Allaah knows best.
Reported from him by al-Baghawee in Sharhus-Sunnah
The most correct saying is that it occurs in the odd nights of the
last ten nights of Ramadhan and this is shown by the hadeeth
of 'Aa'ishah (ra), who said: "Allaah Messenger (saw.) used to
practice I'tikaaf in the last ten nights and say: 'Seek out Lailatul-
Qadr in the (odd nights) of the last ten days of Ramadhan."
Bukhari, Muslim
However if the servant is too weak or unable, then he should at least
not let the last seven days pass him by, due to what is reported
from 'Ibn 'Umar, who said: Allaah's Messenger (saw.) 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, Muslim
This explains his (saw.), saying: "I see that your dreams are in
agreement (that it is in the last seven) so he who wishes to seek it
out then let him seek it in the last seven."
Bukhari
It is also known from the Sunnah, that knowledge of the exact night
upon which Lailatul-Qadr falls was taken up because the people
argued, 'Ubaadah ibn as-Saamit (ra.), said: The Prophet (saw.) came
out intending to tell us about Lailatul-Qadr, however two men were
arguing and he said: "I came out to inform you about Lailatul-Qadr
but so and so, and, so and so were arguing, so it was raised up, and
perhaps that is better for you, so seek it on the (twenty) ninth and
(twenty) seventh and the (twenty) fifth."
Bukhari
Some ahaadeeth indicate that Lailatul-Qadr is in the last ten nights,
while others indicate that it is in the odd nights of the last ten,
so the first are general and the second more particular, and the
particular has to be given priority over the general. Other ahaadeeth
state that it is in the last seven - and these are restricted by
mention of one who is too weak or unable. So there is no confusion,
all the ahaadeeth agree and are not contradictory.
In conclusion: The Muslim should seek out Lailatul-Qadr in the odd
nights of the last ten: the night of the twenty-first (the night
before the twenty-first day), the twenty-third, the twenty-fifth, the
twenty-seventh and the twenty-ninth. If he is too weak or unable to
seek it out in all the odd nights, then let him seek it out in the
odd nights of the last seven: the night of the twenty-fifth, the
twenty-seventh and the twenty-ninth. And Allaah knows best.
How should a Muslim seek Lailatul-Qadr?
One who misses this blessed night then he has missed much good for no
one misses it except one from whom it is withheld. Therefore it is
recommended that the Muslim who is eager to be obedient to Allaah
should stand in prayer during this night out of Eemaan and hoping for
the great reward, since if he does this, Allaah will forgive his
previous sins.
He (saw.) said: "Whoever stands in (prayer) in Lailatul-Qadr out of
Eemaan and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven."
Bukhari
It is recommended to supplicate a great deal in it, it is reported
from 'Aa'ishah (ra.), that she said: "O Messenger of Allaah! What if
I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was, then what should I say in it?"
He said: "Say: Allaahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa
fa'fu 'annee." (O Allaah you are the one who pardons greatly, and
loves to pardon, so pardon me.)
at-Tirmidhi, Ibn Majah
O brother! You know the importance of this night, so stand in Prayer
in the last ten nights, in worship, detaching oneself from the women,
ordering your family with this, and increasing in actions of
obedience and worship in it.
From 'Aa'ishah (ra.), who said: "The Prophet (saw.) used to tighten
his waist-wrapper (izaar) - (meaning detached himself from his wives
in order to worship, and exerted himself in seeking Lailatul-Qadr),
spend the night in worship, and wake the family in the last ten
nights."
Bukhari, Muslim
From 'Aa'ishah (ra.): "Allaah's Messenger (saw.) used to exert
himself in the last ten nights more than he would at other times."
Muslim
Its sign
Many people believe in all sorts of superstitions about Lailatul-
Qadr, and false beliefs from them are that the trees prostrate, and
buildings sleep! And these things are clearly futile and baseless.
Allaah'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 Lailatul-Qadr
the sun rises not having any rays, as if it were a brass dish, until
it rises up."
Muslim, Abu Dawood, at-Tarmidhi, Ibn Majah
From Abu Hurairah (ra.), who said: "We were discussing Lailatul-Qadr
in the presence of Allaah's Messenger (saw.), so he said: 'Which of
you remembers (the night) when the moon arose and was like half a
plate?'"
Muslim
Qaadi 'Iyaad said: "It contains an indication that it was towards the
end of the month - since the moon does not appear like that when it
arises except towards the end of the month."
From Ibn 'Abbaas (ra.), who said: Allaah'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, al-Bazzaar with hasan isnaad
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