LAYLAT AL-QADR
The Night of Power
"The Night of Power is better than a thousand months"
Night of Gods decree : Nujahat al-MajalisShaykh Irshad Soofie on Laylat al-Qadr
Shaykh Nazim on Laylat al-Qadr
Shaykh Nazim on Laylat al-Qadr
" ALLAHUMMA INNAKA 'AFUWUN TUHIBBUL 'AFWA F-A'FU ANNEE "
''O' Allah, you are the one who grants pardon for sins, you love to pardon, so pardon us''
''O' Allah, you are the one who grants pardon for sins, you love to pardon, so pardon us''
Introduction
Laylat al-Qadr - The Night of Power
Laylat al-Qadr enjoys superiority over all the nights of the year. This night should be sought in one of the odd nights of the last nine/ten nights of Ramadan. According to most narrations it falls on the 27th night of Ramadan. Surah al-Qadr has hinted towards it in that "Laylat al-Qadr" has 9 letters in which Laylat al-Qadr is repeated thrice. Thus if you multiply 9 by 3 you will get 27. According to al-Imam al-A'zam Abu Hanifa Radi Allahu' Anhu, Laylat al-Qadr in most instances falls on the 27th night of Ramadan, though it is most certainly in the last nine/ten odd nights of this blessed month. On this blessed night especially the Mercy & Blessings of Allah pour upon the earth in great abundance.
Therefore, one should keep oneself engaged in the recitation of the Glorious & Noble Qur'an, in Dhikrullah (Remembrance of God) in reciting Durood Shareef and Istighfaar. Offer as many Nafl Rakaats as you possibly can. Recite the following Wazeefah in abundance as it was taught to Hadrat Ayesha Radi Allahu' Anha by the Beloved Messenger of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam :
" O Allah ! You are forgiving, and you love forgiveness, So forgive me. "
" Allah-humma innaka Afuwwun-tuh, ibbul Afwa fa-fu Annee "
" Allah-humma innaka Afuwwun-tuh, ibbul Afwa fa-fu Annee "
(Timidhi Shareef)
Because its exact night is not mentioned in any Hadith Shareef, the Companions of the Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu alayhi wa Sallam and the learned scholars have according to their own estimation mentioned different nights for it from the last nine/ten odd nights of Ramadan.
The reason for calling it Laylat al-Qadr is because the sincere worship of a believer in this night is better than the worship of a thousand months.
The reason for calling it Laylat al-Qadr is because the sincere worship of a believer in this night is better than the worship of a thousand months.
Amir al-Momineen Hadrat Ali Radi Allahu' ta'ala anhu states that on the 'Night of Power' any person who after Isha Prayer recites Surah al-Qadr seven times, Allah will protect him from all calamites and 70 thousand angels will pray for Jannat for him. If a person on a Friday recites this Surah three times before the Jum'ah Prayer, Allah Almighty will enter in his Book of Deeds rewards for him equal to the people who have offered Jum'ah Namaaz on that day.
Some scholars have written that if any person who on the night of Qadr offers Four Rakaats Nafl in the following manner : After Surah Fateha recites Surah Takathur once and Surah Ikhlaas three times, Allah Almighty will ease for him the pangs of death, remove from him the punishment of the grave and grant him numerous mansions in Paradise.
It is stated in one Hadith Shareef that on the 'Night of Qadr' groups of Angels descend upon the earth one after the other. Hadrat Jibra'il Alayhis Sallam too descends. These angels bring with them four flags : one is set up on the Rawdah al-Mubarak (shrine) of our Most Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala alayhi wa Sallam one is placed on the Ka'bah, the third on 'Bait al-Muqaddas' and the fourth on Mount Sinai. They then enter the homes of every Muslim male and female and extend greetings to them. But the habitual alcoholic, those who consume pork, and those who cut off relationship with their fellow Muslims are deprived of these greetings. Other angels too greet all those are engaged in the remembrance of Allah Almighty.
Tafseer Sura al-Qadr
This surah is titled Surah al-Qadr meaning 'The night of Power'. It is the 97th surah in the Qur'an al Karim. It was revealed in Makkah and has one section, five verses, thirty words and one hundred twelve letters. The Night of Power (or Decree), in which the Revelation came down to the Beloved Messenger of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam for the first time through the arch-Angel Jibra'il (Gabriel) 'alayhis salaam.
In this chapter the importance and greatness of the night in which the Qur'an al-karim was revealed, has been mentioned. There is consensus that the night falls within the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. Al-Qadr has various meanings, like blessed, valuable, majestic or greatness, etc. This night is valuable and grand and this night is to change the destiny of humanity. This night is so precious and majestic that it is better than a thousand months. The prayer, invocation, spending in the way of Allah and His dhikr (mentioning) is better than one thousand months, prayers and good deeds.
One of the most rewarding aspects of Islam, falls in one of the last 5 odd nights of the blessed month of Ramadan. It is the most blessed night of the year, because on this special night the Qura'n al-karim was revealed to Allah Most Beloved Messeneger Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam. One reason that this night is referred to as the 'Night of Power' is due to the huge increase in the amount of reward gained by worship performed on this particular night in comparison to any other throughout the whole year.
The question being asked here is: "Have you any knowledge as to how great and important this night is, and to the favours and bounties which are placed within the Night of Power"?
This verse means that the worship performed in this night brings more reward than the worship performed in a thousand months, but how much more better? Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala is such a great being that anything is possible from his behalf. "A thousand" must be taken in an indefinite sense; meaning a very long period of time. This does not refer to our ideas of time, but to "timeless Time".
The Angels descend by Allah's permission and the Spirit mentioned here is usually understood to be the angel Jibra'il alayhis salaam
When the Night of spiritual darkness is dissipated by the glory of Allah, a wonderful peace and sense of security arise in the soul, and this lasts on until this life closes, and the glorious day of the new world dawns, when everything will be on a different plane, and the chequered nights and days of this world will be even less than a dream.
Traditions of the Beloved Messenger Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam mention that, in this night Allah the Almighty directs His mercy towards His slaves, supplications made by His servants are granted and the Almighty forgives large numbers of people who sincerely repent . This night is meant for developing a special connection with one's Creator, for making contact with the Lord of the universe.
So please your Lord so that He is pleased with you, and there is surely nothing better than the pleasure of your Lord. This is amongst the many bounties that Allah the Most Glorious has blessed us with, we should grasp this opportunity and ask for guidance from the All Forgiving and All Merciful, from which we will achieve a good life in earth and more importantly a better life in the hereafter.
Peace until Fajr
In each of the daily prayer we offer, we solemnly declare to Allah, “Iyyaka
na’budu” (You alone do we worship). While the intelligent and committed
believer realizes that his very lifestyle spells worship, he knows,
remembering the words of our Prophet (pbuh) that “Du’aa’ (supplication) is
worship” [Tirmidhi, Abu Daud] Allah, the Most Merciful, has encouraged the
believers to take advantage of certain times during the year to make du’aa’.
Such an occasion presents itself annually during Ramadan — especially on the
Lailatul Qadr, the Night of Power. On this night, the single most important
event in human history unfolded as, after the Glorious Quran was preserved in
the Protected Tablet, Jibril descended with the blessed book to reveal it,
upon Allah’s command, to His Messenger (pbuh). Accentuating its significance,
Allah says “and how would you know (the value of the) Night of Qadr [97:2]
na’budu” (You alone do we worship). While the intelligent and committed
believer realizes that his very lifestyle spells worship, he knows,
remembering the words of our Prophet (pbuh) that “Du’aa’ (supplication) is
worship” [Tirmidhi, Abu Daud] Allah, the Most Merciful, has encouraged the
believers to take advantage of certain times during the year to make du’aa’.
Such an occasion presents itself annually during Ramadan — especially on the
Lailatul Qadr, the Night of Power. On this night, the single most important
event in human history unfolded as, after the Glorious Quran was preserved in
the Protected Tablet, Jibril descended with the blessed book to reveal it,
upon Allah’s command, to His Messenger (pbuh). Accentuating its significance,
Allah says “and how would you know (the value of the) Night of Qadr [97:2]
"Allah's Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) used to exert more (in
worship) on the last ten than on other nights." [Muslim]
So valuable is this Night of Qadr that the Quran devotes a special surah to
it “Lailatul Qadr is better than a thousand months” [97:3] This one night
surpasses the value of 30,000 nights. The most authentic account of the
occurrence of the Night indicates that it can occur on any one of the last
ten, oddnumbered nights of Ramadan. The fact that the exact night is unknown
reflects Allah’s will in keeping it hidden. Indeed, the Prophet (pbuh) was
prevented from telling us its precise time. One day, he came out to tell the
companions the exact night. On the way he saw two men arguing with each
other. By the will of Allah, he(pbuh)forgot and subsequently remembered it.
Afterwards the Prophet (pbuh) was instructed not to divulge this information.
“Had I been allowed,” he (pbuh) remarked once, “I would have told you (of
its exact time).” [Ahmad] The Almighty in His wisdom kept this hidden from us
for many reasons (wa Allahu 'Alam). Perhaps He wants us to strive hard in our
worship during the last ten days of Ramadan so that we don’t become lazy,
worshipping hard on just that one night and denying ourselves the benefit of
doing the same on the other nights. “Had people not left their salah except
for that (one) night, I would have informed you (of its exact date).”
[Al-Tabarani] The sincere believer who worries day and night about his sins
and phases of neglect in his life patiently awaits the onset of Ramadan.
During it he hopes to be forgiven by Allah for past sins, knowing that the
Prophet (pbuh) promised that all who bear down during the last ten days shall
have all their sins forgiven. To achieve this, he remembers the Prophet’s
(pbuh) advice in different sayings wherein he used words like “seek”, “pursue”, “search”, and “look
hard” for Lailatul Qadr (see tomorrows Post). Moreover, Allah and His
Prophet (pbuh) provided us some signs of its occurrence.
Allah (swt) describes the night as “..peace until the rise of the morn.”
[97:5] In various sayings, the Prophet (pbuh) described the night as serene,
tranquil, and peaceful. The sun at sunrise would appear reddish and without
its normal blazing and sharp rays. Ubayy (R) said : "On the morning of the
night of Qadr the sun would rise without any beams; (it is like) a wash basin
until it raises." [Muslim]
[97:5] In various sayings, the Prophet (pbuh) described the night as serene,
tranquil, and peaceful. The sun at sunrise would appear reddish and without
its normal blazing and sharp rays. Ubayy (R) said : "On the morning of the
night of Qadr the sun would rise without any beams; (it is like) a wash basin
until it raises." [Muslim]
Abu Hurairah (R) said : "We mentioned the night of Qadr to the Messenger of
Allaah (S) and he said: "Which of you remembers when the moon rises and it is
like half a bowl." [Muslim]
Allaah (S) and he said: "Which of you remembers when the moon rises and it is
like half a bowl." [Muslim]
Ibn Abbaas (R) said that the Messenger of Allaah (S) said : "The night of
Qadr is a night of generosity and happiness, it is not hot and neither is it
cold. The sun comes up in its morning weak, reddish." [Tabaranee, Ibn
Khuzaimah and Bazzaar]
Qadr is a night of generosity and happiness, it is not hot and neither is it
cold. The sun comes up in its morning weak, reddish." [Tabaranee, Ibn
Khuzaimah and Bazzaar]
The Prophet (pbuh) added that “the angel of earth on that night of Qadr will
be more numerous than all the pebbles of the earth.”
be more numerous than all the pebbles of the earth.”
What should one do during the last ten days in pursuit of Lailatul Qadr? The
devoted servant of Allah makes these nights alive with prayer, reading and
reflecting on Quran. The long qiyaam prayer has been particularly recommended
during the nights on which Laylat ul-Qadr could fall. This is indicated in
many hadeeths, such as the following:
devoted servant of Allah makes these nights alive with prayer, reading and
reflecting on Quran. The long qiyaam prayer has been particularly recommended
during the nights on which Laylat ul-Qadr could fall. This is indicated in
many hadeeths, such as the following:
Abu Tharr (radhiallahu `anhu) relates: "We fasted with Allah's Messenger
(sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) in Ramadaan. He did not lead us (in qiyaam) at
all until there were seven (nights of Ramadaan) 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:
(sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) in Ramadaan. He did not lead us (in qiyaam) at
all until there were seven (nights of Ramadaan) 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 imaam until he (the imaam) concludes the
prayer, it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole night.'…" [Recorded
by Ibn Abi Shaybah, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmithi (who authenticated it), an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah,
at-Tahawi (in Sharhu Ma`an il-Athar, Ibn Nasr, al-Faryabi, and al-Bayhaqi.
Their isnad is authentic.]
prayer, it is recorded for him that he prayed the whole night.'…" [Recorded
by Ibn Abi Shaybah, Abu Dawud, at-Tirmithi (who authenticated it), an-Nasa'i, Ibn Majah,
at-Tahawi (in Sharhu Ma`an il-Athar, Ibn Nasr, al-Faryabi, and al-Bayhaqi.
Their isnad is authentic.]
Abu Dawud mentioned: "I heard Ahmad being asked, 'Do you like for a man to
pray with the people or by himself during Ramadan?' He replied, 'Pray with
the people' I also heard him say, 'I would prefer for one to pray (qiyaam)
with the imaam and to pray witr with him as well, for the Prophet (sallallahu
`alayhi wa sallam) said: "When a man prays with the imaam until he
concludes, it is recorded that he prayed the rest of that night." [Masaa'il]]
pray with the people or by himself during Ramadan?' He replied, 'Pray with
the people' I also heard him say, 'I would prefer for one to pray (qiyaam)
with the imaam and to pray witr with him as well, for the Prophet (sallallahu
`alayhi wa sallam) said: "When a man prays with the imaam until he
concludes, it is recorded that he prayed the rest of that night." [Masaa'il]]
Abu Hurayrah (radhiallahu `anhu) narrated that the Messenger (sallallahu
`alayhi wa sallam) said: "Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylat ul-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.
`alayhi wa sallam) said: "Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylat ul-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.
He makes du’aa’ to Allah, penitently beseeching Him for His forgiveness. He
is inspired by the Prophet’s (pbuh) words “Our Lord, most Exalted, Most high
comes down to the lowest heaven during the last third of each night and
announces (reassuringly): Whoever makes du’aa’, I shall answer it. Whoever
asks (for something halal) I shall grant it; and whoever seeks forgiveness, I
shall forgive him.” [Bukhari] The believer, conscious of Allah and their
sins, will continue to beseech Allah, in and out of prayer, during his
prostration.
is inspired by the Prophet’s (pbuh) words “Our Lord, most Exalted, Most high
comes down to the lowest heaven during the last third of each night and
announces (reassuringly): Whoever makes du’aa’, I shall answer it. Whoever
asks (for something halal) I shall grant it; and whoever seeks forgiveness, I
shall forgive him.” [Bukhari] The believer, conscious of Allah and their
sins, will continue to beseech Allah, in and out of prayer, during his
prostration.
`A'ishah (radhiallahu `anha) reported that she asked Allah's Messenger
(sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam), "O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night
is Laylat ul-Qadr, what should I say during it?" And he instructed her to say:
(sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam), "O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night
is Laylat ul-Qadr, what should I say during it?" And he instructed her to say:
"Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuh.ibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee -
O Allah! You are forgiving, and youlove forgiveness. So forgive me."
[Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmithi]
O Allah! You are forgiving, and youlove forgiveness. So forgive me."
[Recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and at-Tirmithi]
Aa'isha (R) said: "When the (last) ten started, the Prophet (sallallahu
`alayhi wa sallam) would tighten his izaar (i.e. he stayed away from his
wives in order to have more time for worship), spend the whole night awake
(in prayer), and wake up his family." [Bukhaaree and Muslim] For a time, the
only concern will be cleansing oneself of the forgetfulness that this life
propagates in one’s heart, the sins that accumulate, darkening the heart,
making it insensitive to disobeying Allah. He begs Allah to keep him away
from misfortunes in this world, the punishment of the grave, and the torment
of Hell. He asks Allah to make him patient and steadfast in struggling to
maintain his Islam in this world and asks Him to overlook his shortcomings,
periods of laziness and neglect. Sincere devotion on that night
will render the believer forgtful of the time, until he is surprised by the
Adhan of Fajr. After Fajr, as the sun creeps above the horizon, reddish and
weak in its appearance, without any rays, the effort at night will have been
worthwhile. The believer rejoices, knowing that this was quite possibly
Lailatul Qadr and “whoever stays up (in prayer and remembrance of Allah) on
the Night of Qadr fully believing (in Allah’s promise of reward for that
night) and hoping to seek reward (from Allah alone and not from people), he
shall be forgiven for his past sins.” [Bukhari, Muslim]
`alayhi wa sallam) would tighten his izaar (i.e. he stayed away from his
wives in order to have more time for worship), spend the whole night awake
(in prayer), and wake up his family." [Bukhaaree and Muslim] For a time, the
only concern will be cleansing oneself of the forgetfulness that this life
propagates in one’s heart, the sins that accumulate, darkening the heart,
making it insensitive to disobeying Allah. He begs Allah to keep him away
from misfortunes in this world, the punishment of the grave, and the torment
of Hell. He asks Allah to make him patient and steadfast in struggling to
maintain his Islam in this world and asks Him to overlook his shortcomings,
periods of laziness and neglect. Sincere devotion on that night
will render the believer forgtful of the time, until he is surprised by the
Adhan of Fajr. After Fajr, as the sun creeps above the horizon, reddish and
weak in its appearance, without any rays, the effort at night will have been
worthwhile. The believer rejoices, knowing that this was quite possibly
Lailatul Qadr and “whoever stays up (in prayer and remembrance of Allah) on
the Night of Qadr fully believing (in Allah’s promise of reward for that
night) and hoping to seek reward (from Allah alone and not from people), he
shall be forgiven for his past sins.” [Bukhari, Muslim]
It is narrated from Aa'isha (R) that she said: "I said: 'O Messenger of
Allaah, if I know what night is the Night of Qadr what should I say?." He
said: "Say: O Allaah you are pardoning and you love to pardon so pardon me. "
[Ahmad,Ibn Majah,Tirmidhee]
Allaah, if I know what night is the Night of Qadr what should I say?." He
said: "Say: O Allaah you are pardoning and you love to pardon so pardon me. "
[Ahmad,Ibn Majah,Tirmidhee]
It is also the Night when all ordainments for the year are decreed. Allah (T)
said, which means:
{By the manifest Book (the Quraan) that makes thing clear. We sent it (this
Quraan) down on a Blessed Night (i.e. the Night of Qadr) in the month of
Ramadaan. Verily We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torments will reach
those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of
Wordship]. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter (amran) of
ordainment} [The Smoke 44:2-5]
Quraan) down on a Blessed Night (i.e. the Night of Qadr) in the month of
Ramadaan. Verily We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torments will reach
those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of
Wordship]. Therein (that night) is decreed every matter (amran) of
ordainment} [The Smoke 44:2-5]
Shaykh Nazim
Nights are the time which Allah 'azza wa jall has designated for the attainment of spiritual blessing and power. Allah told His Beloved Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam in the Qur'an al karim:
Rise to pray in the night except a little (73:1)
Allah ordered His Beloved Messeneger Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam to spend most of the night in worship in order to prepare his heart for the tremendous revelation of al-Qur'an al-karim. This nights worship was the means for the Beloved Messeneger Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam to ascend and to attain more and more power. His Noble Companions [Allah be pleased with them] would join him for the night prayer and would be rising up in station and spirituality:
Surely We will make to descend on you a weighty Word. Surely the rising by night is the firmest way to tread and the best corrective of speech. (73, 1-5)
Laylat al-Qadr is a holy night. All nights of Ramadan are holy nights but Laylat al-Qadr is the holiest night of this holy month. It is also the holiest night among all other holy nights throughout the entire year. It comes only once a year and Allah Almighty grants to His most praised, most respected and most beloved servant Sayyidina Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam this holy night, the Night of Power. About this night, God, the Glorious & Exalted said:
In the name of God, the Beneficent the Merciful Indeed We sent it [the Noble Quran] down on the Night of Power. What will convey to you what the Night of Power is like! Better is the Night of Power than a thousand months in that Night the angels and the Spirit descend by the permission of their Lord for every affair. Peace it is, till the break of dawn. [al-Qur'an, Chapter 97] |
"Night of Power" is a very strange translation for "Laylat al-Qadr" but it attributes to it a good meaning: whoever may attain the blessings of this holy night should attain perfect power in his spiritual life. One can attain perfect power by means of this night because its value is more than one thousand months of worshipping. Every worship performed increases the spiritual power of people and in this night any worship is going to be valued as one thousand months of worshipping on any other night. It is condensed power. God, the Almighty, makes it a mighty night by placing in it such incredible power, making it a much mightier night than other nights. Allah Almighty says it is much more valuble than one thousand months of worshipping. That means Allah Almighty granted such huge power to that night.
It is just such a mighty night which is highly respected and given such a high value by the Lord Almighty. It is so mighty that it is said that it is the most mighty night, that Night of Power. Allah Almighty puts in it power for His servants to come closer to His Divine Presence. In a short time a that great power adorns worshippers in this night and they may be able to penetrate through the entire heavens and reach the Divine Presence.
People on this night are going to be on several different levels. No doubt we are on the lowest level, so we are hoping in this night to attain the honor and illumination granted in it. When we reach a higher level and as it is a holy night in the heavens as well, we will begin to sense something [of the great power being manifested] on this night. Whoever is at the highest spiritual level must be present for this night in the Divine Presence of the Lord.
That appearance will occur in a matter of seconds, perhaps within a single second. Perhaps one second is an enormous unit of time [in comparison] to that moment. It may be more than a second or much less, but it is an instant in time when an appearance from Divine Presence is manifested to creation. When that Divine Appearance manifests (Ar. tajalli), no one will remain standing throughout the heavens and the earth. Everything falls into prostration, throwing themselves down in prostration for that moment. That manifestation of Divine Power--that Divine Light--appears, and whoever is prepared and who has also been invited to attend that appearance sees it and falls in prostration. Everything in that moment falls in prostration (Ar. sajda): all animals--even ants, even elephants, even giraffes, even dogs--on that night they are not sleeping but are hurrying to make prostration on experiencing that divine manifestation. All trees-- even buildings--bow down in prostration and then rise up to their original positions. This is mentioned in al-Qur'an:
And unto Allah falleth prostrate whosoever is in the heavens and the earth, willingly or unwillingly, as do their shadows in the morning and the evening hours. (ar-R'ad, 15) |
Hast thou not seen that unto Allah payeth adoration whosoever is in the heavens and whosoever is in the earth, and the sun, and the moon, and the stars, and the hills, and the trees, and the beasts, and many of mankind, while there are many unto whom the doom is justly due. He whom Allah scorneth, there is none to give him honour. Lo! Allah doeth what He will. (al-Hajj, 18) |
May God forgive us because we are sinners. Every few minutes, or even every few seconds we commit so many sins, thus we are in need of our Lord's forgiveness for the honor of His Most Praised Servant Sayyidina Muhammad, peace and blessings of Allah be upon him. This holiest of nights is granted to him from his Lord Almighty Allah. In it all powers adorn him, all lights illuminate him and all angels come to him. the Archangel jibra'il [Gabriel] alayhis salaam comes to him, and he is dressed with countless honors on this holy night. The angels ask forgiveness [from Allah for people] for the sake of the 'master of humanity' (Sayyid al Bashar), to the 'Owner of creation' (Rabb al-Ka'inat).
For his honour, may God forgive us and take away our bad states. May Allah change our conditions from bad to good and change everything in us to be for His Sake. May we be good servants, obedient servants, beloved servants, respected servants, praised servants. Try to be servants such as this. For that reason, attend humbly to worship on that night as our Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam directed us:
For his honour, may God forgive us and take away our bad states. May Allah change our conditions from bad to good and change everything in us to be for His Sake. May we be good servants, obedient servants, beloved servants, respected servants, praised servants. Try to be servants such as this. For that reason, attend humbly to worship on that night as our Beloved Prophet Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam directed us:
"Whosoever offers voluntary prayers during the Night of Power out of belief and expecting from Allah its reward will have his past sins forgiven." [Bukhari & Muslim] |
Now I would like to pray the Prayer of Recollection (salat ul-tasabih) to express a little bit of praising from our side to glorify our Lord Almighty Allah. That glorifying Allah Almighty in salat ul-tasabih consists four cycles of prayer (raka'ats) in which we are glorify our Lord 300 times by saying "Glory be to God, all praise be to God, there is no god but the One God Allah, God is Most Great!" (Ar. "Subhanallahi wal hamdulillahi wa la ilaha illa Allahu wa Allahu Akbar." May Allah Almighty glorify His beloved and most praised servant, Sayyidina Muhammad Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa 'aalihi wa Sallam, and may mercy from His endless mercy oceans fall on you, and fall on our descendents, and fall on our ancestors, fall upon east and west, and may its blessing fall upon all from North to South, upon all oceans and upon all continents.
Allah Allah...Karim Allah...Aziz Allah...Subhan Allah...Sultan Allah - Oh our Lord You are the only Sultan. Raise up Your Work and bring down the work of destructive disbelief and evil which seeks to harm Your human beings and all other creations by means of a destined appointed and authorized sultan from your Divine Presence.
Bihurmat al habeeb wa bi hurmat al fatiha.
[for the sake of the Beloved, for his sake we recite the Opening Chapter of al-Qur'an]
Night of Gods Decree
From Nujhat al-Majalis
A large number of the commentators have said that deeds done on that night are better than the deeds of 1,000 months which do not contain a Night of the Decree. Ka'b al-Ahbar said -- may God be well pleased with him:
"There was a righteous king among the Bani Isra'il. God revealed to their Prophet: "Tell him to wish for something." He said: "I wish to strive in the way of God with my possessions and my offspring." God gave him one thousand children. He began to prepare each child for battle until that child died as a martyr, whereupon he prepared the next one, and so forth until they were all killed in a period of 1,000 months. Then the king himself entered the fray and was killed. The people said: "No-one will ever be able to attain to his merit." And (now) God revealed this sura (The Decree)."
Al-Waqidi said: "It is the first sura revealed in Madina." Najm al-Din al-Nasafi, however, says: "Eighty-five suras were revealed in Mecca, the first being al-Fatiha and the last "Woe unto the Defrauders" (sura 83); and twenty-nine were revealed in Madina, the first being "al-Baqara" (sura 2) and the last "al-Ma'ida" (sura 5)."
Abu Bakr al-Warraq said: "Solomon's kingdom was five hundred months, and Dhu al-Qarnayn's kingdom was five hundred months, and God has made the deeds done during that night outweigh both kingdoms."
I saw in Rawd al-afkar (The Meadows of Reflections) that one day the Prophet (s) mentioned four men who had worshipped God for eighty years, not disobeying him for one blink of an eye. The Companions were seized by wonder at this, whereupon Gabriel came to him and brought him this sura so that the Prophet (s) and the Companions became happy.
The scholars differ concerning the designation of the Night of the Decree. Most say that it falls on the twenty-seventh of Ramadan. Whoever prays on that night four rak'at (prayer-cycles) in which he recites al-Fatiha, "Rivalry in worldly increase distracteth you" (sura 102) once, and "Say He is God: One" (sura 112) three times, Allah will make the throes of death easy for him, remove from him the punishment of the grave, and give him four pillars of light on top of each of which rest 1,000 palaces.
Al-Shafi`i said -- may God be well pleased with him: "The strongest reports I have is that it falls on the twenty-first." The author of Tanbih al-ghafilin (Abu al-Layth al-Samarqandi, d. 983 CE) reportedly said it is not confined to the last ten nights of Ramadan, but al-Rafi`i rejected this opinion. What I did see in the "Tanbih" is that he said that the letters which form "The Night of the Decree" are nine (la-y-la-t-a-l-qa-d-r), and God mentioned it three times in the sura: 9 x 3 = 27, which is an indication that it falls on the twenty-seventh.
This is also the opinion of Ibn 'Abbas, who adduced the fact that God created seven heavens, seven earths, seven seas, and seven days; and that He created us from seven elements and nourished us with seven kinds of food, according to His saying (80:27-31):
"And we cause the grain to grow therein"-- this is (1) wheat and (2) barley --"and (2) grapes, and (3) reeds"-- that is, canes --"and (4) olives and (5) dates, and garden-closes of thick foliage"-- orchards with great trees --"and (6) fruits"-- such as figs --"and (7) grasses"-- that is, the vegetation which animals eat.
And finally, (Ibn 'Abbas adduces) that He ordered us to prostrate upon hearing seven verses. All this is discussed in the chapter on trust (al-amana).
Blessings and Peace on the Beloved Prophet, his Family, and his Companions
Reference: Sunnah.org
What to pray
Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem
Laylat al Qadr is the most excellent night of the whole year, it is better then a thousand months, one nights worship is equivalent to the worship of a life time. The night occurs during one of the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, most likely to be on the 27th Ramadan.
The Most Beloved of Allah, Huzur Nabi Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said:
''People who won't be able to benefit on this blessed night are listed as follows, unless these people ask for forgiveness for their sins : Muslim enemies, people who don't give zakaat and encourage people not to either, people who break relationships, laugh at the facts of the grave, people who backbite, being lazy to pray salaat, not talking to a muslim brother for more than three days, including haram, shirk, kufar, nazayess.''
On this blessed night pray the follwoing: the Qur'an al kareem, nafil salaat, tasbih, du'as, Istagfar, kalma-e tamjid, Surah ikhlas and plenty of darood shareef as often as you can. Whoever prays by heart "Laa Ilahaa Il-lal laahu Muhammadur Rasulullaah" by praying first time you will be clean of sins, praying second time you will be clear of hell, and praying third time you will be accepted in Paradise. It is quoted in the Hadith sharif that whoever prays from the heart and with intention, will be forgiven for all their sins.
Du'a
The Beloved Messenger of Allah Salla Allahu ta'ala 'alayhi wa Sallam said on the night of Laylat aI-Qadr you must pray this du'a as much as possible:
" ALLAHUMMA INNAKA 'AFUWUN TUHIBBUL 'AFWA F-A'FU ANNEE''
''O' Allah, you are the one who grants pardon for sins, you love to pardon so pardon us''
''O' Allah, you are the one who grants pardon for sins, you love to pardon so pardon us''
Istaghfar
Pray du'a istagfar repeatedly on the night of Laylat al-Qadr:
'' ASTAG FIRULLAA HULLAZI LAA-E-LAAHAA ILLAA HUWAL HAIYUL KAIYUM V-A-TUBU ILAIH''
''I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Almighty, there is no god but He,
He is the Self-existent, the eternal and I turn to Him''
''I seek forgiveness from Allah, the Almighty, there is no god but He,
He is the Self-existent, the eternal and I turn to Him''
Surah al-Qadr
Whoever on this night prays :
"Innaa anzalnaahu fee lailatil qadr.
Wa maa adraaka maalailatul qadr.
LailatuI qadri khairum min alfi shahr.
Tanazalul malaa ikatu varroohu fee haa bi-izni rabbihim min kulli amr.
Salaamun heeyaa hattaa matlaeel fajr."
Wa maa adraaka maalailatul qadr.
LailatuI qadri khairum min alfi shahr.
Tanazalul malaa ikatu varroohu fee haa bi-izni rabbihim min kulli amr.
Salaamun heeyaa hattaa matlaeel fajr."
If they pray ''Innaa anzalnaahu'' (above) 700, or 70, or 7 times at least, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will forgive that person's sins, save them from all their troubles, also 70,000 angels will pray for that person to go to Jannat (Paradise).
Kalima Tamjeed
Kalima Tamjeed is the 3rd Kalima Shareef.
Subhanallahe Wal Hamdulillahe Wa Laa ilaha illal-Lahu WallahuAkbar.
Wala Hawla Wala Quwwata illa billa-hil AliYil Azeem
''Allah is pure and all praise is due to Allah and there is no deity but Allah,
and Allah is most great and no one has the strength of virtue and power to remain unexpended from sin,
but with Allah who is most high and venerable.''
Wala Hawla Wala Quwwata illa billa-hil AliYil Azeem
''Allah is pure and all praise is due to Allah and there is no deity but Allah,
and Allah is most great and no one has the strength of virtue and power to remain unexpended from sin,
but with Allah who is most high and venerable.''
Ayat al-Kursi
The merits of Ayat al-Kursi have been mentioned in numerous hadiths. Although the Qur'an itself and every verse therein are of excellence, Ayat al-Kursi is certainly the most excellent verse of all its verses. This verse is called Ayat al-Kursi due to the word ''Kursi'' being mentioned in it. Of all the chapters in the Quran, the most excellent chapter is Surat al-Ikhlaas, and the most excellent verse is Ayat al-Kursi. One virtue of Ayat al-Kursi is that more reward is obtained for reading it than any other verse.
The reason why Ayat al-Kursi is the most excellent verse, is that this verse mentions the names of Allah Most High more than any other verse (i.e. this verse contains the most remembrance (dhikr) of Allah Most High). For example, some verses of the Qur'an al-karim may mention the names of Allah Most High twice, some may mention the names of Allah Most High four times, and some ten times. But in Ayat al-Kursi, the names of Allah Most High have been mentioned seventeen times, Al-hamdulilah! Ayat al-Kursi mentions six attributes (sifat) of Allah Most High, all six being mentioned in this single verse. The attributes mentioned are: the Divine Oneness (Wahdaniyyah) of Allah Most High, His Life (Hayah), His Knowledge ('Ilm), His Kingdom (Mulk), His Divine Power (Qudrah) and His Will (Iradah).
Surah 2:255
Ayat al-Kursi (The Verse of the Throne)
Bismillaah ar-Rahman ar-Raheem
Allahu la illaha illa hu
Wal Hayyul Qayyum
La te huzuhu sinetun wala nawmun
Lahu ma fissemawati wa ma fil'ardi
Men thallathiy yeshfe'u indehu illa biznih
Ya'lemu ma beyne eydiyhim
wa ma halfehum
wa la yuhiytune
bishey'in min ilmihi
illa bima sha-a wasia kursiyyuhu semavati wal'ard
Wa la yeuduhu hifzuhuma wa hu wal aliy ul aziym
Saddaqallah hul Azim*
Allahu la illaha illa hu
Wal Hayyul Qayyum
La te huzuhu sinetun wala nawmun
Lahu ma fissemawati wa ma fil'ardi
Men thallathiy yeshfe'u indehu illa biznih
Ya'lemu ma beyne eydiyhim
wa ma halfehum
wa la yuhiytune
bishey'in min ilmihi
illa bima sha-a wasia kursiyyuhu semavati wal'ard
Wa la yeuduhu hifzuhuma wa hu wal aliy ul aziym
Saddaqallah hul Azim*
In the name of Allah, the Beneficent, the Merciful.
Allah! There is no God but He,
the Living, the Self-subsisting, the Eternal.
No slumber can seize Him, nor sleep.
All things in heaven and earth are His.
Who could intercede in His presence without His permission?
He knows what appears in front of and behind His creatures.
Nor can they encompass any knowledge of Him except what he wills.
His throne extends over the heavens and the earth,
and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them,
for He is the Highest and Most Exalted.
Allah, the Most High, speaks the truth.
Allah! There is no God but He,
the Living, the Self-subsisting, the Eternal.
No slumber can seize Him, nor sleep.
All things in heaven and earth are His.
Who could intercede in His presence without His permission?
He knows what appears in front of and behind His creatures.
Nor can they encompass any knowledge of Him except what he wills.
His throne extends over the heavens and the earth,
and He feels no fatigue in guarding and preserving them,
for He is the Highest and Most Exalted.
Allah, the Most High, speaks the truth.
If one recites only a portion of a surah, it is necessary to say at the end of the selection:*Saddaqallah hul Azim (Allah, the Most High, Speaks the truth.)
Protection from torments of the grave
This Nafil salat prayer will decrease the pains and agonies of death, and will protect you from the torments of the grave.
Pray four rakats nafil salaat,
In every rakat after Surah Fateha (Alhamdulilah sharif)
pray Surah Qadr (Innaa anzalnahu) three times, and
Surah Ikhlaas (Kulhuv'Allah Sharif) seven times.
In every rakat after Surah Fateha (Alhamdulilah sharif)
pray Surah Qadr (Innaa anzalnahu) three times, and
Surah Ikhlaas (Kulhuv'Allah Sharif) seven times.
Remember to be patient, have the right intention and pray with sincerity [ihsan].
MP3 Audio links: courtesy of www.islamicacademy.org
Forgiveness of sins
Praying this Nafil salat [prayer] will enable Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala to forgive your sins.
Pray four rakats nafil salaat, In every rakat after Surah Fateha (Alhamdulilah sharif) pray Surah Qadr (Innaa anzalnahu) once, and Surah Ikhlaas (Kulhuv'Allah Sharif) twenty-seven (27) times.
Remember to be patient, have the right intention and pray with sincerity [ihsan].
Forgive you & your Parents.
Praying this Nafil salat (prayer) will enable Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala to forgive you and your parents.
Pray four rakats nafil salaat,
In every rakat after Surah Fateha (Alhamdulilah sharif)
pray Surah Qadr (Innaa anzalnahu) seven times, and
Surah Ikhlaas (Kulhuv'Allah Sharif) seven times.
In every rakat after Surah Fateha (Alhamdulilah sharif)
pray Surah Qadr (Innaa anzalnahu) seven times, and
Surah Ikhlaas (Kulhuv'Allah Sharif) seven times.
After salaat pray Istagfar and Darood shareef
Remember, be patient, have the right intention and pray with sincerity [ihsan].
Accept all your du'as.
Praying this Nafil salat (prayer) will enable Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala to accept all of your sincere du'as.
Pray four rakats nafil salaat,
In every rakat after Surah Fateha (Alhamdulilah sharif)
pray Surah Qadr (Innaa anzalnahu) three times, and
Surah Ikhlaas (Kulhuv'Allah Sharif) five times.
After salaat pray Kalima Tamjid fourty-one (41) times.
In every rakat after Surah Fateha (Alhamdulilah sharif)
pray Surah Qadr (Innaa anzalnahu) three times, and
Surah Ikhlaas (Kulhuv'Allah Sharif) five times.
After salaat pray Kalima Tamjid fourty-one (41) times.
Remember, be patient, have the right intention and pray with sincerity [ihsan].
Cleanse all your sins
Praying these Nafil salat (prayers) will enable Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala to cleanse you of all your sins, as if you were just born.
Pray 10 x 2 rakats (20 total) nafil salaat,
In every rakat after Surah Fateha (Alhamdulilah sharif)
pray Surah Ikhlaas (Kulhuv'Allah Sharif) twenty-one (21) times.
In every rakat after Surah Fateha (Alhamdulilah sharif)
pray Surah Ikhlaas (Kulhuv'Allah Sharif) twenty-one (21) times.
Remember, be patient, have the right intention and pray with sincerity [ihsan].
Reward of Hajj
Whoever prays the following Nafil salat (prayer) Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will grant them the thawaab of Hajj-e-makbul. (Reward of Hajj pilgrimage).
Pray 10 x 2 rakats (20 total) nafil salaat,
In every rakat after Surah Fateha (Alhamdulilah sharif)
pray Ayat al-Kursi three times, and
Surah Ikhlaas (Kulhuv'Allah Sharif) twenty-five (25) imes.
After salaat pray Kalima Tamjid one hundred (100) times.
In every rakat after Surah Fateha (Alhamdulilah sharif)
pray Ayat al-Kursi three times, and
Surah Ikhlaas (Kulhuv'Allah Sharif) twenty-five (25) imes.
After salaat pray Kalima Tamjid one hundred (100) times.
Remember, be patient, have the right intention and pray with sincerity [ihsan].
Lots of blessings
Praying this Nafil salat (prayers) Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will grant you many blessings/reward.
Pray 5 x 2 rakats (10 total) nafil salaat,
In every rakat after Surah Fateha (Alhamdulilah sharif)
pray Surah Ikhlaas (Kulhuv'Allah Sharif) three (21) times.
In every rakat after Surah Fateha (Alhamdulilah sharif)
pray Surah Ikhlaas (Kulhuv'Allah Sharif) three (21) times.
After salaat pray any Darood Shareef 11 times, and pray any du'a.
Remember, be patient, have the right intention and pray with sincerity [ihsan].
Acceptance of du'as.
Pray these Nafil salat (prayers) make your du'as, Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala Insha-Allah will accept your du'as.
Pray 5 x 2 rakats (10 total) nafil salaat,
In every rakat after Surah Fateha (Alhamdulilah sharif)
pray any surah.
In every rakat after Surah Fateha (Alhamdulilah sharif)
pray any surah.
Remember, be patient, have the right intention and pray with sincerity [ihsan].
Other Nafil Salat
Pray twelve rakats nafil salaat with intervals after every two rakats, in every rakat after Surah Fatiha pray Surah Ikhlaas five times, you will get lots of thawaab.
Pray two rakats nafil salaat, in every rakat after Surah Fatiha, pray Surah Ikhlaas seven times, after salaat pray darood shareef one hundred (100) times and istagfar one hundred (100) times, you will get lots of thawaab.
Pray four rakats nafil salaat, in every rakat after Surah Fatiha pray 'alha kumut-takaasur...' once and Surah Ikhlaas three times, this will avoid problems, and will protect you from the torments of the grave.
Pray two rakats nafil salaat, in every rakat after Surah Fatiha, pray Surah Ikhlaas seven times, after salaat pray Istagfar seventy (70) times before you get up from your prayer mat. Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will forgive your sins and your parents sins and Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala will say to the angels to make sweet (meva) trees in Jannah (heaven) as well as make you a palace. Until you will not see this in your dream you will not die.
Subhaana rabbika rabbil ezzati ammaa yasifun va salaamun al-l mursalin,val hamdu lil-laahi rabbil aalamin
May Allah Subhanahu wa Ta'ala make all your Du'as come true. (Amin)
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