by Masroof Manzoor
Laylat-ul-Qadr is an extremely blessed & the most virtuous night in the Islamic calendar. It is referred to as the night of power or night of decree because the commandments of the whole year are enforced on this night. In other words, every man’s age, death, sustenance, rain, and other things are measured out to the Angels to be implemented for the following year from one month of Ramadan to another. For example, If an individual is destined to perform hajj in the forthcoming year, it will be prescribed. There are several other reasons for the greatness of this night like the worship performed on this night has great Qadr(excellence) or most importantly the Holy Quran that has ignited revolutions within hearts and minds, sparking social change, intellectual enlightenment, and personal growth was revealed at this night.
Related posts
Almighty Allah says in the holy Quran: “Verily! We have sent it (this Qur’an) 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.Jibreel [Gabriel]) by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees, Peace! Until the appearance of dawn.” (Al-Qadr, Verse: 1-5)
And in Surat ad-Dukhan, Allah the Most High said: “We sent it (this Qur’an) 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’an 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. (Dhukhan, Verse: 3-6)
The greatest virtue of this night is mentioned in the surah Al-Qadr(mentioned above) itself, that is, the acts of worship performed in this single night is better than worship in one thousand months which amounts to eighty-three years & four months. The figure here & elsewhere in the Quran doesn’t signify its precise number but simply denotes a very large or huge number. Allah alone knows how much more or better. Therefore it is recommended that the Muslim who is eager to be obedient to Allah should stand in Prayer during this night out of Faith and in the hope of a great reward, since if he does this, Allah will forgive his previous sins. Abu Hurairah (may Allah be pleased with him ) reported that the Messenger of Allah,(Pbuh)said: “Whoever stands (in prayer) in Liala-tul Qadr out of Faith and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven”(Bukhari). Another narration reports that anyone who is deprived of the good of the night of Qadr is deprived of all good.
It is also recommended to supplicate a lot during this night, it is reported that our mother ‘Aishah (may Allah be pleased with her) once asked the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) what supplication she should make on this night. The Messenger (PBUH) advised her to make the following supplication: “Allahumma innaka Affuwwun Tuhibbul Afwa fa’fii annee.): “0 Allah You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me”.(Tirmithi and Ibn Majah).”When the night of Qadr occurs, Jibrail(As) descends on the earth with myriad angels to pray for every servant of Allah, man or woman busy in salah or dhikr, to be blessed by Allah.”[Tafseer Mazhari].
In conclusion, It is perceptible from the above narrations that Laila-tul Qadr is a fountain of immense blessings, bounties, forgiveness, and mercy & at the same time a golden opportunity for us to seek Allah’s forgiveness & guidance. Wasting such a blessed & sacred night indicates great deprivation as mentioned above. As Muslims, in the light of the above narrations it is incumbent on us to make the most of this blessed night by engaging in prayers, recitation of the Quran & seeking Allah’s forgiveness & mercy during the whole night. May Allah(SWT) grant us the blessings of Laila-tul Qadr.
The author can be mailed at masroof950@gmail.com
Discussion about this post