The Night of Power

The Night of Power or Destiny is an extremely important night for Muslims.

It is the night in which our code of guidance, the Holy Quran, was
revealed from the Lord of the Universe to Prophet Muhammad. The Quran
was revealed in Ramadan (2:185), and traditionally Muslims celebrated
the Night of Power on the 27th night of Ramadan. God
describes this night as better than a thousand months. During that
night, the angels and the Spirit descend therein, by God’s leave, to
carry out every command (97:1-5). Because
the Night of Power is such a special night, those Muslims (Submitters)
who want to gain extra credit of righteousness spend the night by
commemorating God the Almighty either in their privacy or in a mosque
with other Muslims. There are also some Muslims who retreat to a mosque
in the last ten days of Ramadan to take advantage of God’s blessings
further and increase their faith of submission. It
falls in the last ten days of Ramadan. Muslims always devote themselves
to Allah by spending these days reading Quran, praying for the whole
night, doing zikr (remembrance of Allah) and supplicating to Allah to
forgive all their past sins and accept their acts.Abû Hurayra radiyallahu `anhu relates that the Holy Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said:“Whosoever
worshipped on Laylatul-Qadr, with faith and with a sincere intention,
all of his previous sins are forgiven.” (from al-Bukhârî and Muslim)From
the nights of the blessed month of Ramadan, one is known as
Laylatul-Qadr and during it, blessings, rewards and an abundance of good
can be gained.Allah
Most high has made worship during this night worth than a thousand
months, i.e. anyone who spent this night in worship, would have
worshipped an equivalent of eighty three years and four months –
khayru(n)m-minalfi shahr“The
night of al-Qadr is better than a thousand months.” The reality is that
Allah can increase the rewards gained during this month to as much as
He wants and this is an amount which is beyond our imagination.
The meaning of Laylatul-Qadr in detail.1.
Imâm Zuhrî rahmatullâhi `alayh states that Qadr means status. So in
comparison to other nights, this night has a greater status and hence it
is known as Laylatul-Qadr (the night of power).2
Hadrat `Abdullâh ibn `Abbâs radiyallahu `anhu relates that in this
night, Allah orders the angels to write down all that has been
predestined for a whole year and hence it is known as Laylatul-Qadr.3. The following reason has also been given for it being called, “qadr”:“During
this night, Allah Almighty sent His book of Power, the Holy Qur’ân to
the community (ummah) of power, through the Messenger of power via which
He revealed His cognition. It is for this reason that the word Qadr
appears three times in this Sûrah (al-Qadr).” (Imâm Fakhrud-dîn ar-Râzî,
Tafsîr al-Kabîr, 28/32)Qadr
can also mean crowded. The reason for this is that the Angels come to
the earth with such excellence and goodness, that the ground becomes
crowded. (al-Imâm `Alâud-dîn `Alî bin Muhammad al-Khâzin, Tafsîr
al-Khâzin, 4:395)al-Imâm
Abû Bakr al-Warrâq rahî mahullâh upon commenting on Qadr, says that on
this night, the worshippers are made into owners of power, even if they
weren’t worthy of such a thing before. (al-Imâm al-Qurtubî, Tafsîr
al-Qurtubî, 20:131)
What is the reason for having this night?The
means of the Ummah gaining this blessed night is the worry the Holy
Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam had aboutus. The following is
stated in the Muatta of al-Imâm Mâlik rahî mahullâh:“Allah’s
Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam looked back at the previous
communities and saw that his community lived for a much shorter period
in comparison to them. He was concerned about how his community would be
able to gain as many rewards as those of the previous communities.So
when Allah the Exalted saw the concerns in the heart of His Beloved
sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam. Then he sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam was
given Laylatul-Qadr, which is more virtuous than a thousand months.”
(Imâm Mâlik, Muatta)It
is similarly narrated from Ibn `Abbâs radiyallahu `anhu, that the Holy
Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam mentioned before his Companions
about a man of the previous communities, who had done jihâd in the way
of Allah for a thousand months:“Then
Allah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam became wary about his
community and in this concern, made the following invocation: O my Lord,
as a result of the low life span of my community, their deeds will also
be low. Upon this, Allah gave Laylatul-Qadr.” (al-Imâm `Alâud-dîn `Alî
bin Muhammad al-Khâzin, Tafsîr al-Khâzin, 4:39)One
narration has it that the Holy Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam
mentioned before his Companions, the virtues of great personalities,
such as Ayyûb, Zakariyya, Hazqîl and Yûshi` `alayhimus-salâm and stated
that they worshiped Allah for so many years and that they never
disobeyed Allah.The
Companions who were present there, developed great desire to do the
same. Imam Qurtubi writes that at that moment, angel Jibrîl came and
said:“O
Prophet Muhammad sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, your community are
shocked about the eighty upon eighty years of worship made by these
people. Allah has given you more,” and the chapter, “innâ anzal-nâhu fî
laylatil-qadri” were recited. Upon this, the face of Allah’s Messenger
sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, became radiant with happiness.” (Imâm
al-Qurtubî, Tafsîr Qurtubî, 20:130)So
it is through the Holy Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, that this
Ummah received Laylatul-Qadr which is worth not eighty years, but eighty
three years and four months and even more.
A specialty solely for the Ummah of The ProphetLaylatul-Qadr is a blessing which has ONLY been given to the Ummah of the Holy Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam.al-Imâm
Jalâlud-dîn as-Suyûtî rahmatullâhi `alayh, relates on the authority of
Anas radiyallahu `anhu, who reports that the Holy Prophet sallallahu
`alayhi wa sallam said:“This
blessed night has only been gifted to my Ummah. None of the previous
communities ever received such a gift.” (al-Imâm Jalâlud-dîn
`Abdur-Rahmân Suyûtî, Tafsîr ad-Durr al-Manthûr, 6:371)Who were the`abid (pious worshippers) in the previous communities?The
great Mufassirîn (scholars of tafsîr [who are learned in the science of
commentating on the Qur’ânic verses]) write that in the previous
communities, a person was known as an `âbid after worshiping Allah for a
thousand months.However,
the Holy Prophet’s sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam community has received
such a gift, that we are able to gain similar rewards in just a single
night!“In
the previous communities, one was an `âbid if he had been worshipping
Allah for a thousand months. The Ummah of Muhammad sallallahu `alayhi wa
sallam has been given this blessed night, during which every act of
worship is worth more than doing that act for a thousand months.”
(Shawkânî, Fathul-Qadîr, 5:472)The time for seeking repentanceThis is also a great gift which has been given to those who serve the leader of the two worlds sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam.Hadrat
Sayyidinâ Anas radiyallahu `anhu relates, that the Holy Allah’s
Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said at the beginning of one
Ramadan:“This
month which we have entered, contains one night which is more
beneficial than a thousand months. Any person who abstained from this
night has rejected the good receivable during it and any person who
rejected the good receivable during it is undoubtedly a rejected
person.” (Sunan Ibn Mâja)What
can be said about a person, who during this night avoids grasping the
gifts available and chooses the path of sinning? We are prepared to stay
awake for meaningless talk and socializing, but will not stay awake
during a night, which contains more rewards than worship made for eighty
years.Hadrat
Anas radiyallahu `anhu reports that the Holy Prophet sallallahu `alayhi
wa sallam stated the following about the virtues of
Laylatul-Qadr:”During Laylatul-Qadr, Jibrâ’îl `alayhis-salam descends to
the earth with some Angels and invokes Allah for the forgiveness of
those who spend their time remembering Allah in any way”This has been mentioned in Sûrat al-Qadr, in the following words:“Therein descend the Angels and Jibrîl by Allah’s permission with all decree.”
Why has the time of Laylatul-Qadr been kept hidden?The following reasons have been given for the time of Laylatul-Qadr being kept unknown:1
Many special things have been kept hidden, for example, the Great Name
(ism a`zam) and the time when every invocation is accepted during Jum`a.
Similarly the timing of Laylatul-Qadr has also been kept a secret.2 If the exact time of the night had been stated, people would neglect other nights and would only worship during this one.3
If the exact time of the night had been stated and someone were to miss
it, they may not live long enough to gain such a blessed night.4
Allah the Exalted loves His servants to stay awake in worship during
the night. So He kept the exact time of the night hidden so that in
search of this night, His slaves would spend more nights in worship.5
If the exact timing was given and a sinner committed a major offence
during it, the disrespect would be considered and written down in his
deeds as a transgression.
The timing of Laylatul-Qadr according to the `Ulamâ’ (learned scholars)Although the timing of this night has been kept a secret, later scholars have given certain signs:1. It is one of the nights of the last `ashra (ten) days of Ramadân:Hadrat `Âisha as-Siddîqa radiyallahu `anhâ, reports that the Holy prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said:“Seek out Laylatul-Qadr in the last ten days of Ramadân.” (Sahîh al-Bukhârî)So
sitting for I`tikâf (staying in the mosque and worshipping in
isolation) is also searching for Laylatul-Qadr, which is why it has been
made sunnah to do this in the last ten days of Ramadân.2. The twenty seventh night of Ramadân is most likely to be Laylatul-Qadral-Imâm al-Qurtubî rahî mahullâh writes about the opinion of the majority of the `Ulamâ’ with regard to this:“Their
exists ikhtilâf (a difference of opinion) among the `Ulamâ’ about the
exact time of Laylatul-Qadr, but the overwhelming majority believe that
it is twenty seventh night.” (Imâm Qurtubî, Tafsîr al-Qurtubî, 20:134)`Allâma Âlûsî writes:“The preference of the `Ulamâ’ is that it falls on the twenty seventh night.” (Âlûsî, Tafsîr Rûh al-Ma`ânî, 3:220)Hadrat `Abdullâh bin `Abbâs and Abî bin Ka`b radiyallahu `anhuma also hold this view:Hadrat
Dhû bin Jaysh radiyallahu `anhu said that he told Hadrat Abî bin Ka`b
radiyallahu `anhu, that `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud stated that if a person was
to worship all throughout the year, they would find Laylatul-Qadr.Hadrat
Abî bin Ka`b radiyallahu `anhu, heard and replied that he knew of
`Abdullâh bin Mas`ûd radiyallahu ‘anhu having knowledge of it being in
the last ten nights of Ramadân and the twenty seventh night in
particular r.The
reason why he said this (what was related by Dhu ibn Jaysh), was so
that people would not just take to worshiping during this one night, but
would instead worship in every night of the year.” He then stood and
said, “that night is on the twenty seventh,” upon which, I asked, “how
do you know this?” He replied:“Allah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam gave us some signs and these are only found on this night.”Sayyidinâ
`Abdullâh bin `Abbâs radiyallahu ‘anhu provides three evidences for the
occurrence of Laylatul-Qadr falling on the twenty seventh night:1.
The word Laylatul-Qadr (in Arabic) contains nine letters and appears
three times in this Sûrat [al-Qadr]. The product of this gives twenty
seven. al-Imâm Fakhrud-dîn Râzî rahî mahullâh has quoted this evidence
of his in the following words:“The
word Laylatul-Qadr contains nine letters and is mentioned three times
in this surah, giving the product twenty seven.” (Imâm Fakhrud-dîn Râzî,
Tafsîr al-Kabîr, 32:30)2.
Sûrat al-Qadr contains thirty words in total and the word which gives
us information about this night is “hiya”, and this is the twenty
seventh word of this surah:“The
Sûrat contains thirty words in total and ‘hiya’ is the twenty seventh
word of the Sûrat.” (al-Imâm Fakhrud-dîn Râzî, Tafsîr Kabîr, 32:30)al-Imâm Abû Bakr al-Warrâq rahî mahullâh has stated this in the following words:“Just
as the month of Ramadân contains thirty days, this Sûrat contains
thirty words. So every word of this surah represents a night of Ramadan.
The word ‘hiya’ is the twenty seventh word of the Sûrat and it implies
Laylatul-Qadr falling on the twenty seventh night.” (al-Imâm al-Qurtubî,
Tafsîr al-Qurtubî, 10:136)3.
Sayyidinâ (`Umar) Fârûq A`zam radiyallahu `anhu asked Hadrat Ibn `Abbâs
radiyallahu `anhu about the timing of Laylatul-Qadr. He was given the
following reply:“Allah
the Almight likes odd numbers and of these, the number seven in
particular. We can see this in His creation; for example He created
seven skies, seven worlds, seven days in a week, seven circuits around
the Ka’ba to make one tawâf and so on.” (al-Imâm Fakhrud-dîn ar-Râzî,
Tafsîr al-Kabîr, 32:30)

The signs by which Laylat al-Qadr is knownThe first sign: it was reported in Saheeh Muslim from the hadeeth of Ubayy ibn Ka’b (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) announced that one of its signs was that when the sun rose on the following morning, it had no (visible) rays. (Muslim, 762). The second sign: it was reported from the hadeeth of Ibn ‘Abbaas narrated by Ibn Khuzaimah, and by al-Tayaalisi in his Musnad, with a saheeh isnaad, that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Laylat al-Qadr is a pleasant night, neither hot nor cold, and the following day the sun rises red and weak.”(Saheeh Ibn Khuzaymah, 2912; Musnad al-Tayaalisi). The third sign: it was reported by al-Tabaraani with a hasan isnaad from the hadeeth of Waathilah ibn al-Asqa’ (may Allaah be pleased with him) that the Prophet (peace and blessings of Allaah be upon him) said: “Laylat al-Qadr is a bright night, neither hot nor cold, in which no meteors are seen.” Narrated by al-Tabaraani in al-Kabeer. See Majma‘ al-Zawaa’id, 3/179; Musnad Ahmad). These three saheeh ahaadeeth explain the signs which indicate Laylat al-Qadr.It is not essential for the one who “catches” Laylat al-Qadr to know that he has “caught” it. The point is to strive hard and to be sincere in worship, whether or not one knows that one has “caught” it. It may be that some of those who do not know that may be better with Allaah and higher in status than those who did know which night it was, because the former strove hard. We ask Allaah to accept our fasting and our prayer at night, and to help us to remember Him and to thank Him and to worship Him properly. May Allaah bless our Prophet Muhammad.

الموضوع الأصلي : The Night of Power

المصدر : ملتقى الجزائريين والعرب