بسم الله الرحمن الرحيم
Assalamu Alaikum.
So, the most important night of the year is almost here. But when is it exactly? As I mentioned in this post, it does not matter when it is, rather what matters is that we strive hard in these last ten nights – every night.
It has more chance of being on the odd nights but there is a possibility of it being on the even nights. And given that there were times in the past where Ramadan was either called a day early or a day late – meaning that the even nights would have actually been the odd ones – it would be better for us to focus on all the last ten nights.
Now, Laylatul Qadr is special as mentioned in this post and this one as well.
My teacher (and Imam) Shaikh Saad El-Shal pointed out ten special traits of this night.
The first five can be found in Surah Al-Qadr – an entire Surah that is dedicated to this night.
إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ
وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ
لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ
تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ
سَلَامٌ هِيَ حَتَّىٰ مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ
Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) 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 Rooh [Jibreel] by Allah’s Permission with all Decrees,
Peace! (All that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allâh to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn. [Surah Al-Qadr (97) : 1-5]
- The first verse indicates that the Quran was revealed on this night.
- The second verse indicates that it is a great night (the question itself suggests this).
- The third verse indicates it is better than a 1000 months i.e. worship on this night is better than a thousand months of worship.
- The fourth verse indicates that the angels, including Jibreel (alaihissalaam), descend on this night.
- The fifth verse indicates that is a night of peace. There is peace until the appearance of dawn (Fajr).
Imam Ibn Kathir states in his explanation of the last two verses:
”
تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلَائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ
(Therein descend the angels and the Ruh by their Lord’s permission with every matter.) meaning, the angels descend in abundance during the Night of Al-Qadr due to its abundant blessings. The angels descend with the descending of blessings and mercy, just as they descend when the Quran is recited, they surround the circles of Dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and they lower their wings with true respect for the student of knowledge. In reference to Ar-Ruh, it is said that here it means the angel Jibreel. Therefore, the wording of the Ayah is a method of adding the name of the distinct object (in this case Jibreel) separate from the general group (in this case the angels). Concerning Allah’s statement,
﴿ مِّن كُلِّ أَمۡرٍ۬ ﴾
(with every matter.) Mujahid said, “Peace concerning every matter.” Said bin Mansur said, Isa bin Yunus told us that Al-Amash narrated to them that Mujahid said concerning Allah’s statement,
﴿ سَلَـٰمٌ هِىَ ﴾
(There is peace) “It is security in which Shaytan cannot do any evil or any harm.” Qatadah and others have said, “The matters are determined during it, and the times of death and provisions are measured out (i.e., decided) during it.” Allah says,
﴿ فِيہَا يُفۡرَقُ كُلُّ أَمۡرٍ حَكِيمٍ ﴾
(Therein is decreed every matter of decree.) (44:4) Then Allah says,
﴿ سَلَـٰمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطۡلَعِ ٱلۡفَجۡرِ ﴾
(There is peace until the appearance of dawn.) Said bin Mansur said, “Hushaym narrated to us on the authority of Abu Ishaq, who narrated that Ash-Shabi said concerning Allah’s statement,
﴿مِّن كُلِّ أَمۡرٍ۬ ﴾
﴿ سَلَـٰمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطۡلَعِ ٱلۡفَجۡرِ ﴾
(With every matter, there is a peace until the appearance of dawn.) `The angels giving the greetings of peace during the Night of Al-Qadr to the people in the Masjids until the coming of Fajr (dawn).”’ Qatadah and Ibn Zayd both said concerning Allah’s statement,
﴿ سَلَـٰمٌ هِىَ ﴾
(There is peace.) “This means all of it is good and there is no evil in it until the coming of Fajr (dawn).”
Two more special traits of this night are mentioned at the beginning of Surah Ad-Dukhan.
إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ
فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ
أَمْرًا مِّنْ عِندِنَا ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ
رَحْمَةً مِّن رَّبِّكَ ۚ إِنَّهُ هُوَ السَّمِيعُ الْعَلِيمُ
We sent it (this Quran) down on a blessed night (i.e. night of Qadr).
Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship].
Therein (that night) is decreed every matter of ordainments. Amran (i.e. a Command or this Quran or the Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messengers),
(As) a Mercy from your Lord. Verily! He is the All-Hearer, the All-Knower. [Surah Ad-Dukhan (44) : 3-6]
- The first verse (but third with regards to the surah) indicates that it is a blessed night.
- The second verse indicates that it is a night of decree. The decree of the coming year is written down from Al-Lawh Al-Mahfoudh (the preserved tablet).
Imam Ibn Kathir states in his explanation of the second verse:
”
﴿ فِيہَا يُفۡرَقُ كُلُّ أَمۡرٍ حَكِيمٍ ﴾
(Therein (that night) is decreed every matter, Hakim.) means, on Laylatul-Qadr, the decrees are transferred from Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz to the (angelic) scribes who write down the decrees of the (coming) year including life span, provision, and what will happen until the end of the year. This was narrated from Ibn Umar, Mujahid, Abu Malik, Ad-Dahhak and others among the Salaf.
﴿ حَكِيمٍ ﴾
(Hakim) means decided or confirmed, which cannot be changed or altered.
Another special trait is mentioned in the following hadeeth.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ، قَالَ قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم : أَتَاكُمْ رَمَضَانُ شَهْرٌ مُبَارَكٌ فَرَضَ اللَّهُ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ عَلَيْكُمْ صِيَامَهُ تُفْتَحُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ السَّمَاءِ وَتُغْلَقُ فِيهِ أَبْوَابُ الْجَحِيمِ وَتُغَلُّ فِيهِ مَرَدَةُ الشَّيَاطِينِ لِلَّهِ فِيهِ لَيْلَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ مَنْ حُرِمَ خَيْرَهَا فَقَدْ حُرِمَ
It was narrated that Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu) said: “The Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month, which Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has enjoined you to fast. In it the gates of the heavens are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and every devil is chained up. In it Allah has a night which is better than a thousand months; whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.”‘ [Sunan An-Nasai, Hadeeth No. 2108. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]
This shows that the one who is deprived of its goodness, is indeed deprived.
Another narration mentions something similar.
عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ دَخَلَ رَمَضَانُ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ : إِنَّ هَذَا الشَّهْرَ قَدْ حَضَرَكُمْ وَفِيهِ لَيْلَةٌ خَيْرٌ مِنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ مَنْ حُرِمَهَا فَقَدْ حُرِمَ الْخَيْرَ كُلَّهُ وَلاَ يُحْرَمُ خَيْرَهَا إِلاَّ مَحْرُومٌ
It was narrated that Anas bin Malik (radiallahu anhu) said: “Ramadan began, and the Messenger of Allah (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: ‘This month has come to you, and in it there is a night that is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of it is deprived of all goodness, and no one is deprived of its goodness except one who is truly deprived.’” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 1644. Graded “hasan sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]
Yet another special trait is mentioned in the following hadeeth.
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ : مَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ، وَمَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ
Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Whoever established prayers on Laylatul Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Hadeeth No. 125]
This indicates that it is a night of maghfirah (forgiveness).
And that’s not all. There is one more trait that it possesses.
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ وَافَقْتُ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ مَا أَدْعُو قَالَ :تَقُولِينَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
It was narrated from Aishah (radiallahu anhu) that she said: “O Messenger of Allah, what do you think I should say in my supplication, if I come upon Laylatul-Qadr?” He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Say: ‘Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul-afwa, fafu anni (O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me).’” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 3850. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]
It is a night of afuww (pardon). Afuww (pardon) is deeper in meaning than maghfirah (forgiveness) according to Shaikh Abdur Razzaq Al-Abbaad, in his book Fiqh Al-Asmaa Al-Husna. He points out that the former entails wiping out the sin, whereas the latter entails concealing the sin.
So, those were the ten special things about this night as mentioned by Shaikh Saad.
Now, what are we supposed to do during this night? Well, increase in worship, of course, especially with regards to prayers.
عَنْ ابْنَ عُمَرَ، – رضى الله عنهما -قال: قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم : الْتَمِسُوهَا فِي الْعَشْرِ الأَوَاخِرِ – يَعْنِي لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ – فَإِنْ ضَعُفَ أَحَدُكُمْ أَوْ عَجَزَ فَلاَ يُغْلَبَنَّ عَلَى السَّبْعِ الْبَوَاقِي
Ibn Umar (radiallahu anhuma) reported Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) as saying: “Seek it (Lailat-ul-Qadr) in the last ten (nights). If one among you shows slackness and weakness (in the earlier part of Ramadan), it should not be allowed to prevail upon him in the last week.“ [Sahih Muslim, Hadeeth No. 2621]
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ قَالَتْ كَانَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم إِذَا دَخَلَ الْعَشْرُ شَدَّ مِئْزَرَهُ، وَأَحْيَا لَيْلَهُ، وَأَيْقَظَ أَهْلَهُ
Narrated Aishah (radiallahu anha): “With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Hadeeth No. 241]
عَنْ أَبِي هُرَيْرَةَ ـ رضى الله عنه ـ عَنِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم قَالَ : مَنْ قَامَ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ، وَمَنْ صَامَ رَمَضَانَ إِيمَانًا وَاحْتِسَابًا غُفِرَ لَهُ مَا تَقَدَّمَ مِنْ ذَنْبِهِ
Narrated Abu Hurairah (radiallahu anhu): The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said, “Whoever established prayers on Laylatul Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven; and whoever fasts in the month of Ramadan out of sincere faith, and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 3, Hadeeth No. 125]
If the masjids are open for itikaaf, then you can do that. If they are closed, then men and women are not allowed to do it at home. [The majority of scholars pointed out that women cannot do itikaf at home and must do it in the masjid.]
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ ـ رضى الله عنها ـ زَوْجِ النَّبِيِّ صلى الله عليه وسلم أَنَّ النَّبِيَّ صلى الله عليه وسلم كَانَ يَعْتَكِفُ الْعَشْرَ الأَوَاخِرَ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ حَتَّى تَوَفَّاهُ اللَّهُ، ثُمَّ اعْتَكَفَ أَزْوَاجُهُ مِنْ بَعْدِهِ
Narrated Aishah (radiallahu anha): “The Prophet (salallahu alaihi wasallam) used to practice itikaaf in the last ten days of Ramdan until he died and then his wives used to practice Itikaf after him.” [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume No. 3, Hadeeth No. 243]
And lastly, don’t forget the dua!
عَنْ عَائِشَةَ، أَنَّهَا قَالَتْ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَرَأَيْتَ إِنْ وَافَقْتُ لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ مَا أَدْعُو قَالَ :تَقُولِينَ اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي
It was narrated from Aishah (radiallahu anhu) that she said: “O Messenger of Allah, what do you think I should say in my supplication, if I come upon Laylatul-Qadr?” He (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) said: “Say: ‘Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul-afwa, fafu anni (O Allah, You are Forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me).’” [Sunan Ibn Majah, Hadeeth No. 3850. Graded “sahih” (authentic) by Al-Albani.]
Also, a day or two before Eid, we need to remember to give Zakatul Fitr.
عَنِ ابْنِ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ قَالَ فَرَضَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم زَكَاةَ الْفِطْرِ صَاعًا مِنْ تَمْرٍ، أَوْ صَاعًا مِنْ شَعِيرٍ عَلَى الْعَبْدِ وَالْحُرِّ، وَالذَّكَرِ وَالأُنْثَى، وَالصَّغِيرِ وَالْكَبِيرِ مِنَ الْمُسْلِمِينَ، وَأَمَرَ بِهَا أَنْ تُؤَدَّى قَبْلَ خُرُوجِ النَّاسِ إِلَى الصَّلاَةِ.
Narrated Ibn Umar (radiallahu anhuma): Allah’s Messenger (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) enjoined the payment of one saa of dates or one saa of barley as zakat-ul-fitr on every Muslim slave or free, male or female, young or old, and he ordered that it be paid before the people went out to offer the Eid prayer. (One saa= 3 Kilograms approx.) [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadeeth No. 579]
الله عنهما ـ قَالَ فَرَضَ النَّبِيُّ صلى الله عليه وسلم صَدَقَةَ الْفِطْرِ ـ أَوْ قَالَ رَمَضَانَ ـ عَلَى الذَّكَرِ وَالأُنْثَى، وَالْحُرِّ وَالْمَمْلُوكِ، صَاعًا مِنْ تَمْرٍ أَوْ صَاعًا مِنْ شَعِيرٍ، فَعَدَلَ النَّاسُ بِهِ نِصْفَ صَاعٍ مِنْ بُرٍّ. فَكَانَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ يُعْطِي التَّمْرَ، فَأَعْوَزَ أَهْلُ الْمَدِينَةِ مِنَ التَّمْرِ فَأَعْطَى شَعِيرًا، فَكَانَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ يُعْطِي عَنِ الصَّغِيرِ وَالْكَبِيرِ، حَتَّى إِنْ كَانَ يُعْطِي عَنْ بَنِيَّ، وَكَانَ ابْنُ عُمَرَ ـ رضى الله عنهما ـ يُعْطِيهَا الَّذِينَ يَقْبَلُونَهَا، وَكَانُوا يُعْطُونَ قَبْلَ الْفِطْرِ بِيَوْمٍ أَوْ يَوْمَيْنِ.
Narrated Nafi: Ibn Umar (radiallahu anhuma) said, “The Prophet (sallallahu alaihi wasallam) made incumbent on every male or female, free man or slave, the payment of one saa of dates or barley as sadaqat-ul-fitr (or said sadaqah Ramadan).” The people then substituted half saa of wheat for that. Ibn `Umar used to give dates (as sadaqat-ul-Fitr). Once there was scarcity of dates in Madinah and Ibn Umar gave barley. ‘And Ibn Umar used to give sadaqat-ul- fitr for every young and old person. He even used to give on behalf of my children. Ibn Umar used to give sadaqat-ul-fitr to those who had been officially appointed for its collection. People used to give sadaqat-ul-fitr (even) a day or two before the Eid. [Sahih Al-Bukhari, Volume 2, Hadeeth No. 587]
If you cannot go out due to the pandemic, then try to find a way to pay online. Dar Al-Ber here in the UAE had those services last year, I recall.
Brother and sisters, let’s not forget to increase in repentance and also beg Allah to raise this pandemic from us. It’s been around for 1.5 years now (since December 2019) and has been a global issue since March 2020. It’s seems to be getting worse and worse so we all need to increase in worship not just this Ramadan but until the end of our lives.
May Allah accept our worship this Ramadan and enable us to get Laylatul Qadr, and may He pardon us our sins and lift this pandemic from us.