Monday, August 30, 2010

Laylatul AlQadr -Its virtues and significance


Virtues of Laylatul AlQadr
 
Allah Ta'ala says in the Quran: "The night of power is better than a thousand months." This means that the reward for engaging in ibaadah in this night is so great that if a person had to engage in ibaadah for a thousand months apart from this night, he will not receive the same reward as that of engaging in ibaadah in this one night. In explaining the reason for the revelation of this verse, Imam Suyuti rahmatullahi alayh mentions in his book "Lubaabun Nuqool" that once Rasulullah sallallahu alayhi wa sallam mentioned a person from among the Banu Isra'eel who had waged jihad in the path of Allah Ta'ala for 1000 months. Upon hearing this, the Sahabah were astonished and at the same time they became very despondent on the basis that how will they ever be able to accomplish such a feat. So Allah Ta'ala revealed the following verses:

"Most certainly, We have revealed it (the Quran) in the night of power. And what will give you an understanding of what the night of power is? The night of power is better than a thousand months."

In other words, this night is better than the thousand months which that person had spent in the path of Allah Ta'ala.

It is mentioned in another Hadith that there was a person from the Banu Isra'eel who used to be engaged in the ibaadah of Allah Ta'ala from the evening till the following morning. And from the morning till the evening he used to wage jihad in the path of Allah Ta'ala. He did this continuously for a thousand months. So Allah Ta'ala revealed this verse: "The night of power is better than a thousand months." That is, this night is better than the thousand months which the person had spent in ibaadah and jihad.

Dear brothers and sisters! Value this night and just imagine the great reward one receives for a little effort. Duas are readily accepted on this night. If you cannot remain awake the entire night, then stay awake for a part of the night. Do not deprive yourself completely through sheer laziness.

1. It is mentioned in a Hadith that this month of Ramadaan has dawned upon you. In it is a night which is better than a thousand months. The person who deprives himself of the blessings, obedience and ibaadah of this night has in fact deprived himself of all good. And no one will deprive himself of the blessings of such a night except an extremely bereft person. In other words, the person who does not receive any blessings from such a blessed night by not engaging in any ibaadah in this night is an extremely deprived person for foregoing such a golden opportunity.

2. It is mentioned in a Hadith that if Allah wanted, he would have informed us as to when this night will fall. But because of some wisdom known only to Him, He did not inform us. So search for this night in the last seven nights of Ramadaan. In other words, there is a high possibility of experiencing this night in one of these seven nights. Searching for this night means that we have to remain awake and engage ourselves in ibaadah in these seven nights, perhaps we will be blessed with this night.

3. It is mentioned in a Hadith that Laylatul qadr occurs every Ramadaan.

4. It is mentioned in a Hadith that Laylatul qadr occurs on the 27th night of Ramadaan.

There are many differences in opinion as to when Laylatul qadr occurs. The popular opinion is that it occurs on the 27th night of Ramadaan. However, if a person has the strength and determination to do so, he should engage in ibaadah in the last ten days of Ramadaan. When searching for Laylatul qadr in these ten nights, it is not necessary that the person has to see or notice something. Whether he sees something or not, he should continue with his ibaadah and thereby gain all the blessings. This is the object of Laylatul qadr, i.e. the person must earn all the blessings and rewards that have been mentioned. To see or notice something is not the aim and objective.


Special dua of Laylatul al-qadr

"ALLAH HUMMA INNAKA A’FUVUN TOHIB BUL AFVA FA’AFU ANNI" (Tirmidhi)
"O Allah! You are the Forgiver and You like forgiving so forgive me”

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