The Virtues of the Qadr Night or Lailatul Qadr: Thirty Lessons of Ramadan - Part 20

By Mufti Abdul Malik Misbahi, New Age Islam Translated into English by Ghulam Ghaus Siddiqi, New Age Islam 11 April 2023 Lesson 20 on the Virtues of the Qadr Night or Lailatul Qadr The Background Of The Qadr Night Tafsir-e-Azizi mentions that the Qadr Night has also been described as a gift for the community of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). (Tafsir-e-Azizi, vol.4, p.434) There is a hadith in the Muwatta of Imam Malik that reads, "The Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) was shown the lifespan of the people (who had gone) before him, or what Allah had intended of that, and it seemed as though the lives of the members of his community had grown too brief for them to be able to carry out as many good deeds as those before them had been able to with their long lives, so Allah gave him Lailat al- Qadr, which is better than a thousand months. In addition to the significance relating to Divine decree and providing the Prophet's Ummah with a particular opportunity for devotion as described above, the Qadr Night has a special connection with the Qur'an. On this night, the Qur'an was revealed, according to Surahs al-Qadr (97:1) and al-Dukhan (44:3). It was explained by Hazrat Ibn Abbas (may Allah be pleased with him) on the Qadr Night that the complete Qur'an was revealed from the highest heaven to the lowest heaven and was then deposited in a unique chamber known as Bayt al-'Izzah (the House of Honor). From there, it was revealed gradually over a period of 23 years to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) Meaning of The Night of Qadr The Arabic term ‘Qadr’ means greatness, honour, or dignity. This is the interpretation offered by Zuhri and other academics. Because it is a night of glory, honour, majesty, and dignity, it is known as the Night of Qadr. According to Abu Bakr Warraq, this night is so named because a person gains honour and dignity by confessing his sins, asking for forgiveness, and performing good deeds during this time, but before this, he might have lacked these qualities due to an unrighteous lifestyle he may have led. Another meaning of the word Qadr is predestination. The Qadr Night in the Quran Allah Almighty says in the Holy Quran: “Indeed, We sent the Qur’an down during the Night of Decree. And what can make you know what is the Night of Decree? The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months. The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.” [97:1-5] “Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind]. On that night is made distinct every precise matter – [Every] matter [proceeding] from Us. Indeed, We were to send [a messenger] As mercy from your Lord. Indeed, He is the Hearing, the Knowing.” [44:3-6] The Holy Prophet (peace be upon him) said, “Whoever performs prayers on Lailatul Qadr out of faith and sincerity, shall have all their past sins forgiven,” (Bukhari and Muslim). The fact that Allah Almighty raised us, sinners, from such a glorious night is a special blessing. Those who worship during this one night are rewarded for their worship of eighty-three years and four months or more than a thousand months. The extent to which the Lord nourishes the servant with His favour is a well-known fact, and only Allah Almighty and His beloved Messenger [peace be upon him] are aware of it. Hazrat Anas bin Malik (may Allah be pleased with him) narrates that once on the occasion of the arrival of Ramadan, the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him) said: There has come to you a month in which there is a night that is better than a thousand months. A person who is deprived of this night is as if he is deprived of all the good virtues. And no one is deprived of its goodness except the person who is truly deprived. (Sunan Ibn Majah) According to a tradition mentioned in Tafsir-e-Saawi, the Sidrat al-Muntaha angelic troop is said to descend to earth on Qadr Night under the direction of the angel Jibreel (peace be upon him), and they carry four flags: One flag is hoisted over the revered shrine of the beloved Prophet (peace be upon him), one flag over the Kaaba, one flag over Mount Sinai, and one flag is displayed over Bait al-Maqdis. Afterwards, these angels go to the residences of the Muslims, greeting each believer with "Peace be upon you" (Salaam is the appellation of Allah the Mighty). These angels won't enter the homes of drunkards, pork-eaters, or people who have unjustly severed ties with their kin. (Tafir-e-Saawi) The number of angels who descend on the Qadr Night is more than the pebbles on the surface of the earth, and they all descend with peace and mercy. (Tafsir-e-Durre Manthur) Hazrat Abdullah Ibn Abbas narrated a hadith from the Messenger of Allah: As the night of Qadr arrives, on Allah's command, Hazrat Jibreel (peace be upon him) takes a green flag and descends to the earth with a vast throng of angels, waving it over the Holy Kaaba. Just that one night does Hazrat Jibreel (peace be upon him) open two of his one hundred arms, which stretch to the east, east, and west. The angels are then instructed by Hazrat Jibreel (peace be upon him) to welcome and shake hands with any Muslim who is praying, doing dhikr, or participating in qiyaam tonight, as well as to say Aameen to his prayers. So, until morning, this cycle continues. At dawn, Hazrat Gabriel (peace be upon him) orders the angels to return. The angels say: O Gabriel, what have you done to address the needs of Ummah of the Messenger of Allah (peace be upon him)? Hazrat Gabriel says that Allah Almighty has especially looked upon these people and forgiven all people except four types of people. The Companions asked, O Messenger of Allah, who are those four types of people? It was said: They are (1) Addicted drunkards (2) Disobedient to their parents (3) The ones who do not treat others mercifully (4) Those who hold grudges against one other and cut ties with one another. Date of the Night of Qadr The Qadr Night takes place during the blessed month of Ramadan, according to the Quran, but the precise date has not been revealed. It is therefore debated among scholars. Over 40 recorded opinions are available. The Night of Qadr is said to take place during the final ten nights of Ramadan, but no exact date has been established. It might be one of the following nights, per genuine Traditions: 21, 23, 25, 27, or 29. "Seek it [the Qadr Night] in the last 10 days, on the odd nights," said the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) (Hadith, Bukhari and Muslim). What Dua Should You Recite On The Qadr Night? The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) was once asked by Sayyidah 'Ayesha (may Allah be pleased with her) what supplication she should make if she finds the Night. The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) encouraged her to supplicate as follows: اللَّھُمَّ اِنَّکَ عَفُوُّ تُحِبُّ العَفوَ فَاعفُ عَنِّی Translation: O Allah! Verily, You are the Oft-Pardoning, You love to pardon, so do pardon me." [Tafsir-e-Qurtubi ]. She also narrates that she questioned the beloved Prophet about the appropriate supplication to offer if she encounters the Qadr Night. The Prophet of Allah (peace be upon him) encouraged her to supplicate as follows: اَللّٰہُمَّ اِنِّیْ اَسْءَلُکَ الْعَفْو وَ الْعَافِیَۃَ وَالْمُعَافَاۃَ فِی الدِّیْنِِ وَ ا لدُّنْیَا وَالآخِرَۃِ۔ O Allah, I ask You for forgiveness and well-being and goodness in the Religion, this world and in the Hereafter. (Tafsir-e-Ruh al-Bayaan) (Continued) Mufti Abdul Malik Misbahi is the author of multiple books. He has also lectured and held positions such as Mufti, Shaykhul Hadith, president, founder, and director at a number of institutions, including Darul Uloom Ghousia in Hubli, Karnataka, and Darul Uoom Solemaniya Rahmaniya in Bikaner Darul Uloom Reza-e-Mustafa, Bihar, Madrasa Shah Khalid, Vanwa Libo Muslim League, Fiji (near Australia), Madina Educational Society, Rajasthan. He currently holds the positions of Mufti in the Sunni Darul Ifta in the Madina Masjid, General Secretary of the Raza Foundation, Director of the Darain Academy, Founder of the Afkar-e- Raza Institution, and Chief Editor of the Do-Maahi Raza-e-Madina (Urdu, Hindi) in Azadnagar, Jamshedpur, Jharkhand. Previous Articles: Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Welcome to Ramadan and First Lesson on the Virtues of Ramadan Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Second Lesson on the Respect of Ramadan – Part 2 Thirty Lessons Of Ramadan: Third Lesson On The Horrific Consequences Of Desecrating Ramadan – Part 3 Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Fourth Lesson on the Fasting Of Ramadan and its Intention – Part 4 Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Lessons Five and Six on the Rulings (Ahkaam) And Laws (Masaail) Of Taraweeh Part 5 and 6 Thirty Lessons Of Ramadan: Seventh Lesson On Sehri [Pre-Dawn Meal] Part 7 Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Eighth Lesson on Iftar – Part 8 Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Ninth Lesson on Rulings and Laws Related to Fasting – Part 9 Thirty Lessons Of Ramadan: Tenth Lesson On Rulings And Laws Related To Fasting – Part 10 Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: The Eleventh Lesson on Rulings Regarding Fasting and the Conditions That Permit Refraining From Fasting - Part 11 Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Twelfth Lesson on Rulings Related to Qazaa, Kaffarah and Fidyah – Part 12 Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: 13th Lesson on Rulings of Kaffarah and Fidyah – Part 13 Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: The Fourteenth Lesson on the Updated Guidelines for the Treatment in the State of Fasting – Part 14 Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: The Fifteenth Lesson on the Updated Guidelines for the Treatment in the State of Fasting – Part 15 Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: The Sixteenth Lesson on the Updated Guidelines for the Treatment in the State of Fasting – Part 16 Thirty Lessons of Ramadan: Zakaat in the Light of the Quran and Hadith – Part 17 The Rulings and Laws of Zakaat: Thirty Lessons of Ramadan - Part 18 The Virtues and Laws of I’tikaaf: Thirty Lessons of Ramadan - Part 19 URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/virtues-lailatul-qadr-ramadan-part-20/d/129532 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism