Laylatul Al-Qadr and the Last 10 Days “Laylatul” means night and “Qadr” means measure and is spoken of in two places in Qur’aan. It is the night of great power and it is believed to be the night where a Muslim’s fate is established. It is one of the most meritorious times of the month in large part because it marks the blessed anniversary of the Qur’aan’s revelation when Prophet (S) was forty years of age as well as Angels who descend(ed) unto the earth on Allaah’s behalf in search of those who are God-conscious. Layltul Al-Qadr is a night falling within the last ten days of Ramadhaan and is described as the definitive night of power. Al-Qadr’s night is more superior to a thousand months worth of sincere worship of whatever executed [Sunan An-Nasa’i, Volume no.3, Book of Fasting, Hadith no.2108]. This sum totals 83 years and 4 months. Angels descend on this day due to the sheer virtue of the night. Prophet (S) would pray when his forehead was besmeared with mud and water due to rain leakage in the Masjid during the last ten days. He was also seen to prostrate surrounded with clay and water while traces of clay stuck to his forehead. The exertion of worship during the last ten days of Ramadhaan is vital and highly recommended for the reward is truly remarkable. A’isha (may Allaah be pleased with her) reported that when there came the last ten nights of Ramadhaan Prophet (S) kept awake during night for the purpose of worshipping Allaah and he would awaken his family for the same reason. She even went beyond by stating how his worship during Ramadhaan’s last ten days would supersede that of any other night or time period. He would engage in more prayer, Dhikr and worship. Prophet was once “shown Laylatul Al-Qadr; then some members of [his] family woke [him] up, then [he] was caused to forget it” [Sahih Muslim, Volume no.2, The Book of Fasting, Hadith no.2624]. Prophet’s (S) major lapse in memory was not a sin for Allaah had forgiven all sons of Adam (may he be graced with Allaah’s meeting in Jannatul Firdaus) for their uncontrollable forgetfulness. Major memory lapses instead served an important lesson. He was made to forget the precise night of Al-Qadr to save his companions from slacking in religious devotion on the other nights which they would deem as inferior. Therefore, the excitement of knowing which night Al-Qadr falls on would cause them to ignore the remaining days of worship. This is also the reason why timings when Dua’as are answered on a Friday remains an enigma. It is a metaphor for constantly observing worship. Ibn Umaar (may Allaah grant him Jannatul Firdaus) reported the Apostle of Allaah to have said, “Seek Laylatul Al-Qadr in the last week” of Ramadhaan. [Sahih Muslim, Volume no.2, The Book of Fasting, Hadith no.2618]. If slackness is present at the beginning of Ramadhaan this was permitted by Prophet (S) however, it must end before the last ten days. Al-Qadr falls on an odd night during the last ten days of Ramadhaan so the Prophet (S) commanded us to “seek it in the last ten nights on odd numbers.” The odd days include 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th so we should increase our worship vastly. It is also important to maintain sound health, energising a Muslim enough for prolonged periods of worship. Furthermore, praying every day during the last ten days will guarantee the Muslim to have found the Night so they should not busy themselves attempting to calculate which night Al-Qadr falls on. We should be employed in Dhikr (remembering Allaah by supplicating and reciting His names) as well as Salaat and general accumulation of good deeds (other acts of worship). Oft-ignoring the Night is in part related to what Prophet (S) said: “Whoever does not have his sins forgiven in the month of Ramadhaan it is very sad for him and he will not enter Paradise” [At-Tirmidhi]. And as Al-Qadr equates to worship of more than 83 years a Muslim could be missing out on untold reward and forgiveness. Some who are fortunate enough to enjoy the spirituality of Al-Qadr perceives a vast majestic celestial light which pales in comparison to the sun to such an extent where he believes the sun to have been deprived of its light. May Allaah grant us this exclusive opportunity.
Posted on: Sat, 19 Jul 2014 19:38:22 +0000
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