Laylatul Qadr
Laylatul Qadr |
In this wonderful month, presumably, lies a night greater than a thousand months. Allah Ta`ala states, “Surely we have revealed it (i.e. the Quraan) in the night of standing. And do you know what is the night of Qadr?! Laylat-ul-Qadr is better than a thousand months. The Angels and Hadhrat Jibra`eel (Alayhis Salaam) descend during this night with the permission of their Lord from every matter. Peace (reigns) until the crack of dawn.”
“Hazrat Aa`ishah (Radiallahu anha) narrates that Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) used to apply himself (strive) in Ramadhaan unlike he would endeavour (strive) in besides it (i.e Ramadhaan). And (he used to apply himself) in the last 10 days of it unlike he would strive in besides it.”
In a Hadith, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) has exhorted us to seek (search for) and pursue this great night. According to certain narrations, it could most probably be found during the odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramadhaan (i.e the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and 29th). Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) is reported to have said, “Seek Laylat-ul-Qadr in the odd nights of the last 10 days of Ramadhaan.”
Hadhrat Aa`ishah (Radiallahu anha) narrates, “When the last 10 days of Ramadhaan used to set in, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) used to burn the midnight oil (i.e stay awake) and used to wake up his family, and strive earnestly and fasten/tie his loin cloth/ wrapper.(i.e. around his waist- an indication of him putting in extra effort to engage in Ibaadat.)”
One should take special care in searching for this great night by exerting oneself in optional Ibaadah (worship) e.g. performing Tahajjud salaah, engaging in recitation of the Qur’aan and tasbeehaat, making lots of Duaa, etc.
May Allah Ta`Aala grant us all the strength to search for this auspicious night by engaging ourselves in optional Ibaadaat and may He bless us with the innumerable blessings that rain down during such a great night.
EXTRA HADITH
A duaa to be recited during this night-taught to Hadhrat Aa`ishah (Radiallahu anha) by Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam):-
اَلّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ ثُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاْفُ عَنِّى
In one narration, Rasulullah (Sallallahu alayhi wasallam) is reported to have said, “Whomsoever is deprived of it, is deprived from all good. And none is deprived of it`s good (i.e blessings) except every deprived person (i.e a really unfortunate soul).”
