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Surah Al Qadr

All Praise is due to Allah, the Exalted. Peace and blessings of Allah be upon our beloved
Prophet Muhammad (SAW). We now have a few days of Ramadan left. Let us make the best of
it and gain maximum spiritual benefit from the last ten auspicious and blessed days. Who knows
if we will see the next Ramadan or not? Let us all make Istighfaar in abundance, stay away from
oppression, injustice, transgression, disobedience and all types of sin. Let us be concerned and
fulfil the rights of our fellow human beings. Let us all create love, unity and quality of helping
each other within the Ummah. Let us stay away from vain and futile activities, stealing away our
time for Zikrullah. Let us all review our covenant with Allah to obey His Commands as
prescribed in the Noble Quran. Let us also plead sincerely for forgiveness before our Most
Merciful Rabb and abstain from all evil.

'Lailatul-Qadr' or 'Night of Power' a very important occasion in the history of Islam and in our
personnel lives.
Allah says in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Qadr: "We have indeed revealed this (message) in the Night
of Power. And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is?
The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the
spirit by God's permission, on every errand: Peace! This until the rise of Morn." (97:1-5)

Allah also says about this powerful night in Surah Dukhan (smoke, mist): Ha. Mim. By the book
that makes things clear. We sent it down during a blessed night. For We (ever) wish to warn
(against evil). In that (night) is made distinct every affair of wisdom, by command, from Our
Presence. For We (ever) send (revelations), as a mercy from Thy Lord: for He hears and knows
(all things). (44:1-6)

Allah said in the Qur'an in Surah A 1-Baqarah (the Cow): "Ramadan is the (month) in which was
sent down the Qur'an, as a guide to mankind, also clear (signs) for guidance and judgment
(between right and wrong)."(2:185)

Prophet Muhammad (SAW) said about Lailatul-Qadr: It as narrated by Abu Hurayra that Prophet
said, "Anyone who stays awake for the Night Of Power with belief and for the pleasure of Allah,
all his previous sins will be forgiven." (Bukhari and Muslim)

The Revelation of the Qur'an started in the month of Ramadan and specifically on the Night Of
Power. The Revelation of the Qur'an; a sign of Mercy, a guide and a blessing of Allah to
mankind. Anyone who is interested in finding the best guide, he/she should look into the
teachings of the Qur'an. The Night of Power is a night of blessings Allah has blessed this Night.
Therefore whosoever is interested in receiving the blessings of Allah may look forward to the
Night of Power.
Anyone who seeks the Night of Power and lives it, all his/her sin will be erased. This is, as if,
he/she is, born again now free of all sin and mistakes. From amongst the blessed nights of the
month of Ramadan, one is known as Lailatul Qadr and during it, blessings, rewards,
forgiveness and an abundance of good is gained. So valuable is this Night of Qadr that the
Quran devotes a special chapter (Surah Al-Qadr) to it and by saying in it that Lailatul Qadr is
better than a thousand months (97:3). This one night surpasses the value of the nights of one
thousand months i.e. 83 years and 4 months. The most authentic account of the occurrence of
this Night indicates that it occurs on any one of the last ten, odd-numbered nights of the Islamic
month of Ramadan.

The fact that the exact night is unknown reflects Allahs Will to keep it hidden. Allah, the
Exalted, says: 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
[Angel Jibreel (AS)] by Allah's Permission with all Decrees, Peace! (All that night, there is
Peace and Goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn. (Surah
Al-Qadr: Chapter 97)

Abu Hurairah (RA) relates that the Holy Prophet (SAW) said: Whoever fasted the month of
Ramadan out of sincere Faith (imaanan) and hoping for a reward from Allah (ihtisaaban), then
all his past sins will be forgiven; and whoever stood for prayers in the Night of Qadr out of
sincere Faith (imaanan) and hoping for a reward from Allah (ihtisaaban), then all his previous
sins will be forgiven. (Bukhari and Muslim) Allah, Most Exalted, has made worship during this
night worth more than a thousand months, i.e. anyone who spent this night in worship, would
have worshipped more than an equivalent of eighty three years and four months lailatul qadri
khayrum-min-alfi shahr - The Night of Qadr is better than a thousand months. The reality is
that Allah can increase the rewards gained during this month to as much as He wants and the
amount is beyond our imagination.

THE TIMING OF LAILATUL QADR ACCORDING TO THE ULAMA

Although the timing of this night has been kept a secret, a great majority of scholars hold the
opinion that one of the odd nights of the last ten nights of the month of
Ramadan is Lailatul-Qadr. And amongst these also, most scholars think that it is the 27th night.
Below are some authentic Ahaadith which have been reported in this connection:
1. It is one of the nights of the last ten days of Ramadan:
Ummul Muminoon Aisha as-Siddiqah (RA) reports that the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi
Wasallam) said: Seek out Lailatul Qadr in the last ten days of Ramadan. (Bukhari).
2. According to Abu Hurairah (radiyallahu anhu), the Holy Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi
Wasallam) said, in connection with Lailatul Qadr, that it is the 27th night. (Abu Dawood).
3. When Zirr bin Hubaish asked Ubayy bin Kab (radiyallahu anhuma) about Lailatul Qadr, he
stated on oath, and did not make any exception, that it is the 27th night. (Ahmad, Muslim, Abu
Dawood, Tirmidhi, Nasai, Ibn Hibban -- also see Tafsir ibn Kathir).
4. Sayyiduna Umar (RA) asked Abdullah ibn Abbas (radiyallahu anhu) about the timing of
Lailatul Qadr. He was given the following reply: Allah the Almighty likes odd numbers and of
these, the number seven in particular. We can see this in His creation; for example He created
seven skies, seven worlds, seven days in a week, seven circuits around the Kaba to make one
tawaf and so on. (See Tafsir al-Kabir of Imam Fakhrud-din Al-Razi, 32:30).

Probably (and Allah knows best) that Allah and His Messenger (SAW) have not specified any
one night for the reason so that the people, in their zeal to benefit from the virtues of Lailatul

Qadr, should spend more and more nights in worship and devotion and should not remain
content with only one night.

SUPPLICATION (DUA) DURING THE NIGHT OF QADR

It is related from our Mother of the Believers Aisha as-Siddiqah (RA) that she asked the Holy
Prophet (Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallam) what she should pray during Lailatul Qadr. He replied:
Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fafu anni which means: O Allah! You are the
One Who forgives and loves to forgive, so forgive me.
As far as determining the Night of Power (Lailatul-Qadr) is concerned, it has been reported to be
during one of the odd numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, i.e. 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th
or 29th. It has been emphasized that it is most likely to be the 27th night.
As far as the signs of Lailatul-Qadr are concerned:
1. The sun rises early in the morning without rays.
2. Rain may fall either during the night or during the day of that night.
3. During night the sky will be lightly foggy.
4. The sky will be slightly lighted without reflections and without rays.
5. The angels and Gabriel all descend down onto earth for many purposes. If you are interested
in living the Night of Power, let me remind you of some of the things that you might have to do.
1. Try to observe it during the last ten days of Ramadan, at the time of sunrise, during the days
and the nights.

2. On the nights one may spend the time collectively and/or individually observing the following
activities:
a. Recitation of the Quran.
b. Prayers-Nafl after Taraweeh.
c. Remembrance of Allah or zikr
d. Supplication or Du'a for you and for others.
e. Pondering and contemplating into the universe, the creation of the Heavens and the Earth:
"...and they contemplate the (wonders of) creation in the heaven and the earth."(3:191)
f. Reading books of Hadith so as to enjoy the sayings of Prophet Muhammad (SAW).
g. Reading Tafseer of Qur'an.
h. Giving charity to others if you can afford it.
i. Trying to explain Islam, if you know something about it, to those next to you so they will
benefit from you.

1. RECITE THE QURAN ABUNDANTLY

Laylatul Qadr is the night the Quran was revealed so we should spend much of the night reciting
it for we will gain 700 hasanah or more by reciting each letter!

2. STRIVE TO GAIN FORGIVENESS

One should strive and do their utmost to gain the mercy of Allah especially in the odd numbered
nights of the last ten days. If one leaves Ramadan without gaining the mercy of Allah then surely
they are the most unfortunate ones and are the biggest losers in this world and the next.

3. DO MUCH SUPERAGATORY (NAFL) IBADAH ON THIS NIGHT

Rabiah ibn Malik al-Aslami reported that the Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam said: Ask
(anything). Rabiah said: I ask of you to be your companion in paradise. The Prophet said:
Or anything else? Rabiah said: That is it. The Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam said to him:
Then help me by making many prostrations (i.e., supererogatory prayers). (Muslim)

Here are some easy and very beneficial Dhikr:

1. Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fafu annee

2. Subhanallah
3. Alhamdulillah
4. Allahu Akbar
5. Laa ilaha ilallah
6. LA HAWLA WA LA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH
7. Asthaghfirullah
8. SUB-HANALLAH HIL AZEEM WA BI-HAMDIHI,
9. Subhna-llhi, wa-l-hamdu li-llhi, wa l ilha ill-llhu, wa-llhu akbar. Wa l hawla wa l
quwwata ill bi-llhi-l-aliyyi-l-azm
10. L ilha ill-llhu wadahu l sharka lahu lahu-l-mulku wa lahu-l-amdu yuhyi wa yumtu
wa huwa ayyu-ll yamtu abadan abada, -l-jalli wa-l-ikrm, biyadihi-l-khayr, wa huwa al
kulli Shay-in qad

May Allah give us the strength, the power, the courage and the effort to do our best to obey
Allah and to follow His teachings. May Allah guide us and may Allah strengthen our Iman May
Allah help us to live another year with sincerity and devotion. May Allah make us realize that
one year of our life is over and that we are one year closer to our graves.

Let us wake up and do our best to please Allah in our daily life. Let us ask Almighty Allah
forgiveness. AmeenI am sure every one of us would like to live a life free of sins an free of
mistakes. Everyone would like to meet Allah on the Day of Judgment without sins. Every one of
us would like to feel that he/she is reborn today. All of us wish to rejuvenate ourselves, and to
start a new year with a fresh outlook and a fresh life. Every one of us wants to live a pure life and
everyone wants to purify himself/herself without anguish or torment. The Night of Power is one
of the best ways in which a person is to achieve all these ideals. For this reason may I suggest
that you start looking for it, so you will be able to observe it and enjoy it.

Edited and Compiled by:

Irfan Iftekhar