7] Lailat ul-Qadr (The Nightof Power)

7]
'Lailat ul-Qadr' or 'Night of Power'… a very importantoccasion in the
history of Islam and in our personnellives.
Allah says in the Qur'an in Surah Al-Qadr:
"We have indeed revealed this (message) in the Nightof 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 everyerrand: 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 (pbuh) 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)
It has also been reported by Aisha, the wife of the Prophet (pbuh) who said:
"I asked the Messenger>Of A11ah if I knew which night was the Night of
Power and what Prayer I should say during that night? He said to me:
Say:"O Allah! You are forgiving and you love forgiveness, so you too
forgive me.
From the foregoing verses of the Qur'an and the sayings of the Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) I would like to mention to you the following:
The Night Of Power is better for you to live, to experience and to
enjoy than one thousand months of your personal life. Even if you were
to live one thousand months (83.3 years) with sincerity, dedication,
and sacrifices and with good intentions and deeds, the Night Of Power
is still far better for you to live and to enjoy.
The Revelation of the Qur'an started in the month of Ramadan and
specifically on the Night OfPower. 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 hasblessed this
Night. Therefore whosoever is interested in receiving the blessings of
Allah may lookforward 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/sheis, born again now free of all sin
and mistakes.
I 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 wouldlike 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
observeit and enjoy it.
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 themorning without rays.
2. Rain may fall either during the night or during the day of that night.
3. During night the sky willbe lightly foggy.
4. The sky will be slightly lighted without reflectionsand 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 someof 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 collectivelyand/or
individually observing the following activities:
a. Recitation of the Our'an.
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 Hadeeth so as to enjoy thesayings of Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh).
g. Reading Tafseer of Qur'an. :->