Ramalan Article - Excellence of the Night ofAl-Qadr )Decree(

Allaah The Almighty Says )what means(:
}Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to
warn ]mankind[. On that]night[, is made distinct every precise
matter.{]Quran 44:3-4[
}Indeed, We sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Decree.In
addition, what can make you know what the Night of Decree is? 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.{]Quran 97:1-5[
Abu Hurayrahnarrated that the Messenger of Allaah,, said:"Whoever
performs voluntary prayers on the night of Al-Qadr )Decree(, out of
sincere faith and in the hope of getting reward from Allaah The
Almighty,his earlier sins will be forgiven forhim."]Al-Bukhaari and
Muslim[
According to another version:"Hewho offered the night voluntary
prayers on the eve of Al-Qadr, with genuine faith and hopes of
attaining reward from Allaah The Almighty, his previous wrongdoings
would be pardonedfor him."
Healso reported that the Messenger of Allaah,, said, in reference to
the Night ofAl-Qadr:"It is the twenty-seventh or twenty-ninth night
]of Ramadan[;and on that night, the angels on earth are more numerous
than pebbles."]Ahmad[
Benefits and rulings ]derived from theseHadeeths[:
First: TheseHadeethsportray the excellence of the Night ofAl-Qadr,
which stems from the following:
1.This eve has a great rank in the Sight of Allaah The Almighty.
2.It is better than one thousand ordinary months that do not include
the Night ofAl-Qadr; and that would equal ]it being more superior to[
eighty-three years and four months.
3.On it, angels descend in great multitudes, such that they number
much more than the pebbles on earth.
4.The Quran was first revealed onthis night.
5.Also, in it, there is much safety from punishment due to the
righteous deeds of the slaves of Allaah The Almighty on one hand,and
the ]opportunity of attaining[ mercy, forgiveness andemancipation from
fire, which is conferred by Allaah The Almighty upon them, on the
other.
6.It is wholly a blessed night, in view of its countless merits and advantages.
7.Whoever stands to offer supererogatory prayers then, believing in it
and in the good promised by Allaah The Almighty on it, and hoping for
reward from Him, all his previous sins will be forgiven.
8.All matters decreed for the years to come are written on it.
9.]The following points should be kept in mind, regarding the Night ofAl-Qadr:[
First: Whoever spends this night in prayer and worship has a
greatstatus in the Sight of Allaah, and is worthy of gaining His Mercy
and Forgiveness.
Second: A Muslim should seek to seize the Night ofAl-Qadr, by offering
voluntary prayers in all ofthe last ten nights ofRamadanand striving
to perform prayer, supplications andThikr)remembrance of Allaah The
Almighty(. Indeed, anyone who neglects to grab ]the opportunityon[
that superior night, by doingSalaah)prayer( and other acts of worship,
is truly deprived of goodness. May Allaah The Almighty grant us from
His Bounty.
Third: The excellence of the NightofAl-Qadrlies in the good deeds that
are performed on it, since one virtuous act then outweighs its like
done for a thousand months, which is a great Divine gift.
Fourth: Allaah The Almighty has favored our MuslimUmmah)nation( by
bestowing this blessed night on us every year, may all perfect praise
be to Him.
Fifth: The Night ofAl-Qadris the best of all nights; the assertion
that the eve of Friday is better than it, is invalid. At the same time
however, if it happens to coincide with a Friday night, it gains much
additional superiority.
Sixth: It is true that the night ofAl-Israa'andAl-Mi'raaj)the journey
fromAl-Masjid Al-Haraam)the Sacred Mosque( to Al-Aqsa Mosque, and
ascension to the heaven( is better than the Night ofAl-Qadr; this is
because, on it, the Prophet,, was made to reach the heavens, where his
Lord The Exalted, The Almighty, communicated with him, which is
certainly the greatest honor and highest position ]conferred to
anyone[. But, as for all other Muslims, their benefit from the Night
ofAl-Qadris more perfect and complete than what they gain from the
Night ofAl-Mi'raaj.
Seventh: According to some scholars, this great Night )ofAl-Qadr( is
an exclusive bounty tothe MuslimUmmah, althoughHadeethsto this effect
are not authentic. It is said that this bounty was also given to the
nations before us or at least theirProphets, may Allaah exalt their
mention, butHadeethsstating this are also weak.
Eighth:"Whoever offers supererogatory prayers on the Night of Al-Qadr,
with sincere faith and hoping for reward fromAllaah, and it happens to
actually be that very night, his sins will beforgiven."]Muslim[ Those
who claim that the reward of observing acts of worship on the Night
ofAl-Qadris awarded only to those who offer this voluntarily, while
knowing it withcertainty to be it, support their claim with
thisHadeeth. However, its apparent meaning does not indicate that; it
shows that the reward goes to those who perform the supererogatory
night prayer then, in anticipation of it being the Night ofAl-Qadrand
it actually happens to be so, regardless of them being certain or
uncertain of it.
Hence, a Muslim should endeavor to observe the voluntary prayers on
every one of the last ten nights ofRamadan, as if it were the Night
ofAl-Qadr, for it might probably really be so. In this manner, his
worship will eventually coincide with it.

Ramalan Article - Special Virtues of the Night of Decree

Allaah The Almighty has attached a special value to theLaylat Al-Qadr,
and has given this night special characteristics which make it unique,
such as:
It is the night on which the Quran was sent down. Ibn
'Abbaassaid,"Allaah sent down the Quran at one time from Al-Lawh
Al-Mahfooth )the Preserved Tablet in the Seventh Heaven( to Bayt
Al-'Izzah )House of Pride( in the first Heaven, then it was revealed
to the Messenger of Allaahin stages according to events over
twenty-threeyears."]Ibn Katheer[
Allaah The Almighty described it as being better than a thousand
months, as He Says )what means(:}"The Night of Decree is better than a
thousand months."{]Quran 97:3[
Allaah The Almighty described it as being blessed, as He Says )what
means(:}"Indeed, We sent it down during a blessed night."{]Quran 44:
3[
On this night, the angels and the Spirit ]Jibreel)Angel Gabriel([
descend,"i.e., many angels descend on this night because it is so
blessed, and the angels come down when the blessingsand mercy of
Allaah The Almighty come down, just as they come down when the Quran
is recited, and they surround the circles of Thikr )gatherings where
Allaah The Almighty is mentioned(, and they spread their wings for the
one who sincerely seeks knowledge, out of respect for him."]Ibn
Katheer[Jibreelis specifically mentioned as a sign of respect for him.
This night is described as peace, i.e., it is safe, for the devils
cannot do any evil or cause any harm onthis night, as Mujaahidsaid,"On
this night, many people are saved from punishment because of what they
do to worship Allaah, The Most Exalted."
Allaah The Almighty Says)what means(:}"On that night is made distinct
every precise matter."{]Quran 44:4[, the affairs of that year are
dispatched from the Preserved Tablet to the angels who record the
decrees: who will live, who will die, what provision people will be
given, what will happen until the end of that year,every matter of
ordainment is decreed, and it cannot be altered or changed. ]Ibn
Katheer[
Allaah The Almighty revealed a Chapter concerning this night which
will be recited until the Day of Resurrection, in which Allaah The
Almighty Says)what means(:}"Indeed, We sent the Qur'an downduring 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."{]Quran 97:1-5[
The Prophet,, said:"Seek Laylat Al-Qadr in thelast ten days of Ramadan."]Muslim[
It is more likely to be oneof the odd-numbered nights, because of the
narration of 'Aa'ishahwho said that the Messenger of Allaah,, had
said:"Seek Laylat Al-Qadr in the odd-numbered nights of the last ten
nights."]Al-Bukhaari[
It is most likely to be on the night of the twenty-seventh, according
to thesaying of the Prophet,sallallaahu 'alayhi wasallam:"Laylat
Al-Qadr is the night of the twenty-seventh."]Ahmad and Abu Daawood[
This isthe preponderant view of most of the Companions and the
majority of scholars. Ubayy ibn Ka'bused toassert, without saying "In
shaa' Allaah)God willing(" that: "…it was the night of the
twenty-seventh. Zurr ibn Hubaysh,,said to Ubayy: 'I said, What makes
you say that, O Abu'l-Munthir )i.e. Ubay(?'Hesaid, 'By the signs of
which the Messenger of Allaah,told us: that the sun rises that morning
with no visible rays.'" ]Muslim[
The fact that it is more likely the night of the twenty-seventh does
not mean that this is always the case. It could be any of the other
odd-numbered nights of the last ten days ofRamadan. Some of the
scholars ruled that it is more likely that it moves and does not come
on a specific night each year.

Ramalan Article - Divine Gifts in the Last Ten Days of Ramadan

We are in a month of munificent goodness, great righteousness and
abundant blessings. It is praised abundantly in the Noble Book of
Allaah The Almighty and theHadeeths of His Messenger,. It is the month
of the Quran and goodness, and the monthwhen people return to their
Lord in a unique and matchless manifestation of faith.
This month is granted a privilege that is not granted to any other
month, which is ten blessed days – the last tendays when Allaah The
Almighty sends His bounty upon His slaves bysaving them from Hell.
Thus, we should make the best use of them by means of the following:
- ObservingI'tikaaf)staying in seclusion for worship( in one of the
two Holy Mosques or any other mosque if you cannot observeI'tikaafin
the two Holy Mosques.I'tikaafis very important for those who devote
themselves to the Lord and get rid of many endless worldly
engagements. When someone observesI'tikaaf, he refrains from many
issues in which he usually indulges. This is witnessed and widely
known. If one cannot observe completeI'tikaaf, he should stay in one
ofthe two mosques or spend long hours in it or in any other mosque.
- Reviving all or most of the night by prayers andThikr)remembrance of
Allaah The Almighty(. With the start of the last ten days ofRamadan,
theProphet,, used to keep his family awake for the prayers, pray all
night and tighten his waist belt )i.e. did not approach women(.
Praying at night is a great opportunity for whoever is engaged in
worldly affairs –the majority of people– and cannot
performQiyaam)voluntary night prayer(; so the least thing people can
offer in the last ten days ofRamadanis increasingQiyaamand reviving
the night. It is very strange that some righteous people are in one of
the two Holy Mosques but they do not pray except eightRak'ahs)units of
prayer( depending upon some proofs. They have forgotten that the
Companions and the predecessors performed long prayers with
manyRak'ahsand they were the first generation which knew Islam and
applied its rulings in the best way. The state of theProphet,, was
known to them, along with the interpretation and understanding of his
nobleHadeeths in the nearest possible meanings and the best
interpretations.
- We should not forget that the last ten days include a night that is
thegreatest night in the whole year namely the Night of Al-Qadr)Night
ofDivine Decree(, which is better than a thousand months. How great is
thisdivine bounty! The one who wastes it has wastedsomething great.
The majority of Muslim scholars agree that this night is one of the
odd nights in the last ten nights ofRamadan. Somescholars adopt the
opinion that it is the night of the twenty-seventh day. Ubayy ibn
Ka'bswore that it is the night of the twenty-seventh day as mentioned
inSaheeh Muslim.
- Increasing reading, reflecting on and understanding the Quranalong
with increasingThikr. There is no doubt that these days are the right
time for this.
- It is very strange that in spite of the great virtues and ample
rewards, somepeople like to spend theirvacations that coincide with
the last ten days, abroad. Hence, they are deprived of great benefits.
What they will do abroad except spending their time in picnics and
recreation at a time when recreation ispointless? Rather, this time
should be devoted to worship. A wise person is he who directs his
capacities and time tobenefit the most from these days of happiness.
- We should not forget in these ten days that we have brothers in the
trenches ofJihaad)striving in the cause of Allaah The Almighty(. The
enemies have surrounded them and they are suffering from great
calamities. We should not forget them, even if the least we can do is
to make sincere supplication from a heartdevoted to Allaah The Exalted
and charity. In this way, we will be the first to win its reward.
Lastly, we should not forget the poor and the needy, especially when
'Eedis approaching.

Ramadan Articles - Twenty Five Ways to Getthe Most Out of Ramadhan

1.Fast Ramadhan with belief and truly seeking the reward of Allah the
Most High so that He may forgive you your past sins.
2.Beware of breaking your fast during the days of Ramadhan without a
valid Islamic excuse, for itis from the greatest of sins.
3.Pray Salat ut-Taraweehand the night prayer during the nights of
Ramadhan - especially onLayatul-Qadr - based on belief and truly
seeking the reward of Allah, so that Allah may forgive you your past
sins.
4.Make sure that your food, your drink and your clothing are from
halal means, in order thatyour actions be accepted,and your
supplications answered. Beware of refraining from the halal while
fasting and breaking your fast with the haram.
5.Give food to some fasting people to gain a reward similar to theirs.
6.Perform your five prayers on time in congregation to gain the reward
and Allah's protection.
7.Give a lot of charity for the best charity is that of Ramadhan.
8.Beware of spending your time without performing righteous deeds, for
you will be responsible and reckoned for it and will be rewarded for
all you do during your time.
9.Perform `umrah in Ramadhan for `Umrah in Ramadhan is equal to Hajj.
10.Seek help for fasting during the day by eating the sahoor meal in
the last part of the night before the appearance ofFajr.
11.Hasten breaking yourfast after the sun has truly set in order to
gain the love of Allah.
12.Perform ghusl before fajr if you need to purify yourself from the
state ofmajor impurity so that you are able to do acts ofworship in a
state of purity and cleanliness.
13.Seize the opportunityof being in Ramadhan and spend it with the
good that has been revealed in it - by reciting the noble Qur'an and
pondering and reflection of its meaningsso that it be a proof for you
with your Lord and an intercessor for you on the Day of Reckoning.
14.Preserve your tonguefrom lying, cursing, backbiting and slander for
it decreases the reward of fasting.
15.Do not let fasting cause you cross your boundaries by getting upset
due to the slightestof reasons. Rather, fating should be a cause of
peacefulness and tranquility of your soul.
16.Upon completion of fasting, be in a state of taqwa of Allah the
Most High, being aware of Allah watching you in secret and in public,
in thankfulness for His favors, and steadfastness upon obedience of
Allah by doing all what He has ordered and shunning allthat He has
prohibited.
17.Increase in remembrance of Allah, seeking of forgiveness, asking
for Paradise and protection against the Fire, especially when fasting,
while breaking the fast and during suhoor, for these actions are among
greatest causes of attaining Allah'sforgiveness.
18.Increase in supplication for yourself, your parents, your children
and Muslims, for Allah has ordered makingof supplications and has
guaranteed acceptance.
19.Repent to Allah with asincere repentance in all times by leaving
sins, regretting those that youhave done before and firmly deciding
not to return to them in the future, for Allah accepts repentance of
those who repent.
20.Fast six days of Shawwal, for whoever fasts Ramadhan and
thenfollows it with six days ofShawwal, it is as if he fasts all the
time.
21.Fast on the Day of `Arafah, the 9th of Dhul Hijjah, to attain
success by being forgiven your sins of the last year and the coming
year.
22.Fast on the day of `Aashuraa', the 10th of Muharram, along with the
9th, to attain success by being forgiven your sins of the past year.
23.Continue being in a state of iman and taqwa and perform righteous
actions after the month of Ramadhan, until you die. "And worship your
Lord until there comes to you the certainty (i.e. death)". [Qur'an
15:99]
24.Ensure that you attainthe positive effects of your acts of worship
suchas prayer, fasting, zakat and hajj, sincere repentance and leaving
of customs that are in variance with the Sharee`ah.
25.Invoke a lot of salawat and salam upon the Messenger of Allah, may
Allah's blessings and peace be upon him, his Companions and all
thosewho follow them until the Day of Judgment.
O Allah make us and all Muslims of those who fastand stand in prayer
during the month of Ramadhan based on belief and truly seeking Your
reward so that we are forgiven our past andfuture sins.
O Allah make us of those who fasted the month, attained full reward,
witnessed Layatul-Qadr and attained success by permission of the Lord,
Blessed and Most High.
O Allah, verily you are Forgiver, like to forgive, so forgive us.
O Lord, accept from us, verily you are the All-Hearing, all-Seeing, O
Living, O Independent, O Owner of all majesty and honor.
And may Allah's blessings and peace be upon Muhammad, his family and
his Companions.