2] Lailat-ul-Qadr - The night of Power

2]Contributed by: Meetha Madina Group
Additions by: Maulana Ghulam Subhani
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In this night (27th of Ramadan), the Holy Quranwas sent down from
LOH-E-MEHFOOZ (the Preserved Tablet) to the earth. Messenger of
ALLAH(Blessings of Allah and peace be on him) told us to search for
Shab-e-Qadr in the odd numbered nights, in the last ten daysof Ramzan.
So, the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th night of Ramadan could be
Shab-e-Qadr.
Hazrat Aisha Radiallah Anha stated that Rasool Allah peace be upon him
said, "Look for Lailat-Ul-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days
of Ramadhan." (Bukhari)
Hazrat Aisha Radiallah Anha stated that as much Rasool Allah peace be
upon him tried (Ibadat) inthe last Ashra (ten days) of Ramadhan, did
not try in any of the Ashra." (Muslim)
Hazrat Aisha Radiallah Anha stated that I asked Rasool Allah peace be
upon him, "If I find Lailatul Qadar then what should I do? HE peace be
upon him said, recite this Dua. "ALLAH HUMMA INNAKA A'FUVUN TOHIB BUL
AFVA FA'AFU ANNI" (Tirmidhi)
Dear visitors, please take advantage of this night, from sunset till
sunrise. Offer nawafil (prayers), recite QUR'AAN, do repent
(Istaghfar), and Pray for pardon, recite many manySalawat (Darood
Sharif & Salaam) and make benediction (Dua'as).
Special DU'AA of Lailatul QADR:
"ALLAH HUMMA INNAKA A'FUVUN TOHIB BUL AFVA FA'AFU ANNI" (Tirmidhi)
"O Allah! You are the Forgiver and You like forgiving so forgive me"
21st Night of Ramadhan-Ul-Mubarak - 1st night of Laitlat-Ul-Qadr
1) Pray 4 cycles of ritual prayer (raka't) (2 cycles of 2 raka' each).
In each raka', after Surah FATIHA recite Surah QADR (Inna anzalna ..
)once and Surah IKHLAS (Qul-hu-wal-lah..) once. After completion
recite SALAAT-O-SALAAM (Durood Sharif) seventy (70) times. Click here
for Durood page.
Benefit: Insha Allah, Angels will pray for forgivenss for that person.
2) Offer 2 cycles of ritual prayer (raka't)
In each raka', after Surah FATIHA, recite Surah QADR once and Surah
IKHLAS three times. After completion of this salah, recite any
Astaghfar seventy times.
Astaghfar: "Allah Hummagh Fir Li Wa Tub A'laiyya Inna Ka Innta
Tawwabur Raheem" OR "Astaghfirullah Rabbi Min Kulli Zambiyon Wa Atoobu
ilaiyh"
Benefit: Effective for forgivness of sins.
3) In this night (21st), recite Surah QADR 21 times.
23rd Night of Ramadhan-Ul-Mubarak - 2nd night of Laitlat-Ul-Qadr
1) Offer 4 cycles of ritual prayer (raka't) (2 sets of 2 raka' each)
In each raka', after Surah FATIHA, recite Surah QADR once and Surah
IKHLAS three times.
Benefit: Effective for forgivness of sins.
2) Offer 8 cycles of ritual prayer (raka') (4 sets of 2 raka' each)
In each raka', after Surah FATIHA, recite Surah QADR and Surah IKHLAS
once. After completion of this salah (namaaz) recite the third kalima
(Kalima Tamjeed) 70 times. After that, plead to Allah Almighty for
forgiveness of sins.
Kalima Tamjeed: "Subhan Allahi Wal Hamdu Lillahi Wa La ilaaha illal
laho Walla Hu Akbar.Wala Haowla Wala Quwwata illa Billa Hil Aliyil
Azeem" . Click here for Arabic text of Kalima Tamjeed.
Benefit: Allah Willing (Insha'Allah), Allah will forgive whoever
performsthis prayer
3) In the 23rd night recite Surah YAASEEN once and Surah RAHMAAN once.
25th Night of Ramadhan-Ul-Mubarak - 3rd night of Laitlat-Ul-Qadr
1) In this night offer 4 cycles of ritual prayer (raka't) (2 sets of 2
raka' each)
After Surah FATIHA, recite Surah QADR one time and Surah IKHLAS five
times in each raka'. After completion of this salat recite the first
Kalima Tayyab 100 times.
Kalima Tayyab: "Laa ilaahaillal Laho Mohammadur Rasoolullah". Click
here forArabic text of Kalima Tayyab.
Benifit: Insha Allah, Allah Tala will give him/her unlimited Sawab (good Deeds)
2) Offer 4 cycles of ritual prayer (raka') (2 sets of 2 raka' each)
In each raka', after Surah FATIHA, recite Surah QADR three times and
Surah IKHLAS three times. After completion of this salah, recite any
Astaghfar 70 times.
Astaghfar: "Allah Hummagh Fir Li Wa Tub A'laiyya Inna Ka Innta
Tawwabur Raheem" OR "Astaghfirullah Rabbi Min Kulli Zambiyon Wa Atoobu
ilaiyh"
Benefit: This salat is good for the pardoning of sins.
3.Offer two cycles of ritualprayer (raka').
In each raka', after Surah FATIHA, recite Surah QADR once and Surah
IKHLAS fifteen times. After Salat, recite the second Kalima
(Kalima-e-Shahaadat) 70 times.
Kalima Shaadat: "Ashadu Anlaa ilaaha illal Lahu Wa Ash Hadu Anna
Mohammadan Abduhu Wa Rasoolohu". Click here for Arabic text of Kalima
Shaadat.
Benefit: The reward of this namaaz is freedom from the punishment of the grave.
4) Recite Surah Dukhan. Allah Willing (Insha'Allah) they will be
granted freedom from the punishment of grave.
5) Recite Surah Fath seventimes. Beneficial for the fulfillment of
desires and wishes.
27th Night of Ramadhan-Ul-Mubarak - 4th night of Laitlat-Ul-Qadr :->

1a] “Lailatul Qadr is better than a thousand months” [97:3]

5 things to do on Laylatul Qadr
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the Qur'an and prophetic hadiths:
1. The minimal night vigil prayer is 2 rakats. [Hindiyya, quoting Fath al-Qadir]
2. Its optimal recommended amount is 8 rakats, because this wasthe
general practice of theMessenger of Allah (blessings and peace be upon
him, his family, and companions). [Hindiyya, quoting Fath al-Qadir]
3. Lengthier recitation is superior to a larger number of rakats
prayed. [Durr al-Mukhtar, Radd al-Muhtar]
4. It is recommended to start the night vigil with two short rakats,
because of the hadith of Abu Hurayra that the Prophet Muhammad (Allah
bless him and give him peace) said, "It you get up for night prayer,
start with two short rakats." [Muslim, Ahmad, Abu Dawud]
Ibn Mas`ud (Allah be pleased with him) was asked, "I cannot pray at
night." He said, "Your sins have prevented you."
4. Increase in Dhikr (Rememberance of Allah)
We should glorify Allah night and day, especially in the last odd nights.
Here are some easy and very beneficial Dhikr andglorification we can
do throughout the last ten odd nights:
1. Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee
2. Subhanallah
3. Alhamdulillah
4. Allahu Akbar
5. Laa ilaha ilallah
6. LA HAWLA WA LA QUWWATA ILLA BILLAH
7. Asthaghfirullah
8. SUB-HAN'ALLAH HIL AZEEM WA BI-HAM'DIHI,
9. Subhāna-llāhi, wa-l-hamdu li-llāhi, wa lā ilāha illā-llāhu,
wa-llāhu akbar. Wa lā hawla wa lā quwwata illā
bi-llāhi-l-aliyyi-l-azīm
10. Lā ilāha illā-llāhu waḥdahu lā sharīka lahu lahu-l-mulku wa
lahu-l-ḥamdu yuhyi wa yumītu wa huwa ḥayyu-llā yamūtu abadan abada,
ḏū-l-jalāli wa-l-ikrām, biyadihi-l-khayr, wa huwaalā kulli Shay-in
qadīr
Or the shortened version:
11. Laa ilaaha illal-laahu wahdahu laa shareeka lahu, lahul-mulku wa
lahul-hamdu wa huwa 'alaa kulli shay-in qadeer
One can also recite the durood that one recites inone's Salaah or a
Sallallahu Alayhi Wasallim
5. Make much dua
We should be very busy inDua as much as we can especially in the last
10 odd numbered.
Allah Almighty says in the Qur'an:
"When my servants ask you concerning me, (tell them) I am indeed close
(to them). I listen to the prayer of every suppliant when he calls on
me." [2:186]
The place of duaa is so high to Allah, that the Prophet(Sallallahu
Alayhi Wasallim) had said: "Nothing is more honourable to Allah the
Most High than du`a." [Sahih al-Jami` no.5268].
Almighty Allah also said: "The most excellent worship is du`a." [Sahih
Al-Jami` no. 1133]
Therefore let us devote much of the night of Qadr in dua asking of
Allah for his mercy and forgivenessfor all of our past sins andmaking
firm intentions to Allah that we will change for the better and strive
to become closer to him as well as make our deen a FULL part of our
lives and not just a little part ofour life as Allah says:
Allah tells us In the Qur'an to enter fully intoour deen and not partly:
O believers enter into Islam completely and do not follow the
footsteps of Shaitan, surely he is your clear-cut enemy.... (Surah
Al-Baqara, Ayah 208-210)
So then will we not make Islam a FULL part of our lives? This is our
best opportunity and if we don't take it and death comes to us then
surely we will regret it for ETERNITY!
And Allah knows best in all matters/

1] “Lailatul Qadr is better than a thousand months” [97:3] - 5 things to do on Laylatul Qadr

1]
5 things to do on Laylatul Qadr
~
So valuable is this Night of Qadr that the Quran devotes a special surah to
it "Lailatul Qadr is better than a thousand months" [97:3]
This one night surpasses the value of 30,000 nights. The most
authentic account of the occurrence of the Night indicates that it can
occur on any one of the last ten,odd numbered nights of Ramadan, 21,
23, 25, 27, 29.
We should strive to stay up at least on the odd numbered nights of the
last ten days. If we can't manage that then let us pray at least on
the 27th night. If one prays on all of the last odd numbered nights
then there is more chance that one may havecaught this most
powerfulnight and the reward is ofover 83 YEARS OF WORSHIP!
Subhanallah! Most will not even live upto that age!
It is a night that we CANNOT miss out on so here is how we can
maximise this blessed night:
1. Recite the Qur'an abundantly
Az-Zuhri used to say upon the coming of Ramadan, "It is only about
reciting the Qur'an and feeding the poor."
Abdur-Raziq said, "WhenRamadan came, Sufyan Ath-Thawri would give
upall acts of (voluntary) worship and devote himself to the recitation
of the Qur'an."
Laylatul Qadr is the night the Qur'an was revealed so we should spend
muchof 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 surelythey are
the most unfortunate ones and are the biggest losers in this world and
the next.
The main Dua for Laylatul Qadr is the following:
Aisha (Ra) said: "I asked the Messenger of Allah: 'O Messenger of
Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say
during it?' He said: 'Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to
pardon, so pardon me.' "
"Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee" (Ahmad,
IbnMajah, and Tirmidhi).
Gaining forgiveness on laylatul Qadr
Abu Huraira narrated that the Messenger said: "Whoever stands (in
prayer) in Laylatul Qadr while nourishing his faith with
self-evaluation, expecting reward from Allah, will have all of his
previous sins forgiven." (Bukhari and Muslim).
We should sincerely repent for past and present sins with the
intention of not repeatingthem again and ask of Allah Ta'aala to help
us prevent ourselves from doing them again and askAllah to perfect our
characters and to help us improve ourselves in everyway possible.
3. Do much Superogatory Prayers (Nafil)
Rabi'ah ibn Malik al-Aslami reported that the Prophet sallallahu alehi
wasallam said: "Ask (anything)." Rabi'ah said: "I ask of you to be
your companion in paradise." The Prophet said: "Or anything else?"
Rabi'ah said: "That is it." The Prophet sallallahu alehi wasallam said
to him: "Then help me by making many prostrations (i.e.,
supererogatory prayers)." (Muslim)
The Prophet peace be upon him said: "Whoever draws near to Allaah
during it (Ramadaan) with a single characteristic from the
characteristics of (voluntary) goodness, he is like whoever performs
an obligatory act in other times. And whoever performs an obligatory
act during it, he is like whoever performed seventy obligatory acts in
other times." – Sahih Ibn Khuzaymah, no. 1887.
In this most blessed month of Ramadhan all good deeds are multipliedby
70 or more. Every Nafilone prays one will gain the reward of a Fard
Salaah and every Fard Salah is the reward of 70 Fard salaah.
Subhanallah what other time of the year is this possible? NONE! So let
us make the best of these precious seconds and pray as manyNafil
prayers as is possible!
Here are some Nafil prayers we can pray on Laylatul Qadr:
1. Two Rakat after performing Wudu (Ablution)
Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) reported that the Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him) said to Bilal (may Allah be pleased
with him): "Tell me about the best ofyour deeds (i.e. one whichyou
deem the most rewarding) since your embracing Islam because I heard
your footsteps in front of me in Paradise." Bilal (may Allah be
pleased with him) replied: "I do not considerany act of mine more
rewarding than that whenever I make ablutionat any time of night or
day, I perform Prayer for as much as was destined for me to do."
(Reported by Al-Bukhari and Muslim)"
2. Tahajjud
Imam Abu Sa'id al-Khadimi said,
"There is scholarly consensus (ijma`) that among the best of virtuous
acts is the night vigil prayer." [al-Bariqa al-Mahmudiyya Sharh
al-Tariqa al-Muhammadiyya]
The scholars derived thefollowing in regards to Tahajjud from the
Qur'an and prophetic hadiths: :->

Ramadan

What is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, when Muslims fast
during daylight hours.
There are several reasons why Ramadan is considered important:
*. The Qur'an was first revealed during this month
*. The gates of Heaven are open
*. The gates of Hell are closed and the devils arechained up in Hell.
The Qur'an revealed
The month of Ramadan inwhich was revealed the Qur'an, a guidance for
mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between
right and wrong)
[al-Baqarah 2:185]
The actual night that the Qur'an was revealed to the Prophet Muhammad
is called Lailat ul Qadr , and to stand in prayer on this one night is
said to bebetter than a thousand months of worship.
Ramadan is often called 'month of the Qur'an' because of this, and
Muslims attempt to recite as much of the Qur'an as they can during the
month. Most mosques willrecite one thirtieth of the Qur'an each night
during the Taraweeh prayers.
No one knows on which particular night the Qur'anwas first revealed,
but it issaid to be one of the last ten nights of Ramadan.
The gates of Heaven are open and the gates of Hell are closed
It was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (may Allah be pleased with him) that
the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him)
said:"When Ramadan comes, the gates of Paradise are opened and the
gates of Hell are closed, and the devils are put in chains."
(Agreed upon)
Muslims believe that their good actions bring a greater reward during
this month than at any other time of year, because this month has been
blessed by Allah.
They also believe that it iseasier to do good in this month because
the devils have been chained in Hell,and so can't tempt believers.
This doesn't mean that Muslims will not behave badly, but that any
evil that they do comes from within themselves, without additional
encouragement from Satan.
Almost all Muslims try to give up bad habits during Ramadan, and some
will try to become better Muslims by praying more or reading the
Qur'an.
Muslims believe that this is one way that the chaining up of the
devils is manifested, since there is no other reason for them to do
so.
Top
Special practices
There are a number of special practices which areonly done during Ramadan.
Fasting the whole month long
Although Muslims fast during other times of the year, Ramadan is the
only time when fasting, or sawm , is obligatory during the entire
month for every able Muslim.
Ramadan is intended to increase self-control in all areas, including
food, sleeping, sex and the use of time.
Taraweeh Prayers
These are long night prayers, which are not obligatory, but highly recommended.
Mosques are filled with worshippers who go to attend these prayers,
which usually last for one and a half to two hours.
These prayers also give Muslims a chance to meet at the mosque every
day, and so they also help to improve relationships in the Muslim
community.
I'tikaf
I'tikaf refers to going into seclusion during the last ten nights of
Ramadan, in order to seek Lailat ul Qadr by praying and reading the
Qur'an. Some people live in the mosqueduring this time for serious
reflection and worship. Others spend a few hours at the mosque or
home.
Top
The date of Ramadan
Find the dates for Ramadan 2012 in the multifaith calendar
Confusion
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and as with all
months in the Islamic calendar, its start is based on the sighting of
the new moon.
There can be confusion and disagreement over the starting date of this
month. Since the month isfull of blessings and marks the beginning of
fasting, or sawm , accuracy is very important.
Since Muslims live all over the world, but Islam started in what is
now known as Saudi Arabia, they may not agree as to which country's
first moon sighting marks the start of the month.
But although Muslims do often start and end Ramadan on slightly
different days, there is little real ill will, and it is forgotten
once the fastingstarts.
Sighting in each country
Some Muslims believe that a new moon sightingfrom their individual
country marks the start ofRamadan.
One argument for accepting this is that Islam is regarded as a way of
life for all people. Choosing a local sighting includes those who do
not have access to technology or fast communication.
It's argued that unity within a known geographic location is more
important than celebrating Ramadan withpeople who live in another
country or continent.
Sighting in Saudi Arabia
Other Muslims believe that the sighting of the new moon from Saudi
Arabia marks the beginning of Ramadan.
They believe this unifies all Muslims, as well as carrying on the
tradition of the Prophet Muhammad.:->