Nights are the time which Almighty Allah has designated for the attainment of spiritual blessing and power. Allah told His Beloved in the Quran: Rise to pray in the night except a little (73:1) Allah ordered Prophet (pbuh) to spend most of the night in worship in order to prepare his heart for the tremendous revelation of Quran. This night worship was the means for the Prophet (pbuh) to ascend and to attain more and more power. His Companions would join him for the night prayer and would be rising up in station and spirituality: Surely We will make to descend on you a weighty Word. Surely the rising by night is the firmest way to tread and the best corrective of speech. (73, 1-5) Laylat al-Qadr most commonly known as Shab-e-Qadr, the Night of Decree, Night of Power, Night of Value, Night of Destiny, or Night of Measures is a holy night. All nights of Ramadan are holy nights but Laylat al-Qadr is the holiest night of this holy month. It is also the holiest night among all other holy nights throughout the entire year. It comes only once a year and Allah Almighty grants to His most praised, most respected and most beloved servant Sayyidina Muhammad (s) this holy night, the Night of Power. About this night, God, the Glorious and Exalted said: Indeed We sent it [the Holy Quran] down on the Night of Power.
What will convey to you what the Night of Power is like! Better is the Night of Power than a thousand months in that Night the angels and the Spirit descend
by the permission of their Lord for every affair. Peace it is, till the break of dawn. [Quran, Chapter 97] Lailatul Qadr is the night when the first verses of the Holy Quran were revealed to the prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It is one of the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan and is better than thousands months of worship. Muslims believe that on this night the blessings and mercy of Allah are abundant, sins are forgiven, supplications are accepted, and that the annual decree is revealed to the angels who also descend to earth. “Night of Power” is a very strange translation for “Laylat al-Qadr” but it attributes to it a good meaning: whoever may attain the blessings of this holy night should attain perfect power in his spiritual life. One can attain perfect power by means of this night because its value is more than one thousand months of worshipping. Every worship performed increases the spiritual power of people and in this night any worship is going to be valued as one thousand months of worshipping on any other night.
Lailatul Qadr is to be found in the last five odd nights occurring during the final 10 days of holy Ramadan. There is no mention in the Quran as to when the specific date is. Therefore, in Islamic countries all over the world observed it mostly in on one of the odd nights (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th) whereby night precedes day. Many traditions insist particularly on the night before the 27th of Ramadan. It is known from the Hadith that the exact knowledge of when Lailatul Qadr falls was taken because some people argued. Ubaadah ibn as-Saamit (R.A) said: “The Prophet (pbuh) came out intending to tell us about Lailatul-Qadr, however two men were arguing and he said: “I came out to inform you about Lailatul-Qadr but so and so, and, so and so were arguing, so it was raised up, and perhaps that is better for you, so seek it on the (twenty) ninth and (twenty) seventh and the (twenty) fifth.” (Bukhari) Also it is reported from the Prophet (pbuh) that: “Verily I saw Lailatul Qadr, and I was caused to forget it, and indeed it is during the last ten (nights). It is during an odd night” It is narrated by Aisha (R.A): “Allah’s Messenger (pbuh) used to practice Itikaaf in the last ten nights and say: ‘Seek out Lailatul-Qadr in the (odd nights) of the last ten days of Ramadhan.” (Bukhari, Muslim) “Allah’s Messenger (PBUH) said: “Seek it in the last ten, and if one of you is too weak or unable then let him not allow that to make him miss the final seven.” (Bukhari, Muslim)
The importance of Lailatul Qadr is great since Holy Quran was reveled in this night. The Muslims who find Lailatul Qadr should stay up and pray whole night out of faith and hoping for reward from Allah. As to the importance of Laylatul Qadr (the night of Decree), it is better than a thousand months. Allah almighty says in the Holy Quran: 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 Allah’s permission, on every errand:
Peace!…This until the rise of dawn! — Sura 97 (Al-Qadr) Another important factor related to this night is that in it every decreed matter is conveyed as mentioned in the Holy Quran: “We sent it (Quran) down on a blessed Night. Verily,We are ever warning. Therein ( in that Night) is decreed every matter of ordainment. Amran (i.e. a command or this Quran or His Decree of every matter) from Us. Verily, We are ever sending (the Messenger) (As) a Mercy from your Lord.” (Ad-Dukhaan 44: 3-6) How should we observe Laylatul-Qadr? The prophet (PBUH) used to stay up and pray on Lailatul-Qadr so it is prescribed to stay up and pray whole night. The Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever stands in (Prayer) in Lailatul-Qadr out of Eemaan and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven.” (Bukhari) It is prescribed to supplicate a great in Lailatul Qadr. It is reported from Aisha (R.A): “O Messenger of Allah! What if I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was, then what should I say in it?” He said: “Say: Allaahumma innaka ‘affuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘annee.” (O Allah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).” (at-Tirmidhi) One should strive hard in worship during the last ten days of Ramadan. The Prophet (pbuh) used to worship in the last ten days of Ramadan as he never did at any other time. One should pray, read Quran and make Dua’s. it is reported from Aisha (R.A): “The Prophet (PBUH) used to exert himself in the last ten nights more than he would at other times.” (Muslim)
The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah’s permission, on every errand: Peace!…This until the rise of dawn! Sura 97 (Al-Qadr)
If one misses this blessed night it is as if he has missed a lot. Therefore every Muslim should pray and hope for the great reward associated with this night. This night is as better than thousand months. The whole month of Ramadan is a period of spiritual training wherein believers devote much of their time to fasting, praying, reciting the Quran, remembering Allah (SWT), and giving charity. However, because of the revealed importance of this night, Muslims strive (give more effort) harder in the last ten days of Ramadan. May Allah (SWT) allow us the full benefits of Ramdan and the night of mercy. The Prophet (pbuh) said: Duas of three persons are not refused: a fasting man when breaking the fast, a just ruler, and an oppressed person, Allah’s blessings be upon him. (Abu Huraira in Tirmidhi). No one makes a Dua without Allah giving him what he asks for, or keeping away from him a similar amount of evil, provided he does not ask for something sinful, or for breaking family ties (Jabir related this as the Prophet(SAW) saying: Tirmidhi). We observe muslims throughout world oppressed in one way or the other. May Allah forgive all people of the world. Every few minutes, or even every few seconds we commit so many sins, thus we are in need of our Lord’s forgiveness for the honor of His Most Praised Servant Sayyidina Muhammad, peace and blessings of God be upon him. This holiest of nights is granted to him from his Lord Almighty Allah. In it all powers adorn him, all lights illuminate him and all angels come to him. the Archangel Gabriel comes to him, and he is dressed with countless honors on this holy night. The angels ask forgiveness [from Allah for people] for the sake of the master of humanity (Sayyid al Bashar), to the Owner of creation (Rabb al-Ka’inat). There are many country’s who are worser off, who are suffering everyday one way or another. May peace spring up for the people of Syria, Afganistan, Palestine, Pakistan, Kashmir and in other muslim states deeply wounded and divided by a conflict which does not spare even the defenseless and reaps innocent victims. For his honor (pbuh), may Allah forgive us and take away our bad states. May Allah change our conditions from bad to good and change everything in us to be for His Sake. May we be good servants, obedient servants, beloved servants, respected servants, praised servants. May Allah forgive and help all of us, may we be victorous in our struggle against Oppression and Tyrany. Al-Qudus day last Friday of Ramadan is like the Azaan originally established by Ayatollah Rohullah Khomeini is the name of voice of voiceless, hope of hopeless, help of helpless, identification of unidentified, consolation of bereaved, courage for discouraged, strength for weak, weapon of unarmed. Quds Day is the name of resistence, Day of struggle, and truly the day of victory for the tyrannized people ahead. It is the day of unity against evil and oppressors to rub their nose in the dirt. It is important to note that the greatest Jihad is a word of Justice infront of a Tyrant. We hope this holy day could be the day of victory from tyranny, oppression and illegal occupation for Palestine and Kashmir as well. May all the cries and plees of our persecuted Ummah be heard in the hour of need. O my Allah, forgive us our sins. Save us from the fires of hell. Lead all souls to Jannah, especially those most in need of your mercy. Allah, be with the oppressed and grant Peace to all those suffering.
We ask Allah to ease the pain and suffering of innocent Muslims everywhere.
O Allah! Make my efforts worthy of appreciation, and my sins forgiven, my deeds accepted, my flaws concealed, keep me alive as a Muslim and let me die as a Muslim. To conclude, let us seek on this night from Allah health and piety, security, good morals and willingness on fate. Grant peace and security to those who are poor, sick, or disabled, and those who suffer the ravages of war and the natural disasters of earth. O Allah! Grant us the wisdom to deal honestly and uprightly with people of all races and cultures. Help us to overcome the prejudices we harbor within ourselves. May Allah swt bring this Ummah together, guide us to the truth and make us stand for justice for all mankind. Ameen
——-(The author a teacher at S K University of Agriculture Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Srinagar writes on Islamic topics exclusively for “Kashmir Horizon”)