Shab-e-Qadr or Laylat al-Qadr is considered as a holiest nights for the Muslim community worldwide. This year, the most significant night of the Muslims – Shab-e-Qadr – will be marked on the night of 17 April, Monday. The Laylat al-Qadr or Qadr Night variously rendered in English as the Night of Decree, Night of Power, Night of Value, Night of Destiny, or Night of Measures, is, in Islamic belief, the night when the Quran was first sent down from Heaven to the world and also the night when the first verses of the Quran were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and it is described to better than a thousand months. Qadr, in Arabic, means measure and limit or value of something or destiny. Some reasons have been offered for its naming: It is said that it was called al-Qadr because the annual destiny of every person will be determined by God. Some say that if one stays awake at this night praying, reading Quran, or repenting, one will reach a high state.Some have said that it was called al-Qadr because it is a grand and high-value night.Other names such as “Laylat al-‘Azama”; night of the greatness) and “Laylat al-Sharaf”; night of the honor) have also been mentioned for this night. According to many Muslim sources its exact date is uncertain but it was one of the odd-numbered nights of the last ten days of Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Since that time, Muslims have regarded the last ten nights of Ramadan as being especially blessed. Muslims believe that the Night of Qadr comes with blessings and mercy of God in abundance, sins are forgiven, supplications are accepted, and that the annual decree is revealed to the angels who carry it out according to God’s Grace. It is believed that that the Quran was revealed to Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) twice;the ‘immediate revelation’ happening on the Laylat al-Qadr and ‘gradual revelation’ across 23 years. The Quran uses the word anza which justifies ‘the immediate revelation’, according to Allamah Tabatabai. However some others believe that the revelation of Quran occurred in two phases, with the first phase being the revelation in its entirety on Laylat al-Qadr to the angel Gabriel (Jibril in Arabic) in the lowest heaven, and then the subsequent verse-by-verse revelation to Muhammad (PBUH) by Gabriel (A.S). The revelation started in 610 CE at the Hira cave on Mount Jabal al-Nour in Mecca. The first Surah that was revealed was Sūrat al-ʿAlaq. During Muhammad’s first revelation, the first five verses of this Surah, or chapter, were revealed. A specific date of Laylat al-Qadr is not mentioned in the Quran. This is because Muhammad (PBUH) received the information about the exact date of Laylat al-Qadr from God in a dream. He went to tell the Sahabah about that date. However, he saw two people fighting and forgot what the date was because Allah took the knowledge of Al Qadr from him. With the day of the week, a Muslim date can be fixed exactly. Majority of Muslims believe that on 27th of Ramadan, the Holy Quran was 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 days of 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) in the 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 A’fva Fa’afu ‘Anni” (Tirmidhi) The night of Decree is better than a thousand months’ Holy Quran 97:3. The night of Shab-e-Qadr, the Night of Decree in Ramadan, is of great significance. The first verse of the Holy Quran were revealed to Prophet Muhammad on this divine night. Angels descend in this night. The night is believed to be much better than a thousand months. When you do good deeds on this night, it’s equivalent to the good deeds you did for almost 1000 months or 83 years. Don’t miss it! Dear Muslim brothers and sisters, 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 many Salawat (Darood Sharif & Salaam) and make benediction (Dua’as). The 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” Muslims through out world used to pray more on last 10 days in general. 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. 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”. Tamjeed.
Benefit: Allah Willing (Insha’Allah), Allah will forgive whoever performs this 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 ilaaha illal Laho Mohammadur Rasoolullah”. Click here for Arabic 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 ritual prayer (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”.
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 seven times. Beneficial for the fulfillment of desires and wishes. 27th Night of Ramadhan-Ul-Mubarak – 4th night of Laitlat-Ul-Qadr 1) In the 27th night, pray 12 cycles of ritual prayer (raka’) (3 set of 4 raka’ each)
In each raka’, after Surah FATIHA, recite Surah QADR once and Surah IIKHLAS fifteen times. After 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: Inhsa Allah, Allah tala will give sawab equal to Ibadah of Ambiya Karam’s (Messengers of Allah) Ibadah. 2) Pray two cycles of ritual prayer (raka’). In each raka’, after Surah FATIHA recite Surah QADR 3 times and Surah IKHLAS 27 times, and plead to Allah for the forgiveness of sins.
Benefit: Allah Willing (Insha’Allah), the Allah Almighty will forgive all their previous sins. 3) Pray four cycles of ritual prayer (raka’). (2 sets of 2 raka’ each). In each raka’, after Surah FATIHA, recite Surah TAKAASUR once and Surah IKHLAS three times. Benefit: Whoever offers this salah, they will be saved from hardship at the time of death, and Allah Willing (Insha’Allah), they will be freed from the punishment of the grave. 4) Pray two cycles of ritual prayer (raka’). In each raka’, after Surahh FATIHA, recite Surah IKHLAS seven times and after salah recite this seventy times: “Astaghfirul Laa Hal Azeemal Lazee Laa Ilaaha Illa Huwal Haiy Yul Qayyoomu Wa Atoobu Ilaih” Benfit: Before the person gets up from the praying area, Allah Almighty will pardon them and their parents, and Allah Almighty will Command the angels to adorn the Paradise for them and it is said that they will not die until they see the blessings (ne’mat) of Paradise with their own eyes. 5) Pray two cycles of ritual prayer (raka’). In each raka’, after Surah FATIHA, recite Surah ALAM’NASHRAH once, Surah IKHLAS three times and after salah, recite Surah QADR 27 times. Benefit: Effecive for unlimited Sawab of Ibadah. 6) Pray four cycles of ritual prayer (raka’). (1 set of 4 raka’).
In each raka’, after Surah FATIHA’ recite Surah QADR three times and Surah IKHLAS fifty times and after completion of this salah (namaaz), recite this once in prostration (sajdah): “Subhaan Allaahi Wal Hamdu Lillaahi Walaa Ilaaha Illal Laahu Wallaa Hu Akbar”
Benefit: After that whatever wish one may have, either worldly or religious, may be pleased. Allah Willing (Insha’Allah), their supplication will be fulfilled. 7) In this night, recite Surah Mulk 7 times. It is good for freeing from punishment. 29th Night of Ramadhan-Ul-Mubarak – 5th night of Laitlat-Ul-Qadr 1) Pray four cycles of ritual prayer (raka’). (2 sets of 2 raka’ each). In every raka’, after Surah FATIHA recite Surah QADR once and Surahh IKHLAS three times. After salah, recite Surah ALAM’NASHRAH 70 times. Benefit: Efective for the completion of Imaan. 2) Offer four cycles of ritual prayer (raka’). (2 sets of 2 raka’ each). In each raka’, after Surah FATIHA, recite Surah QADR once and Surah IKHLAS five times. After salah, recite SALAAT-O-SALAAM (Darood Sharif) 100 times.
Benefit: Effective for forgiveness of sins. 3) Recite Surah WAAQIAH seven times. Beneficial for increase in Rizq. In any night of RAMAZAN-UL-MUBARAK, after taraavih recite Surah QADR seven times. Allah Willing (Insha’Allah), the one who does so, will be saved from all troubles and afflictions. On this great night it’s of great benefit to perform Salat-Ul-Tasbih. In fact, there is no limit for prayers or fixed duas for these nights. One must try to pray more and more and dua. Laylat Al Qadr is a night for humbly supplicating God. It is also an opportunity for Muslims to repent and pray for forgiveness. It is concluded that every Muslim must remember and be firmly aware that the month of Ramadan is only a means, not an end which can help one to become a better person, both in the eyes of others and in Allah’s. One must uphold the state of Imaan and Taqwaa and perform righteous action after the month of Ramadan until one dies. This is the way of the Sahabah (RA) and their true followers, some of whom were reported to have said: I will not feel quite safe if I see that one of my feet is already in Jannah- not until both of them are in there. On this day let us pray Almighty Allah for world peace and unity among Muslim nations as at present they are divided and living in worst condition. May Allah help helpless people of Palestine, Iraq, Syria, Iran, Kashmir, Afganistan and other nations who are in trouble. May Allah keep us guided and on the straight path, and purify our intentions to make it solely for His sake, and give us the understanding in Islam. Aameen!
(The authors write regularly on Islamic topics exclusively for the opinion pages of “ Kashmir Horizon”. The views, opinions, facts, assumptions, presumptions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the authors and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”.)
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