THE NIGHT OF QADR (LAYLAT UL-QADR)
Allah Ta'ala states in The Holy Quran:
' Undoubtedly, We revealed it (Quran) in the 'Night of Power'.'
(Surah Al-Qadr. verse 01)
In this verse of The Holy Quran, it is declared that Allah Ta'ala revealed The Holy Quran from the 'divine tablet' (Lohe Mahfooz) to the first heaven on the 'Night of Power' (Laylat Ul-Qadr)
The reason for this revelation was that once Prophet Muhammad ﷺ told his companions(Radi Allaahu Anhum) that a man in Bani Israel (Sham'oon) worshipped Allah Ta'ala for one thousand months, i.e. for eighty three years and four month continuous fast, and stood in worship during these nights. One companion(Radi Allaahu Anhu) asked Prophet ﷺ, 'there can be none among us like him. On the Day of Judgement, he would be superior to us' because the ummati of Prophet ﷺ do not have such long life. The verse was revealed at this time. Any believer who worships Allah Ta'ala during The Night of Qadr shall be granted the reward of worship in excess of one thousand months, i.e. more than eighty-three years and four months.
'And what will tell you what the Night of Power is?'
'The Night of Power is better than a thousand months'
(Surah Al-Qadr. verse 02,03)
By 'Qadr' it is meant honour. This night is called the Night of Power because it is the night of great honour. In this night, the entire year's list of things to happen and their measurement are distributed to the angels, and all kinds of angels are informed of the measurements and estimates of the deeds. In this night, so many angels descend upon the earth that it becomes straitened and too small.'
The night of Qadr is absolutely greater than these thousand months, which are bereft of the Night of Qadr.
'The angels and the spirit (Jibreel) descend in it by the command of their Lord, for every affair'
(Surah Al-Qadr. verse 04)
On the Night of Qadr from the time of sunset until dawn, Hazrat Jibreel(alaihis salaam) with countless number of angels descend in mosques and the homes of the believers and those engaged' in worship of Allah Ta'ala. Instead of worshipping Allah Ta'ala themselves in seventh heaven (Sidra) in this night, the angels join the believers in the worship of Allah Ta'ala on earth and repeat Aameen at the dua of the Muslims, so they descend to obtain bounties from pious believers, so that they could obtain bounties of this night.
Some angels only remain in the heavens, some only on earth, but some come in the heavens and the earth day and night, some angels are those who descend on the earth only during the night of Qadr.
Night is superior to day. Me'raj took place during the night; The Quran was revealed in the night. The creation of the angels, laying of the gardens in Paradise, collection of the ingredients for the creation of Adam(alaihis salaam) took place during the night of power (tafseer Azizi). The time for the acceptance of dua is during every latter part of the night.
Although the entire Night of Qadr is superior in excellence, it's the latter part that is greater in excellence because during that time all the angels assemble together, despite descending prior to this.
'It is all-peaceful until the rising of the dawn'
Surah Al-Qadr. verse 05)
The entire Night of Qadr is protected from the shaitaan, the calamities and divine punishments in comparison to other nights. In the early parts of the nights, the jinns and shaitaan spread on the earth. In the middle portion there is negligence, and in the last portion there is mercy. Because of the blessings of the angels and the sacred souls on this Night of Qadr, there is peace, until the break of dawn.
Hazrat Anas Ibne Malik(Radi Allaahu Anhu) narrates that Prophet ﷺ said, 'in the Night of Qadr Hazrat Jibreel(alaihis salaam) descends on the earth with countless number of angels, and all of them pray for every servant of Allah Ta'ala, man or woman, busy in salah, dhikr, and to be blessed by Allah Ta'ala'.
Hazrat Aa'isha(Radi Allaahu Anha) reported that when the last ten days of Ramadhan began, The Messenger of Allah ﷺ used to prepare himself rigorously for devotion, remain awake at night and keep his family awake'. (Bukhari).
Hazrat Anas Ibne Malik(Radi Allaahu Anhu) reported that when Ramadhan came, Prophet ﷺ said, 'Indeed this month has come to you, and in it is a night more virtuous than a thousand months. So, whosoever is deprived of its blessings is deprived of all blessings. No one is kept deprived of its blessings, but only those who are unfortunate'. (Ibne Majah).
Hazrat Aa'isha(Radi Allaahu Anha) narrates that Prophet ﷺ said, 'seek Laylat Ul-Qadr on an odd numbered night (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, and 29th) among the last ten nights of Ramadhan. (Bukhari).
Hazrat Ubada(Radi Allaahu Anhu) narrates that Prophet ﷺ came out to inform us about the Night of Qadr but two Muslims were quarrelling with each other. So, Prophet ﷺ said, 'I came out to inform you about the Night of Qadr but such and such persons were quarrelling so the news about it had been taken away; yet that might be for your own good, so search for it on 29th, 27th, 25th, 23rd, and 21st of Ramadhan. (Bukhari).
However, the generally accepted doctrine is that the Night of Qadr is on the 27th night of Ramadhan.
Hazrat Shah Abdul Aziz(Rahamatullah Alaih) in 'Tafseer Azizi' narrates that the Night of Qadr is on the' 27th Night of Ramadhan.
So, one should strive hard in devotion and supplication on this night.
The day that comes out after the Night of Qadr, shaitaan is stopped from coming out. Except this day, all other days, shaitaan comes out with the sun.
Hazrat Ab'da Ibne Lubaaaba(Radi Allaahu Anhu) says, 'on the evening of the 27th, I tasted the water of the sea and it was sweet. So, I mentioned it to Hazrat Uthman e Gani(Radi Allaahu Anhu). He(Radi Allaahu Anhu) said, 'it should have been Laylat Ul-Qadr'.
In 'Tafseer Azizi', Hazrat Uthman Ibne A'as(Radi Allaahu Anhu) said to Prophet ﷺ, 'I have been boating in the water for many years, and I have noticed that every year a night comes when the water becomes sweet'. Prophet ﷺ told Hazart Uthman(Radi Allaahu Anhu) to inform him ﷺ of the water becoming sweet immediately. He(Radi Allaahu Anhu) came to Prophet ﷺ on the 27th night of Ramadhan and said the water had become sweet.
In the Night of Qadr, if one recites the Kalima, 'LAA ILAAHA ILLAL LAAH' once, Allah Ta'ala forgives all of his sins. When he recites this kalima the second time, Allah Ta'ala frees him from the Hell. And when he recites this kalima for the third time, Allah Ta'ala grants him Paradise.
Hazrat Aa'isha(Radi Allaahu Anha) narrates that she asked the Messenger of Allahﷺ, 'tell me of what should I say on the Night of Qadr if I know which night is it'. Prophet ﷺ replied, 'Allahumma Innaka afuwwun tuhibbul afwa fa'fu anni'- 'O Allah! You are forgiving and love forgiveness, so forgive me'. (Sunan Tirmidhi)
Hazrat Abdullah Ibne Abbas(Radi Allaahu Anhu) narrates that Prophet ﷺ said, 'on the Night of Qadr, Hazrat Jibreel(alaihis salaam) descends with countless number of angels bringing with them a flag which they place on the Kabah. They then enter the homes of every Muslim male and female and extend greetings to them. But the habitual alcoholic, those who consume pork, those who cut relationship with fellow Muslims, and those who disrespect their parents are deprived of these greetings.
Hazrat Jibreel(alaihis salaam) has one hundred wings, to of which he opens only in the Night of Qadr, and it extends from east to west.
In the Night of Qadr, the mercy and blessings of Allah Ta'ala pours upon the earth in great abundance. Therefore, one should keep oneself engaged in the recitation of The Holy Quran, in dhikrullah, in reciting durood and salutations upon Prophet ﷺ, and seeking forgiveness. Perform as many nafil rakaats as you possibly can.
On the blessed Night of Qadr, the eight doors of the Paradise are opened for those who strive hard in devotion of Allah Ta'ala, and those who supplicate for forgiveness.
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This article is an abridged English translation of an Urdu sermon delivered by his eminence, Peer Syed Imroz Dean Saifi, Hanfi, Maturidi of Masjid Anwaar e Madina, Surrey BC Canada
If there is an inaccurate translation, please pardon it and not let it be a means to negatively reflect on the honoured presenter.
