Laylatul-Qadr - The night of decree & it's virtues

Laylatul-Qadr - The night of decree & it's virtues

Abû Hurayra radiyallahu `anhu relates that the Holy Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said:
"Whosoever worshipped on Laylatul-Qadr, with faith and with a sincere intention, all of his previous sins are forgiven." (from al-Bukhârî and Muslim)
From the nights of the blessed month of Ramadan, one is known as Laylatul-Qadr and during it, blessings, rewards and an abundance of good can be gained.
Allah Most high has made worship during this night worth than a thousand months, i.e. anyone who spent this night in worship, would have worshipped an equivalent of eighty three years and four months - khayru(n)m-minalfi shahr
"The night of al-Qadr is better than a thousand months." The reality is that Allah can increase the rewards gained during this month to as much as He wants and this is an amount which is beyond our imagination.

The meaning of Laylatul-Qadr in detail.

1. Imâm Zuhrî rahmatullâhi `alayh states that Qadr means status. So in comparison to other nights, this night has a greater status and hence it is known as Laylatul-Qadr (the night of power).
2 Hadrat `Abdullâh ibn `Abbâs radiyallahu `anhu relates that in this night, Allah orders the angels to write down all that has been predestined for a whole year and hence it is known as Laylatul-Qadr.
3. The following reason has also been given for it being called, "qadr":
"During this night, Allah Almighty sent His book of Power, the Holy Qur'ân to the community (ummah) of power, through the Messenger of power via which He revealed His cognition. It is for this reason that the word Qadr appears three times in this Sûrah (al-Qadr)." (Imâm Fakhrud-dîn ar-Râzî, Tafsîr al-Kabîr, 28/32)
Qadr can also mean crowded. The reason for this is that the Angels come to the earth with such excellence and goodness, that the ground becomes crowded. (al-Imâm `Alâud-dîn `Alî bin Muhammad al-Khâzin, Tafsîr al-Khâzin, 4:395)
al-Imâm Abû Bakr al-Warrâq rahî mahullâh upon commenting on Qadr, says that on this night, the worshippers are made into owners of power, even if they weren't worthy of such a thing before. (al-Imâm al-Qurtubî, Tafsîr al-Qurtubî, 20:131)

What is the reason for having this night?

The means of the Ummah gaining this blessed night is the worry the Holy Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam had aboutus. The following is stated in the Muatta of al-Imâm Mâlik rahî mahullâh:
"Allah's Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam looked back at the previous communities and saw that his community lived for a much shorter period in comparison to them. He was concerned about how his community would be able to gain as many rewards as those of the previous communities.
So when Allah the Exalted saw the concerns in the heart of His Beloved sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam. Then he sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam was given Laylatul-Qadr, which is more virtuous than a thousand months." (Imâm Mâlik, Muatta)
It is similarly narrated from Ibn `Abbâs radiyallahu `anhu, that the Holy Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam mentioned before his Companions about a man of the previous communities, who had done jihâd in the way of Allah for a thousand months:
"Then Allah's Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam became wary about his community and in this concern, made the following invocation: O my Lord, as a result of the low life span of my community, their deeds will also be low. Upon this, Allah gave Laylatul-Qadr." (al-Imâm `Alâud-dîn `Alî bin Muhammad al-Khâzin, Tafsîr al-Khâzin, 4:39)
One narration has it that the Holy Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam mentioned before his Companions, the virtues of great personalities, such as Ayyûb, Zakariyya, Hazqîl and Yûshi` `alayhimus-salâm and stated that they worshiped Allah for so many years and that they never disobeyed Allah.
The Companions who were present there, developed great desire to do the same. Imam Qurtubi writes that at that moment, angel Jibrîl came and said:
"O Prophet Muhammad sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, your community are shocked about the eighty upon eighty years of worship made by these people. Allah has given you more," and the chapter, "innâ anzal-nâhu fî laylatil-qadri" were recited. Upon this, the face of Allah's Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, became radiant with happiness." (Imâm al-Qurtubî, Tafsîr Qurtubî, 20:130)
So it is through the Holy Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, that this Ummah received Laylatul-Qadr which is worth not eighty years, but eighty three years and four months and even more.

A specialty solely for the Ummah of The Prophet

Laylatul-Qadr is a blessing which has ONLY been given to the Ummah of the Holy Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam. al-Imâm Jalâlud-dîn as-Suyûtî rahmatullâhi `alayh, relates on the authority of Anas radiyallahu `anhu, who reports that the Holy Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: "This blessed night has only been gifted to my Ummah. None of the previous communities ever received such a gift." (al-Imâm Jalâlud-dîn `Abdur-Rahmân Suyûtî, Tafsîr ad-Durr al-Manthûr, 6:371)

Who were the`abid (pious worshippers) in the previous communities?

The great Mufassirîn (scholars of tafsîr [who are learned in the science of commentating on the Qur'ânic verses]) write that in the previous communities, a person was known as an `âbid after worshiping Allah for a thousand months.
However, the Holy Prophet's sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam community has received such a gift, that we are able to gain similar rewards in just a single night!
"In the previous communities, one was an `âbid if he had been worshipping Allah for a thousand months. The Ummah of Muhammad sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam has been given this blessed night, during which every act of worship is worth more than doing that act for a thousand months." (Shawkânî, Fathul-Qadîr, 5:472)

The time for seeking repentance

This is also a great gift which has been given to those who serve the leader of the two worlds sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam.
Hadrat Sayyidinâ Anas radiyallahu `anhu relates, that the Holy Allah's Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said at the beginning of one Ramadan:
"This month which we have entered, contains one night which is more beneficial than a thousand months. Any person who abstained from this night has rejected the good receivable during it and any person who rejected the good receivable during it is undoubtedly a rejected person." (Sunan Ibn Mâja)
What can be said about a person, who during this night avoids grasping the gifts available and chooses the path of sinning? We are prepared to stay awake for meaningless talk and socializing, but will not stay awake during a night, which contains more rewards than worship made for eighty years.
Hadrat Anas radiyallahu `anhu reports that the Holy Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam stated the following about the virtues of Laylatul-Qadr:
"During Laylatul-Qadr, Jibrâ'îl `alayhis-salam descends to the earth with some Angels and invokes Allah for the forgiveness of those who spend their time remembering Allah in any way"
This has been mentioned in Sûrat al-Qadr, in the following words:
"Therein descend the Angels and Jibrîl by Allah's permission with all decree."

Why has the time of Laylatul-Qadr been kept hidden?

The following reasons have been given for the time of Laylatul-Qadr being kept unknown:
1 Many special things have been kept hidden, for example, the Great Name (ism a`zam) and the time when every invocation is accepted during Jum`a. Similarly the timing of Laylatul-Qadr has also been kept a secret.
2 If the exact time of the night had been stated, people would neglect other nights and would only worship during this one.
3 If the exact time of the night had been stated and someone were to miss it, they may not live long enough to gain such a blessed night.
4 Allah the Exalted loves His servants to stay awake in worship during the night. So He kept the exact time of the night hidden so that in search of this night, His slaves would spend more nights in worship.
5 If the exact timing was given and a sinner commited a major offence during it, the disrespect would be considered and written down in his deeds as a transgression.

The timing of Laylatul-Qadr according to the `Ulamâ' (learned scholars)

Although the timing of this night has been ketp a secret, later scholars have given certain signs:
1. It is one of the nights of the last `ashra (ten) days of Ramadân:
Hadrat `Âisha as-Siddîqa radiyallahu `anhâ, reports that the Holy prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said:
"Seek out Laylatul-Qadr in the last ten days of Ramadân." (Sahîh al-Bukhârî)
So sitting for I`tikâf (staying in the mosque and worshipping in isolation) is also searching for Laylatul-Qadr, which is why it has been made sunnah to do this in the last ten days of Ramadân.
Before Allah Exalted revealed information about Laylatul-Qadr, the Holy Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam used to observe I`tikâf during the whole of Ramadân. However, since the revelation came about this night and till his death, he only practiced I`tikâf in the last ten days of Ramadân.
2. The twenty seventh night of Ramadân is most likely to be Laylatul-Qadr
al-Imâm al-Qurtubî rahî mahullâh writes about the opinion of the majority of the `Ulamâ' with regard to this:
"Their exists ikhtilâf (a difference of opinion) among the `Ulamâ' about the exact time of Laylatul-Qadr, but the overwhelming majority believe that it is twenty seventh night." (Imâm Qurtubî, Tafsîr al-Qurtubî, 20:134)
`Allâma Âlûsî writes:
"The preference of the `Ulamâ' is that it falls on the twenty seventh night." (Âlûsî, Tafsîr Rûh al-Ma`ânî, 3:220)
Hadrat `Abdullâh bin `Abbâs and Abî bin Ka`b radiyallahu `anhuma also hold this veiw:
Hadrat Dhû bin Jaysh radiyallahu `anhu said that he told Hadrat Abî bin Ka`b radiyallahu `anhu, that `Abdullah ibn Mas`ud stated that if a person was to worship all throughout the year, they would find Laylatul-Qadr.
Hadrat Abî bin Ka`b radiyallahu `anhu, heard and replied that he knew of `Abdullâh bin Mas`ûd radiyallahu 'anhu having knowledge of it being in the last ten nights of Ramadân and the twenty seventh night in particular.
The reason why he said this (what was related by Dhu ibn Jaysh), was so that people would not just take to worshiping during this one night, but would instead worship in every night of the year." He then stood and said, "that night is on the twenty seventh," upon which, I asked, "how do you know this?" He replied:
"Allah's Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam gave us some signs and these are only found on this night."
Sayyidinâ `Abdullâh bin `Abbâs radiyallahu 'anhu provides three evidences for the occurrence of Laylatul-Qadr falling on the twenty seventh night:
1. The word Laylatul-Qadr (in Arabic) contains nine letters and appears three times in this Sûrat [al-Qadr]. The product of this gives twenty seven. al-Imâm Fakhrud-dîn Râzî rahî mahullâh has quoted this evidence of his in the following words:
"The word Laylatul-Qadr contains nine letters and is mentioned three times in this surah, giving the product twenty seven." (Imâm Fakhrud-dîn Râzî, Tafsîr al-Kabîr, 32:30)
2. Sûrat al-Qadr contains thirty words in total and the word which gives us information about this night is "hiya", and this is the twenty seventh word of this surah:
"The Sûrat contains thirty words in total and 'hiya' is the twenty seventh word of the Sûrat." (al-Imâm Fakhrud-dîn Râzî, Tafsîr Kabîr, 32:30)
al-Imâm Abû Bakr al-Warrâq rahî mahullâh has stated this in the following words:
"Just as the month of Ramadân contains thirty days, this Sûrat contains thirty words. So every word of this surah represents a night of Ramadan. The word 'hiya' is the twenty seventh word of the Sûrat and it implies Laylatul-Qadr falling on the twenty seventh night." (al-Imâm al-Qurtubî, Tafsîr al-Qurtubî, 10:136)
3. Sayyidinâ (`Umar) Fârûq A`zam radiyallahu `anhu asked Hadrat Ibn `Abbâs radiyallahu `anhu about the timing of Laylatul-Qadr. He was given the following reply:
"Allah the Almight likes odd numbers and of these, the number seven in particular. We can see this in His creation; for example He created seven skies, seven worlds, seven days in a week, seven circuits around the Ka'ba to make one tawâf and so on." (al-Imâm Fakhrud-dîn ar-Râzî, Tafsîr al-Kabîr, 32:30)

Reference: Reference Link

⦁ Indications of the Night of Al-Qadr

Allah The Almighty Says (what means): {The angels and the Spirit descend therein by permission of their Lord for every matter. Peace it is until the emergence of dawn.} [Qur’an 97:4-5]
It is narrated on the authority of Zirr ibn Hubaysh that he heard Ubayy ibn Ka‘b on being told that ‘Abdullaah ibn Mas‘ood had said, “He who stands for (supererogatory) prayer (every night) throughout the year, will happen to witness the Night of Al-Qadr”, commented, “By Allah except for whom there is no deity, that is in (the month of) Ramadan. (He took an unrestricted oath) By Allah, I know the night: it was the night on which The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, ordered us to stand in prayer, that is, the eve of the twenty-seventh day, and its sign is that the sun rises whitish on that day without having rays.” [Muslim]
According to another narration of this, “Its sign is that the sun rises in the next morning white without rays, as if it were a round tray.” [Ibn Hibbaan]

It is also narrated on the authority of Ibn Mas‘ood that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Indeed, the Night of Al-Qadr is on the middle night of the last seven (nights) of Ramadan. The following morning, the sun rises pure without rays.” Ibn Mas‘ood said, “I looked at it and found it just the same as described by the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam.” [Ahmad]

It is narrated on the authority of Abu Hurairah that the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “The Night of Al-Qadr is on the 27th or the 29th [of Ramadan]. On that night, the angels on earth are more numerous than its pebbles.” [Ahmad]

It is narrated on the authority of ‘Ubaadah ibn As-Saamit that the Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: “Indeed, the sign of the Night of Al-Qadr is that it is bright and pure as if the moon is shining in it, still and tranquil, neither cold nor hot. On it, it is impossible for a star to be shot [at a devil] until morning comes. Its [other] sign is that in the morning after it, the sun rises brightly and without rays, similar to a full moon; and it is impossible for Satan to come out with it on that day.” [Ahmad]

It is further narrated on the authority of Jaabir that he said: “The Messenger of Allah, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said: ‘I was shown (in a vision) the night of Al-Qadr, but later I forgot it. It is one of the last ten nights of Ramadan. It is shining and bright, neither hot nor cold, as if it has a full moon revealing its stars. On it the devil does not come out before its dawn rises.’” [Ibn Khuzaymah and Ibn Hibbaan]
It is narrated on the authority of Ibn ‘Abbaas that the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, said, concerning the night of Al-Qadr: “It is a shining night, neither hot nor cold, and in the morning next to it the sun rises red with no rays.” [Ibn Khuzaymah]

Benefits and rulings

First: It is permissible for a religious scholar to hide some information that he knows if he sees that hiding it may be beneficial, just as Ibn Mas‘ood concealed his knowledge about the Night of Al-Qadr lest the people would rely on that and slacken to stand in prayer in all the last ten nights of Ramadan.

Second: A religious scholar nevertheless has to tell the people what they need to know, just as Ubayy told the people the date and sign of the night of Al-Qadr.

Third: It is permissible for scholars to strive their utmost, depending on their personal reasoning, and even differ about determining the benefits and evils of this. It is not forbidden so long as it is based on sound Ijtihaad (exertion of effort) and a sincere search for the truth.

Fourth: The Night of Al-Qadr is one of the last ten nights of Ramadan; most likely an odd-number night, most probably the 27th night, as Ubayy Ibn Ka‘b took oath to that.

Fifth: These texts provide evidence for the fact that the Night of Al-Qadr has many signs, including:
1. Angels descend on it in great numbers, led by Jibreel (Gabriel) to witness the praying people in their mosques. Indeed, they are more numerous than pebbles. But this sign does not appear to humans.
2. Safety and peace are widespread on it due to the acts of worship done by servants in obedience of Allah The Almighty.
3. The next morning, the sun rises whitish without rays. The reason for that, as mentioned by religious scholars, is that the angels (who had descended on that night) then ascend to the heavens with their wings or lights screening the rays of sun due to their immense number.
4. Among its characteristics is that it is a pure still night, neither cold nor hot, and this cold and heat are relative, depending on the climate of each country or region. The point is that it is neither cold nor hot in relation to the nights prior to and next to it.
5. Satan does not come out with the sun of the following morning because the sun always rises between the two horns of Satan, except in the morning next to the night of Al-Qadr.

Sixth: Most of those signs mentioned above do not appear to people except after the end of the night of Al-Qadr, perchance that those who offered acts of worship on it would thank their Lord for helping them to stand in prayer and worship on it, and those who indulged on it would regret their indulgence and be determined to do their best to seize it in the coming year.

Seventh: These signs are a characteristic every Night of Qadr, past, present and future, and not specific only to the lifetime of the Prophet, sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam.

Eighth: A Muslim really must strive to seize the opportunity of all the goodness that lies in it.

Reference: Reference Link

⦁ Signs of laylatul-Qadr - Ramadhan Series # 27 - (It's A Must Read Article)

Allaah's Messenger , salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, described the morning after Lailatul-Qadr, so that the Muslim may know which night it was.

From Ubayy, radhiya Allahu 'anhu, who said: that he, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, said: "On the morning following Lailatui-Qadr the sun rises not having any rays, as if it were a brass dish, until it rises up."[Muslim, Abu Dawud, Tirmithi and Ibn Majah]

Abu Hurairah, radhiya Allahu 'anhu, said : "We were discussing Lailatul-Qadr in the presence of Allah's Messenger so he said : 'Which of you remembers [the night] when the moon arose and was like half a plate?... [Muslim]

Ibn 'Abbaas, radhiya Allahu 'anhuma, said: Allaah's Messenger, salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam, said: "Lailatul-Qadr is calm and pleasant, neither hot nor cold, the sun arises on its morning being feeble and red." [at-Tayaalisee, Ibn Khuzaimah and al-Bazzaar with a Hasan Isnad].

When is Laylatul-Qadr?

It is preferred to seek this night during the last ten odd nights of Ramadan, as the Prophet salla Allahu alaihi wa sallam,, strove his best in seeking it during that time. We have already mentioned that the Prophet would stay up during the last ten nights, would wake his wives, and then would remain apart from them to worship.

Allah's Apostle (may peace be upon him) said: I see that your dreams agree regarding the last ten (nights of Ramadan). So seek it on an odd number (of these ten nights). [Muslim :: Book 6 : Hadith 2619]

Abu saeed al khudri reported that Prophet (s) said: And he who desires to observe i'tikaf along with me should spend the night at his place of i'tikaf. And I saw this night (Lailat-ul-Qadr) but I forgot it (the exact night) ; so seek it; In the last ten nights on odd numbers. [Muslim :: Book 6 : Hadith 2625]

Narrated 'Aisha:

Allah's Apostle said, "Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan."
[Bukhari :: Book 3 :: Volume 32 :: Hadith 234]

Ibn Umar (Allah be pleased with them) reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Seek it (Lailat-ul-Qadr) in the last (ten nights). If one among you shows slackness and weakness (in the earlier part of Ramadan), it should not be allowed to prevail upon him in the last week. [Muslim :: Book 6 : Hadith 2621]

Narrated Ibn 'Abbas:

Allah's Apostle said, "The Night of Qadr is in the last ten nights of the month (Ramadan), either on the first nine or in the last (remaining) seven nights (of Ramadan)." Ibn 'Abbas added, "Search for it on the twenty-fourth (i.e. on 25th night of Ramadan)." [Bukhari :: Book 3 :: Volume 32 :: Hadith 239]

Narrated 'Ubada bin As-Samit:

The Prophet came out to inform us about the Night of Qadr but two Muslims were quarreling with each other. So, the Prophet said, "I came out to inform you about the Night of Qadr but such-and-such persons were quarreling, so the news about it had been taken away; yet that might be for your own good, so search for it on the 29th, 27th and 25th (night of Ramadan). [Bukhari :: Book 3 :: Volume 32 :: Hadith 240]

Ibn Numair reported Allah's Messenger (may peace be upon him) as saying: Look for Lailat-ul-Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan. [Muslim :: Book 6 : Hadith 2632]

Brothers and sisters there are hadeeths in sahih muslim that few sahabas say they are sure that it's on 27th night on ramadhan, while few sahabas state it on 25th night, and few sahabas have stated it on 23rd night,and some have stated it on 21st night.

Some of the ahadeeth indicate that Lailatul-Qadr is in the last ten nights, while others indicate that it is in the odd nights of the last ten, so the first is general and the second is more particular, and the particular has to be given priority over the general. Other ahadeeth state that it is in the last seven - and these are restricted by mention of one who is too weak or unable. So there should be no confusion.

Conclusion: The Muslim should seek out Lailatui-Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten: the night of the twenty-first, the twenty-third, the twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh and the twenty-ninth. If he is too weak or unable to seek it out in all the odd nights, then let him seek it out in the odd nights of the of seven: the night of the twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh and the twenty-ninth.

Brothers and sisters, as the mother of all believers, Aisha (raziALLAHu anha) have narrated that:
"With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet used to tighten his waist belt and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers."

The reason for being that this night is too great and majestic as ALLAH (SWT) HAS Stated it in Quran that: [097:003] " The Night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months" (i.e. worshipping Allâh in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).

Hence, we should atleast search it in odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadhan, if we cannot search it on all the nights consecutively.

We pray to Allah All Mighty Most Merciful to bless us this Ramadan by making us witness the Laylatul-Qadr and to get all it's rewards.

Recommended Dua of This night: It is recommended to pray, read Quran with understanding and reflecting on each verses, and supplicate a lot during this night, it is reported from our mother 'Aishah radhiya Allahu `anha, that she said: "O Messenger of Allah! What if I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was, then what should I say in it?" He (s) said.- "Say.-

(Allahumma innaka 'affuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee.)

"O Allaah You are The One Who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.". [at-Tirmithi and Ibn Majah with a Sahih Isnad]

Final Take: The Night of Al-Qadr is not specified to one fixed night throughout all the years. Rather, it constantly changes. So one year it could occur on the twenty-seventh night for example and on another year it could occur on the twenty-fifth night, according to Allah's Will and Wisdom. What directs us to this is the Prophet's :saw: saying: "Look for it (i.e. the Night of Al-Qadr) when there remain nine nights, when there remains seven nights, or when there remains five nights (i.e. 21st, 23 rd, 25th, 27th and 29th)." [This is taken from the book of Shaikh Muhammad Ibn Saalih al-'Uthaimin in his book Majaalis Shahr Ramadan (pg.106 -107). Reported by Muslim and others and it is referenced in Sahih Abu Dawud (1247)]

According to a authentic ahadeeth, the following signs are evident.

1. The sun rises early in the morning without rays.

2. Rain may fall either during the night or during the day of that night.

3. During night the sky will be lightly foggy.

4. The sky will be slightly lighted without reflections and without rays and moon seems like half plate.

5. Night will be very comforting and soothing with no cause of trouble from either high or low temperatures.

Reference: Reference Link