Laila-tul-Qadr

Greatness of Laila-tul-Qadr

There are several other reasons for the greatness of this night. A renowned exegetist of the Quran, Mufti Ahmad Yar Khan علیہ رحمۃ المنان has stated: This night is called Laila-tul- Qadr for several reasons:

1. In this night, the tasks of the following years are set and assigned to the angels. Qadr refers to either destiny or dignity.

2.The Holy Quran was revealed at this night.

3. The worship performed in this night has great Qadr (excellence).

4. Qadr also means ‘narrowness.’ Angels descend at this night in such a great number that the earth is crowded with them. For these reasons, this night is called Laila-tul- Qadr. (Mawa’iA-e-Na’imiyyah, pp. 62)

There is a adiš in Bukhari Sharif that says, ‘Whoever offers Salah with faith and sincerity at this night shall be forgiven for all of his previous sins.’

(Sahih Bukhari, pp. 660, vol. 1, !adiš 2014)

More Reward than Worship of 83 Years and 4 Months

We must not spend this sacred night in heedlessness. Whoever worships in this night is rewarded more than the worship of 1000 months, (which implies) more than 83 years and 4 months. Only Allah عزوجل and His Beloved and Blessed Rasul صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم (who was informed by Allah عزوجل know how much ‘ more.’

Sayyiduna Jibrail علیہ السلام and other angels descend at this night and shake hands with the worshippers. Each and every moment of this blessed night is full of peace that remains till dawn (Sub -e-Sadiq). It is a huge grace of Allah عزوجل that He عزوجل has granted this glorious night only to His Beloved Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم and his Ummah for his sake. Allah عزوجل says in the Holy Quran:

بِسْمِ اللہِ الرَّحْمٰنِ الرَّحِیۡمِ

اِنَّاۤ اَنۡزَلْنٰہُ فِیۡ لَیۡلَۃِ الْقَدْرِ﴿۱﴾ۚۖ وَ مَاۤ اَدْرٰىکَ مَا لَیۡلَۃُ الْقَدْرِ ؕ﴿۲﴾ لَیۡلَۃُ الْقَدْرِ۬ۙ خَیۡرٌ مِّنْ اَلْفِ شَہۡرٍ ؕ﴿ؔ۳﴾ تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلٰٓئِکَۃُ وَ الرُّوۡحُ فِیۡہَا بِاِذْنِ رَبِّہِمۡ ۚ مِنۡ کُلِّ اَمْرٍ ۙ﴿ۛ۴﴾ سَلٰمٌ ۟ۛ ہِیَ حَتّٰی مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ ۵

Undoubtedly, We sent it down in the blessed night. And do you know what the blessed night is? The blessed night is better than a thousand months. Therein descend angels and Jibrail by the commandment of their Rab for every affair. That is all peace till the rising of the dawn.

Dear Islamic brothers! Did you see! Laila-tul-Qadr is so important that Allah has revealed a whole Surah, describing its excellence. In this blessed Surah Allah عزوجل has mentioned several unique qualities of this sacred night۔

(Translation of Quran)] (Part 30, Surah Qadr)

Commenting on this Surah, the honourable exegetists of the Quran have said, ‘In this night, Allah عزوجل sent down the Holy Quran from the Lauh-e-Mahfuz to the first sky and then gradually revealed it to His Beloved Rasul صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم over a period of approximately 23 years.’

(Tafsir -Sawi, pp. 2398, vol. 6)

Our Holy Prophet ﷺ got Dejected

It is stated in ‘Tafsir-e-‘Azizi’ that when the Beloved and Blessed Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم considered the fact that the previous Ummahs were given long lives, whereas his Ummah was given short lives as compared to them, he ﷺ got dejected and concerned that his Ummah would not be able to surpass previous Ummahs even if it worships abundantly. The mercy of Allah عزوجل intensified and He ﷺ granted His Beloved Rasool صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم Laila-tul-Qadr.

(Tafsir-e-‘Azizi, pp. 434, vol. 4)

A Faith-Refreshing Parable

Explaining the background of the revelation of Surah Qadr some honourable exegetists of the Quran have documented a very faith-refreshing parable that is as follows: Sham’un رحمۃ اللہ علیہ worshipped Allah عزوجل for a thousand years in such a way that he would offer Salah the whole night, fast during the day and fight unbelievers in the path of Allah عزوجل He رحمۃ اللہ علیہ was so strong that he could break heavy iron chains with his hands. When the wicked unbelievers saw that they would not be able to defeat Sham’un رحمۃ اللہ علیہ they persuaded his wife, tempting her by a lot of wealth, to tie him with strong ropes while he was asleep and then hand him over to them.

The unfaithful wife tied him with ropes while he رحمۃ اللہ علیہ was asleep. When Sham’un رحمۃ اللہ علیہ awoke and found himself tied up, he رحمۃ اللہ علیہ broke the ropes with no difficulty, setting himself free. Then he رحمۃ اللہ علیہ asked his wife ‘Who tied me?’ Pretending to be loyal, the unfaithful wife lied, ‘I was just testing as to how strong you are, and wanted to see how you would free yourself.’ The incident was then ignored.

Despite failing the first time, his unfaithful wife constantly waited for another opportunity to tie her husband in the state of sleep. One night, she had another opportunity to do what she wanted. When he رحمۃ اللہ علیہ went to sleep, his cruel wife cunningly tied him۔

with iron chains. As soon as he رحمۃ اللہ علیہ woke up, he رحمۃ اللہ broke the chains instantly and became free easily. Though shocked, his wife cunningly made the same excuse again, ‘I was just testing your strength.’ During the conversation, Sham’un رحمۃ اللہ علیہ revealed his secret to his wife that Allah عزوجل has blessed him with the status of Wilayat and nothing could harm him in the world except his own hair.’

The devious wife understood what he عزوجل meant. Worldly riches had blinded her. One day she found the opportunity to tie him with his own eight hair whose length was up to the ground. When he عزوجل awoke he tried hard to free himself but could not succeed.

The treacherous woman that was intoxicated by worldly riches handed over her pious and righteous husband to the enemies. The malicious unbelievers tied Sham’un to a pillar and brutally mutilated his nose and ears and cut out his eyes. The wrath of Allah عزوجل was intensified by the helplessness of His Wali. The cruel unbelievers were sunk into the ground and a lightning of divine wrath struck the unfaithful, selfish, unfortunate wife, burning her to ashes.

(Extracted from Mukashafa-tul-Qulub, pp. 306)

Our Lives are Very Short

When the honourable companions رضی اللہ عنھم heard about the worships, fights and struggles of Sayyiduna Sham’un علیہ السلام they were impressed by him and said to the Noble Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ‘Ya Rasulallah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم ! We have been given very short lives whose some part is spent in sleeping, working, preparing food and in other worldly affairs. We cannot worship like Sham’un علیہ السلام Bani Israil will surpass us in worship.’

Having listened to it, Beloved and Blessed Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم became sad. Instantly, Sayyiduna Jibrail علیہ السلام arrived and presented Surah Qadr on behalf of Allah عزوجل. The Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was comforted and reassured that ‘Every year We have granted your Ummah a sacred night; if they worship Me at this night they shall surpass the thousand months’ worship of Sham’un علیہ السلام.’

(Derived from Tafsir-e-‘Azizi, pp. 434, vol. 4)

We are Ungrateful

اللہ اکبر ! Dear Islamic brothers! How merciful and kind Allah عزوجل is to the Ummah of His Beloved Rasul صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم . He عزوجل has bestowed upon us this magnificent night for the sake of His Beloved Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم. If we worship in Laila-tul-Qadr we will earn more reward than the worship of a thousand months.

Unfortunately, we don’t value this great night! There seems to be a great difference between the enthusiasm of the companions رضی اللہ عنھم and that of ours. It was due to their grief that we have been given such an enormous blessing without asking for it. They treasured it but we are ungrateful, we don’t have even time to worship. We waste this huge blessing in heedlessness every year.

Who is Deprived of All Blessings?

Sayyiduna Anas Bin Malik رضی اللہ عنہhas stated that once the month of Ramadan arrived, so the Prophet of mankind, the Peace of our heart and mind, the most Generous and Kind صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said, ‘A month has come to you in which there is one such night that is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived in that night is deprived of all goodness and only the one who is completely deprived is deprived of its goodness.’

(Sunan Ibn Majah, pp. 298, vol. 2, hadiš 1644)

Thousand Sons

Narrating another background regarding the revelation of Surah Qadr, Sayyiduna Ka’b-ul-Ahbar رضی اللہ عنہ a Tabi’i saint, has stated, ‘There was a righteous king in the Bani Israil. Allah عزوجل commanded the then Prophet علیہ السلام to ask the king to express his desire. When he heard the divine message, he said, ‘Ya Allah عزوجل want to sacrifice my wealth, children and life in Jihad.’ Allah عزوجل blessed him with a thousand sons. He used to groom each son for Jihad and send him along with an army to fight in the path of Allah عزوجل. The son would fight for a month and then be martyred. The king would then groom another son and send him to fight along with the army, and in this way, every month he would sacrifice one of his sons. Further, the king used to offer Salah at night and fast during the day.

After a thousand months, all his thousand sons were martyred. Thereafter he fought himself and drank the beverage of martyrdom. Impressed by the sincere sacrifices made by the king, people said that no one can reach his status. So Allah عزوجل revealed the verse:

اِنَّاۤ اَنۡزَلْنٰہُ فِیۡ لَیۡلَۃِ الْقَدْرِ﴿۱﴾ۚۖ وَ مَاۤ اَدْرٰىکَ مَا لَیۡلَۃُ الْقَدْرِ ؕ

Laila-tul-Qadr is better than a thousand months.

(Translation of Quran)

In other words, Laila-tul-Qadr is better than the king’s thousand months in which he offered Salah every night, fasted every day, and fought in the path of Allah عزوجل with his wealth, life and children.

(Tafsir Qurtubi, pp. 122, part 30, vol. 20)

Kingship of Thousand Cities

Sayyiduna Abu Bakr Warraq رحمۃ اللہ علیہ has stated that Sayyiduna Sulayma رضی اللہ عنہ and Sayyiduna Zulqarnain رضی اللہ عنہ both ruled 500 cities each. Thus both of them together ruled a thousand cities. Allah عزوجل has made the worship of this night better than what these two great personalities ruled

(Tafsir Qurtubi, pp. 122, part 30, vol. 20)

Dear Islamic brothers! Laila-tul-Qadr is the night of goodness and peace. It is mercy from beginning to end. The honourable exegetists of the Quran have said: ‘In this night there is protection from snakes, scorpions, calamities, problems and devils. It is also full of peace.’

Hoisting flags

According to a narration, in Laila-tul-Qadr, an army of angels under the command of Jibrai علیہ السلام descends from Sidra-tul-Muntaha with four flags. They hoist one flag on the blessed tomb of the Holy Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم one on the roof of Bait-ul-Muqaddas, while the third on the top of the Ka’bah and the fourth on mount Sina. Then they enter the houses of all the believers and say Salam. They say, ‘Salam (this is one of the names of Allah عزوجل sends peace upon you.’

However, these angels do not enter the houses in which there are alcoholics, eaters of swine or the people who break ties without valid Shar’i reasons. (Tafsir Sawi, pp. 2401, vol. 6)

Another narration says that these angels outnumber even all grit of the earth, and they all come with peace and mercy.

(Ad-Dur-rul-Manšur, pp. 579, vol. 8)

Green Flag

According to another detailed adiš reported by Sayyiduna ‘Abdullah Ibn ‘Abbas رضی اللہ عنہ our Beloved and Blessed Prophet صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said, ‘In Laila-tul-Qadr, Jibrail علیہ السلام accompanied by a large number of angels, descends onto the earth with a green flag he hoists on the top of the Ka’bah. Jibrail علیہ السلام has 100 arms, two of which he opens only at this night. His arms spread across the east and the west. Then Jibrail علیہ السلام commands the angels to say Salam and shake hands with every Muslim who is offering Salah or making the Zikr of Allah عزوجل and to say Amin to their supplications. This process continues till dawn (Sub -e-Sadiq).

In the morning, Jibrail علیہ السلام commands all the angels to return. The angels say ‘O Jibrail علیہ السلام what about the needs of the Ummah of Prophet Muhammad صلی اللہ علیہ السلام Jibrail علیہ السلام replies, ‘Allah عزوجل has seen them with mercy and has forgiven all of them except four types of people.’

The honourable companions رضی اللہ عنہھم asked, ‘Ya Rasulallah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم Who are those four types of people?’ He صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم replied, ‘(1) Alcoholics (2) Disobedient to parents (3) Those who break ties with relatives (4) Those who bear malice and grudge against each other and break ties.’

(Shu’ab-ul-Iman, pp. 336, vol. 3, Hadiš 3695)

Unfortunate People

Dear Islamic brothers! Did you realize how blessed and sacred Laila-tul-Qadr is? Everyone is forgiven at this night, but the alcoholics, those who disobey their parents, break ties with relatives and have malice and grudge against fellow Muslim brothers without a valid reason of Shari’ah are not forgiven.

Repent!

Dear Islamic brothers! Isn’t it enough to make us fear the wrath of our Omnipotent Allah عزوجل How extreme sinners would be the ones who are not being forgiven even at the sacred and blessed night of Laila-tul-Qadr! We must repent sincerely of our sins and settle all the matters concerning the rights of others. Indeed, the mercy and bounties of Allah عزوجل are immense.

Nuisance of Quarrel

Sayyiduna ‘Ubadah Bin Samit رضی االلہ عنہ has narrated that our Noble Rasool صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم came out to tell us about Laila-tul-Qadr (as to which night it is) but two Muslims were quarrelling with each other. H صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said, ‘I came to tell you about Laila-tul- Qadr but so and so persons were quarrelling, due to which its (exact) date has been concealed, it is possible that your betterment lies in it. Now look for it in the 9th, 7th and 5th night (of the last 10 nights).’

(Sahih Bukhari, pp. 663, vol. 1, Hadiš 2023)

Our Unmentionable State

Dear Islamic brothers! This blessed adiš contains a great lesson for us. Our Beloved and Blessed Prophe صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم was about to tell his companions the (exact) date of Laila-tul-Qadr but the quarrelling of two Muslims with each other proved to be a hurdle, causing the exact date of Laila-tul-Qadr to be concealed forever. This also indicates that Muslims’ quarrelling with each other can prove to be an obstacle in the attainment of mercy and blessing.

Alas! It seems no one is prepared to advise others. People argue with each other saying such sentences as: These days, a naive person cannot live in this world; if someone is good to us we will also remain good to him but if anyone tries to harm us, we will teach him a lesson. Even worse, people turn violent on trivial matters to the extent of quarrelling, fighting and even killing each others.

O Muslims! You were the protectors of each other, what has happened to you! Our Dear and Beloved Rasool صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم has said, ‘All believers are like a (single) body; if one part is wounded the whole body feels the pain.’

(Sahih Bukhari, pp. 103, vol. 4, Hadiš 6011)

Dear Islamic brothers! Instead of quarrelling and fighting, we must cooperate and assist each other sincerely. A Muslim does not fight, stab, rob and burn the shops and property of his other Muslim brother.

Definition of Muslim, Mumin and Muhajir

Sayyiduna Fujalah Bin ‘Ubaid رضی اللہ عنہ has narrated that on the occasion of ajja-tul- Wada’, the Prophet of Rahmah, the Intercessor of Ummah صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said, ‘Shall I not tell you who a Mumin (believer) is?’ Then he صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم said, ‘A Mumin is the one whom people do not fear regarding their lives and wealth; a Muslim is the one who does not harm people with his tongue and hands; a Mujahid is the one who fights his Nafs in order to obey Allah عزوجل and a Muhajir is the one who gives up sins.’

( Al-Mustadrak, pp. 158, vol. 1)

He صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم has also said, ‘It is not permissible for a Muslim to hurt the feelings of another Muslim by (offensive) gestures. It is also unlawful to do anything that frightens or terrifies another Muslim.’

(Ithaf-us-Sadat-il-Muttaqin, pp. 177, vol. 7)

Unbearable Itch

Sayyiduna Mujahid رضی اللہ عنہ has said that Allah عزوجل would inflict a (severe) itch on some of the people of Hell. They will scratch so much that their skins will come off, exposing their bones. They will hear a voice, ‘What do you think of this pain?’ They will reply, ‘It is severe and unbearable.’ Then they will be told, ‘This is your punishment for harming the Muslims.’

(Ithaf-us-Sadat-il-Muttaqin, pp. 175, vol. 7)

Reward for Removing Difficulties

The Prophet of mankind, the Peace of our heart and mind, the most Generous and Kind صلی اللہ علیہ وسلم has said, ‘I saw a man wander around in Heaven, do you know why? Simply because he had removed a tree in the world from a path in order to make it easier for Muslims to pass.’

(Sahih Muslim, pp. 1410, Hadiš 1914)

Magic Fails

Sayyiduna Isma’il Haqqi رحمۃ اللہ علیہ has stated, ‘This is a night of peace; people are protected from many troubles such as illnesses, evil, calamities, storms, thunder, lightning and other things. In fact, everything that descends in this night contains peace, benefit and goodness. In this night, the devil cannot make people do evil and no magician’s magic works; this night is full of peace.’

(RuE-ul-Bayan, pp. 485, vol. 10)