by Rubina Siddiqi
Allah (swt) says in the Quran :
1. We have indeed revealed this (Message) in the Night of Power.
2. And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is?
3. The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
4. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand: 5. Peace! This until the rise of morn!
Surah 97:1-5 Al-Qadr (Night of Power)
2. And what will explain to thee what the Night of Power is?
3. The Night of Power is better than a thousand months.
4. Therein come down the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand: 5. Peace! This until the rise of morn!
Surah 97:1-5 Al-Qadr (Night of Power)
Abu Hurairah (rA) reported that the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, said: “The blessed month has come to you. Allah has made fasting during it obligatory upon you. During it, the gates to Paradise are opened and the gates to hellfire are locked, and the Devils are chained. There is a night during this month which is better than a thousand months. Whoever is deprived of it’s good is really deprived.” (Related by Ahmad, an-Nasa’i and al-Baihaqi)
It is on this night that a miraculous event took place in the history of mankind when the first ayaat of the Holy Quran were revealed to our beloved prophet Muhammad sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam. This is the night of honour and prestige when a faithful servant is rewarded. All his or her good deeds will be multiplied through the mercy of Allah. Because of the magnificent blessings of this night, the angels descend from Heaven. They come down in great numbers with the blessings and mercy of Allah. They visit the believers worshiping Allah subhaana wa ta'aala
Whether they are reciting Quran, making dhikr (remembrance) or performing prayer. It is with extreme sincerity and earnestness and enthusiasm that we should worship to seek the pleasure of our lord and have complete faith that any good deed will be rewarded.
Abu Hurayrah (rA) reports that prophet Mohammed sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, “Whoever stands in prayer and ibaadah on the night of Power with sincere faith and with sincere hope of gaining reward, his previous sins are forgiven.” (Bukhari and Muslim)
The exact date of Laylatul Qadr is not known to us. Perhaps the wisdom in this is that the Almighty wanted us to continuously work hard throughout the month to gain his mercy, forgiveness and pleasure. The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam strove his best in seeking for this night during the last ten nights of Ramadan.
Ibn Abbas as reported: The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam said, "Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of Ramadan,' on the night when nine or seven or five nights remain out of the last ten nights of Ramadan (i.e. 21, 23, 25, respectively)."(Bukhari 3:238)
What can we do to gain the Allah’s forgiveness in the last 10 nights?
Practice Itikaf:
Narrated 'Aisha: (the wife of the Prophet) The Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam used to practice Itikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan till he died and then his wives used to practice Itikaf after him. (Bukhari 3:243)
Sisters who cannot spend a lot of time in Itikaf as caring for kids or other activities may make this difficult, can try making the intention of Itikaf for short periods of time whenever possible.
Intensify Dua - We should strive our best to make lots of dua for everything and everyone. Make dua for our muslim Ummah and everyone who is suffering with sincere intention that our Lord will listen to our supplication and grant us whatever halal we desire and whatever is good for us, Ameen. Aside from Prayer, Dua is our strongest connection with our Lord where He is there for us, listening to our needs and ready to bestow his mercy on us.
A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, reported that she asked the Prophet sal Allahu alayhi wa sallam, peace and blessings be upon him, "O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylatul-Qadr, what should I say during it?" And he instructed her to say: “O Allah! You are Oft-Forgiving, and you love forgiveness. So forgive me.” (Reported by Ahmad, Ibn Majah and At-Tirmithi)"
Make sincere repentance -We should earnestly ask Allah subhaana wa ta'aala to forgive the sins that we have commited knowingly or unknowingly. Weep and ask for his Forgiveness. For the wrong-doings we have made towards others to cause them hurt and most importantly, for the mistakes we have done to displease Him. Make dua for those muslim brother and sisters who are no longer with us and ask for their forgivness.
Narrated Shaddad bin Aus (Radhi-Allahu 'anhu), the Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa sallam) said:
"The most superior way of asking for forgiveness from Allah is:
O Allah, You are my Lord, there is none worthy of worship but You. You created me and I am your slave. I keep Your covenant, and my pledge to You so far as I am able. I seek refuge in You from the evil of what I have done. I admit to Your blessings upon me, and I admit to my misdeeds. Forgive me, for there is none who may forgive sins but You.
The Prophet (salAllahu alayhi wa sallam) added: "If somebody recites it during the day with firm faith in it, and dies on the same day before the evening, he will be from the people of Paradise; and if somebody recites it at night with firm faith in it, and dies before the morning, he will be from the people of Paradise."[Sahih Bukhari - Book 75: Hadith 318]
Dhikr- Increase the amount of Dhikr (more of extra salat, reading more of the quran, tasbeeh etc.). While reading the Quran try to contemplate on the meanings of the verses you recite and to connect with them. During Salat try to make your prayers longer, deeper and meaningful. If you are familiar with longer Surahs, read the translation and explanation and then recite these Surahs in Salat (qayam-ul-lail or night prayer), carefully reflecting on the meaning while you pray.
Narrated Aisha:
With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers. (Bukhari 3:241)
This time of the month is very precious for the benefit of our souls and akhira and we are solely responsible for our gain and loss. Alhamdullillah, we are still present today, blessed with the opportunity to have witnessed yet another Ramadan and to repent for our misdeeds. To strive to increase our good deeds and take full advantage of this opportunity. Some of our brothers and sisters who were present and active last Ramadan are no longer here this year, May Allah grant them paradise, Ameen. This may be our last opportunity too, so we ought to do our best and avail it. May Allah guide us to the best and grant us His mercy, forgiveness and deliverance from Hellfire, Ameen.
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