Laylat al-Qadr (Special Night of Greatness)
The Night of Qadr is a very great night in the blessed month of Ramadan. It is “the Night of Greatness.” In it, Allah brought down a great Book- the Qur’an.
Laylat al-Qadr (Special Night of Greatness)
The Night of Qadr is a very great night in the blessed month of Ramadan. It is “the Night of Greatness.” In it, Allah brought down a great Book- the Qur’an.
Each year, when the Night of Qadr occurs, great angels and great mercies come down to earth. This night is not a night specific to the nation of Muhammad which occurred after the revelation to Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam. It is known that the Night of Qadr occurred during Ramadan in the eras of the previous prophets. However, what is a specific for the nation of Prophet Muhammad is that Allah guided them to know that the month of Ramadan would be their fasting month. In Surat al -Qadr, Allah, ta^ala, said:
سورة القدر
بِسْمِ اللهِ الرَّحْمَنِ الرَّحِيمِ
إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةِ الْقَدْرِ {1} وَمَا أَدْرَاكَ مَا لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ {2} لَيْلَةُ الْقَدْرِ خَيْرٌ مِّنْ أَلْفِ شَهْرٍ {3} تَنَزَّلُ الْمَلائِكَةُ وَالرُّوحُ فِيهَا بِإِذْنِ رَبِّهِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمْرٍ {4} سَلامٌ هِيَ حَتَّى مَطْلَعِ الْفَجْرِ {5}
The first verse of this Surah:
means: [The whole Qur’an was brought down in its entirety during the Night of Qadr]. The Qur’an was copied from the Guarded Tablet and Jibril brought it down as a complete book to Baytul-^Izzah in the first sky. This occurred on the Night of Qadr in the month of Ramadan in the year Jibril first brought the revelation to the Prophet. Then, on the next day, Jibril came with the first five verses of Suratul-^Alaq. This was the beginning of the prophethood of Prophet Muhammad.
Ibn Hibban narrated from Wathilah Ibn al-‘Asqa^ that he said the Prophet, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, said:
which means: <<The Torah was revealed on the sixth (6th) night of Ramadan, the Injil on the thirteenth (13th) night, the Zabur on the eighteenth (18th) night, and the Qur’an on the twenty-fourth (24th) night of Ramadan.>>
From this hadith it is known that it is not a condition that the Night of Qadr happens on the 27th or the 29th of the month of Ramadan, although from other hadiths we know that this is most likely the case. Since the Night of Qadr might occur on any of the nights of Ramadan, the Muslims should put forth effort to pray each night of Ramadan, seeking the promised reward for the one who prays (the optional prayers) during that night. Making the extra effort in worshipping Allah especially during the last ten days of Ramadan is recommended, because in most of the cases, the Night of Qadr occurs during one of those nights.
The second verse:
literally means: [How would you know what the Night of Qadr is ?,] This means that before Allah informed you, you did not know what the merit of that Night was. This ayah truly is a question which emphasizes the high status of this night and encourages the person to seek its goodness.
The third verse:
is the answer to the previous question It means: [The reward one receives for praying during this night is greater than the reward he receives for praying one thousand (1000) months [which do not have the Night of Qadr in them.]]
The fourth verse:
means: [The angels (in great numbers), including Jibril, descend from the sky to the earth during that night, and Allah gives them the knowledge of what is going to happen during the coming year.] It was narrated from Abu-Hurayrah that the number of angels who would descend to earth during that night may be more than the number of pebbles on earth. Jibril, referred to as “ar-Ruh” in this verse, will be among them.
Al-Hakim narrated from the Prophet that during the Night of Qadr Jibril comes down to earth with a group of angels, and they make supplication (du^a’) for every slave standing up or sitting down mentioning Allah. In another narration it is mentioned that these angels descend to earth at sunset and remain until the appearance of the dawn.
During the Night of Qadr, Allah, tabaraka wa ta^ala, gives the angels the knowledge of what is going to happen during the coming year in what pertains to the sustenance (rizq), the changes in the situation of the slaves, and the like. This is the meaning of min kulli amr (of all the matters) in the verse. Allah informs the angels about the details of the matters which will happen in the next year including what they are ordered to do that year. The angels copy matters from the Guarded Tablet which will happen during the coming year including the births, deaths, sustenance, calamities, enjoyments, and the like.
The fifth verse:
means: [The night is full of safety, goodness, and blessings (for the obedient believer) until the appearance of dawn.]
Among the signs that show the person that he saw (witnessed) the Night of Qadr are:
1. To see a great, clear light during the night other than the light of the sun, the moon, or electricity;
2. To see the trees prostrating;
3. To hear the voices of angels;
4. To see the angels in their original form with two (2), three (3), four (4) or more wings, or to see them in the shape of a human being, i.e. the shape of a man (however, without genitalia).
Also, the way the sun rises the next morning is an indication that the previous night was the Night of Qadr. When the sun is rising its light and heat are not intense.
It is a very good sign for the person who sees the Night of Qadr and makes supplication (du^a’) during it. A very great goodness is hoped for this person, and, in sha’ Allah, the supplication would be answered. At-Tirmidhiyy narrated from ^A’ishah that she said: “O Prophet of Allah, if I encounter the Night of Qadr, then what should I say? (What supplication should I make during it?). The Prophet answered her: “Say:
which means: <<O Allah, You are the One who forgives a great amount and You love forgiveness, so forgive me.>> May Allah bless us with seeing this great Night and making supplication in it.
There is wisdom in hiding from the slaves exactly which night is the Night of Qadr. This is so they put forth effort during all the nights of Ramadan hoping that by that they would acquire the reward of praying during the Night of Qadr. One would get the aforementioned multiplication of the reward, promised in the verses of the Qur’an, by praying during that night whether one prays many optional rak^ahs or a few—even two (2) rak^ahs. Reciting for a long time during the prayer is better than reciting for a short time. If one has the choice between praying a few number of rak^ahs with a longer recitation in each and praying more (many) rak^ahs but reciting for a short time during each rak^ah, then the first is better. It is not a condition that one actually witnesses the signs of the Night of Qadr to get the promised reward of praying in that night.
Al-Bukhariyy and Muslim narrated from the Prophet, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, that the one who prays during the Night of Qadr (out of believing in Allah and for the sake of Allah) then Allah forgives him his previous sins. Some scholars said that the one who prays the Dawn Prayer (Subh) and the Evening Prayer (^Isha’) in congregation each day of Ramadan would get the reward of the Night of Qadr—even if he does not see that night. What a great reward!
Al-Bukhariyy and Muslim also narrated from ^A’ishah that the Prophet, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, urged the Muslims to take very special care to pray during the last ten nights of Ramadan, because most of the time the Night of Qadr is one of those nights. Likewise, they both narrated from ^A’ishah that she said: “When the last ten nights of Ramadan started, the Prophet used to put a forth great endeavor in worshipping during these nights. He used to pray the whole night and also wake his wives to pray.” They also related from ^A’ishah that the Prophet used to make I^tikaf (stay in the mosque during the last ten (10) nights of Ramadan) each year until he died.
Praying during all the nights of Ramadan has a great reward. Prophet Muhammad, sallallahu ^alayhi wa sallam, urged us to do that. Imam Muslim narrated from the Prophet that Allah forgives the previous sins of the one who prays all the nights of Ramadan out of believing in Allah and for His sake.”
We are now in the month of Ramadan. The blessings are coming down to earth to us. Many opportunities are open for us to acquire these blessings and the gate of repentance is open for those who want to repent. May Allah guide us. Let us take this great opportunity before we lose it.
O Allah, You are the One who forgives a great amount and You love forgiveness so forgive me.
And Allah knows best.
Source: http://alsunna.org
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THE MARTYRDOM OF IMAM ALI (A.S.)
Imam Ali (A.S.) had prophesied his departure from this world several days before hand, and on the day of his martyrdom he mysteriously desired his sons Hasan and Husain to offer their morning prayers in the house and not to accompany him as they usually did to the mosque. When Ali was leaving his abode, observes S. Ockley in his famous work the History of the Saracens, the household birds began making a great noise and when one of Ali’s servants attempted to quieted them, Ali said, “Leave them alone, for their cries are only lamentations foreboding my death.”
The fateful nineteenth of Ramadhan
On the 19th of Ramadhan Hazrat Ali came to the mosque in Kufa for his morning prayers. Ali gave the call for prayer and became engaged in leading the congregation. Abdur Rahman Muljim pretending to pray, stood just behind Ali, and when Ali was in a state of prostration, Abdur Rahman dealt a heavy stroke with his sword, inflicting a deep wound on Ali’s head.
The Holy Prophet(S.A.W) had prophesied the assassination of Ali and his issues. Regarding Ali he had said, “O Ali! I see before my eyes thy beard dyed with the blood of thy forehead.”
His last moments His blood-drenched lips parted into a thanksgiving prayer and he said, “Lord! I thank Thee for rewarding me with martyrdom; how kind art thou and how gracious. May thy mercy further lead me to the realm of Thy grace and benevolence.” The murderer was caught and brought before him. When Hazrat Ali saw that the ropes with which his murderer was tied were cutting into his flesh, he forgot his own agony, and requested that he be untied and treated more humanely. Touched by these words the murderer started to weep. A smile played on Hazrat Ali’s lips and in a faint voice he said, “It is too late to repent now, you have done your deed. Was I a bad Imam or an unkind Ruler?” He expressly ordered that no harshness should be shown towards his murderer. He should not be tortured before his execution, his body should not be mutilated, and members of his family should not be made to suffer on account of his crime and his property should not be confiscated. Ali’s justice was always tempered with mercy, even to the worst of his own enemies.
Ali was taken home from the mosque, and lay mortally wounded, yet he was answering all questions put to him. His sons Hasan and Husain were given the last advice, and finally Ali told them that his coffin was to be lifted only from behind, as the front would of itself be automatically carried, and they would have to take the route guided by the coffin itself. At the place where the coffin would stop, they would find a grave already dug for him. Hazrat Ali also requested his sons that he should be buried secretly, because he feared that his enemies would desecrate his grave. The coffin stopped at Najaf, which is about four miles from Kufa.
Ali’s last testament
To his sons Ali spoke thus:
“Remain steadfast in piety and resign yourself to the will of God. Never aspire to anything, which is beyond your reach. Always be truthful and merciful towards the orphans. Help the poor and needy, and try to live in the world in a way which may help it to become better. Stop the tyrant from his oppressions. Assist the afflicted and act upon the commandments of God; and do not be put off by any obstacles. Lastly, I ask you to bury me in some place, which is unknown to the public. No less than 10,000 persons have I killed by my own hands on different occasions, and I do not wish their relatives to violate the sanctuary of my repose, and expose my corpse to indignity.”
After this talk with Hasan and Husain, Ali addressed his third son, Muhammad ibn Hanfia, and said,
“You have heard what I have told your other two brothers. I also want you to do the same. In particular, I command you to respect and obey your elder brothers. They have a right to claim your fealty. Always do whatever they command you.
He entrusted all to the care of his eldest son Hasan, except Abbas. Then he heard Abbas, hardly twelve years old, sobbing. Hazrat Ali asked him to come near and gave his hand to his second son Husain, saying :
“Husain, this child I am entrusting to your care. He will represent me on the day of your supreme sacrifice and will lay down his life in defending you and your dear ones.”
And turning to Abbas, he said:
“Abbas, my child, I know your unbounded love for Husain. When that day comes, consider no sacrifice too great for Husain and his children.”
Then, addressing the other members of his family, he continued,
“O thou Hashimites! After I am gone, do not spill Muslim blood, and do not kill any one except my murderer.”
Right until the end Ali continued to talk of the good of the Muslim community, to fulfil the commands embodied in the Holy Qur’an and to submit to the will of God. Repeatedly calling upon the name of God and constantly re-affirming the belief in the Unity of God and in the Divine Mission of the Holy Prophet. Ali was to survive the mortal wound for three days. Speech was finally silenced at the approach on the third day.
Source: mmasoom.multiply