Saturday, September 12, 2009

Laylat al-Qadr

My apologizes for being AWOL, but I have been working on my final project for Masters’ Ethics Course. The paper is due in less than two weeks so I am plugging away.

I just wanted to share some of my knowledge and understanding of Laylat al-Qadr. The meaning of the terms Laylat al-Qadr means the Night of Power. It is the anniversary of two important events that occurred in the month of Ramadan. First, this is the night that the first verses of the Quran were revealed our Prophet Muhammad - sallalahu alaiha wa sallam (peace and blessings upon him). It is also the night that our Holy Quran was revealed in its entirety.

The You Tube video below is a recitation of surat al Qadr (Quran 87, 1-5)



Here is the English translation.
In the name of God, the Benevolent, the Merciful.
1 Lo! We revealed it on the Night of Predestination.
2 Ah, what will convey unto thee what the Night of Power is!
3 The Night of Power has more blessings than a thousand months.
4 The angels and the Spirit descend therein, by the permission of their Lord, with all decrees.
5 (The night is) Peace until the rising of the dawn.

According to our Holy Quran, the Night of power is between than a thousand months. The entire month of Ramadan was period of spiritual training through fasting, praying, reciting the Quran, remembering God and giving charity. The last ten days of Ramadan hold the most significance because Muslims must strive harder since Laylat al-Qadr can come in any of the odd numbered nights of Ramadan. It is believed that Prophet Muhammad (sallalahu alaiha wa sallam) once told believers that “Whoever stays up (in prayer and remembrance of Allah) on the Night of Qadr, fully be living (in Allah’s promise of reward), and hoping to seek reward, he shall be forgiven for his past sins.” (The Virtue of the Last Ten Days of Ramadan and Laylat al-Qadr.)

Muslims all over the world spend the last ten days of Ramadan in solid devotation. Morever, he entire month is a month of devotion, renewal and reflection. As the month comes to end, we pray that the lessons we have learned in the month of Ramadan are ones we can carry with us through out the year.

Inshallah and Alhamdallah.

Source:

The Virtue of the Last Ten Days of Ramadan and Laylat al-Qadr. (2008). Retrieved September 12, 2009, from Quran.CA: http://www.quran.ca/2008/09/28/virtue-last-ten-days-ramadan-laylat-al-qadr/

1 comment:

Abu Ibrahim said...

This is a good article.

The night of power holds immense blessings for those who are willing to take advantage of it.

I've written an article looking at the Night of Power and how it's mentioned in the Quran. I tried to show (using authentic sources, not my opinion) how Allah describes just what all takes place during this wonderful night.

Also, how important it is to mankind as a whole (not just Muslims).

The Quran Says:

"And thus preach joy to My servants.Those who listen to the word and follow the best of it. Those are the ones whom Allah has guided and they are the wise people." (39:17-18)