LAILATUL-QADR

(THE NIGHT OF DECREE)Its excellence

Allaah the Mighty and Majestic says,

“The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months.” Al-Qur’aan 97:3

And it is on this night that all the Wise Decrees of Allaah are made.

“Therein is decreed every matter of ordainment, as a command from us.” Al-Qur’aan 44:4-5

Note - Some people say that the decree of matters happens on the 15th of Sha’baan. This is an erroneous and baseless claim.

When is it?

The most correct saying, and Allaah knows best, is that it occurs in the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadhaan. Allaah’sMessenger sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam while doing I’tikaaf (Seclusion in

the Masjid) in the last ten days of Ramadhaan used to say,

“Seek out Lailatul-Qadr in the (odd nights) of the last ten of Ramadhaan.” Bukhaaree # 2017

That is, the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th and the 29th night. And the Prophet ‘alaihissalaam said,

“And if one of you is too weak or unable then let him not allow that to make him miss the final seven.” Bukhaaree # 2015

That is the 25th, 27th and the 29th night.

How should a Muslim seek Lailatul-Qadr?

The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

“Whoever stands (in Prayer) in Lailatul- Qadr out of Eemaan (correct belief) and seeking reward then his previous sins areforgiven.” Bukhaaree # 1901

It is recommended to supplicate a great deal in it with the Du’aa,

“Allaahumma innaka ‘affuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘annee.”

Which means,

“O Allaah you are the One who pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.” Tirmidhee # 3760

During these nights, to stay awake in prayer, to instruct one’s family the same and to stay away from one’s wife is from the Sunnah of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wasallam. Bukhaaree # 2024

And the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam used to exert himself more in the last ten nights of Ramadhaan than he would at other times. Muslim # 1174

How should a Muslim seek Lailatul-Qadr? Cont.,

The Signs of Lailatul-Qadr

The Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

“On the morning following Lailatul-Qadr the sun rises not having any rays, as if it were a brass dish, until it rises up.” Muslim # 762

And he sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam said,

“Lailatul-Qadr is calm and pleasant, neither hot nor cold, the sun rises on its morning being feeble and red.” Ibn Khuzaimah # 3/23

TARAAWEEH PRAYERS(It was the practice of the Prophet sallallaahu‘alaihi wa sallam to pray an odd number of rak’ahs after the ‘Ishaa prayer in the last third part of the night. Nevertheless it may be prayed anytime from after the ‘Ishaa prayer until before the dawn of Fajr. See also the next chapter on Witr. Irwaa ul Ghaleel # 2/158 and Bukhaaree # 996)

It is important first of all to understand that Taraaweeh (resting), Tahajjud (from hajada: remained awake at night), Qiyaamul-lail (standing at night)**, all refer to the same prayer.**Some people think that Tahajjud is a night prayer different from Qiyaamul-lail or Taraaweeh. Others think that Nafl (supererogatory) prayers at night are only recommended during Ramadhaan. Thus, it is important to clarify these misunderstandings, and emphasize what was mentioned above, i.e. that there is only one Nafl prayer at night, with different names used to describe it. Even though Taraaweeh is most commonly used to describe it in Ramadhaan, this does not make it a different prayer. Furthermore, in some countries and Masjids, mostly during the second half of Ramadhaan, people pray Taraaweeh early in the night, and then pray another prayer that they call Tahajjud at the end of the night. This practice is a Bid’ah (innovation) that has no basis in the practice of the Salaf (the Pious Predecessors). See The Night Prayer, Jibaaly Pg 7-8

It’s Prescription in Congregation

According to the long Hadeeth of Aa’ishah radhiallaahu ‘anhaa, Allaah’s Messenger sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam led the congregation in Qiyaamul-lail for three nights and the people participated in it with a great amount of zeal and enthusiasm. Then he sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, due to the fear that this night prayer would be made obligatory upon the people stopped leading the people in the night prayers. Bukhaaree # 1129

It is from this Hadeeth that we get the proof for performing the Taraaweeh prayer in congregation. And based upon this action of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam, ‘Umar radhiallaahu ‘anhu revived this Sunnah of praying the Taraaweeh prayer in congregation during his caliphate since the fear of the Prophet sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam that this prayer may become obligatory upon the people was removed with his passing away. Bukhaaree # 2010

It’s Prescription in Congregation Cont.,

The Number of Rak’ahsAa’ishah radhiallaahu ‘anhaa said,

“Allaah’s Messenger sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallamdid not increase upon eleven Rak’ahs in Ramadhaan, or outside of it.” Bukhaaree # 2010

And the righteous Caliph ‘Umar radhiallaahu anhu, when he revived the Sunnah of praying the Taraaweeh in congregation, he instructed Ubay Bin Ka’ab and Tameem ad-Daaree radhiallaahu ‘anhumaa to lead the people in 11 Rak’ahs of Qiyaamul-lail. Muwattaa Imaam Maalik # 1/115

And the prayer of Allaah’s Messenger sallallaahu ‘alaihi wa sallam was well-spaced -meaning, that his bowing, prostration and his standing would be of similar length and his prostration would be as long as it would take to recite 50 verses of the Qur’aan. Bukhaaree # 1123

And his recitation of the Qur’aan would be with proper pronunciation and a slow pace. Those who hasten in their recitation, their bowing and prostration should learn a lesson from this.

THE WITR PRAYERInsha'Allah to be continued.! Insha'Allah to be continued.!

O Allah make us one of those who understood and practiced YourReligion as of those whom You have bestowed Your Grace,

not of those who earned Your Anger Presentation made by www.sarandibmuslims.com

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