Laylatul Qadr

Rasullullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) said that he who severs relations with a brother Muslim for more than three says, and dies in this state, will go straight to jahannam. In another Hadith, it is stated that, on every Monday and Thursday, the actions of human beings are brought before Allah ta’ala. Then through His mercy (as a result of certain good deeds), forgiveness is granted, except to the idolaters and those who set up equals to Allah ta’ala.

However, regarding those two people between whom a quarrel has taken place, friendship having been cut off, it shall be said, “Leave their affair in suspense until such time as they become reconciled.”

Another Hadith states that, when actions are produced before Allah ta’ala every Monday and Thursday, repentance is accepted from those who repent, and forgiveness is granted to those who seek pardon. As for those who had arguments (with each other) they are left as they were.

A Hadith further teaches us that, on the night of the 14th of the month of sha’ban the mercy of Allah ta’ala is directed at all Allah ta’ala’s creation and forgiveness is freely granted, except to two person: One, a nonbeliever, and the other, who harbours revenge against others.

Laylatul Qadr

Amongst the nights of Ramadan, there is one called laylatul qadr, a night that is noted for its great barakah. The Quran describes it as being greater in barakah and spiritual value than a thousand months, which of course means that it is more valuable than eighty-three years and four months.

Fortunate indeed is that person who attains the full barakah of this night by spending it in the worship of Alllah ta’ala, because he has then obtained the reward of worship of Allah for eighy-three nights for the faithful Muslims is a great favour.

The Origin

Regarding this night, in a Haidth reported by Anas (radiyalahu ‘anhu) in al-Durr al-Manthur, Rasullullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) is reported to have said: “Laylatul qadr, various views are held. According to some Hadiths, one reason is given thus; Rasullullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) used to ponder over the longer lives of peoples of the past ages and, when comparing them with the much shorter lives of his ummah, he became very sad since, if his ummah wished to compete with the people before them, then because of their shorter lives, it would be impossible for them to either copy or surpass the previous ummahs in the doing of righteous deeds.

Therefore, Allah ta’ala, in His infinite mercy granted them this night of great blessings. This means that, if any fortunate person of this ummah during his life-time spends ten such nights in the worship of his Creator he would have gained the reward of worship of Allah ta’ala for eight hundred and thirty three years and even more.

Another report states that Rasullullah (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) once related to the sahabah the story of a very righteous man from among the Bani Isra ‘il, who spent one thousand months in jihad. On hearing this, the sahabah felt that they could not attain the same reward, whereupon Allah ta’ala granted them this night.

Still another report states that it so happened that our Nabi (sallallahu ‘alaihi wasallam) once spoke of four anbiya from among the Bani Isra’il, each of whom spent eighty years in Allah ta’ala’s sincere Zahariyya, Ezekiel and Yusha (“alayhimussalam). The sahabah heard this, wondering how to copy their achievements. Then the angel Jibra’il (alayhissalam) appeared and recited surah qadr wherein the blessings of this particular night were revealed.

There are other reports too, explaining the origin of the laylatul qadr. But, no matter which of these we accept, the important fact remains that Allah ta’ala has granted us this night, as a great favour, and how fortunate are those divines who have never missed worship in this night.