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SEARCH FOR LAILATUL QADR Ubaadah bin Saamit (Radhiyallaho anho)
said Once
Prophet Mohammad
COMMENTARY:
Three important points are referred to in this Hadith. Firstly, there
is mention of an argument which resulted in the knowledge of Laylatul
Qadr being withheld from us. Arguments are always the cause of loss of
blessings. Once
Prophet Mohammad
This is indeed an
illness among us. Even those among us who appear exceptionally
religious and busy with zikr are victims of these arguments and
strife. Firstly we should carefully study
Prophet Mohammad
It is now the duty of
those who always seek to injure and destroy the honor and dignity of
others to sit back and think how much harm they have done to
themselves. They should think how much they have through these
despicable deeds, themselves become despicable in Allah's sight
and int he sight of those around them. The person who serves
relationship with his brothers for more than three days and dies in
this state will go straight to Jahannam.
Prophet Mohammad
Another Hadith states that when actions are presented before Allah, 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, they are left as they are. Another Hadith further teaches us that on Shabe-Bara'at (the night of the 15th Sahabaan) the mercy of Allah is directed at all Allah's creation and forgiveness is freely granted except for two types of person. One, a kaafir (disbeliever), and the one who harbors bad thoughts against others in another hadith it is state: There are three kinds of people whose salaah does not hand span above their heads for acceptance. Mentioned among these are the ones who argue among themselves. In the above paragraphs
I have digressed from the point under discussion. It was not my
intention to mention all these Ahadith on arguments. I merely did it
to bring to our notice this great evil which we underestimate, so much
so that even those whom we consider to be noble and righteous are
guilty of it. To Allah is my plea, and He is the One we seek
assistance from. On the other hand, be informed that this fighting,
use of harsh words and cutting oneself off from another, will only be
regarded as a crime and evil in Islam, when done out of enmity and
hatred over worldly matters. It is permissible to break off relations
with somebody because of evil deeds or because of some religious
matters (wherein he is in the wrong and blameable). Ibn Umar (Radhiyallaho anho)
once quoted a saying of
Prophet Mohammad
Often we too cut off relations with people and claim that it is for the sake of the Deen. Allah as All-knowing, All-seeing and He alone knows the true state of affairs. He knows which relationship are broken off because of the Deen and which are cut off because of the hurt to our honor, pride and dignity. The second point to
which the hadith under discussion draws attention is the fact that man
should be satisfied and accept Allah's ruling in all matters.
For example, even though it seems that the loss of the knowledge as to
when Laylatul Qadr actually falls, is a great loss of blessing, it has
to be accepted because it is from Allah. for this reason
Prophet Mohammad
Even when someone is overtaken by a great calamity because of his own evil deeds. He needs only appeal to His Creator, admit his own weakness, and that same calamity becomes the cause for greater good. Nothing is impossible for Allah. Our ulama have mentioned several advantages in not knowing the proper time for Laylatul Qadr. Firstly , had we known the actual time for this blessed night, there would have been so many who would not have served Allah at all during the year or on other nights. They would only wait for the prescribed night in which to perform their ibaadah. As things are now, one has to stay awake and be in ibaadah for quite a number of nights hoping that each night is perhaps the night. (This means more nights in Allah's service and reward for the same.) Secondly, there are
among us those who just do not seem to be able to avoid evil. How
extremely dangerous and unfortunate for them would it be, when in
spite of knowing that such such a night is Laylatul Qadr & then still
spent it in sin and evil ? Once
Prophet Mohammad
Thirdly, there are amongst some who find it possible to spend one, two or three nights in ibaadah, while we do not know which is the night of Power. Now say for arguments sake, we did not know which night Laylatul Qadr would be and inspite of that, for one reason or another, within or outside our control, we allowed that night to go by without ibaadah, it is an almost certain fact that thereafter, for the rest of Ramadan, no other night would have been spent in ibaadah. Fourthly, every night spent in ibaadah in search of Laylatul Qadr is a night for which a separate reward is granted. Fifthly, We have read that Allah boasts to His angels about those believers who exert themselves in ibaadah during Ramadan. Now when they spend more nights in Allah's worship, more such chances of boasting arise. In spite of not knowing when it is the night of Laylatul Qadr and although they have only a vague idea about its fixed time, still they have only a vague idea about its fixed time, still they exert themselves to the utmost in Allah's service night after night. If such is their exertion when they do not know then how more will they exert themselves when it-is known to them ? There are sure to be advantages. Due to such blessings Allah often keeps certain things secret of Himself, as for example, the "Ismul Aazam" (the great name of Allah, whereby if we call upon Him, He answers). Similarly there is a special moment on the day of Jumuah when prayers are answered. This time too is not known with complete certainty. There are numerous other thing which are included in his category. It is possible that because of the argument that took place the fixing of Laylatul Qadr during that Ramadan was caused to be forgotten. However, because of the other benefits the knowledge of the fixed date was not revealed. The third point to which attention is drawn is that Laylatul Qadr should be sought among the 9th, 7th & 5th. By reading these in conjunction with the other Ahaadith, we come to know that this refers to the last ten nights of Ramadan. So which nights are these ? If we start from the 20th counting up, then these three nights are the 25th, 27th & 29th. If, on the other hand we start counting from the 29th down, where Ramadan has 29 days, these nights are the 21st, 23rd & 25th. And in the case, where the month has 30 days it would be 22nd 24th and 26th. From the above one can
see how much uncertainty there is about the correct date. Among the
learned "ulama" there are approximately fifty different opinions.
Because of this reason, some 'ulama' have said that Laylatul Qadr
does not occur on one and the same night every year. If in the one
year it occurred on one night then the following year it occurred on
another night. There are times when
Prophet Mohammad
Abu Hurayrah (Radhiyallaho anho)
reports that once during a conversation with the companions, mention
was made of Laylatul Qadr.
Prophet Mohammad
Abu Tharr (Radhiyallaho anho)
reports that he inquired of
Prophet Mohammad
Ibn Abbaas (Radhiyallaho anho)
related, "While sleeping once, somebody said to me in my dream, 'Rise
up, This is Laylatul Qadr'. I woke up and proceeded in haste of
Prophet Mohammad
Ibn Masood (Radhiyallaho anho)
reports this view from
Prophet Mohammad
Among the Imaams, the well known opinion of Imaam Abu Hanifa R.A is that Laylatul Qadr moves throughout the year, while another view of this is that it moves about throughout the month of Ramadan. His famous student followers, Imaam Muhammad and Imaam Abu Yousuf, however, were of the opinion that this night is fixed on one however, were of the opinion that this night is fixed on one special night which is unknown, during the Holy month. While the Shaafiy's belives that it occurs probably on 21st, Imaam Ahmad R.A. and Imaam Maalik R.A. hold view that it comes only among the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan, moving from year to year and its not fixed. But as for the vast majority of 'ulama their hope lies in Laylatul Qadr coming annually on 27th night. Ibn Arabi R.A. says, "In my opinion the view of those who believe that Laylatul Qadr comes on various nights throughout the year, is most correct, because twice have I seen it in Shabaan once on the 15th, and once on 19th, and twice have I seen it in the middle ten nights of Ramadan, the 13th, and the 18th. And I have also seen it on every odd nights of the last ten. For this reason I am certain that it could occur on any night of the year but comes mostly in Ramadan. Shaah Waliyullah R.A. of Delhi believed that Laylatul Qadr comes twice every year: (a) One Laylatul Qadr is that one on which Allah's commands are revealed (to the angels). This is also the night on which the holy Quran was sent down from the Al Lowhul Mahfuz to the heavens. This night does not come in Ramadan alone but moves and can come on any other night of the year. However, the night on which the Holy Quran was revealed fell in Ramadan and mostly falls during Ramadan. (b) The second Laylatul Qadr is the one of tremendous spiritual value when angels descend in large numbers, while shaytaans are held back, and a time when prayers and ibaadah are accepted. This comes only in Ramadan during the uneven nights of the last ten days. (This view of Shaah Waliyullah used to be be most acceptable to my late father). Anyway, whether there are two Laylatul Qadrs or whether there is only one, the fact still remains that one has to search for it according to ones courage and ability. If not throughout the year, then in Ramadan. If that should prove difficult, then during the last ten days. When that too seems a bit too much to be expected, then only the odd numbered nights of the last ten days. When on has wasted these opportunities too, then by no means should the 27th be allowed to go by. If by Allah's blessings and your good fortune that is Laylatul Qadr, then in comparison all the prosperity and pleasures of the world would be meaningless. Thus, even though that may not be the much searched for night, then at least the reward for ibaadah is received. The Salaah of Maghrib
and Isha throughout the year should be performed with jamaaah; because
if it is Laylatul Qadr the reward for both is so much more. It is
great blessings of Allah that when one endeavors for
religious aims and cannot make a success, he is still rewarded for the
effort. And inspite of this, there are those who do not leave a stone
unturned in their services for Deen. On the contrary; in worldly
affairs when one does not break even his efforts are also written off
as a loss. Then too in this latter case numerous people spend their
time, efforts and wealth in worldly things that are fruitless and
without purpose, and do not hold any reward or consolation. |
(Sallallaho
Alaihe Wasallam) came out to inform us the true date of Layalatul Qadr.
(Unfortunately at that time) an argument took place between two muslim
men, whereupon he said, "I came out in order to inform you as to when
Laylatul Qadr was, but because two people argued (the fixing of the
correct date) was taken away. Perhaps that is better for you. So seek
it among the ninth, seventh and fifth nights."
(Mishkaat)|
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