Lailatul Qadr has... a significant meaning to each and every Muslim as it reminds Muslims of God’s greatest blessings upon mankind- the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the Seal of prophets, and the Holy Koran, the perfect and final Book.
Source/Credit: The Royal Gazette
By Shabnam Jheengoor | August 4, 2012
In the next few days Muslims will be entering the last ten days of the holy month of Ramadan, during which there is a blessed night that is called Lailatul Qadr literally meaning ‘Night of Destiny’ (or Decree/Power). Chapter Al-Qadr in the Holy Koran deals with Lailatul Qadr.
“In the name of Allah, the Gracious, the Merciful. Surely, We sent it down on the Night of Destiny. And what should make thee know what the Night of Destiny is? The Night of Destiny is better than a thousand months. Therein descend angels and the Spirit with their Lord’s decree concerning everything. Peace — so will it be even at the rising of the dawn.” (Chapter 97)
The Night of Destiny has great significance in Islam. It is a “Blessed Night” which is commonly associated with the revelation of the first verses of the Holy Koran (Chapter 96) to the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him, ‘pbuh’) during the month of Ramadan 1,400 years ago.
God revealed the Holy Koran as the perfect guidance for mankind to the Holy Prophet (pbuh) at a time when “Corruption has appeared on land and sea …” (Holy Koran 30:42).
It was an age where sin and inequity were glorified. The needy and less fortunate were shunned and the helpless were trampled upon.
Women had no status and could be passed on as part of the inheritance. Slaves were treated worst than animals and condemned to a life of servitude and hardship.
It was an age of utter darkness which required the light of a perfect guidance. God, therefore, heard the supplications of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and revealed to him the complete and final law in the form of the Holy Koran.
This perfect Book became a source of enlightenment in that dark era, 1,400 years ago and even today, its teachings continue to strengthen the bond of men to God Almighty and to their fellow human beings.
Muslims believe that the teachings of Holy Koran will never become redundant and will continue to illuminate mankind till the end of times.
Lailatul Qadr has, therefore, a significant meaning to each and every Muslim as it reminds Muslims of God’s greatest blessings upon mankind- the Holy Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the Seal of prophets, and the Holy Koran, the perfect and final Book.
Lailatul Qadar is a night of great blessing in which God Almighty showers His Mercy upon those of His believers whom sincerely and faithfully love and obey His Will.
It is a blessed night which is of greater value than a thousand months. In a reported Hadith (i.e. ‘sayings’) the Holy Prophet (pbuh) said: “Whoever establishes the prayers on the night of Qadr out of sincere faith and hoping to attain God’s rewards then all his past sins will be forgiven”.
Indeed the Holy Prophet (pbuh) would gather immense resolve and determination at the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, spending these days in worship of God of the highest and most excellent eminence.
The following prayer is usually recited on Lailatul Qadr in accordance with the sayings of the Holy Prophet (pbuh): “O God! You are the Great Pardoner, You love to pardon. Hence I seek Your pardon”.
In light of the above blessed narrations, Muslims increase their worship during the last ten days of Ramadan and pray sincerely that they may benefit from the fruits of Lailatul Qadr and God’s mercy and forgiveness.
Many Muslims engage in I’tikaf, meaning retreat, during the last ten days, where they retire to the mosques, away from all distractions and spend these last ten days of Ramadan engaged in worship and recitation of the Holy Koran.
This was the practice of the Holy Prophet (pbuh) and is still followed by Muslims around the world.
For a free copy of the Holy Koran with English translation and commentary, please e-mail alislam.bermuda@gmail.com
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Shabnam Jheengoor is a member of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. She can be contacted at the email address above.
Read original post here: Ramadhan’s night of destiny
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