Laylatul Qadr - A night which is better than a thousand months

 Laylatul Qadr

So valuable is this Night of Qadr that the Quran devotes a special surah to
it “Lailatul Qadr is better than a thousand months” [97:3]

Reason of Revelation

The Messenger of Allah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) told the companions about a man of the previous nations; a man who lived and fought jihad and worshipped Allah (S.W.T.) for over 1000 months (roughly 83 years, 4 months).

The Messenger of Allah (salallahu alayhi wa sallam) was shown the average age of previous nations and he was shown the average age of his nation, he noticed that his ummah had the shortest lifespan (60-70 years), he was afraid that his ummah would not have enough time to do good deads like the previous nations.Thus, Allah (S.W.T.) gifted him and his ummah with Laylatul Qadr, which is not equavalent to the worship of 1000 months of the man of the previous nation, infact, it is BETTER  than thosse 1000 months.

Translation of Surah Al-Qadr

This one night surpasses the value of 30,000 nights. The most authentic account of the occurrence of the Night indicates that it can occur on any one of the last ten days of Ramadan.

According to few accounts it is believed to be on one of the odd numbered nights of Ramadan, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29, while most people believe it to be on the 27th, there's no guarantee or confirmation regarding that.

We should target and strive to stay up and make abundent supplications through out the last 10 days of Ramadan if we want to make sure we don't miss the Night of Power. 

The main Dua for Laylatul Qadr is the following:

Aisha (Ra) said: “I asked the Messenger of Allah: 'O Messenger of Allah, if I know what night is the night of Qadr, what should I say during it?' He said: 'Say: O Allah, You are pardoning and You love to pardon, so pardon me.' “

"Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee" (Ahmad, Ibn Majah, and Tirmidhi).

 

• Subhan'Allah very informative lecture - The Night of your Life : Tafseer of Surah Al-Qadr by Sheikh Omar Suleiman -  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Oam2qJz0y8

Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us

“Hasbunallahu wa ni`mal Wakil’:
حَسْبُنَا اللَّهُ وَنِعْمَ الْوَكِيلُ

Allah (Alone) is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer of affairs (for us).”                                 آل عمران‎ : Surah Al ‘Imran (3:173)

Such a powerful ayah, it was recited by the prophets (P.B.U.H.) in the time of distress. This single verse very simply and strongly defines our submission to the Almighty with an unconditional trust in his doing.

Narrated Ibn Abbas:

'Allah is Sufficient for us and He Is the Best Disposer of affairs," was said by Abraham when he was thrown into the fire; and it was said by Muhammad when they (i.e. hypocrites) said, "A great army is gathering against you, therefore, fear them," but it only increased their faith and they said: "Allah is Sufficient for us, and He is the Best Disposer (of affairs, for us)." (3.173)
[Bukhari]

Remembering Allah..

The best solution to all the hardships and trials that trouble us.
Remembering and praying in front of the Almighty brings a true sense of peace and tranquility.

Guide us to the right path

May Allah guide us all towards the right path, to the path that pleases the Almighty and the one that leads us to Jannah!  Ameen

He has knowledge of everything

Surely, nothing happens without his command and knowledge..! He has knowledge of everything, what you revel and what is in your hearts.

First verse of the Holy Quran to be revealed - IQRA (Read)

First verse to be revealed 

It has been an agreed upon fact among scholars that the chapters of the Holy Quran (verses & chapters) have not been compiled in the chronological order of their revelation.

The fact that the Holy Quran is not compiled based on chronological order also means that the first Surah of the Holy Quran may not have been the first to be revealed and likewise the last Surah may not have been the last to be revealed.

So, that leads us to the following basic questions:

Q.1. Who was the Qur'an revealed to?

   
A.1. To the last Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H)

Q.2. Where was the Qur'an revealed first?
   
A.2.  In the cave of Hira (Makkah)

Q.3. Who was the Qur'an revealed through?
A.3. Through Angel Jibraeel (Alaihis-Salaam)

This is the account, as reported in the Sahih Bukhari:

Narrated Aisha the mother of the faithful believers: The commencement of the divine inspiration to Allah's apostle was in the form of good dreams which came like bright daylight (i.e. true) and then the love of seclusion was bestowed upon him.

He used to go in seclusion in the Cave of Hira', where he used to worship (Allah alone) continuously for many days before his desire to see his family. He used to take with him food for the stay and then come back to (his wife) Khadija to take his food likewise again, till suddenly the truth descended upon him while he was in the Cave of Hira'.

The angel came to him and asked him to read. The Prophet replied 'I do not know how to read'. The Prophet added, 'The angel caught me (forcibly) and pressed me so hard that I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read and I replied, "I do not know how to read". Thereupon he caught me again and pressed me a second time till I could not bear it any more. He then released me and again asked me to read, but again I replied, "I do not know how to read" (or what shall I read?). Thereupon he caught me for the third time and pressed me, and then released me and said:

"Read, in the name of Your Lord,

who created, created man from a clot.

Read! And Your Lord is the most bountiful"

( Quran 96.1, 96.2, 96.3) ... [Bukhari, I, No. 3; VI, No. 478; Muslim I, No. 301.]

According to other references 5 verses (1-5 ) of Surah 96 (Al- Alaq) were revealed and not just the first 3 verses. However, there is an consensus among scholars that the rest of the verses of the Surah (from a total of 19 verses) were revealed later.

The first command of Allah (S.W.T.) to Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H.) and his followers was to ‘Read in the name of your Lord…..’ , READ...and thus  ACQUIRE KNOWLEDGE in the process. 

Following are the first five verses ( 1-5)  of Surah 96 (Al- Alaq) :

How were the verses of  the Holy Quran preserved ?

It was recognized that the Prophet Muhammed (P.B.U.H.) was unlettered, which meant he couldn't read or write, so, how were the verses of the Holy Quran preserved and compiled?

The Qur'an is the final message Allah (S.W.T.) has sent to mankind, it was revealed through Angel Jibraeel (Alaihis-Salaam), who brought the Prophet complete verses or parts of verses, or parts of or complete surahs, as he was commanded by Allah.

When the angel brought down to the Prophet Muhammad (P.B.U.H.) a passage of the Qur'an, he did not bring it written on a piece of paper [or any other material].  In fact, he recited it to him and the Prophet immediately memorized it. When he received a portion of the Qur'an, he called in one or more of his scribes to write it down…thus preserving and compiling it in the process.

The Qur'an was revealed in stages over a period of 23 years, and not as a complete book in one single act of revelation. 

The following link will prove to be very enlightening on this topic :

It's just a 4-5 minute clip but very interesting! :)  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCazhBAW7a8

Trust in Allah (S.W.T.)

Wayarzuqhu min haythu la yahtasibu waman yatawakkal AAala Allahi fahuwa hasbuhu inna Allaha balighu amrihi qad jaAAala Allahu likulli shayin qadran

"And He provides for him from (sources) he never could imagine. And if anyone puts his trust in Allah sufficient is (Allah) for him. For Allah will surely accomplish His purpose: verily for all things has Allah appointed a due proportion. "

This is such a simple and straight forward verse, it's amazing how modest and comforting it is!

For all the difficulties we face, all the trials and hardships we go through, we often seek, wish…and hope that there was a simple and easy solution to all our problems.

Allah (S.W.T.) assures us that he would provide for us in a manner that is beyond our thinking and expectation, keeping our faith in him by believing in him and praying for his assistance without being disappointed is a sign of unconditional trust. 

I think trust is a term that is very lightly coined nowadays but this ayah gives it a very complete and compelling meaning.

When we as humans try to gain trust or reassure someone, words are often not sufficient.. but this verse, small yet beautiful simply touches the heart!

I cannot begin to describe the beauty of the Holy Quran and the way that the Arabic verses have been revealed to provide such comfort to the believer, this verse is a one amazing example of that fact.

This ayah is the solution to all our problems…the answer to most of our questions...I hope and pray that we all have the faith to accept this message and submit our absolute trust in the Almighty ! (Ameen) 

Allah knows best

Allah (s.w.t) says in the Holy Quran

... وَعَسَى أَن تَكْرَهُواْ شَيْئًا وَهُوَ خَيْرٌ لَّكُمْ... 

... وَعَسَى أَن تُحِبُّواْ شَيْئًا وَهُوَ شَرٌّ لَّكُمْ... 

... وَاللّهُ يَعْلَمُ وَأَنتُمْ لاَ تَعْلَمُونَ ﴿٢١٦﴾  

"And it may be that you dislike a thing which is good for you and that you like a thing which is bad for you. Allah knows but you do not know.” [AI-Baqarah, 2:216]

I think we have all been through a situation in life where we wondered why Allah didn't grant us that "thing" that was so simple and easy to acquire. Something that we were sure would do us good and not cause us any harm.

We tend to believe that we have a better knowledge and understanding of what is good and bad for us.

We feel disappointed and depressed when things done go our way, in the process we fail to realize that we really don't know what's best for us but surely Allah knows best !
                                                     
A lot of times we go back and reflect upon the things that didn't work out and the things that did and we realize that whatever happened , was for our good.
  
To explain it briefly,  we need to put our complete and unadulterated trust in Allah and accept the fact that ALLAH knows best, he is Al-‘Aleem (The All Knowing), Al-Khabeer (The All Aware),As-Samee’ (The All Hearing) and  (The All Seeing).

Having this blind trust makes it easy for us to face hardships and get closer to the Almighty.