Advice For Laylat al-Qadr [Pearls from Tafsir al-Mazhari (3)]

27 night

Salam

Qadi Thanaullah al-Uthmani in his magnificent ‘Tafsir al-Mazhari’ at the end of his commentary on the Surah al-Qadr (Ch.97) mentions some beneficial points regarding this night, may we have tawfiq in implementing this in our lives.  He said (10/316):

Benefit: It is said that on Laylat al-Qadr all things are seen to be prostrating, and  dazzling lights (anwar) are seen in all places.  The greetings (salam) and conversation of the Angels is heard.  I say:  this matter may become apparent by means of the unveiling vision (nazar al-kashf) for some of the greats, but not all of them. Nor is the manifesting of any of these during it a condition for the attainment of reward.  For if the manifestation of these things was a universal or predominant occurrence it cannot be imagined that it (Laylat al-Qadr) would have been hidden or unknown to the Muslim community (ummah), not least the Companions, their students, those that follow them and the great Awliyah.  However the worship of Allah (Most High) is a condition for the attainment of reward on the Laylat al-Qadr as indicated to by His words (Upon him be peace) “Whoever spends the night of Laylat al-Qadr (in worship) with faith…” and His (Upon him be peace) words “They send blessings upon every servant standing or sitting remembering Allah”

Issue: Whoever offers the Isha and Fajr prayers during this night in congregation has attained the reward of that night, and whoever increases upon this will be given more by Allah.  It is reported from Uthman (Allah be pleased with him) that he said:  The Messenger of Allah (Allah bless him and give him peace) said:  “Whoever prays Isha in congregation is as if he spent half of the night in worship, and whoever prays the morning prayer in congregation is as if he prayed all of the night”, reported by Muslim.  Meaning whoever prays the morning prayer in congregation after his praying Isha is as if prayed all of the night, for each of the prayers is equivalent to half of the night, for they are both the obligatory prayers of the night.  As for Maghrib it is the Witr of the day.  It is desirable to make plentiful (recitation) in Laylat al-Qadr of:

اللَّهُمَّ إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ كَرِيمٌ تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Due to the hadith of Aishah that she said:  O Messenger of Allah! What if I knew which night Laylat al-Qadr was, then what should I say in it?” He said.- “Say.- (Allahumma innaka Affuwun…” reported by Ahmad, Ibn Majah and al-Tirmidhi- And Allah (Most High) knows best.

Addendum: The full version of a hadith mentioned briefly by the author is:  “Whoever spends the night of Laylat Al-Qadr (in worship) with faith and seeks divine reward, then his previous sins are forgiven.” (Al-Bukhari.)

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