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When is it?
It is reported from the Prophet SAW that it is within the
twenty-first, twenty-third, twenty-fifth, twenty-seventh,
twenty-ninth or the last night of Ramadhan.
Imaam ash-Shaafi'ee, rahimahullaah, said: To me it is as the
Prophet SAW used to answer according to the question posed, it
would be said to him: "Shall I seek it in such and such night?"
So he would reply: "Seek it in such and such night." And Allaah
knows best. (Reported from him by al-Baghawee in Sharhus-Sunnah)
The most correct saying is that it occurs in the odd nights of
the last ten nights of Ramadhan and this is shown by the hadeeth
of 'Aa'ishah, RA, who said: "Allaah Messenger SAW used to
practice I'tikaaf in the last ten nights and say: 'Seek out
Lailatul-Qadr in the (odd nights) of the last ten days of
Ramadhan." (Bukhari, Muslim )
However if the servant is too weak or unable, then he should at
least not let the last seven days pass him by, due to what is
reported from 'Ibn 'Umar, who said: Allaah's Messenger SAW said:
"Seek it in the last ten, and if one of you is too weak or
unable then let him not allow that to make him miss the final
seven." (Bukhari, Muslim)
This explains his, SAW saying: "I see that your dreams are in
agreement (that it is in the last seven) so he who wishes to
seek it out then let him seek it in the last seven." (Bukhari)
It is also known from the Sunnah, that knowledge of the exact
night upon which Lailatul-Qadr falls was taken up because the
people argued, 'Ubaadah ibn as-Saamit, RA said: The Prophet SAW
came out intending to tell us about Lailatul-Qadr, however two
men were arguing and he said: "I came out to inform you about
Lailatul-Qadr but so and so, and, so and so were arguing, so it
was raised up, and perhaps that is better for you, so seek it on
the (twenty) ninth and (twenty) seventh and the (twenty) fifth."
(Bukhari)
Some ahaadeeth indicate that Lailatul-Qadr is in the last ten
nights, while others indicate that it is in the odd nights of
the last ten, so the first are general and the second more
particular, and the particular has to be given priority over the
general. Other ahaadeeth state that it is in the last seven -
and these are restricted by mention of one who is too weak or
unable. So there is no confusion, all the ahaadeeth agree and
are not contradictory.
In conclusion: The Muslim should seek out Lailatul-Qadr in the
odd nights of the last ten: the night of the twenty-first (the
night before the twenty-first day), the twenty-third, the
twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh and the twenty-ninth. If he is
too weak or unable to seek it out in all the odd nights, then
let him seek it out in the odd nights of the last seven: the
night of the twenty-fifth, the twenty-seventh and the
twenty-ninth. And Allaah knows best.
How should a Muslim seek Lailatul-Qadr?
One who misses this blessed night then he has missed much good
for no one misses it except one from whom it is withheld.
Therefore it is recommended that the Muslim who is eager to be
obedient to Allaah should stand in Prayer during this night out
of Eemaan and hoping for the great reward, since if he does
this, Allaah will forgive his previous sins.
He SAW said: "Whoever stands in (Prayer) in Lailatul-Qadr out of
Eemaan and seeking reward then his previous sins are forgiven."
(Bukhari)
It is recommended to supplicate a great deal in it, it is
reported from 'Aa'ishah, RA that she said: "O Messenger of
Allaah! What if I knew which night Lailatul-Qadr was, then what
should I say in it?" He said: "Say: Allaahumma innaka 'affuwwun
tuhibbul 'afwa fa'fu 'annee." (O Allaah you are the one who
pardons greatly, and loves to pardon, so pardon me.) (at-Tirmidhi,
Ibn Majah)
O brother! You know the importance of this night, so stand in
Prayer in the last ten nights, in worship, detaching oneself
from the women, ordering your family with this, and increasing
in actions of obedience and worship in it.
From 'Aa'ishah, RA who said: "The Prophet SAW used to tighten
his waist-wrapper (izaar) - (meaning detached himself from his
wives in order to worship, and exerted himself in seeking
Lailatul-Qadr), spend the night in worship, and wake the family
in the last ten nights." (Bukhari, Muslim)
From 'Aa'ishah, RA: "Allaah's Messenger SAW used to exert
himself in the last ten nights more than he would at other
times." (Muslim)
Its sign
[Many people believe in all sorts of superstitions about
Lailatul-Qadr, and false beliefs from them are that the trees
prostrate, and buildings sleep! And these things are clearly
futile and baseless.] Allaah's Messenger SAW described the
morning after Lailatul-Qadr, so that the Muslim may know which
day it is. From Ubayy, RA who said: that he SAW said: "On the
morning following Lailatul-Qadr the sun rises not having any
rays, as if it were a brass dish, until it rises up." (Muslim,
Abu Dawood, at-Tarmidhi, Ibn Majah)
From Abu Hurairah, RA who said: "We were discussing
Lailatul-Qadr in the presence of Allaah's Messenger SAW, so he
said: 'Which of you remembers (the night) when the moon arose
and was like half a plate?'" (Muslim) [Qaadi 'Iyaad said: "It
contains an indication that it was towards the end of the month
- since the moon does not appear like that when it arises except
towards the end of the month."]
From Ibn 'Abbaas, RA who said: Allaah's Messenger SAW said: "Lailatul-Qadr
is calm and pleasant, neither hot nor cold, the sun arises on
its morning being feeble and red." (at-Tayaalisee, Ibn Khuzaimah,
al-Bazzaar with hasan isnaad)
Let us seek abundance rewards from our Creator by performing
extra actions in these last few days of the noble month of
Ramadhan as it could be our last...
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