The month of Ramadan comes with bag overflowing with very many mercies of Allah for fasting during the thirty days of this sacred months is an exclusive form of worship of Allah. It is the month which Allah acknowledges the sacrifice made by the believers by abstaining from all otherwise Halal things during the duration of the fast during day solely to please Allah. And Allah never lets go the act of fasting believers and promises special rewards.
While all days and nights of Ramadan are special and each act of worship has its rewards multiplied by unimaginable times, the rewards during the last ten days, specially the odd nights carries special rewards, for during these odd nights comes a night, called Laylat al-Qadr (The night of Power) the rewards of worship during this night is promised to be better than worship of a thousand nights. And if one finds this night during I'tikaf, the rewards are innumerable.
In one of the Hadiths, Aishaؓ, revered wife of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ narrated: Allah's Messenger ﷺ used to practice I`tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan, and used to say, “Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan. (Sahih Bukhari # 2020).
Finding Laylat al-Qadr (the Night of Decree) while in I'tikaf (spiritual retreat) during Ramadan holds great significance in Islam. The night itself is described as being one of immense spiritual value, and engaging in I'tikaf during the last ten days of Ramadan increases the likelihood of witnessing it. The Qur'an and Hadith highlight the special virtues of Laylat al-Qadr, and I'tikaf provides an ideal environment for seeking it.
[Please read our earlier post on exegesis of Surah Al Qadr: Exegesis/tafsir of Surah Al Qadr ]
Virtues of Laylat al-Qadr:
- The Night of Great Value:
- Laylat al-Qadr is a night of immense spiritual reward. The Qur'an refers to it as a night better than a thousand months:
- Surah Al-Qadr (97:3): "The Night of Decree is better than a thousand months."
- This means that worship and good deeds performed on Laylat al-Qadr are rewarded as though they were performed for over 83 years, making it an opportunity for immense spiritual benefit.
- Revelation of the Qur'an: Laylat al-Qadr is the night on which the Qur'an was revealed. In Surah Al-Qadr (97:1), Allah says, "Indeed, We sent it [the Qur'an] down during the Night of Decree." This makes the night not just a time of great blessings but also of closeness to the message of Allah.
- Forgiveness of Sins:
- It is a night when Allah forgives the sins of those who seek His forgiveness sincerely.
- The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) said: "Whoever prays during the Night of Decree with faith and seeking reward, his previous sins will be forgiven." Sahih Muslim
- This makes Laylat al-Qadr a unique opportunity for repentance and spiritual renewal.
Virtue of I'tikaf During Ramadan:
I'tikaf is a practice where a person dedicates themselves to worship, prayer, and reflection, typically in the mosque, for a period of time during the last ten days of Ramadan. There are several reasons why I'tikaf during this period is especially virtuous, particularly when seeking Laylat al-Qadr:
- Increased Devotion and Focus:
- By entering into I'tikaf, a person completely isolates themselves from worldly distractions and focuses entirely on worship, prayer, Qur'an recitation, and dhikr (remembrance of Allah). This state of devotion creates a perfect environment to seek Laylat al-Qadr.
- Hadith (Sahih Bukhari): "The Prophet (ﷺ) used to perform I'tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan, seeking Laylat al-Qadr."
- Increased Chances of Finding Laylat al-Qadr:
- While the exact night of Laylat al-Qadr is unknown, it is believed to fall during one of the last ten odd nights of Ramadan (21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th, or 29th). I'tikaf during these last ten nights maximizes the chances of encountering this blessed night.
- The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) used to intensify his worship during the last ten days, seeking Laylat al-Qadr. By being in the mosque and engaged in worship during this time, a person is more likely to experience the night and its blessings.
- Spiritual Purity and Cleansing:
- I'tikaf offers a unique chance for spiritual renewal. By focusing on worship and avoiding worldly activities, a person can purify their heart and mind, making them more receptive to the mercy and blessings of Laylat al-Qadr.
- Hadith: "Whoever performs I'tikaf in the last ten days of Ramadan with faith and hope for reward, all of their past sins will be forgiven." (Sahih Bukhari)
- This purifying effect of I'tikaf increases the reward one can attain by seeking Laylat al-Qadr during this time.
- Immense Reward for the Worshipper:
- The Prophet Muhammad (ﷺ) emphasized that worship during I'tikaf, especially during the last ten days of Ramadan, brings great rewards. If a person spends their time in worship and devotion during I'tikaf, especially while seeking Laylat al-Qadr, they can attain the reward of a lifetime of worship.
- Hadith: "The one who observes I'tikaf is in prayer as long as they remain in the mosque, and the angels ask forgiveness for them." (Sahih Bukhari)
- Increased Knowledge and Reflection:
- I'tikaf also provides an opportunity for reflection, deepening one's knowledge of Islam, and engaging in supplication. It’s a time to strengthen one's connection to Allah, to seek His guidance, and to reflect on one's life and actions.
- The quiet and solitude of I'tikaf help foster an environment conducive to sincere supplication and supplication for forgiveness, as one asks for Allah's mercy and strives to improve their relationship with Him.
Combining the Virtues:
- I'tikaf during the last ten nights of Ramadan provides the perfect opportunity to catch Laylat al-Qadr, a night where worship holds the reward of a thousand months.
- By engaging in I'tikaf, you can increase your chances of witnessing Laylat al-Qadr while maximizing your worship, prayer, and supplication. The tranquility and focus of I'tikaf help make this period even more spiritually rewarding.
- Additionally, I'tikaf is a means of isolating oneself from worldly distractions, giving more time for acts of worship like Tahajjud (night prayer), Qur'an recitation, dhikr (remembrance of Allah), and dua (supplication) — all of which are highly recommended during Laylat al-Qadr.
In short, finding Laylat al-Qadr while in I'tikaf during Ramadan is one of the most spiritually enriching experiences a Muslim can seek. I'tikaf during the last ten nights enhances the likelihood of encountering the Night of Decree, which brings great spiritual rewards and forgiveness. The combination of sincere devotion, prayer, and purification through I'tikaf provides a powerful means to connect deeply with Allah, cleanse the soul, and attain the immense blessings associated with Laylat al-Qadr.
You may like to watch an insight as How to Catch Laylat al-Qadr and Maximize Its Rewards by eminent Muslim scholar Nouman Ali Khan, In the video the scholar talks about the importance of Laylat al-Qadr which is the most powerful night of the year and asks are you ready for it? He also breaks down the meaning of Surah Al-Qadr and the immense blessings of this night. He also emphasises on Why does the Quran call it ‘better than a thousand months’? What happens when angels descend to the earth? Why is your destiny for the next year decided on this night?
So my brothers and sisters in Islam, don’t miss out on the most significant night of Ramadan seek its rewards. Who knows we will find the next Ramadan in our lives or not.
May Allāh (سبحانه و تعالى) help us understand Qur'ān and follow the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ, which is embodiment of commandments of Allah contained in the Qur'ān. May Allah help us to be like the ones He loves and let our lives be lived helping others and not making others' lives miserable or unlivable. May all our wrong doings, whether intentional or unintentional, be forgiven before the angel of death knocks on our door.
وَمَا عَلَيۡنَاۤ اِلَّا الۡبَلٰغُ الۡمُبِيۡنُ
(36:17) and our duty is no more than to clearly convey the Message.”
That is Our duty is only to convey to you the message that Allah has entrusted us with. Then it is for you to accept it or reject it. We have not been made responsible for making you accept it forcibly, and if you do not accept it, we shall not be seized in consequence of your disbelief, you will yourselves be answerable for your actions on Day of Resurrection.
May Allah forgive me if my posts ever imply a piety far greater than I possess. I am most in need of guidance.
Reading the Qur'ān should be a daily obligation of a Muslim - Reading it with translation will make it meaningful. But reading its Exegesis / Tafsir will make you understand it fully. It will also help the Muslims to have grasp over social issues and their answers discussed in the Qur'an and other matter related to inter faith so that they are able to discuss issues with non-Muslims with authority based on refences from Qur'an.
Note: When we mention God in our posts, we mean One True God, we call Allah in Islam, with no associates. Allah is the Sole Creator of all things, and that Allah is all-powerful and all-knowing. Allah has no offspring, no race, no gender, no body, and is unaffected by the characteristics of human life.
Please refer to our exclusive reference page Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about As Salat for more Sunnah and Hadith attributed to Prophet Muhammad exclusive to As Salat.
Please refer to our reference page: Collection of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Saum - Fasting in Ramadan for more Hadiths on the subject
Please refer to our reference page: Collections of Hadiths of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ about Rewards for more Hadiths on the subject
For more hadiths on varying subjects, refer to our reference page: Sunnah and Hadith of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ to know more about Hadiths and Sunnah of Prophet of Allah. You may also refer to our Reference Pages for knowing more about Islam and Qur'ān.
Photo | Source of Hadith | Help taken from ChatGPT for expanding meaning of the Hadith
Disclaimer: The material for this post has been collected from the references as given above. If anyone differs with the material contained in this post, one may consult the references and their authors. If someone has more material about the subject, he/she is most welcome to share in the comments box to make the post all encompassing.
If you like Islam: My Ultimate Decision, and to keep yourself updated on all our latest posts to know more about Islam, follow us on Facebook. You may also refer to our Facebook Group Islam: The Ultimate Truth for more on Islam and Da'wah.
Please share this page to your friends and family members through Facebook, WhatsApp or any means on social media so that they can also be benefited by it and better understand Islam and the Qur'ān - Insha Allah (Allah Willing) you shall be blessed with the best of both worlds.
0 comments:
Post a Comment