Amongst the nights of Ramadhan there is one called "Laylatul Qadr" a night that is noted for its great blessings. The Quran Kareem describes it as being greater in blessedness and spiritual virtue than a thousand months which in turn means that it is greater than eighty three years and four months.

Fortunate indeed is that person who attains the full blessings of this night by spending it in Ibaadah of Allah, because he has then attained reward for Ibaadah of eighty-three years and four months and even more indeed the granting of this night to the faithful Muslim is a great favor.

THE ORIGIN

Regarding this night, in a Hadith reported by Anas (Radiallaho Anho) in Durre Manthur Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said Laylatul Qadr was granted to my Ummah and not to any other Ummah before this Regarding the reason for the granting of Laylatul Qadr, various reasons are mentioned. One reason, according to some Ahadith is given thus: Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) used to look at the longer lives of the earlier people and was saddened when pondering over the much shorter lives of his own Ummah. If His Ummah had wished to compete with the people before them in the doing of righteous deeds, because of their shorter lives it would be impossible for them to either emulate or surpass them. To compensate for this difference in their life span, Allah in His infinite mercy granted them with this night of great blessing. This means that if any fortunate one of this Ummah spends during his life time ten such nights in the worship of his maker, he would have gained the reward for Ibaadah of eight hundred and thirty years and even more. Another report states that Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) once related to the Sahabah the story of a very righteous man from among the Bani Israel who used to spend one thousand months in Jihad. On hearing this, the Sahabah envied that person because they could not attain the same reward. whereupon Allah granted them the Night of Power as a recompense. Regarding the reason for the granting of Laylatul Qadr, various reasons are mentioned. One reason, according to some Ahadith is given thus: Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) used to look at the longer lives of the earlier people and was suddened when pondering over the much shorter lives of his own Ummah. If His Ummah had wished to compete with the people before them in the doing of righteous deeds, because of their shorter lives it would be impossible for them to either emulate or surpass them. To compensate for this difference in their life span, Allah in His infinite mercy granted them with this night of great blessing. This means that if any fortunate one of this Ummah spends during his life time ten such nights in the worship of his maker, he would have gained the reward for Ibaadah of eight hundred and thirty years and even more. Another report states that Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) once related to the Sahabah the story of a very righteous man from among the Bani Israel who used to spend one thousand months in Jihad. On hearing this, the Sahabah envied that person because they could not attain the same reward. whereupon Allah granted them the Night of Power as a recompense.

Still another report states that our Nabi (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) once mentioned the names of the four most pious people from among the Bani Israel who each spent eighty years in Allah's sincere service, worshipping Him, and not sinning in the least. They were Nabi Ayyub (Alaihi Salaam),Zakariyya (Alaihi Salaam), Hizqeel (Alaihi Salaam) and Yushaa (Alaihi Salaam). The Sahabahs heard this with astonishment. The Jibraeel (Alaihi Salaam) appeared and recited Surah Qadr, wherein the blessings of this night was revealed.

Apart from these reports, there are others too, explaining the origin of the Night of Power. This type of difference in narration arises because, after occurrence of several incidents only one Ayah is revealed. That Ayah then is relevant to anyone of the incidents that took place. But no matter which of them we accept, the important fact that remains is that Allah has granted the Ummah of Mohammed (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) this night. This is a great favor and gift of Allah. To devote yourself on this night is also a blessing from Allah. How worthy of envy are those Mashaaikh who say they did not miss the Ibaadah of one Laylatul Qadr since they became of age. Now, as to which night it is, here again approximately fifty different views of the Ulama are mentioned. It is not easy for me to enumerate them all. But the most accepted versions, as well as further discussions on this night shall follow in the ensuing pages of this book. The numerous excellencies of this night are mentioned in various books of Hadith. These will also be mentioned. For the reason that Quran Majeed itself mentions the night, we shall commence with a short commentary on Surah Qadr (The translations are from A.Yusuf Ali).

In the name of Allah the beneficent, the Merciful, We have indeed revealed this (message) in the night of Power (Suratul Qadr : 1)

Reference here is made to the fact that on this special night, the Quran was sent down from Al Lowhul Mahfuz (The preserved Tablet) to the heavens (above the earth). Because a great book like Quran was revealed in the night is in itself sufficient to explain its excellence, needless to mention all other blessings and virtues which are included. In the very next verse by way of drawing and increasing our interest in the matter under discussion, a question is asked

And what will explain to you what the Night of Power is (Suratul Qadr: 2)

In other words, the question asked here is: Have you any knowledge as to the greatness and the great importance of this night? Have you any knowledge as to the great favors and bounties that are placed in it? The next verse proceeds to enumerate some of that greatness:

The Night of Power is better than a thousand months (Suratul Qadr: 3)

The true meaning here is that reward for spending this night in Ibaadah is better and more than having spent one thousand months Ibaadah, it is in fact more but as to how much more rewarding it is, we are not told here.

Therein come down the Angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission on every errand (Suratul Qadr: 4)

A fine explanation is given in this verse by Imaam Raazi (Rehmatullah Alaihi). Commenting on this verse he explains that when man first appeared on earth, created by Allah as His vicegerent on earth, the Malaaikah looked on him with scorn. When Allah informed them of His intention of placing man on earth, they even ventured to ask Will you place in this earth one who shall commit evil therein and shed blood?.

Similarly, when his parents noted his original form as a mere drop of mani (sperm), they too looked upon it with scorn and resentment, so much so, that they considered it as something which polluted clothing and had to be washed away. But later when Allah made that same despicable sperm into a fine form of man, they began to love and cheers him. So far have things now progressed that when on this Night of Power we see that same man worshipping Allah and adoring Him, those very same Malaaikah who had previously looked down on him with scorn, descend towards him, obviously repentant for the thoughts they had once harbored against him.

In this verse mention is made...."and the spirit". Reference is clearly to Jibraeel (Alaihi Salaam). Commentators of the Quran have given various versions of this word. Let us look at some of them:

The vast majority of the commentators are agreed that Jibraeel (Alaihi Salaam) is meant here, and according to Imaam Raazi (Rehmatullah Alaihi), this is the most correct meaning. Allah first makes mention of the Malaaikah and then because of Jibraeel (Alaihi Salaam)'s status among them, special mention is made of him.

Some commentators hold the view that "Spirits" here means one angel of such extra ordinary gigantic proportion that before him heavens and earth appear as almost nothing (as a morsel).

Another group of commentators opine that "Spirit" here means one such group of Malaaikah who never appear and only on this night are they seen by other Malaaikah.

Some commentators again believe that the "Spirit" here designates one such creation of Allah which although it partakes of food and drink, still is neither man nor angel.

There is also a view that "Spirit" here refers to Essa (Alaihi Salaam) who on this night comes down with the Malaaikah to view the righteous deeds of this Ummah.

The last view we wish to mention here is that "Spirit" means Allah's special mercy which comes in the wake of the angels descent. But already stated the first opinion is the most acceptable.

In this respect Imaam Bayhaqi (Rehmatullah Alaihi) reports a Hadith by Anas wherein Rasulullah (Sallallaho Alaihi Wasallam) is reported to have said On Laylatul Qadr Jibraeel (Alaihi Salaam) comes down with a group of angels and make Duaa for mercy for every one whom they find busy in Ibaadah This same verse under discussion says By Allah's permission on every errand....By Allah's permission on every errand....

The Author of Mazhaairre Haq writes that on this night ages ago the Malaaikah were created on this night long ago the creation on Adam (Alaihi Salaam) was begun as the matter from which he was created had been gathered on this n night trees were planted in Jannah and large number of Ahadith bear witness to the fact that on this night Dua's are granted. Similarly, we read in the Kitaab Durre Manthur, the according to a Hadith it was on this night that Essa (Alaihi Salaam) was lifted up bodily into the heavens and also it was on this night that the Taubah (repentance) of Bani Israel was accepted.

Peace be until the break of dawn (Suratul Qadr: 5)

Yes, this is the very embodiment of peace. Throughout its hours the Malaaikah recite Salaam upon faithful believers adoring their Lord. As one group descends another ascends as is explained in the Ahadith. Another interpretation is that it is a night of complete safety from evil and mischief.

These blessings remain throughout the night until the break of dawn and are not confined to any specific hour. And now having noted a few virtues of this night as explained in the words of Alla (Subhanahu wa Taala), we now turn to the Hadith where we read more about the virtues of the night.