On the “Night of Power,” ask God for Global Peace to reign

By MASIDING NOOR YAHYA

May 25, 2019

All Praise belongs to Allah, Lord of the Worlds; He who sent down the Qur’an on the Night of Power which, without any inkling of doubt, is guidance to mankind. May He grant peace and blessing upon Muhammad, the seal of all prophets, and upon his holy progeny.

L

aylat Al Qadr, which means “Night of Power,” is described in the Quran as “better than a thousand months” (97:3). Our worship, dua (supplication), Quran reading and memorizing and all the beautiful acts we do in this night would count far better than “83 years” of worship.

One night is worth more than an entire life time of worship. So, it is a huge generosity from Allah, and we need to seize this opportunity.

Immense rewards and goodness is promised. When you seek Laylatul Qadr, all sins will be forgiven, gates of goodness re-opened, and rewards are multiplied.

In the Quran, Surah Al-Qadr (97: 1-5) explains Laylatul Qadr:

“INDEED, WE SENT THE QUR’AN DOWN DURING THE NIGHT OF DECREE. AND WHAT CAN MAKE YOU KNOW WHAT THE NIGHT OF DECREE IS? THE NIGHT OF DECREE IS BETTER THAN A THOUSAND MONTHS. THE ANGELS AND THE SPIRIT DESCEND THEREIN BY PERMISSION OF THEIR LORD FOR EVERY MATTER. PEACE IT IS UNTIL THE EMERGENCE OF DAWN.”

When is it?

According to authentic traditions, this night falls during the last ten days of Ramadan. It occurs in the odd-numbered nights, it may be on the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th.

Signs of Laylatul Qadr

These are 9 of the most authentic signs:

1. The sun rises early in the morning without strong rays or is without any rays and is gushing in white colour.

2. Laylatul Qadr is a peaceful, tranquil, calm and quiet night. Within the night you will not hear the barking of dogs. In Sahih Al-Jami’, the Prophet (PBUH) said: “The night of Qadr is a calm, serene and peaceful night. It is not hot nor is it cold…”

3. Look for the the moon after Isya and taraweeh and see if the moon looks like half a “jafna” (split bowl). In Sahih Muslim, Abu Huriarah (may Allah be pleased with him) said:“We were talking about Laylatul-Qadr in the presence of the Messenger of Allah (S.W.T) and he said: He who amongst you remembers (the night) when the moon arose and it was like a piece of plate?”

4. The sea water tastes sweet

5. Rain may fall either during the night or day of that night

6. The night sky will be lightly foggy

7. “That the trees fall to the ground and then return to their roots and everything prostrates in it” from At-Tabari

8. The sky will be slighly lighted without reflections and rays

9. A pleasant breeze or wind

If we notice these signs, then we should have glad tidings in the hope that we have coincided with Laylatul Qadr.

How should we observe Laylatul-Qadr?

Stay up and pray the whole night. Derive benefits from the blessings of this night by staying awake the whole night and spend it in prayers, or if you cannot do so, at least spare a reasonable portion of the night for Allah.

·        Recite the Al-Quran

·        Make supplication

·        Remembrance of Allah (dhikr)

·        Remain in Iktikaf

·        Make dua

·        Give charity

·        Do not waste time

·        Strive for forgiveness

So make time to pause and reflect, stop playing your video games, put aside all your TV series and movies, and seek Laylatul Qadr as it is one that you do not want to miss in life. Make the most out of Ramadan as the 10 nights out of the many nights we have spent away is nothing compared to the great rewards associated with the blessed night.

Pray for Global Peace on the “Night of Power”

As Laylatul Qadr is very powerful night when rewards are multiplied and prayers accepted, let us seek for Allah’s grace and mercy on this Night of Majesty to give us what is good in this world and in the Hereafter and to save us from the Hellfire. 

Let us pray that the Muslims in the Philippines will finally attain victory in asserting their identity and in their struggle for self-determination and freedom. We have been suffering of rampant poverty, injustices and corruption, and may He whose Name is Most Exalted give us a leader to deliver us out of these miseries. 

Let us also pray for our brothers and sisters in all parts of the world who are being bullied, unjustly treated, oppressed, persecuted, and even massacred, whose homelands were devastated or were forcibly taken from them unto a better life where there is no poverty, injustice, oppression and peersecution exist.

May Allah grant us on this "Night of Power" Global Peace -- Peace that is not imposed upon us by erring human beings who worship other than Allah subahanaahu wa ta'ala. Ameen.

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Masiding Noor Yahya is the founder of Ranao Star Philippines, longest running newsweekly published in Marawi City, Philippines; correspondent of The Manila Times, Philippine’s oldest national English daily; and acclaimed Dean of Mranaw Journalists. 

With article from Elina, The Virtues of Laylatul Qadr.