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A piece extracted from Mohammad Hanini’s talk on Ibadah in Ramadan about Laylatul Qadr: English Lecture by Muhammad Hanini PLAY FROM 47:46 TO 54:15 [HalalTube.com]

Altaf Hussain on How to Make Ramadan Last 11 months PLAY FROM 2:50-11:49 [HalalTube.com]
Dua Khatmil-Qur’an

Discussion:

Explanation of Soorah al-Qadr from Tafseer ibn Katheer – Juz’ `Amma
Allah, Most High informs us that He sent down the Qur’aan in the night of Al-Qadr, and it is the blessed night referred to in the Words of Him, Almighty, All-Powerful. The night of Al-Qadr occurs in the month of Ramadhaan, as Allah says (Soorah Al-Baqarah 2:185).

Ibn `Abbaas, amongst others, explains that the complete Qur’aan was sent down from Al-Lawh Al-Mahfooz (the Preserved Tablet) in the night of Al-Qadr to Bait Al-`Izzah (the House of Glory) in the lowest heaven, from whence it was revealed piecemeal to the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam according to events which took place during his life over a period of twenty-three years.

Then, Allah says, in order to make clear the greatness of the matter of the night of Al-Qadr, which He has chosen for sending down of the Noble Qur’aan: <> It is narrated on the authority of Mujaahid that the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa salam mentioned a man from Bani Israa’eel who carried his sword in the Way of Allah for a thousand months; the Muslims were amazed at this until Allah revealed: <>.” (i.e. the thousand months during which the man carried his sword in the Way of Allah). (Narrated by Ibn Abi Haatim)

Ibn Jareer narrates, on the authority of Mujaahid that there was a man from Bani Israa’eel who used to spend the night in prayer then in the morning he would fight the enemy in the Way of Allah during the day, until the evening and he did this for a thousand months and so Allah revealed the Soorah: <> until the verse: <> That is, standing in prayer on that night is better than the actions of that man.
Sufyaan ath-Thawree reports, on the authority of Mujaahid (also), that the night of Al-Qadr being better than a thousand months means that the good deeds performed on it, fasting on it and standing in prayer on it are better than a thousand months’ good deeds, prayers and fasting. (Narrated by Ibn Jareer)

Ibn Abi Haatim relates, on the authority of Mujaahid that it means: The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months without the night of Al-Qadr. This was also said by Qataadah ibn Da’aamah and Ash-Shaafi’i and others, including Ibn Jareer, and it is the correct interpretation and it is like the saying of the Prophet sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam: “To spend the night in the Way of Allah is better than a thousand nights not spent in worship.” (Narrated by Ahmad)

It is reported from Abu Hurairah that he said: “When the month of Ramadhaan came, the Messenger of Allah sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “The month of Ramadhaan has come, a blessed month in which Allah has made it obligatory for you to fast; in it the gates of Paradise are opened and the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are chained. In it is a night better than a thousand months, whoever loses the benefit of it has lost something irreplaceable.” (Narrated by Imaam Ahmad. This was also narrated by An-Nasaa’i).

It is reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah, that Allah’s Messenger sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam said: “Whoever stood in prayer on the night of Al-Qadr, in faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, he will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” (Narrated by Al-Bukhaari and Muslim).

– That is, innumerable angels descend with uncounted blessings and mercy, as they descend when the Qur’aan is recited and they surround those sitting in circles in remembrance of Allah and they lower their wings in the presence of the sincere seeker of knowledge in honour of him. As for the Spirit, it has been said that what is meant by it is the angel Jibreel `alayhis salaam and that he is mentioned thus to distinguish him from the other angels. It was also said that it means a group of angels, and Allah knows best. (see the Tafseer of Soorah An-Naba’, verse 38)

— Sa’eed ibn Mansoor narrates, on the authority of Mujaahid, that it means the night is safe from the machinations of the devils, that they cannot commit evil or harm on it. Qataadah and others said it means that the Divine Decrees are issued at that night, the appointed time of everything is fixed and the blessings are apportioned, as in the words of Allah: <> (Soorah ad-Dukhaan 44:4)

— Sa’eed ibn Mansoor narrates, on the authority of Ash-Sha’bi, that it means the angels send their salutations of peace upon those who are occupied in prayer in the mosques until the dawn.

How to seek laylatal Qadr by Shaykh Muhammad Nasir-ud-Deen al-Albani
Adapted from “The Night Prayers: Qiyam & Tarawih from works by Muhammad Nasir ud-Deen al-Albani (and other scholars)” Compiled by Muhammad al-Jibali, © 1997 http://www.islaam.com/Article.aspx?id=334

Abu Hurayrah (radhiallahu `anhu) narrated that the Messenger (sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam) said:

“Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in Laylat ul-Qadr [and it is facilitated for him] out of faith and expectation (of Allah’s reward), will have all of his previous sins forgiven.” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim; the addition “and it is facilitated for him” is recorded by Ahmad from the report of `Ubaadah Bin as-Samit; it means that he is permitted to be among the sincere worshippers during that blessed night.]

What Have We Gained From Ramadan? [Islaam.com] Adapted from “Wa maadha ba`da Ramadaan”, by Dar Al-Watan (120)

Ramadan is a school of iman and a ‘stop to recharge one’s spiritual batteries’ – to acquire one’s provision for the rest of the year…
For when will one take a lesson and change for better if not in the month of Ramadan?
The noble month is a true school of transformation in which we change our actions, habits and manners that are in variance with the Law of Allah ‘azza wa jall. “Verily, Allah does not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.” [Ar-Ra`d, 11]
If you are from those who benefited from Ramadan, fulfilled the requirements of taqwa, truly fasted the month, prayed in it with truthfulness, and strove against your soul, then praise and thank Allah, and ask Him for steadfastness upon it until you meet your death.
Be not like one who has sewn a shirt and then destroyed it… Have you seen one who sewed a shirt, so when she looked at it, she liked it. Then she destroyed it pulling a thread by thread for no reason. What would people say about such a person?! Or have you seen one who earns a fortune trading throughout the day, then when the night comes, he throws away all that he earned. What would people say about such a person?!
This is the condition of one who returns to sinning and evildoing after Ramadan and leaves obedience and righteous actions. So after he was favored with the blessing of obedience and enjoyment of communicating with Allah he returned to the blaze of sins and evil actions. How evil are the people who know Allah only in Ramadan! “So remain on a right course as you have been commanded, [you] and those who have turned back with you [to Allah].” [Hud, 112] And, “So take a straight course to Him and seek His forgiveness.” [Fussilat, 6] And the Prophet, sallallahu `alayhi wa sallam, said, “Say ‘I believe in Allah’, then be steadfast.” [Muslim]

Voluntary Fasting
— If the fasting in Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary fasting, such as fasting six days in Shawwal, on Mondays and Thursdays, the three days in the middle of the month, the days of `Aashoora and `Arafat, and others.

Qiyam
— If standing in prayer at night during Ramadan has ended, then there remains voluntary night prayer throughout the year. “They used to sleep but little of the night.” [Adh-Dhaariyaat, 17]

Charity
— If the charity in Ramadan and zakat ul-fitr have ended, then there is the obligatory Zakat, and also there are many other open doors to charity, voluntary actions and jihad.

Reading Quran
— Reading of the Qur’an and contemplating it is not only for Ramadan, rather it is for all times.