Last ten days of Ramadan and Laylatul Qadr

All praises and thanks to Allah (swt) for enabling us to witness this blessed month of Ramadhan in good health and safety so far.

This last ten days of Ramadhan are very important in the life of a Muslim, as we can see from the life of Prophet Muhammad (s). They holy Prophet (s) was seriously doing ibadah in the month of Ramadhan more than any other months. And even within the month of Ramadhan, when the last ten days would arrive, he was much more serious than other twenty days.

To get the most out of it, Muhammad (s) used to enter Itikaf for the last ten days. Where he used to stay in seclusion in the mosque and dedicate himself solely to worshipping Allah (swt) and drawing himself closer to Allah. Besides increasing his own Ibadah, Prophet (s) would also wake his wives and family members.

Alhamdulillah these ten days are with us. we need some serious planning so that we dont have to regret loosing these days after they are over. Rather, let us prepare ourselves so as to make best use of the special days lying ahead of us.

Another significance of these ten days is the presence of a very important and special night among the nights of this last ten days, the night of power, the night of blessing, the laylatul Qadr.

What is Layltul Qadr?

This is the night in which Allah has chosen to reveal the Holy Quran, His blessed words.

Laylatul Qadr is the most blessed night. A person who misses it has indeed missed a great amount of good. On the other hand, those who catch the opportunity, their gift is that of past sins wiped away.

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah reported "When Ramadan would come, the Messenger of Allah would say:
(Verily, the month of Ramadan has come to you all. It is a blessed month, which Allah has obligated you all to fast. During it the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are shackled. In it there is a night that is better than one thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good, then he has truly been deprived.)

When is Laylatul Qadr ?

Narrated by 'Aisha: Allah's Apostle said,
"Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan."

What should one do in Laylatul Qadr?

It is reported on the authority of Abu Hurairah, that Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi 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-Bukhari and Muslim).

From the blessed Sunnah of the Messenger of Allah (s), we find the following recommended action for the night of Laylatul Qadr:

1. Praying Long Qiyaam (night prayer):

2. Making doa:
It is recommended to make extensive doa on this night.
‘A’ishah reported that she asked Allah’s Messenger (Sallallahu alaihi wa sallam) “O Messenger of Allah! If I knew which night is Laylatul Qadr, what should I say during it?” And he instructed her to say:
“Allahumma innaka `afuwwun tuhibbul `afwa fa`fu `annee – O Allah! You are forgiving, and you love to forgive. So forgive me.” [An authentic Hadith recorded by Ahmad, Ibn Majah and at-Tirmidhi.]

The scholars said: The meaning of ‘’alafow’’ is the clearance and it has the meaning of concealment and cover, it means Allah clear my crimes and sins, and forgive my faults and mistakes and conceal them, and let your punishment be away from me.

3. Abandoning Worldly Pleasures and devoting time solely for Ibadah.

What are the virtues of Layatul Qadr?

Sufyaan ath-Thawree reports, on the authority of Mujaahid, 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)

The reward of sincere Ibadah which are accepted by Allah (swt) in this night is nothing less than having our past sins wiped away.

What makes this night so special?

The first Laylatul Qadr, …was the night that changed history. It was the night that Jibreel alayhis salaam brought the first revelation.

When we ponder over this fact, it is easy for us to realize why is this night so important, and why is it called the blessed night. Because it was on this night that the light of guidance and Truth replaced the darkness of ignorance and Falsehood.
So, to really make the best out of Laylatul Qadr, we need to read, understand, and live by the Quran in our everyday life. We will only truly benefit from Laylatul Qadr and our lives and surrounding will be filled with peace when we can change our lives to live by the Quran. InshaAllah.

Let us also take this opportunity and earn for ourselves and our families salvation from hellfire and a place in the eternal Jannah.

what on earth is on with these people?

i wonder how much benefit is there in reading news from bangladesh. but stil i do, at least every now and then. after all, home is home...

just came across this (see image). clash over who will lead the prayer. its simply beyond me how people can argue, let alone fight with fists, in a masjid, and still call themselves devout muslims. masjids are supposed to be houses of GOD Almighty, a place of worship and spiritual strengthening. a place for one to escape the hues of cries and endless selfishness of this mortal world.

everybody has their way of seeing things. so why does it matter what viewpoint prof salahuddin (the newly appointed national khatib) holds, as long as it doesn't unequivocally contradict the fundamental message of islam? if you cant bear him, pray elsewhere. i remember learning dhaka is the city of mosques.

the very same people who outburst with rage over the carnage against humanity in gaza, are the ones violating the sanctity of the house of God - a crime against God Himself. its a funny world, isnt it?

how i dearly wish we all had a little respect for others, a little more toleration for different views, and a lot more introspection for the stances we take.

[photo credit]

as-sajdah - the prostration

ever imagined yourself standing in front of a powerful man (say the president of your country)?

what if it was he who invited you to his court, granting you a personal audience. just you and him??

how would you feel...
awed? spellbound?? wary not to make the slightest mistake???

then just imagine how it is to have the Lord of the universe, the All Powerful, All Encompassing, the Most Merciful invite you to His court, grant YOU personal audience. just you and Him.

just imagine the feeling of awe and captivation one experiences at presenting oneself to the Lord Almighty. a poor wretched unworthy and erring soul being given the permission to praise and sanctify Him the Exalted.
or when one is granted the leave to forward himself with his head, the highest and noblest part of his body, on the ground. lying there in humble submission to His will, and declaring his adherence to His Oneness and His all encompassing majesty. declaring 'Glory be to my Lord, the Most High', while thinking of one's lowliness, incapacity, shortcomings and wrongdoings.

this is exactly what every single Muslim encounters in the sajdah (the prostration), an integral part of the five daily prayers.
with the resulting peace and sakina (loosely translated as 'serenity' or 'peace of mind') it brings to one's life.

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note: the ideas of this post is borrowed from "Inner Dimensions of Islamic Worship" by Imam Ghazali (r). read it here (partially available)

reflecting the life in prayer

The Internal states conducive to reflecting the life in prayer (solat) can be well summed in six words:

AWARENESS - the conscious state in which one's mind and feelings are in no way distracted from what one is doing and saying. i.e. the mind remains attentive to what one is doing, and one is whole-heartedly involved.

UNDERSTANDING - awareness that also includes the comprehension of the meaning of one's utterance.

REVERENCE - this is beyond awareness and understanding. a man may address his servant with awareness and full understanding, yet his words are without reverence, for reverence is an additional element.

AWE - it is over and above reverence, and represents a kind of fear that grows out of reverence. this is not the ordinary fear (e.g. of a snake), but the kind of fear we have of a mighty king.

HOPE - alongside fearing His punishment of our faults, we must, in our prayers, hope for the reward of God, Great and Glorious is He.

SHAME - this is something additional to all the rest, for it is based on the realization of one's deficiencies and the apprehension of sin.

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excerpted from Inner dimensions of Islamic Worship (tr of Ihya UlumudDin) by Abu Hamid Muhammad al Ghazali.
tr. by Muhtar Holland
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on a more personal note ... looks like winter is finally here. the temperature had been zero or lower for the most of the past week, and according to the forecast, it is expected to remain for days to come. hmmm, just when we thought (phew, luckily) no winter this year.

and

i am bogged down with lotsss to cover by this week. so do pray for me.

...

photo credits - ekhlas