The Divine Decree
Asalaam Wa Alykum Wa Rahmat Allah Hi Wa Barakat
1. “Verily, We have sent it (this Qur’aan) down in the Night of Al‑Qadr (Decree).
2. And what will make you know what the Night of Al‑Qadr (Decree) is?
3. The Night of Al‑Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).
4. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees,
5. (All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allaah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn”
[al-Qadr 97:1-5---interpretation of the meaning]
What is al Qadr?
The word qada’ means perfection and completion, and the word qadr means evaluating and planning.
Qadr means Allah’s decree of all things from eternity, and His knowledge that they will come to pass at the times that are known to Him and in the specific manner that He has decreed and willed. They will happen the way they are meant to and the way they are created.
Why believe in al Qadr?
Belief in al-qadr (the Divine decree) is the sixth pillar of faith, and no one’s faith is complete without it. al-qadar is Allaah’s plan for His creation. What He has shown us of it, we know and believe in, and what He has hidden from us, we accept and believe in. We do not dispute with Allaah concerning His actions and rulings with our limited minds and comprehension, rather we believe in Allaah’s complete justice and wisdom, and that He is not to be asked about what He does, may He be glorified and praised.
It is narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (RAA) heard that some people were denying al-qadr. He said: “If I meet these people I will tell them that I have nothing to do with them and they have nothing to do with me. By the One by Whom ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar swore, if one of them had gold equivalent to Mount Uhud and he spent it, Allah would not accept it from him unless he believed in al-qadr.” [Sahih Muslim (8)]
Note, that belief in al-qadr cannot be complete until you believe in the following four aspects of this doctrine:
(a) Knowledge: this is the belief that the knowledge of Allah encompasses all things and not a single atom in the heavens or on earth falls outside of His knowledge. Allah knew all of His creation before He created them. He knew what they would do by means of His ancient and eternal knowledge.
(b) Writing: this is the belief that Allah has written the decrees concerning all created beings in al-Lawh al-Mahfooz (the Prescribed Tablet).
(c) Will: this is the belief that everything that happens in this universe happens by the will of Allah. Whatever Allah wills happens and whatever He does not will does not happen. Nothing exists outside of His will.
(d) Creation: this is the belief that Allaah is the Creator of all things, including people’s actions. Nothing happens in this universe but He is its Creator.
When is lailatul Qadr?
It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (RAA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Seek Laylat al-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan.” [al-Bukhaari, 2017; Muslim, 1169]
The reason why it is hidden is to encourage the Muslim to strive hard in worship and du’aa’ and dhikr during all the last ten nights of Ramadaan. This is the same reason why the time when du’aa’ is answered on Friday has not been defined, and why the ninety-names of Allah have not been defined, concerning which the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever learns them by heart will enter Paradise.” [ al-Bukhaari, 2736; Muslim, 2677]
However, a sound report from the Prophet (PBUH) indicates that the sign of Laylat al-Qadr is that the sun rises on the following morning with no visible rays. Ubayy ibn Ka’b used to swear that it was the night of the twenty-seventh, citing this sign as evidence. The more correct view is that it moves through all the last ten nights, but it is most likely to be one of the odd-numbered nights, and the night of the twenty-seventh is the most likely among the odd-numbered nights. Whoever strives in worship during all of the last ten nights, praying, reading Qur’aan, making du’aa’ and other kinds of good deeds will undoubtedly catch up with Laylat al-Qadr and attain what Allaah has promised to those who do that out of faith and seeking reward.
How to spend lailatul Qadr?
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to strive hard in worship during the last ten days of Ramadaan as he never did at any other time, praying, reading Qur’aan and making du’aa’.
it was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (RAA) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever spends this night in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward will be forgiven his previous sins.” [al-Bukhaari, 1901; Muslim, 760]
· Out of faith means believing in its virtue and in the reward for that.
· In the hope of reward means by seeking the pleasure of Allah.
Hence we can conclude from the above hadith that praying qiyaam is the best act of worship that a person can do on Laylat al-Qadr.
One of the best du’aa’s that may be recited on Laylat al-Qadr is that which the Prophet (PBUH) taught to ‘Aa’ishah (RAA). ‘Aa’ishah said: “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say on that night?’ He said, ‘Say: Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni (O Allaah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).” [Al-Tirmidhi]
Note: A woman who is menstruating may do all acts of worship (READING Quran, dikhar, making dua’a) apart from praying, fasting, circumambulating the Ka’bah and doing i’tikaaf in the mosque.
2. And what will make you know what the Night of Al‑Qadr (Decree) is?
3. The Night of Al‑Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months).
4. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh [Jibreel (Gabriel)] by Allaah’s Permission with all Decrees,
5. (All that night), there is peace (and goodness from Allaah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn”
[al-Qadr 97:1-5---interpretation of the meaning]
What is al Qadr?
The word qada’ means perfection and completion, and the word qadr means evaluating and planning.
Qadr means Allah’s decree of all things from eternity, and His knowledge that they will come to pass at the times that are known to Him and in the specific manner that He has decreed and willed. They will happen the way they are meant to and the way they are created.
Why believe in al Qadr?
Belief in al-qadr (the Divine decree) is the sixth pillar of faith, and no one’s faith is complete without it. al-qadar is Allaah’s plan for His creation. What He has shown us of it, we know and believe in, and what He has hidden from us, we accept and believe in. We do not dispute with Allaah concerning His actions and rulings with our limited minds and comprehension, rather we believe in Allaah’s complete justice and wisdom, and that He is not to be asked about what He does, may He be glorified and praised.
It is narrated that Ibn ‘Umar (RAA) heard that some people were denying al-qadr. He said: “If I meet these people I will tell them that I have nothing to do with them and they have nothing to do with me. By the One by Whom ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar swore, if one of them had gold equivalent to Mount Uhud and he spent it, Allah would not accept it from him unless he believed in al-qadr.” [Sahih Muslim (8)]
Note, that belief in al-qadr cannot be complete until you believe in the following four aspects of this doctrine:
(a) Knowledge: this is the belief that the knowledge of Allah encompasses all things and not a single atom in the heavens or on earth falls outside of His knowledge. Allah knew all of His creation before He created them. He knew what they would do by means of His ancient and eternal knowledge.
(b) Writing: this is the belief that Allah has written the decrees concerning all created beings in al-Lawh al-Mahfooz (the Prescribed Tablet).
(c) Will: this is the belief that everything that happens in this universe happens by the will of Allah. Whatever Allah wills happens and whatever He does not will does not happen. Nothing exists outside of His will.
(d) Creation: this is the belief that Allaah is the Creator of all things, including people’s actions. Nothing happens in this universe but He is its Creator.
When is lailatul Qadr?
It was narrated from ‘Aa’ishah (RAA) that the Messenger of Allah (PBUH) said: “Seek Laylat al-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan.” [al-Bukhaari, 2017; Muslim, 1169]
The reason why it is hidden is to encourage the Muslim to strive hard in worship and du’aa’ and dhikr during all the last ten nights of Ramadaan. This is the same reason why the time when du’aa’ is answered on Friday has not been defined, and why the ninety-names of Allah have not been defined, concerning which the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever learns them by heart will enter Paradise.” [ al-Bukhaari, 2736; Muslim, 2677]
However, a sound report from the Prophet (PBUH) indicates that the sign of Laylat al-Qadr is that the sun rises on the following morning with no visible rays. Ubayy ibn Ka’b used to swear that it was the night of the twenty-seventh, citing this sign as evidence. The more correct view is that it moves through all the last ten nights, but it is most likely to be one of the odd-numbered nights, and the night of the twenty-seventh is the most likely among the odd-numbered nights. Whoever strives in worship during all of the last ten nights, praying, reading Qur’aan, making du’aa’ and other kinds of good deeds will undoubtedly catch up with Laylat al-Qadr and attain what Allaah has promised to those who do that out of faith and seeking reward.
How to spend lailatul Qadr?
The Messenger of Allah (PBUH) used to strive hard in worship during the last ten days of Ramadaan as he never did at any other time, praying, reading Qur’aan and making du’aa’.
it was narrated from Abu Hurayrah (RAA) that the Prophet (PBUH) said: “Whoever spends this night in prayer out of faith and in the hope of reward will be forgiven his previous sins.” [al-Bukhaari, 1901; Muslim, 760]
· Out of faith means believing in its virtue and in the reward for that.
· In the hope of reward means by seeking the pleasure of Allah.
Hence we can conclude from the above hadith that praying qiyaam is the best act of worship that a person can do on Laylat al-Qadr.
One of the best du’aa’s that may be recited on Laylat al-Qadr is that which the Prophet (PBUH) taught to ‘Aa’ishah (RAA). ‘Aa’ishah said: “I said, ‘O Messenger of Allah, if I know which night is Laylat al-Qadr, what should I say on that night?’ He said, ‘Say: Allaahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibb al-‘afwa fa’affu ‘anni (O Allaah, You are forgiving and You love forgiveness, so forgive me).” [Al-Tirmidhi]
Note: A woman who is menstruating may do all acts of worship (READING Quran, dikhar, making dua’a) apart from praying, fasting, circumambulating the Ka’bah and doing i’tikaaf in the mosque.
References:
www.islamqa.com
