The
Night of Predestination (Laylatul Qadr)
On the Night of Power pray to God with
all your heart and He will definitely answer all your prayers. The
Qur'an says : "Surely We revealed it (the Holy Qur'an) on the grand
night. And what will make you comprehend what the grand night. The grand
night is better than a thousand months. The angels and Gibreel descend
in it by the permission of their Lord for every affair, Peace! It is
till the break of the morning." (97:1-5)
The night is full of blessings because
the Eminent Qur'an descended in it. The Qur'an is peace by itself. It
distinguishes between the good and evil and shows the path of eternal
Peace and Bliss to all Mankind forever. This being so, the Night in
which this Divine Book was sent down is worthy of great esteem. During
this night, as explained in the verse quoted above, the Angels and the
Heavenly spirit (Hazrat Gibreel Alai-his-Salam) descend. Their nearness
to earth gives a spiritual luster to the hearts and souls of the
believers. The Holy Prophet (S.A.W.) and the 12 Imams (A.S.) passed this
night in prayer and worship of God.
Those who pass his night in Prayer,
experience an unimaginable bliss, a deep feeling of great pleasure as a
result of immense heavenly blessings in this night.
Recite the Holy Qur'an, seek Allah's
forgiveness and pray for the good of this world as well as the
hereafter.
The A'maal of Shab-e-Qadr (19th,
21st & 23rd of Ramadan)
Shab-e-Qadr is the night, which is the
best night among the nights of the whole year. The "A'maal" (religious
performances) of this night are better than the A'maal of 1000 nights.
In this night the divine Annual Decree is passed. The Angels and Roohul
Ameen (A highly dignified Angel) descend on this earth, in that night.
These call on the Imam of the time, and what is ordained (by Allah) for
everybody is presented before the Imam.
The A'maal of Shab-e-Qadr are of two
kinds. Some are common to all three nights others are particular for one
of those three nights. The common A'maals are: -
01.
To take a bath. Allama Majlisi says, "It is better to take a bath before
sunset so that the night prayers may be performed after bath".
02.
To offer two Raqats of Namaz, in every Raqat offer
Surat-al-Hamd, and
Surat-al-Tauhid/ Sure Ikhlaas (Kulhowallah) seven times, and after
finishing the prayer 70 times recite: "Astaghfirullaaha Wa atoobu
ilayh" i.e., "I seek forgiveness of Allah and I turn (repentant) to
Him".
03.
The Holy Qur'an should be opened and placed in front, then one should
recite, "Alaahumma inni asaloka be kitaabekal munzale Wa maa feeh, wa
feehismokal akbaro wa
asmaakal husnaa, wa maa yokhaafo Wa yurjaa an taj-alani min
otaqaaeka minan-Naar", i.e., "O Allah treat me as one of those who
are free from Hell, in the name of this Holy Book sent by Thee, whatever
there be in the Book. Including Ism-e-A'azam and
Asmaa-e-Husnaa and the things to be dreaded, the things that may be
expected and desired, like blessings of Jannat. Do forgive through the
grace of this book". (SALAWAT-After this he may beg from Allah whatever
he wants).
04.
He should place the Holy Qur'an on his head and say, "Allaahumma be
haqqe haazal Qur'an we be haqqe man arsaltahoo beh, Wa be haqqe kulle
momenin madahtahoo feeh, we be haqqeka alaihim fa-laa ahada a'arafo be
haqqeka mink", i.e., "O Allah! I appeal to Thee in the name of this
Qur'an and the Rooh that was sent along with it, and in the name of the
Momin (believer) whose praise is contained in this Book and Tine
obligation that is on them. No one else recognizes the right and truth
more than Thee". (SALAWAT-After this he should repeat 10 times each): -
BEKA YA ALLAH'HO (S.W.T.)
BE MOHAMMADIN (S.A.W.)
BE ALIYYIN (A.S.)
BE FATEMATA (A.S.)
BIL HASANE (A.S.)
BIL HUSAINE (A.S.)
BE ALIY IBNIL HUSAIN (A.S.)
BE MOHAMMED IBN ALIYYIN (A.S.)
BE JA'FAR IBN MOHAMMEDIN (A.S.)
BE MOOSA IBN JA'FAR (A.S.)
BE ALI IBN MOOSA (A.S.)
BE MOHAMMED IBN ALIYYIN (A.S.)
BE ALI IBN MOHAMMED (A.S.)
BIL HASAN IBN ALIYYIN (A.S.)
BIL HOJJATIL QAEM (A.S.)
Then he should invoke to Allah whatever he likes.
05.
To recite the
Ziarat of Imam Hussain (A.S.). According to Hadis, during Shab-e-Qadr
an angel proclaims from the Arsh (Throne) on the Seventh sky, "Allah the
Benevolent forgives him, whosoever performs the Ziarat of the grave of
Imam-e-Hussain (A.S.)."
06.
One should keep himself awake throughout these three nights. The vigil
during these nights carries great Sawab (heavenly reward).
07.
To offer 100 Raq'ats of Namaz. It has been highly recommended. It is
better to recite (after Surat-al-Hamd) 10 times the Surat-al-Tauhid/
Sure Ikhlaas (Kulhowallah).
08.
Recite: "Astagferullaah Rabbi Wa atoobo elaihe" 100 times (i.e.,
"I seek forgiveness of Allah and I turn (repentant) to Him").
09.
Recite: "Allaahummal'an Qatalatal Ameeril Momeneen" 100 times
(i.e., "O Allah! condemn those who killed Ameerul Moimeneen Ali ibne Abi
Talib").
Du'a for the 19th night: -
O One Who was before everything and then brought everything into
existence. He will remain while all else will be destroyed. O the One
sole and solitary excepting Whom there is none else in the high heavens
or low earths or above and below them, or in between them who is worth
worshipping. Only Thou art the deity and none else deserves to be
worshipped. Thou only deserves the praise which cannot be encompassed
but by Thee. Therefore bestow Peace and Blessings on Muhammad (S.A.W.)
and Aal-e-Muhammad (A.S.) such as no body else has the power to
encompass.
10.
Recite the following Suras from the Holy Qur'an:
ANKABUT (the Spider) 29th Sura.
RUM (The Roman Empire) 30th Sura.
DUKHAN (Smoke or Mist) 44th
Sura.
11.
This du'a is to be recited: -
I have passed the evening as a very humble servant of Thee. I have no
control over the gains and losses for my person. I cannot remove any
evil from myself. I depose against my conscience. I admit my weakness
and inability of managing my affairs. Bestow Tine blessings on Mohammad
(S.A.W.) and his Aal (A.S.). Whatever Thou hast given me or promised,
fulfill that. Verily! I am Tine humble, weak and destitute servant. O
Allah! Let me not forget the blessings that Thou hast bestowed on me,
and let me not be forgetful about Tine kindness. Do not deny me Tine
acceptance though it may be delayed, may it pertain to sorrow or
happiness, and may it be connected with peace and tranquility or
hardship and vicissitudes or pertaining to blessings. Thou hearse and
accepts invocations in every condition.
The Prophet (S.A.W.) when asked what
should one invoke Allah during these nights, said: "Ask for your safety
(here and in the hereafter)".
DU'A: -
O Allah! Whatever is decided and ordained by Thee during Lailatul Qadr
(night of Destiny) is final and full of wisdom. Whatever changes are
affected, in the Night in previous decrees that could not be changed by
anybody else. Do let me be one of those whose Hajj is acceptable, whose
efforts are rewarded, the efforts of those respected Hajis whose sins
have been pardoned and whose errors have been forgiven. Add to my
destiny the length of my life, increase my life, increase my livelihood
and fulfill my desires. Note: Beg from Allah after this whatever
you desire.
Du'a for the 21st night:
-
O One Who turns day into night and night into day. O One Who brings out
living from dead and dead from living. O One Who gives sustenance to
whomsoever and whatsoever he likes. O Allah! O Merciful! O Allah! O
Allah! O Allah! The best names are for Thee alone. The best examples are
for Thee. The grandeur and choice things are for Thee. I beg of Thee to
bless Muhammad (S.A.W.) and his Aal (A.S.). Write down my name, in this
night with the fortunate ones. Let my soul be in the company of the
martyrs. Let my good acts be reckoned as "Illyeen" (exalted). Let my
sins be condoned. Bestow on me that belief by virtue of which Thou may
be nearest to my heart, that "Eemaan" which may remove all doubts from
my mind. Let me be satisfied with that whatever Thou hast ordained for
me. Let me have the virtues of this world and the other one (Aakherat or
Hereafter). Save me from the fire of Hell. Let me be attentive to Tine
praise and thanks and let me present myself in Tine court. Do bestow the
same "taufique" (ability) to me which Thou hast bestowed upon Muhammad
(S.A.W.) and his Aal(A.S.).
Du'a for the 23rd night:
-
O Lord of Lailatul Qadr! (Night of Destiny!) Who has made it better than
1000 months! O the Lord of the day and the night and the mountains and
oceans, the Lord of light and darkness! O the Lord of the earth and the
skies! O the Creator! O the Designer! O Kind! O One Who favours! O Allah
Who maintains everything! O Allah! O the Kindest! O Allah! O the Creator
of new things! O Allah! O Allah! O Allah! The best names are for Thee
alone. Thou hast control over all virtues. I ask Thee to send blessings
on Muhammad (S.A.W.) and his Aal (A.S.). Write my name, in this Night of
Qadr, among the names of the fortunate. Let my soul keep the company of
the martyrs. Let my good deeds be reckoned with "Illiyeen" (those
exalted). Forgive my sins. Bestow on me such belief that Thou may be
nearest to my heart. Give me such understanding that all the doubts may
be removed. Let me be contended over that which has been ordained for
me: Let me have goodness and virtues in this world and the next. Save me
from the glowing fire of Hell. Encourage me towards Tine remembrance
with pleasure and to be penitent. Give me all those virtues that Thou
hast given to Muhammad (S.A.W.) and Aal-e-Muhammad (A.S.). |