Alhassanain(p) Network for Heritage and Islamic Thought

Chapter 23: The Early Meal of the Month of Ramadhan (Suhoor)

The Exalted and Praised One has said in His Glorious Book: "... and eat and drink till the whiteness of the day becomes distinct from the blackness of the night at dawn, then complete the fast till nighttime" (2:187). He has also said, "Little did they sleep during the night, and they sought their Lord’s forgiveness in the early hours of the morn" (Holy Qur’an, 51:17-18). And the Almighty has also said, "Those who persevere, and the truthful, and the obedient (to Allah), and those who spend (benevolently), and those who ask forgiveness during the timL of the morn" (Holy Qur’an, 3:17).

Suhoor is the meal comprised of food and water taken before daybreak by a Muslim who intends to perform the. obligation of the fast. It helps him while abstaining from eating aid drinking during daytime. This is the suhoor in its absolute meaning. Its timing has been defined by the Almighty thus: "... and eat and drink till the whiteness of the day becomes distinct from the blackness of the night at dawn" (Holy Qur’an, 2:187). This means that suhoor can be eaten at any time during the night till a short time before daybreak.

But what about this "short time" defined before daybreak? Anas ibn Zaid ibn Thabit, may Allah be pleased with him, once said, "The Prophet (pbuh) ate suhoor with us once, after that he stood for the prayers. lie was asked, "What was the length of time from the suhoor till the adhan?" He answered, "About the time it takes one to recite fifty Quranic verses." This tradition is recorded by al-Bukhari, Muslim, and Ibn Khuzaymah.

Muhammad ibn Ya’qub quotes Abu Yahya al-San’ani quoting Imam Abu Abdullah al-Sadiq (as) saying, "lf a believer fasts and reads Surat al-Qadr during the time of his iftar and suhoor, he will be rewarded with the rewards due to a martyr." This tradition is recorded on p. 344, Vol. 94, of Bihar al-Anwar.

The real meaning of suhoor transcends the physical and nutritious benefits with which it provides the person who observes the fast. Quoting what the Almighty has said explains the real meaning of suhoor: "Little do they sleep during the night, and they seek their Lord’s forgiveness in the early hours of the morn" (Holy Qur’an, 51:17-18). He has also said, "The patient, and the truthful, and the obedient (to Allah), and those who spend (benevolently), and those who ask forgiveness during the time of fthe morn" (Holy Qur’an, 3:17).

The first verse tells us that nighttime is the time for sleep, and the zenith of times to adore the Almighty and seek His forgiveness is during the Suhoor the plural of which is ashar The second verse contains the definition of the status of those who seek their Lord’s forgiveness during the as/tar times, a status which is quite lofty and is compared only to those to whom the Almighty refers as "those who persevere, and the truthful, and the obedient (to Allah)." We may derive the following conclusions from the above-quoted verses:

1) The time of suhoor has its own status and function which transcends eating and drinking, which help the fasting person during his daytime abstention from both, and this function is to wake up during the night to perform an act of worship.

2) The epic of adoration and the seeking of His forgiveness, which the Almighty, out of His divine wisdom, has decreed, is during the time of as/Jar otherwise, why has He not specified other periods during which His servants adore Him during the glorious month of Ramadhan?

3) Allah, the Almighty, has granted those who seek His forgiveness during the times of al-fajar a status which comes out of His blessing, and He includes them among those whom He describes as "those who persevere, and the truthful, and the obedient (to Allah)."

Probably one of the greatest blessings of the Almighty is that He has included those who eat their suhoor among those who shall receive His forgiveness so that they will be the ones freed by the Most Merciful One from the fire during the month of the Glorious Qur’an. The commander of the faithful Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib, peace be upon him, quotes the holy Prophet (pbuh) saying, "Allah, the Praised and the Exalted, and His angels send blessings unto those who take their suhoor meal and seek His forgiveness;

so, let each one of you observe suhoor even by drinking some water.~i Ali ibn Muhammad, quoting al-Nawfali who quotes al-Sukooni who quotes hadith number 1062 in Saidi al-Targheeb wal.Tarteeli turn quotes his forefathers, Allah’s blessings and peace be upon them all, has cited the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) saying,

"There is a great deal of bliss in three things: the congregational prayers, the dish of sopped bread and meat (thireed), and the suhoor" Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) as recorded on pages 1063-1064 of Sahih atThrgheeb wal Tarheeb, has also said, "The best a believer can eat during the suhoor is dates; but if he cannot do so, then let him at least drink some water.( This is hadith number 1057 among the hadiths of Sahik al-Targheeb wa! Tar/teeli, and hadith number 1045 among the "Series of sahib hadiths)"

Chapter 24: Prayers during the Glorious Month of Ramadhan

As regarding prayers during the nights of the month of Ramadhan, these are documented by al-Kaf’ami in Vol. 2 of his Misliali. On pp. 657-660, he cites al-Shaheed’s book on the forty ahadich which quotes the Prophet (pbuh) saying that whoever says his prayers during the first night (of the month of Ramadhan, reciting the Fatiha once and the chapter of Tawheed (Unity, Chapter 112) twenty-five times, will receive the rewards of all those who were foremost in testi%uing to the truth of Allah’s prophets and those who sacrificed their lives for Aliaft’s cause; moreover, all his sins will be forgiven, and he will on the Day ot Judgment be among the winners.

Anyone who says his prayers during the second night, repeating the Fatiha four times and the Qadr twenty times, will have all his sins forgiven and his sustenance increased, and he will be regarded as one who followed the Sunnah of the Prophet (pbuh). Anyone who says his prayers during the third night repeating the Fatiha ten times and the Chapter of Ikhlas fifty times will be addressed on the Day of Resurrection and told that Allah has set him free from the fire, and seven gates of heaven will be opened for him.

Whoever spends the entire night saying optional prayers will have all his sins forgiven. Anyone, who says his prayers during the fourth night reciting the Fatiha once and the Qadr twenty times, his deeds will be presented before Allah together with those of His prophets. Whoever says his prayers during the fifth night making two rekats while reciting the Fatiha once and the Chapter of Tawheed fifty times, once he sends salutations unto the Prophet (pbuh) and his progeny a hundred times, will be beside the Prophet (pbuh) as he enters Paradise.

Anyone who says his prayers during the sixth night reciting the Fatiha four times and Tabarak once will be regarded as though he were doing so during the Night of Destiny (LailatulQadr) Whoever says his prayers during the seventh night reciting the Fatiha once and the Qadr thirteen times, the Almighty will build him in the Garden of Eden a mansion of gold and he will be in security from Allah’s Wrath till the next year.

Anyone who says his prayers during the eighth night making two rek’ats in which he recites the Fatiha once and the chapter of Tawheed eleven times, then when he sends salutations unto the Prophet (pbuh) and his progeny he praises the Almighty a thousand times, the gates of Paradise will be opened for him to enter from whichever he wishes.

Anyone who says his prayers during the ninth night reciting during the time from sunset till nighttime the Fatiha once and ayat al-Kursi seven times, sending salutations unto the Prophet (pbuh) and his progeny fifty times, his deeds will be raised as those of the siddeeqs, the martyrs, and the righteous. Whoever says his prayers during the tenth night for twenty rek’ats, repeating the Fatiha once and the Tawheed thirty-one times, Allah will expand his sustenance and he will be (on the Day of Resurrection) among the winners. Whoever says two rek’acs during the eleventh night, reciting the Fatiha once and Surat al-Kawthar twenty times, all his sins will be forgiven that day.

Whoever says his prayers during the twelfth night eight times, reciting the Fatiha once and the Qadr thirty times, will be granted the rewards of those who have thanked Allah as He ought to be thanked, and he will be regarded on the Day of Resurrection as one of those who persevered. Whoever says his prayers during the thirteenth night in four rek’ats,

reciting the Fatiha once and the Tawheed twenty-five times, will pass on the right path (al-Siren) as swiftly as lightning. Whoever says his prayers during the fourteenth night six times, reciting the Fatiha once and the Zalzala thirty times, Allah will make the hours of death, and [his being questioned by] both Munkir and Nakeer, easy for him. Whoever says his prayers during the fifteenth night in four rek’ats, repeating in the first two of them, after reciting the Fatiha, the chapter of Tawheed a hundred times, and after the Fatiha of the other two the Tawheed fifty times, will be granted what nobody knows except Allah.

Whoever says his prayers during the sixteenth night in twelve rek’ at. Reciting the Fatiha once and the Takathur twelve times will leave his grave like one whose thirst has been quenched, repeating the shahada till he reaches Paradise and enters it without reckoning.

Whoever says his prayers during the seventeenth night in two rek’at, reciting in the first one the Fatiha and whatever he wishes after it, and in the second the Fatiha once and the Tawheed one hundred times, then, after having sent salutations unto the Prophet (pbuh) and his progeny, acknowledging tthe unity of his Lord (i.e., by saying: La illaha il-Allah!) a hundred times, will be granted the rewards of performing the pilgrimage a million times, and the rewards of a million ‘umras, and the rewards of a millionghazwas.

Whoever says his prayers during the eighteenth night in four rek’acs reciting the Fatiha once and the Kawthar twenty-five times, the angel of death will bring him the glad tidings that the Almighty is pleased with him. Whoever says his prayers during the nineteenth night fifty times, reciting the Fatiha once and the Zalzala fifty times, will be regarded as though he had performed the pilgrimage and the ‘wnra a hundred times, and Allah will accept all his deeds. Anyone who performs his prayers during the twentieth night in eight rek’ats reciting whatever Qur’anic chapters he wishes, his sins will be forgiven.

Anyone who says his prayers during the twenty-first night in eight rek’ats reciting whatever he pleases, the gates of heaven will be opened for him, and his plea will be answered, and he will have even more rewards from Allah. Whoever says his prayers during the twenty-second night in eight rek’ats, reciting whatever he pleases, will be regarded as one who performed both hajj and ‘umra. Anyone who performs his prayers during the twenty-fifth night in eight rek’ats, reciting in each the Fatiha once and the Tawheed ten times, Allah will grant him the rewards of the pious.

Whoever says his prayers during the twenty-seventh night in four rek’ats reciting the Fatiha once and Tabarak once, but if he does not memorize Tabarak, then let him recite the Fatiha twenty-five times, he and his parents will be forgiven. Anyone who says his prayers during the twenty-eighth night in six rek’ats reciting the Fatiha once and ten times Surat al-Kursi, al-Kawthar and al-Tawheed, then after he sends salutations unto the Prophet (pbuh) and his progeny a hundred times, he will surely be forgiven.

Whoever says his prayers during the twenty-ninth night in two rek’ats reciting the Fatiha Once and Tawheed twenty times will receive mercy, and his book of reckoning will be raised to ‘illieen. Whoever says his prayers during the thirtieth night in twelve rek ‘gus reciting the Fatiha once and th Tawheed twenty times, his deeds will be sealed with mercy from Allah after he sends salutations unto the Prophet (pbuh) and his progeni a hundred times.

Chapter 25: Ghusl

Lailatul-Qadr is one of the last ten nights of the month of Ramadhan. Al-Majlisi, on p. 10, Vol. 94, of his Bihar al-Anwar, quotes Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) saying the following about it: "Seek it in the last ten days, for the mash ‘ars are seven, and so are the heavens, and the (layers of the) earth, and seven kine, and seven ears of grain.

" He (as) is also quoted saying that during those days, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) used to roll his bed, tie his mantle, and keep his family awake (especially) during the 23rd night, sprinkling water on the faces of those who were overcome by sleep. Fatima al-Zahra (as) used not to permit anyone in her house to sleep, giving them very little to eat (since over-eating causes drowsiness and heaviness), and she used to get ready for it even during daytime.

She (as) used to say, "One who is deprived of its goodness truly suffers the greate~t deprivation." It is highly recommended, therefore, to perform ghusul particularly during the last ten days of the month of Ramadhan. According to AlIqbal, Abu Abdullah, peace be upon him, is quoted saying that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) used to have his ghusul each night during the last ten nights of the month of Ramadhan.

Chapter 26 : The Night of Destiny (Lailatul-Qadr)

The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted on page 265, Vol. 3, of alAmin’s work Muftahul Jannat, saying, "Allah has favored Friday over all other days, the month of Ramadhan over all other months, and the Night of Destiny (Lailatul-Qadr) over all other nights." And Allah has favored the Holy Qur’an over all other Books which He revealed. ibrahim, one of the companions of 1mm Abu Abdullah al-Sadiq (as), is quoted on p. 25, Vol. 94, of Bihar al-Anwar, saying that he once asked the Imam (as) about how the Holy Qur’an was revealed during Lailatul-Qadr, knowing that it took more than twenty years to reveal.

The Imam (as) answered by saying, "The Holy Qur’an was revealed as a whole during the month of Ramadhan at the Ancient House (the Ka’ba), then from there it was revealed along the span of (more than) twenty years." Then he cited the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) saying, "The Books of Ibrahim (as) were revealed on the first night of the month of Ramadhan;

the Torah was revealed on the sixth of the month of Ramadhan; the Gospel (Injil) was revealed on the thirteenth of the month of Ramadhan; the Psalms (Zabur) were revealed on the eighteenth of the month of Ramadhan, and the Holy Qur’an was revealed on the twenty-fourth of the month of Ramadhan." This tradition is also recorded on p. 80, Vol. 1, of al-’Avyashi’s Tafsir.

This name was used for Lailatul-Qadr because Allah Almighty determines in it for everyone all what will happen the entire next year. The "Oadr" in this sense means destiny. According to alQummi’s Tafsir, as explained on p. 432 of its second volume, such destiny includes life and death, sustenance, abundance of crops or famine, and everything good or bad. This means that Allah the Glorified and Exalted determines in this night each and every event to occur during the next year to any and all of His creation.

Al-Majlisi quotes his father on p. 12, Vol. 94, of his own Rihar al-Anwar quoting al-Nadar quoting Yahya al-Halabi quoting Ibn Maskan quoting Imam Abu Abdullab al-Sadiq (as) saying, "During Lailatul-Qadr, the angels, the spirit, and the trusted scribes all descend to the lower heavens and write down whatever Allah decrees that year, and if Allah wishes to advance something or postpone it or add thereto, 1-Ic orders the angel to erase it and replace it with whatever He decrees.

" This is also cofifirmed by al-Qummi in his renown Tafsir, exegesis of the Holy Qur’an. On p. 182, Vol. 1, of ‘Uyun Akhbar al-Rida, and on p. 14, Vol. 94, of Bihar al-Anwar, Ja’fer ibn Ali ibn Ahmed quotes al-Hassan ibn Muhammad ibn All ‘bn Sadaqah quotes Muhammad son of ‘Iimer ibn ‘Abdul-’Aziz quoting al-Hassan ibn Muhammad al-Nawfali quoting Sulayman at Marzawi asking Imam al-Rida (as),

"Could you please tell us why the Chapter of Qadr was revealed?" The Imam (as) said, "O Sulayman! Lailatul-Qadr is the night when Allah, the most Exalted, the most Great, decrees what will take place from one year to another of life or death, good or evil, or regarding sustenance, and whatever He then decrees is sure destiny."

On p. 315 of Ma’ani al-A kit bar, and also on p. 18, Vol. 94, of BiharatAnwar, Ibn Musa quotes Ibn Zakariyya citing Muhammad ibn al-Abbas quoting Muhammad ibn al-Sary quoting Ahmed ibn Abdullah ibn Yunus quoting Ibn Tareef quoting Jbn Nubatah quoting Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) saying, "The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) asked me once,

‘O All! Do you know the implication of LailatulQadr?’ I said, ‘No, indeed, O Messenger of Allah!’ He (pbuh) said, ‘Allah, the Praised One, the Most Glorified, decreed in it what will take place till the Day of Judgment, and among wha>t He, the most Exalted, the Most Great, decreed was your own Imamate and Wilayat and the Imamate and Wilayat of your offspring till the Day of Resurrection."

BothMa ‘ani al-A Id-i bar and Riharal-Anwar quote Sa ‘ d citing the great traditionist Abdullah son of ‘Umer ibn al-Khattab quoting Muhammad ibn ‘Ubayd ibn Mahran quoting Salih quoting Salih ibn ‘Uqbah quoting al-FadI ibn ‘Uthman saying, "When the Chapter of Qadr was mentioned in the presence of Abu Abdullah Imam Ia fer al-Sadiq (as), he was asked about its merits over other chapters,

and he said, ‘It was revealed with reference to the Wilayat of the Commander of the Faithful (Imam Ali) (as).’ He (as) was asked, ‘Do you mean Lailatul-Qadr for which we look in anticipation during the month of Ramadhan?’ He (as) said, ‘Yes; it is the night in which the heavens and the earth were determined, and the Wilayat of the Commander of the Faithful (as) was decreed."’

Ahmed ibn Muhammad and Ahmed ibn Ishaq, as recorded on p. 21, Vol. 94, of Biharal-Anwar, quote al-Qasim ibn Yahya quoting others citing Imam Abu Abdullah (as) saying that Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) quite often used to say, "We saw the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) once in the company of al-Taymi and a friend of his while the latter was reciting Chapter al-Qadr.

He (pbuh) was profoundly moved and he kept weeping to the extent that he (pbuh) was asked, ‘How so deeply moved by this Chapter your heart is!’

He (pbuh) said, ‘My heart is deeply impressed because of what my eyes hadwitnessed, and what my mind had comprehended, and because of what the hean of this man [meaning Ali (as)] will go through after me.’ Both men asked the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), ‘Did you really see all of that?! And what will he (Ali) see?’ He (pbuh) would then recite the verse saying, ‘The angels and the Spirit descend therein with the permission of their Lord for every affair; peace, it is, till the break of the morn.

’ Then he (pbuh) would pause and ask them, ‘Is there anything left after the Almighty having verbally said ‘every affair’?’ They would both answer in the negative, and he (pbuh) would then ask them, ‘Do you both know regarding whom it is revealed?’ They would both say, ‘No, by Allah, O Messenger of Allah!’ He (pbuh) would then say, ‘Yes; is there going to be a Lailatul-Qadr after me (i.e., after my demise)?’ They would answer in the affirmative, and he (pbuh) would then ask them,

‘Will every affair descend therein?’ They said: ‘Yes.’ He then asked them, ‘To whom will it descend?’ They answered, ‘We do not know.’ He (pbuh), with his hand on my head, pushed me gently forward and said, ‘If you do not know, then it is regarding this person after me.’ Both men, ever since the demise of the Messenger of Allah (pbuh), used to be filled with awe whenever that night approached."’

The Almighty says, "Therein every wise affair is made distinct" (44:4). This means that in this night, the Exalted One decrees everything that will happen next year. It is also said in Arabic that someone has a "qadr," a social status or a certain prestige, which he enjoys among people. The "Qadr" in this sense, therefore, also connotes prestige and significance.

The Almighty also says in the Holy Qur’an, ‘They did not honor Allah as He ought to be honored," that is, they did not glorify Him as He ought to be glorified; thus, "qadr" in this verse implies glorification. Lailatul-Qadr, then, is the great night which enjoys a great deal of prestige and high esteem with Allah and in which He determines and decrees the fate and sustenance of all His creation. It has a special status simply because obedience to Him during it is regarded with great seriousness and urgency, and a great reward awaits those who honor the month wherein it falls.

It is also said that it was so named because a Book from Allah which enjoys greatness of status was revealed to a Prophet who also enjoys a great honor and prestige. Another view is that it was named so because the earth becomes straitened due to the number of angels on it. "Qadr," according to this view, carries the meaning of straitness due to the fact that the Almighty has said "... and whoever He decides to straiten his sustenance... and Allah knows best.

The Almighty has addressed His servant and Messenger, our master, Muhammad (pbuh), saying, "And what will make you comprehend what LailatulQadr is? Lailatuloadr is better than a thousand months;" that is, "flow would you know the greatness, significance, and sanctity of this night which I have dccreed to be better than a thousand months?"

There are indications that the Holy Qur’an was revealed as a whole to the Messenger (pbuh). In the Holy Qur’an, we read: "Haa, Meem. By the Book that makes (the truth) manifest, surely We revealed it on a blessed night" (44:1-3), and also, "Surely We revealed it on Lailatul-Qadr" (98:1).

Ibn Abbas is quoted saying, "The Holy Qur’an was revealed as a whole from the Safeguarded Scroll from the heavens to the lower earth on Lailatul-Qadr, then Gabriel (as) used to reveal it unto Muhammad (pbuh) gradually." It is well known that the Holy Qur’an was revealed unto the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) in installments during a period of twenty-three years. The first chapter revealed unto the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) at the Cave of Hira was the Chapter of al-’Alaq when Gabriel said to him:

"(O Muhammad!) Read!" He (pbuh) said: "1 cannot read." He repeated, "Read!" Again the Prophet (pbuh) said, "I cannot read." So he said once more, "Read in the Name of your Lord Who created (96:1), up to the end of the chapter. The last verse of the Glorious Book of Allah revealed unto the Messenger (pbuh) was: "Today have I completed for you your religion, perfected My blessing unto you, and accepted Islam as your religion" (5:3).

Thus, suffices this blessed night the honor and dignity of being particularly chosen by the Glorified and Exalted One for the revelation of His Glorious Qur’an which is the shining and guiding light of the religion of Islam and the constitution of its adherents.

Why is Lailatul-Qadr better than a thousand months? Why not better than ten or a hundred thousands?! Al-Qummi indicates on page 432, Vol. 2, of his Tafrir, that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) once saw in a vision monkeys climbing over his pulpit, and he felt very distressed; thereupon, the chapter of Qadr was revealed to remove his distress. The period of Banu Umayyad’s government lasted roughly a thousand months: from 661 to 750 A.D., with the first ruler being Abu Sufyan and the last Mu’ awiyah al-Himar.

Both al-Kulayni in his Al-Kafi and al-Majlisi in his Bihar al-Anwar quote Ahmed ibn Muhammad quoting Ali ibn al-Hassan quoting Muhammad ibn al-Walid and Muhammad ibn Ahmed quoting Yunus ibn Ya’qub quoting Ali ibn ‘Eisa al-Qammat quoting his uncle quoting Imam Abu Abdullah al-Sadiq (as) saying, "The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) was shown in a vision how Banu Umayyah climbed over his pulpit (like monkeys climb over trees), so he felt very unhappy, whereupon Gabriel (as) descended upon him and asked him why he was so forlorn.

He (pbuh) said, ‘I have seen (in a vision) tonight Banu Umayya ascending my pulpit after having misled people from the Straight Path.’ Gabriel (as) said, ‘I swear by the One Who has sent me (as a messenger) with the truth, this is something with which I am not familiar.’ Having said so, he ascended to the heavens.

After a short while, he brought him one verse to remove thereby his grief; it said: ‘Have you considered if We would let them enjoy themselves for (a few) years, then that with which they are threatened comes to them, so much so that whatever they were permitted to enjoy shall not avail them (in the least)?’ (Holy Qur’an, 26:205-207). And he also brought him: ‘We revealed it in Lailatul-Qadr, and what will make you comprehend what Lailatul-Qadr is? Lailatul-Qadr is better than a thousand months, etc."’

Lailatul-Qadr is a blessed night also because the Almighty brings down during it goodness, bliss, and forgiveness for His servants. One tradition of the greatest of all prophets Muhammad ibn Abdullah (pbuh) states that when Lailatul-Qadr approaches, the Almighty orders Gabriel (as) to descend accompanied by a crowd of angels to the earth with a green banner.

He would mount the banner atop the Ka’ba while having six hundred wings one of which is not spread except on Lailatul-Qadr; so, he would spread them during that night, and he and all other angels would greet everyone who is standing for his prayers, sitting, adoring, or reciting the Holy Qur’an. They would shake hands with them and pray the Almighty to accept their pleas,

and they would continue doing so till daybreak. It is then that they would ask Gabriel: "What has the Almighty Allah done with the wishes of the believers among the nation of Muhammad (pbuh)?" He would answer, "The Almighty Allah has looked upon them on this night and forgiven them, all of them, except the following: one who is addicted to drinking, one who severs his ties with his kin, and one who is a trouble-maker."

The Almighty has said, "Lailatul-Qadr is better than a thousand months," meaning, mathematically, that this night, which is comprised of a few hours, is honored by Allah the Exalted and Praised over about eighty-three years which is the equivalent of a thousand months. The TJmayyads fought Islam since its inception, then they fought the family of the Prophet (pbuh), that is, AhI alBayt, the whole time they were in power. The first self-declared Umayyad ruler was Abu Sufyan, and the last was Mu’awiya al-Himar.

If you trace the period extending from the first year during which Abu Sufyan forced his authority on the Muslims until the Umayyad lost grip over power, you will come to a figure equivalent to a thousand months. It is as if the Holy Qur’an is saying that one night in the sight of Allah is better than all the thousand months those corrupt Umayyads ruled the Muslim masses by sheer force.

The Almighty has also said, "Peace, it is, till t~he break of the morn," that is, "Lailatul-Qadr is a night of peace and tranquility against all evils, tribulations, and the mischief of the devils. No evil can take place during it, nor can a demon practice his evil designs. It is peace for the devotees who are greeted whenever they are met by the angels. The angels greet them and greet you, O Muhammad, and so does My Spirit, since the moment they descend from heavens and till the time of daybreak."

According to the book titled al-Iqbal which cites Kanzul Yawaqeec by Abul-FadI ibn Muhammad al-Harwi, the Prophet (pbuh) has said, "Whoever remains awake during Lailatul-Qadr and spends it in adoration will have his penalty postponed till the next year." According to the same reference, the Prophet (pbuh) says that Moses (as) once addressed the Almighty saying,

"Lord! I desire to be near to You." The Almighty said, "Whoever desires nearness to Me is one who remains awake during Lailatul-Qadr (worshipping Me)." I-fe said, "Lord! I wish to earn Your mercy." The Almighty said, "My mercy is granted to anyone who is merciful to the indigent during LailatulQadr." He said, "Lord! I wish to pass on the right path." He said, ‘This is granted to anyone who spends alms during Lailatul-Qadr.

" He said, "Lord! I wish to enjoy the trees and fruits of Paradise!" The Almighty said, ‘This is granted to anyone who praises Me during Lailatul-Qadr." He said, "Lord! I wish to achieve salvation from the fire!" He said, "This is granted to anyone who seeks forgiveness during Lailatul-Qadr." He said, "Lord! I wish to achieve Your pleasure!" The Almighty said, "I shall be pleased with anyone who prays two (optional) rek’ats during Lailatul-Qadr."

The same book quotes the Holy Prophet (pbuh) saying that the gates of heaven will be opened during Lailatul-Qadr; every devotee who performs prayers during it will receive a tree in Paradise for each prostration he makes, a tree under whose shade a rider may keep riding for a hundred years without leaving its shade. And he will receive for each rek’at mansion in Paradise of pearls, sapphires, chrysolites and diamonds. For each verse he recites he will receive one of the crowns of Paradise. The tradition is lengthy and it contains quite a generous reward indeed.

AI-Dooryasti, in Kitab al-Husna, relying on the authority of Abu Ja ‘ fer al-Jawad who quotes his forefathers quoting Imam alBaqir, peace be upon all of them, the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is quoted saying that whoever spends Lailatul-Qadr adoring his Lord will have all his sins forgiven even if they had numbered as many as the stars in the heavens, the weight of the mountains, or the measures of the seas. AI-Harwi reported a similar tradition which is recorded in Kanz at-Yawaqeet.

Ibn Abbas, may Allah be pleased with him and his father, is quoted on page 5351 of Al-Soljib al-Jami’ citing the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) saying, "Lailatul-Qadr is easy, airy, neither very hot nor very cold; the sun rises on its morning colored pale red." The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is also quoted saying, "At the morning of Lailatul-Qadr,

the sun rises without rays, looking like a washbowl, till it is high." This tradition is reported by Muslim and al-Tirmithi. The Messenger of Allah (pbuh) is also reported saying, "Lailatul-Qadr is a serene night, neither hot nor cold, and no comet is hurled during it. One of the signs of its advent is that the sun rises without a ray."

Zad al-Ma’ad quotes a few scholars who believe in its perpetuity, indicating that some of them say that it is at the conclusion of the year; therefore, it has to be observed during all nights of the year so that one of them will be it. Others say that it is in Sha’ban and the month of Ramadhan, while still others say that it is the night of the middle of Sha’ban: Others say that it is the beginning of the month of Ramadhan, while others say it is the middle of it; yet others say it is the seventeenth. Still others say it is the twenty-ninth of it, while others say it is the last night of it, and most Sunnis of our time are of the view that it is the twenty-seventh. This proves that the reason why it was not determined exactly is due to the purpose of observing the entire month.

On Lailatul-Qadr did the night journey (israa) to heavens take place, and the Almighty raised Jesus son of Mary (as) to Him. On it, His servant and prophet Moses (as) died, and so did Joshua son of Noon, the wasi of Moses, peace be upon both of them. Also on it was the commander of the faithful Imam Ali ibn Abu Talib (as) martyred.

Relying on the authority of Abu Ja ‘ fer, peace be upon him, a few narrators of hadith have indicated that the Prophet (pbuh) had been asked once about the Night of Destiny (Lailatul-Qadr). So he ascended the pulpit and, having praised the Almighty, he (pbuh) said, "You have asked me about the Night of Destiny.

I have not concealed the knowledge of it from you out of my ignorance thereof. Be informed, O people, that whoever during the month of Ramadhan is healthy, and he fasts during its days and performs prayers during a portion of its nights and is punctual regarding the obligatory prayers, and makes an effort to attend congregational prayers on Fridays during it and attends the Bid prayers as well, he will then have honored the Night of Destiny duly, and he will receive his reward from the Creator."

Do you need any more clues regarding the greatness of Lailatul-Qadr? Then let us tell you that the authors of Thawab a)A ‘mat and Bihar al-Anwar have cited the son of al-MutawakJcil quoting Muhammad al-Attar quoting al-Ash’ ad quoting Muhammad ibn Hassan quoting Ibn Mahran quoting al-Bataini quoting his father quoting Abu Busayr quoting Imam Abu Abdullah al-Sadiq (as), the men whose truthfulness is not doubted even by the most skeptic scholar, saying that whoever recites Surat al-’Ankabut (The Spider) and Surat al-Rum (Romans) during the 23rd night of the month of Ramadhan will secure admission into Paradise without any exception.

On p. 19, Vol. 94, of Bihar al-Anwar , the Imam (as) is quoted adding, "I do not fear lest Allah should record that I have committed a sin for having said surely these two Chapters enjoy a great status with Allah."

Chapter 27: The Night of Destiny (Lailatul-Qadr) Which night is Lailatul-Qadr?

is it the 17th or the 19th? [Main Abu Ja"fer Muhammad ibn Ali-alBaqir (as) is quoted in Bihar al-A nwar and Da ‘aim al-Islam as having said, ‘The 17th night of the month of Ramadhan is when the two parties met, and the 19th is when the lists of the pilgrims is written down, and the 21st is when successors to the Prophets passed away and Jesus Christ (as) was raised to heaven and Moses (as) passed away, whereas the 23rd is hoped to be Lailatnl-Qadr.

" Both al‘Ayyashi’s Tafsir and al-Majlisi’s Bihar al-A nwar quote ‘Amr ibn Sa’eed saying, "A man from Medina disagreed with me regarding the night (Lailatul-Qadr) when the two hosts meet, saying that it was the night of the 17th of the month of Ramadhan, so I went to see Abu Abdullah (as) and told him about our disagreement, whereupon he (as) said, ‘The man from Medina did not say the truth;

I know that you mean it is the 19th when the Commander of the Faithful (Imam ;li. as) was wounded, and it is the same night when Jesus son of Mary (as) was raised to heavens." Both references quote Humran quoting Abu Abdullah Imam Ja’fer al-Sadiq (as) saying, "The destiny referred to as Lailatul-Qadr is the same destiny referred to in another verse (of Surat al-A’ raf) wherein the most Exalted One says: ‘When their doom is come, they shall not remain behind in the least, nor will they go before’ (Holy Qur’an, 7:34)."

Or is it the 21st or the 23rd? Al-Husain ibn ‘Ubaydullah, according to Majalis al-Shaykh, as quoted on p. 2, Vol. 94, of Bihar al-Anwar, quotes Ahmed ibn Muhammad ibn Yahya who in turn quotes his father saying, "I was in the company of Abu Abdullah (as) when Abu Busayr asked him, ‘Which night is the one when one is to plead to his Lord whatever he wishes to plead?

’ The Imam (as) answered him by saying, ‘Either the twenty-first or the twenty-third.’ He then asked him (as), ‘What if I have no strength to observe both of them?’ The Imam (as) said, ‘How easy it is to observe them when compared to your pleas!"’ Abu Abdullah (as) is also quoted in the same volume of Bihar al-Anwar saying,

"The twenty-third night of the month of Ramadhan is the one when every weighty matter is decided, when trials, tribulations, deaths, and means of sustenance and other matters are determined, and so will whatever Allah decrees to take place for the entire next year; so, congratulations to anyone who remains awake during it bowing, prostrating, contemplating upon his sins, weeping on their account, for if you do all of that, God willing, you will never be disappointed."

Then he added, "Allah will order an angel to call out during each and every day of the month of Ramadhan conveying Allah’s message to them thus: ‘Good news, O My servants! I have forgiven your past sins and permitted some of you to intercede on behalf of the rest on Lailatul-Qadr except those who break their fast with an intoxicant or those who bear grudge against another Muslim brother!"’ It is narrated that Allah Subhanahu wa Ta’ala wards off evil and sins and all types of trials on the 25th night from all His servants who fast and grants them light in their hearing and vision; Paradise is decorated during Lailatul-Qadr’s day and night.

The great Sunni scholar Urn Abul-Hadid, in his commentary on NahjulBalaghei, cites Ibn Durayd’s Amali stating that al-Jarmoothi quotes lbn al-Muhallabi quoting Ibn al-Kalbi quoting Shaddad ibil Ibrahim quoting ‘Ubaydullah ibn al-Hassan al-Fahri quoting Ibn ‘Aradah saying, ‘The Commander of the Faithful (as) was once asked about Lailatul-Qadr, and he said, ‘It is not at all improbable that I know which night it is and deliberately hide such knowledge, and I do not at all doubt that Allah hid such knowledge from you only out of His love for you, for if you knew which night it is, you would have honored it and left the others, and I hope you will not err in its regard."

Chapter 28: Recommended deeds for each night of the last ten nights of the month

These are many; among them is what is recommended by the Prophet (pbuh) who has said: "Whoever prays two rek’ats on Lailatul-Qadr and recites the Fatiha once in each rek’a and the Tawheed seven times, then when he finishes he seeks forgiveness seventy times, then he adds, ‘I seek Allah’s forgiveness and to Him do I repent,’ by the time he leaves his place, Allah will have forgiven him and his parents and sent angels to record good deeds for him for another year, and He would send angels to plant trees for him in Paradise and build him mansions and draw rivers, and he would not leave the Life of this world before seeing all what is in store for him in Paradise."

Another recommended deed is ghusl (ceremonialbath) which is highly recommended and emphasized especially during the last three nights (of the month), and the best time to take it is after sunset prayers. And speaking of ghusul, it is recommended, as the Prophet of Islam (pbuh) had himself done, to stay away from women during these most sacred days but to approach two days.

As a matter of fact, p. 180, Vol. 4, of al-Kulayni’s AI-Kafi, p. 348, Vol. 94, of al-Mailisi’s Bihar al-Anwar , and p. 112, Vol. 2, of Ibn Babawayehs work Man La yahduru al-faqih all suggest that it is highly recommended to approach women particularly during the first nights of the month of Ramadhan. These classic books quote the Commander of the Faithful (as) saying that it is recommended for a believer to cohabit with his wife (particularly) during the first night of this sacred month.

Another recommended deed is what is called the "plea by the sanctity of the Holy Qur’ an" which is reported on the authority of both Imains al-Baqir and al-Sadiq, peace be upon them, who have said, "You must take the Holy Qur’an during thor last three nights of the month of Ramadhan, open it, then put it on your hands and say:

Lord! I plead to You by Your revealed Book and everything in it, and in it is Your great Name and the most snblim.t attributes. I plead to You to send blessings unto Muhammad (pbuh) and the progeny of Muhammad (phub) and to free rue from the bondage of the fire,’ then you ask Allah whatever you wish.

" Imam al-Sadiq (as) is quoted saying, ‘Take the Holy Qur’an, put it on your head and say, ‘Lord! By the grace of this Holy Qur’at~ and to whom You have revealed it, and by every believer You have praised therein, and by Your right upon them, for none knows Your right more than You!’ Then you. repeat ten times each of the following:

‘By Your Grace, O Mighty God! By Muhammad, by Ali, by Fatima, by al~Has5a1I, by al~I-{usSa1n, by All ibm al-Hussain, by Muhammad ibm All, by Ja’fer ibn Muhammad, by Mousa ibm Ja’fer, by Ali ibn Mousa, by Muhammad ibn Ali, by Ali ibn Muhammad, by al-I-lassan ibn AM, by al-Hujja (alMabdi),’ then you state your plea, and Allah will help you attain your objective if He pleases." Another special invocation quoted from the Prophet (pbuh) says:

"I bear witness that there is no god but Allah, the One and Only God, without a partners and that Muhammad (phub) is His servant and messenger. I bear witness that Paradise is right and that the fire is right, and that the bout is approaching~ there is no doubt about it, and that Allah shall bring life to those in the graves. I further bear witness that the Lord is my God:

there is no partner with I-jim, nor a son, nor a father, and I bear witness that He does whatever He pleases and is able to do everything and is the Doer of what He wills. He humiliates whomsoever He wills and raises whomsoever He pleases, Owner of the domain, Sustainer of the servants, the Forgiving, the Mercy-giving, the Omniscient, the Kind. I bear witness again and again and again and again and again and again and again that You, Lord, are exactly so and even more, and that none can describe Your greatness. Lord! I pray You to send blessings unto Muhammad (phub) and the progeny of Muhammad (pbuh) and to guide me and not to leave me to stray after having guided me, for You guide whomsoever You please."