السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
Allah [s.w.t.] says: "Indeed! We revealed the Quran on the Night of Al-Qadr. And what will explain to thee what the Night of Al-Qadr is? The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand. Peace it is, till the rising of dawn." [al-Qadr 97:1-5]
These last 10 nights of Ramadhan is a golden opportunity for Muslims to search for the gift of Laylatul Qadr. Particularly when it is a gift from our Creator, out of His Love for His creations. A close companion of the Beloved {s.a.w.] demonstrated this noble spirit and he is none other than Abu Darda [r.a.]
A companion of the Prophet (s.a.w.) cultivated his garden next to the property of an orphan. One day, the orphan claimed that a specific palm tree was hanging over his property and thus belonged to him. The companion refuted the claim and went to the Beloved [s.a.w.], who measured the two gardens and found that the palm tree did indeed belonged to the companion. Upon hearing the Prophet's decision, the orphan began to cry profusely. Seeing this, the Beloved (s.a.w.) offered the companion, “Would you give him the palm tree and to you is a palm tree in Paradise?” However, the companion was in such a state of anger that he stormed off - and hence missed the golden opportunity offered by the Prophet [s.a.w.].
But someone else saw the opportunity and seized it. Abu Darda (r.a.) went to the Prophet (s.a.w.) and asked, “O Messenger of Allah! If I buy that tree from him and gave it to the orphan, shall I have a tree in Paradise?” The Beloved (s.a.w.) replied, “Yes.”
He immediately purchased that lone tree from the companion, in exchange for his own entire garden. He went home and asked his family to evacuate the garden by saying: “Leave this garden. We’ve sold it to Allah!”
When Abu Darda [r.a.] was later martyred in the Battle of Uhud, Rasulullah (s.a.w.) stood over his slain body and remarked, “How many shady palm trees does Abu Darda now have in paradise?”
Abu Darda [r.a.] did not miss his opportunity with Allah [s.w.t.], and I pray that we will not miss our opportunity of standing in night vigil before Allah (s.w.t.) on Laylatul Qadr.
While you are at it, do extent a prayer for me, for all of us here, for the Ummah, for the oppressed, for the underprivileged, for those whose lives were taken away suddenly from them, for those who were unjustly treated in this world - because prayers are the strongest weapon of a true believer, who is humble enough to acknowledge his utter dependence on his Lord. Be sure your actions always reflect your faith, and not your emotions. As Muslims, we are assured, without a shadow of a doubt, that Allah [s.w.t.] will replace our worldly sufferings and injustices with something better beyond our reckoning.
And we put our absolute Trust in the Judgment and Wisdom of The Almighty [s.w.t.].
Amin, ya Rabb!
Love,
The Alchemist.
Allah [s.w.t.] says: "Indeed! We revealed the Quran on the Night of Al-Qadr. And what will explain to thee what the Night of Al-Qadr is? The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Spirit by Allah's permission, on every errand. Peace it is, till the rising of dawn." [al-Qadr 97:1-5]
These last 10 nights of Ramadhan is a golden opportunity for Muslims to search for the gift of Laylatul Qadr. Particularly when it is a gift from our Creator, out of His Love for His creations. A close companion of the Beloved {s.a.w.] demonstrated this noble spirit and he is none other than Abu Darda [r.a.]
A companion of the Prophet (s.a.w.) cultivated his garden next to the property of an orphan. One day, the orphan claimed that a specific palm tree was hanging over his property and thus belonged to him. The companion refuted the claim and went to the Beloved [s.a.w.], who measured the two gardens and found that the palm tree did indeed belonged to the companion. Upon hearing the Prophet's decision, the orphan began to cry profusely. Seeing this, the Beloved (s.a.w.) offered the companion, “Would you give him the palm tree and to you is a palm tree in Paradise?” However, the companion was in such a state of anger that he stormed off - and hence missed the golden opportunity offered by the Prophet [s.a.w.].
But someone else saw the opportunity and seized it. Abu Darda (r.a.) went to the Prophet (s.a.w.) and asked, “O Messenger of Allah! If I buy that tree from him and gave it to the orphan, shall I have a tree in Paradise?” The Beloved (s.a.w.) replied, “Yes.”
He immediately purchased that lone tree from the companion, in exchange for his own entire garden. He went home and asked his family to evacuate the garden by saying: “Leave this garden. We’ve sold it to Allah!”
When Abu Darda [r.a.] was later martyred in the Battle of Uhud, Rasulullah (s.a.w.) stood over his slain body and remarked, “How many shady palm trees does Abu Darda now have in paradise?”
Abu Darda [r.a.] did not miss his opportunity with Allah [s.w.t.], and I pray that we will not miss our opportunity of standing in night vigil before Allah (s.w.t.) on Laylatul Qadr.
While you are at it, do extent a prayer for me, for all of us here, for the Ummah, for the oppressed, for the underprivileged, for those whose lives were taken away suddenly from them, for those who were unjustly treated in this world - because prayers are the strongest weapon of a true believer, who is humble enough to acknowledge his utter dependence on his Lord. Be sure your actions always reflect your faith, and not your emotions. As Muslims, we are assured, without a shadow of a doubt, that Allah [s.w.t.] will replace our worldly sufferings and injustices with something better beyond our reckoning.
And we put our absolute Trust in the Judgment and Wisdom of The Almighty [s.w.t.].
Amin, ya Rabb!
Love,
The Alchemist.
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