السلام عليكم و رحمة الله و بركاته
Whenever we discuss about Laylatul Qadr, we are guided by many popular ahadeeth on the "what" and the "when" of that Night of Power. Let us revisit some of them:
1) It is dedicated to nights of intense devotions
"The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) used to strive more in worship during Ramadhan than he strove in any other time of the year; and he would devote himself more (in the worship of Allah) in the last ten nights of Ramadhan than he strove in the earlier part of the month." (Muslim)
2) A night full of rewards and goodness
"This month (of Ramadhan) has begun and there is a night in it better than one thousand month. (So,) any one deprived of its (blessings) is actually deprived of all goodness. Indeed, He is truly deprived who is kept away from its good." (Ibn Rajah)
3) It occurs on the last 10 nights of Ramadhan
"Seek Laylatul Qadr in the odd nights out of the last ten nights of Ramadan.'' (Bukhari)
4) It is a period of seclusion
"The Prophet (s.a.w.) used to engage himself in i'tikaf (seclusion for worship) during the last ten nights of Ramadhan till he passed away; his wives followed this practice after him." (Bukhari and Muslim)
5) It is a period of night vigils
"Whosoever performs Qiyam (night vigils) during Laylatul Qadr, with faith and being hopeful of Allah's reward, will have his former sins forgiven.'' (Bukhari and Muslim)
Generally, the stress made by Muslims is always about heightening our devotions during the last ten odd nights of Ramadhan in order for us to meet with Laylatul Qadr. However, let us step back for a moment. If our efforts are directed to these last ten odd nights only, would Laylatul Qadr occur during the odd days for those in the eastern hemisphere or western hemisphere of the globe? If Allah [s.w.t.] is about to grant us a continuous reward better than a thousand months, are we going to calculate meticulously on which nights we should be waking up for vigils? What if, hypothetically, Laylatul Qadr is not about a single night, but is about a concept of striving?
There is a beautiful divine wisdom that the exact date of Laylatul Qadr remains a secret. On that note, it is obnoxious to note that some Muslims (spiritual or otherwise) can claim to know exactly when this day falls when even that knowledge was eluded from the Beloved [s.a.w.]. The knowledge of its occurrence is restricted from men. The only way to find it is to put forth effort and to seek it - and to me, that is the real beauty of Laylatul Qadr. When something is hidden, it is a sign of its value. One who truly understands this will work to find the hidden treasure of this night.
This is exactly the methodology of "being" in Islam. It is a process and not a destination. In order to deserve this blessed Night, one needs to put in real effort to wake up every night searching for this amazing gift from Allah [s.w.t.]. It cannot, and should not, come easy, for after all, what is the sweetness and value in that?
Indeed, finding Laylatul Qadr exacts and demands from us sacrifice, discipline, faith, effort and a real desire to really want to find it. Many people wishes to meet with this night, but only those with perseverance holds the patience and faith required to achieve it. As a result of one's striving since the first day of Ramadhan, only those who continue to truly keep going will be rewarded with Laylatul Qadr.
My advice is: not to get too caught up with all the mathematics of finding Laylatul Qadr. Humbly strive for it every night, and insyaAllah, Allah [s.a.w.] will not waste any of your efforts nor disappoint you in your search, and will grant your meeting with Laylatul Qadr.
Only those who diligently search, will find. It will be easier to give up but it takes a real distinguished believer to hold on. What we do, defines us. The rest of our talk, is completely unnecessary.
Love,
The Alchemist.
Whenever we discuss about Laylatul Qadr, we are guided by many popular ahadeeth on the "what" and the "when" of that Night of Power. Let us revisit some of them:
1) It is dedicated to nights of intense devotions
"The Messenger of Allah (s.a.w.) used to strive more in worship during Ramadhan than he strove in any other time of the year; and he would devote himself more (in the worship of Allah) in the last ten nights of Ramadhan than he strove in the earlier part of the month." (Muslim)
2) A night full of rewards and goodness
"This month (of Ramadhan) has begun and there is a night in it better than one thousand month. (So,) any one deprived of its (blessings) is actually deprived of all goodness. Indeed, He is truly deprived who is kept away from its good." (Ibn Rajah)
3) It occurs on the last 10 nights of Ramadhan
"Seek Laylatul Qadr in the odd nights out of the last ten nights of Ramadan.'' (Bukhari)
4) It is a period of seclusion
"The Prophet (s.a.w.) used to engage himself in i'tikaf (seclusion for worship) during the last ten nights of Ramadhan till he passed away; his wives followed this practice after him." (Bukhari and Muslim)
5) It is a period of night vigils
"Whosoever performs Qiyam (night vigils) during Laylatul Qadr, with faith and being hopeful of Allah's reward, will have his former sins forgiven.'' (Bukhari and Muslim)
Generally, the stress made by Muslims is always about heightening our devotions during the last ten odd nights of Ramadhan in order for us to meet with Laylatul Qadr. However, let us step back for a moment. If our efforts are directed to these last ten odd nights only, would Laylatul Qadr occur during the odd days for those in the eastern hemisphere or western hemisphere of the globe? If Allah [s.w.t.] is about to grant us a continuous reward better than a thousand months, are we going to calculate meticulously on which nights we should be waking up for vigils? What if, hypothetically, Laylatul Qadr is not about a single night, but is about a concept of striving?
There is a beautiful divine wisdom that the exact date of Laylatul Qadr remains a secret. On that note, it is obnoxious to note that some Muslims (spiritual or otherwise) can claim to know exactly when this day falls when even that knowledge was eluded from the Beloved [s.a.w.]. The knowledge of its occurrence is restricted from men. The only way to find it is to put forth effort and to seek it - and to me, that is the real beauty of Laylatul Qadr. When something is hidden, it is a sign of its value. One who truly understands this will work to find the hidden treasure of this night.
This is exactly the methodology of "being" in Islam. It is a process and not a destination. In order to deserve this blessed Night, one needs to put in real effort to wake up every night searching for this amazing gift from Allah [s.w.t.]. It cannot, and should not, come easy, for after all, what is the sweetness and value in that?
Indeed, finding Laylatul Qadr exacts and demands from us sacrifice, discipline, faith, effort and a real desire to really want to find it. Many people wishes to meet with this night, but only those with perseverance holds the patience and faith required to achieve it. As a result of one's striving since the first day of Ramadhan, only those who continue to truly keep going will be rewarded with Laylatul Qadr.
My advice is: not to get too caught up with all the mathematics of finding Laylatul Qadr. Humbly strive for it every night, and insyaAllah, Allah [s.a.w.] will not waste any of your efforts nor disappoint you in your search, and will grant your meeting with Laylatul Qadr.
Only those who diligently search, will find. It will be easier to give up but it takes a real distinguished believer to hold on. What we do, defines us. The rest of our talk, is completely unnecessary.
Love,
The Alchemist.
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