Surah Naba

About what are they asking one another?

About the great news -

That over which they are in disagreement

نبا means 'news' but not every news is naba'. It means a 'momentous news of a great event'. Also, it is the kind of news that requires some action as a response, and it must be taken seriously. In contrast, خبر refers to any news, and usually it refers to small matters. Allah also adds عظيم to it to add further emphasis that it is a great news. عظم also refers to bones, or something unbreakable. So, this implies that this event is set in stone, and is bound to occur. It is something tangible that we will experience when the time comes.

نبا refers to the news of the Day of Judgement in this ayah. The inhabitants of Makkah ask about the Day of Judgement in which they dispute, some of them believed in Resurrection, others did not. Sayyidna Ibn 'Abbas (RA) reports that when the revelation of Qur'an started, the pagan Arabs used to form circles and discuss and criticise it, especially the mention of Day of Judgement in the Qur'an. The pagans thought this was impossible, and they used to persuade themselves to believe that the Qiyamah will never take place. The Surah opens by shunning the enquirers and the enquiry. (MQ)

Their enquiry was not a genuine one where they were sincerely keen to learn about the truth. So they ask half-mockingly and half in doubt, when Qiyamah will happen? The intent of their question was not to seek the truth but to diminish the Quran, and make a mockery out of it. (MQ)

No! They are going to know

Then, no! They are going to know

The particle كلّا is negative, and means 'never, by no means/ not at all'. When كلّا is followed immediately by a statement, it adds emphasis to the statement and implies that it will indeed happen. Allah responds to their sarcasm, and implies that "Nooo! they will find out soon". This statement is repeated twice for emphasis. Its reality will be understood by them when they will face it directly. This matter cannot be understood by question and answer or by debate. It is such a reality that will manifest itself when the time comes. (MQ)

Allah usually threatens disbelievers in the Qur'an by either mentioning destruction of nations, the Day of Judgement, or the punishment of hell. Our ummah will not be destroyed by a collective punishment (adhaab). So, here Allah refers to the Day of Judgement and the punishment of Hell. (MQ)

Have We not made the earth a resting place?

Then, Allah begins to explain His great ability to create strange things and amazing matters. He brings this as a proof of His ability to do whatever He wishes concerning the matter of the Hereafter and other matters as well.

The Earth was made as a vast resting place, as a bed for us. مهادا is an established, firm and peaceful resting place that is subservient to them. Our beds are just tiny dots on the huge bed that Allah has provided us.

And the mountains as pegs?

The mountains act as pegs for the earth to hold it in place, make it stable and firm. This is so that it may be suitable for dwelling and not quake with those who are in it. Mountains are similar in appearance to tents. Compare our tents to Allah's tents. We are reminded of how humble our creation and human efforts are, compared to Allah's creation. We are incapable and Allah is capable.


And We created you in pairs

Living things were created in pairs, and the purpose was to sustain the cycle of life, and find solace and completion in our partners. ازواج also means groups, so this refers to the fact that humans are social animals, and we cannot live in isolation.

Other creation was made in pairs too, e.g. night and day, Earth as bed and mountains as pegs, body and soul etc. Similarly, life is also created in pairs, the life of this dunya and the afterlife.

And made your sleep [a means for] rest

The word سباتا is derived from سبت which means 'to cut off'. Sleep is something that cuts off the worries and tensions one may have, and thus gives him such a rest that cannot be attained from anything else. Therefore, some scholars translate the word subat as 'rest'.

This gift is made available equally and simultaneously for all. The gift of sleep is not dependent upon the mattresses, pillows, cottages and bungalows. It is purely a divine gift that is given directly by Allah. Often the poor, with no means of comfort and without bed or bedding, enjoy the best sleep in an open space. Sometimes, the affluent suffer from insomnia and can only get sleep when they take sleeping pills.

Not only that this great gift is given to all creatures - humans as well as animals - and it is given free of charge, without working for it. Allah has made it compulsory for everyone in a way that even if he wishes to keep awake because of load of work, sleep is imposed on him by Allah's mercy, so that his tiredness is removed and he is refreshed to work further. (MQ)

Sleep is a form of death, and wakefulness is a form of resurrection. Sleep should remind us of our death and getting up from sleep should remind us of the Day of Judgement. We should naturally come to this conclusion on our own.

And made the night as clothing

Man naturally feels sleepy when light decreases and darkness prevails, when there is tranquillity all around and there is absence of noises. Allah did not only give man sleep, but created in the entire world conditions that are suitable for sleep. The night was made as a لباس to cover everything with tranquility.

That is to say: [1] darkness of night; [2] the state of sleep is imposed on all humans and animals simultaneously, so that they sleep at the same time. In this way, there will be peace and tranquillity throughout the world. (MQ)

And made the day for livelihood

Man requires, together with sleep, other essentials of life, such as livelihood. Otherwise, the sleep will turn into death. If the world would have had only nights and no days, and man would have continued to sleep all the time, how would he have obtained his livelihood and other essentials, whereas day is the time when he could work hard and make activities in the daylight in order to earn a living. We made it radiant, luminous, and shining so that the people would be able to move about in it.(MQ)

The relationship between man and woman can be compared with the night and the day. The night has been described as a لباس so one aspect of our human relationship is that we are a source of love, protection, closeness, comfort, beauty for each other. The day is a معاش  so the other aspect of our relationship is that of fulfilling responsibilities, earning provision and facing the struggles of life together. So, marriage is a balance of love and responsibilities, and both are equally essential to keep this relationship going. (NAK)

And constructed above you seven strong [heavens]

Allah constructed above us seven strong/intense ceilings/heavens. Imagine the seven heavens in their vastness, loftiness, perfection, precision, and adornment with stars.  Compare that to our construction. Allah's construction is unparalleled and flawless.

And made [therein] a burning lamp

We install lamps and chandeliers as sources of light in our ceilings, but what are they compared to the lamp that Allah has placed in the skies? The lamp is سراجا (shining, burning, luminous lamp) and it is وهاجا which means that it keeps giving intense heat, over and over again.


 And sent down, from the rain clouds, pouring water

معصرات is something that squeezes, so clouds squeeze and push against each other to produce rain. ثجاجا refers to abundant, continuous  pouring, so it refers to heavy pouring rain.

That We may bring forth thereby grain and vegetation


And gardens of entwined growth.

حبا and نباتا are necessities for survival. Grain and vegetation refers to the things necessary for survival.
الفافا is something that is entwined, entangled. Gardens represent beauty, and they are not essential unlike grains and vegetation. So, the earth produces things of necessity and things of beauty, and both have their own purpose.

Allah uses the word جنات to remind us of the gardens of Jannah. Everything in dunya should remind us of akhirah. Allah gave us a preview of the blessings of Jannah in this dunya. If we hadn't experienced snippets of these blessings in dunya (e.g. rivers, garden etc.), we would not have been drawn to the beauty of Jannah.

Indeed, the Day of Separation/Judgement is an appointed time -

It is a Day of Separation. Why is it called a Day of separation? People will be separated in different groups based on their deeds. Also, we will be separated from our status, wealth, friends, family, opportunities and possessions that we had in dunya, and we will be on our own on that day.

The Day the Horn is blown and you will come forth in multitudes


The trumpet will be blown twice. When it is blown the first time, the entire world will come to an end. When it is blown the second time, people of the entire world, the earlier generations as well as the latter generations, will be resurrected and come in multitudes and droves. افواجا refers to huge groups or large herds of people. (MQ)

And the heaven is opened and will become gateways

The heaven was earlier described as seven strong skies. At other places in the Quran, Allah says: Do you see any crack in it? The sky was described as an impenetrable fort. But, on the Day of Judgement, it will become massive passageways and gateways. The sky will have so many openings that it will not even appear like a wall anymore. There will be paths, and routes for the descending of the angels.

Narrated Al--A`mash:

Abu Huraira said, "Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, 'Between the two sounds of the trumpet, there will be forty." Somebody asked Abu Huraira, "Forty days?" But he refused to reply. Then he asked, "Forty months?" He refused to reply. Then he asked, "Forty years?" Again, he refused to reply. Abu Huraira added. "Then (after this period) Allah will send water from the sky and then the dead bodies will grow like vegetation grows, There is nothing of the human body that does not decay except one bone; that is the little bone at the end of the coccyx of which the human body will be recreated on the Day of Resurrection." (Bukhari)

And the mountains are removed and will be [but] a mirage.

The word سيرت means 'set in motion'/made to move smoothly. It signifies that mountains, which are taken as an example of firmness and strength, will be shifted from their positions, and will become like little particles of dust flying about in the atmosphere. 
The word سراب literally means 'to disappear' and it also refers to 'mirage' or an optical illusion, as of a sheet of water, that sometimes appears in a desert, because it seems to be a sheet of water from a distance, but when a person comes near it, it disappears. (MQ)

Indeed, Hell has been lying in wait

مرصاد means 'an ambush' or 'lying in wait to attack while someone is unaware' or 'a secret position for surprise attack'. Imagine an eagle that is perched and is waiting to pounce on its prey, or a lion eyeing its prey to ambush it. Hell is in wait for the disbelievers so that it can ambush and devour them.

مرصاد also means a "road/path". This could refer to the bridge of Siraat. Everyone will have to pass over this bridge, even the believers, so they see what they were saved from.

Sayyidna Hasan Basri (RA) said that there will be an outpost of guardian angels on the bridge of Hell. If anyone has a permit to enter Paradise, he will be permitted to enter; but if anyone does not have the permit to enter Paradise, he will be prevented from entering it. The angels of reward and punishment will lie in wait. The angels of punishment will make a surprise attack on the inmates of Hell. (MQ)

For the transgressors, a place of return,

طاغين is derived from طغيان, meaning 'rebellion'. طغيان is also used for water that spills out out of its container and floods everything. Water has no bounds unless you put limits around it. So, it refers to a 'person who exceeds the limits set by Allah and rebels against Allah'. This is possible only when he gives up his faith. So, this verse refers to the disbelievers or the stray groups of Muslims who have deviated from the limits of Qur'an and Sunnah, though they may not have adopted kufr expressly. (MQ)

مأبا refers to a place of return.  These people want to escape from Hell, but they will be pushed back into Hell again and again.

In which they will remain for ages [unending].

The word لابثين is the plural of لابث which means 'one who abides'. It usually refers to the one who remains at a place for a long period of time. 

The word احقاب means 'ages/eons or a long time'. Scholars differ on the exact length or specific amount of time meant by this word. Some state that حقب is eighty years, and the year constitutes twelve months, and every month comprises thirty days, and each day is equivalent to one thousand years, thus one حقب totalling about twenty million and eighty-eight hundred thousand years. So, the people will remain for multiple such periods (احقاب) over and over again. 

It can also simply mean a very long period of time, so this will be interpreted as 'many long periods of time successively following the others'. Why didn't Allah simply say eternity? The idea was to emphasise that when they become expectant of their release after the passing of a حقب, they will be thrown back into hell, over and over again. There will be no escape for them. Whenever one hiqbah [era] is over, a new hiqbah will start; when the second era come to an end, a third hiqbah will start; when the third hiqbah ends, the fourth hiqbah will start and it will carry on for eternity. (MQ)

If the inmates of Hell are informed that they will abide in Hell for the number of pebbles in the entire world, they will be happy even at this information, because these pebbles though will count into billions or zillions, still they are finite. If so, their punishment will, some time or the other, come to an end. If the same information is given to the inmates of Paradise that they will abide therein to the count of billions of pebbles in the entire world, it will sadden them, because, in that case, no matter how long the space of time they will live in Paradise, they will be expelled after this period. (MQ)

They will not taste therein [any] coolness or drink

They will not find any coolness or relief from the fire. They will be given no drink to quench their thirst. They will ask for relief and anything to drink, but they will only be given boiling water.

Except scalding water and [foul] purulence -

حميما means 'intensely boiling water if brought near the face, it would burn its flesh, and when put into the stomach it would cut into pieces the internal organs'. It is the heat that has reached its maximum temperature and point of boiling.

The غساقا is gathered from the pus, sweat, tears, and wounds of the people of Hellfire. It is unbearably cold with an intolerable stench.. (MQ)

 An appropriate recompense.

جزا is earned income. وفاقا is something agreeable, appropriate. The punishment given to them in Hell will be based on justice and equity - a fitting recompense - on account of their false beliefs and evil deeds. They will not be wronged in the least

Indeed, they were not expecting an account

These people had no sense of accountability. Even if they had lived for eternity, they would have continued on the same lifestyle.

And denied Our verses with [emphatic] denial.

These people denied the word of Allah, and made a mockery out of it. Ayaat could refer to all the signs Allah showed them, but they turned away in denial.

But all things We have enumerated in writing.

Allah has recorded everything in our book of deeds.

"So taste [the penalty], and never will We increase you except in torment."

In the world, they continued to be persistent in disbelief. If death did not overtake them by coercion, they would have continued to add disbelief, so today their punishment will be increased. Allah describes hell with graphic descriptions so that we can take appropriate precautions, and protect ourself from the imminent punishment. We can only protect ourselves from the storm if we are aware of it.

Indeed, for the righteous is attainment -

مفازا refers to the time and place of success. Allah immediately follows the description of Hell by description of the heaven. Taqwa refers to taking appropriate precautions to protect oneself. Protection is required from the evil around us, from Shaytaan and from the evil within our own Nafs. Allah has given us the ability to protect ourselves, but if we do not exercise that muscle, it becomes dead and we become similar to animals.

Gardens and grapevines

And full-breasted [companions] of matching age


And a full cup.

This brings an image to the mind of a posh gathering, in which we are being served drinks and celebrating our success.

No ill speech will they hear therein or any falsehood -

After hearing mention of women, and drinks, we might imagine that such a gathering will have vain talk and activities. Allah immediately emphasises that there will be no lagw (useless, vain speech) there and there will be no falsehood. Allah painted this image to compare the vain gatherings of this dunya with the beautiful, pure gatherings of akhirah.

[As] reward from your Lord, [a generous] gift [made due by] account,

Here two things are mentioned. First, these blessings are a reward of their deeds. Secondly, they are a Divine grant. Apparently, they seem to be contradictory, because reward means receiving something in lieu of doing some service, whereas grant is a gift given without any service. The Qur'an has combined the two words in order to indicate that the blessings of Paradise are reward for the inmates of Paradise only apparently, and in reality they are a Divine gift, because human deeds cannot be the reward of even those blessings which were given to him in the world, let alone the blessings of the Hereafter which depend entirely on Divine grace.

"No one can enter Paradise merely by virtue of his deeds, unless Allah shows His grace." The Companions asked: "What about you, Messenger of Allah." He replied: "Nor will I enter Paradise merely by virtue of my action." (Hadith)

The word حسابا has two meanings: 

[1] a grant [that is] sufficient [and] abundant. This meaning is adapted from an idiom which means that I gave him so much so that it was sufficient for him until he yelled out "enough, this is too much for me"; and 

[2] the second meaning 'balancing of account' and 'comparing'. The grant will be in keeping with the degree of sincerity of their deeds as reported in authentic Traditions. The deeds of the noble Companions are greater than the deeds of the rest of the Ummah. (MQ)

[From] the Lord of the heavens and the earth and whatever is between them, the Most Merciful. They possess not from Him [authority for] speech.

This could be linked to the previous verse. In this case, it would mean that when Allah grants a certain grade of reward, no one dare speak about the grade as to why someone got more and others got less. In the general sense, it will mean that no one in the gathering will have the power to speak to Him without His permission.

The Day that the Spirit and the angels will stand in rows, they will not speak except for one whom the Most Merciful permits, and he will say what is correct.

Ruh (Spirit), according to some of the commentators, refers to the angel Jibrail (RA). He has been mentioned before the other angels in general in order to show the greatness of his status. He is the general of the legion of angels. All angels will be standing in humility before Allah, and they will be responsible for escorting the people to their final abode.

الرحمان means exceedingly, grandly merciful. It reflects the intensity of Allah's mercy.

صوابا means to speak accurately. اصاب is used when something hits the target accurately. Who will be given permission? According to hadith, Prophet ﷺ will be given the permission to intercede on behalf of the ummah.

Narrated Abu Sa'eed Al-Khudri: that the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "I am the chief of the children of Adam on the Day of Judgement and I am not boasting, and in my hand is the banner of praise and I am not boasting, and there has been no Prophet since Adam or other than him, except that he is under my banner. And I am the first for whom the earth will split open, and I am not boasting." He said: "The people will be frightened by three frights. So they will come to Adam saying: 'You are our father Adam, so intercede for us with your Lord.' So he says: 'I committed a sin for which I was expelled to the earth, so go to Nuh.' So they will come to Nuh and he will say: 'I supplicated against the people of the earth, so they were destroyed. So go to Ibrahim.' So they will go to Ibrahim, and he says: 'I lied three times.'" Then the Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said: "He did not lie except defending Allah's religion." "So go to Musa.' So they will come to Musa, and he will say: 'I took a life. So go to 'Eisa. So they go to 'Eisa and he says: 'I was worshiped besides Allah. So go to Muhammad (ﷺ).'" He said: "So they will come to me, and I will go to them." And it will be said: 'Who is there?' It will be said: 'Muhammad.' They will open it for me, and welcome me saying, 'Welcome.' I will fall prostrate and Allah will inspire me with statements of gratitude and praise and it will be said to me: 'Raise your head, ask and you shall be given, intercede, and your intercession shall be accepted, speak, and your saying shall be heard.' And that is Al-Maqam Al-Mahmud about which Allah said: It may be that your Lord will raise you to Maqaman-Mahmud (17:79)." (Tirmidhi)

That is the True Day; so he who wills may take to his Lord a [way of] return.

That is the day of حق i.e. ultimate reality and truth. On that day, we will be shown the reality of  our deeds, good or bad. The true value of everything will be revealed on that day. 
حق also refers to rights, so it will be the day when the rights of everyone will be fulfilled in a just and fair manner. 
حق also means purpose, so on that day, the purpose of our life will be fulfilled, and our eternal fate will be determined.

مأبا refers to a place of return. The knowledge and recognition of Allah is a part of fitrah, but sometimes we become oblivious to it. Allah wants us to make Him our مأبا.  Allah is eager for our return to Him.

Indeed, We have warned you of a near punishment on the Day when a man will observe what his hands have put forth and the disbeliever will say, "Oh, I wish that I were dust!"

The punishment refers to the Day of Judgement. Every individual will take a good look at the investment his hands sent for the future. 
This might happen in one of two ways: 
[1] his scroll of deeds will be given in his hands and he will see it; or 
[2] his deeds will appear on the day of Qiyamah, epitomized in a visible shape
A third possibility also exists. The word 'day' may refer to 'the day of death'. And the words 'will see' means to see in the grave or barzakh.

Sayyidna 'Abdullah Ibn 'Umar (RA) reports that on the Day of Resurrection the entire earth will become a plain surface where all human beings, Jinn, domesticated animals and wild animals will be gathered. If one animal had wronged another animal in the world, it will be given the opportunity to take its revenge. If a goat with horns had wronged a goat without horns, it will be granted the opportunity to take its avenge. When this phase is over, all animals will be commanded to become dust. They will become dust. At that moment the disbelievers will wish that they were also animals and would become dust like them, so that they would have been spared the torment of reckoning and punishment of Hell. 

We seek refuge in Allah from it! And all praise and thanks are due to Allah. He is the Giver of success and protection from error. Allah knows best!

Laylat ul Qadr (The Night of Power)

Surat-ul-Qadr (97)

إِنَّآ أَنزَلۡنَـٰهُ فِى لَيۡلَةِ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ

وَمَآ أَدۡرَٮٰكَ مَا لَيۡلَةُ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ

لَيۡلَةُ ٱلۡقَدۡرِ خَيۡرٌ۬ مِّنۡ أَلۡفِ شَہۡرٍ۬

تَنَزَّلُ ٱلۡمَلَـٰٓٮِٕكَةُ وَٱلرُّوحُ فِيہَا بِإِذۡنِ رَبِّہِم مِّن كُلِّ أَمۡرٍ۬

سَلَـٰمٌ هِىَ حَتَّىٰ مَطۡلَعِ ٱلۡفَجۡرِ

We have indeed revealed this (Quran) in the Night of Power (al-Qadr) (1)

And what will explain to you what the Night of Power is? (2)

The Night of Power is better than a thousand months. (3)

The angels and the Spirit descend in it, with the leave of your Lord, along with every command. (4)

Peace it is! Until the rise of dawn (5)

It comes in a hadith in the Muwatta of Imam Malik R.A. that the Messenger ﷺ used to look at the longer lives of the earlier people and was saddened when pondering over the much shorter lives of his own Ummah. If his Ummah had wished to compete with the people before them in piety and Taqwa, because of their shorter lives it would be impossible for them to either emulate or surpass them. To compensate for the difference in their life span, Almighty Allah Subhanahu Wata'ala out of His great Muhabbat and Infinite Mercy and Bounty granted them this great night of honour, grandeur and blessings. None of the previous Ummahs were given the gift of Laylat ul Qadr. 

MEANING OF THE NIGHT OF QADR

Qadr is commonly translated as the Night of Power. But, it has multiple interpretations, all of them being correct.

1- It means 'power, greatness, status honour and dignity'. 

مَا قَدَرُوا اللَّهَ حَقَّ قَدْرِهِ ۗ إِنَّ اللَّهَ لَقَوِيٌّ عَزِيزٌ - 22:74

They have not appraised Allah with true appraisal. Indeed, Allah is Powerful and Exalted in Might.

Its a night of great honour and nobility. Allah SWT, who has the highest status, chose to  reveal the greatest of revelation (Qur'an),  to the greatest of Prophets, through the greatest of angels Jibril AS, in the night that has the highest status.

Allah sent the Qur'an down all at one time from the Preserved Tablet (Al-Lawh Al-Mahfuz) to the House of Might (Baytul-`Izzah), which is in the (first) heaven of this world. Then it came down in parts to the Messenger of Allah based upon the incidents that occurred over a period of twenty-three years.

Another interpretation is that the first revelation, consisting of the opening verses of Surah Alaq, was revealed in the month of Ramadan on the Night of Qadr, when the Messenger of Allahﷺ was in the cave of Hira. The rest of the Qur'an was revealed little by little according to the need of different occasions. 

A person becomes a man of honour and dignity on account of his repentance and righteous acts during this night, while prior to this he might have lacked honour and dignity because of leading a life of disobedience. 

2- Qadr also means 'predestination, decree, estimation and determination'. The night is so called because the destiny of individuals and nations that was in the knowledge of Allah, is assigned to the relevant angels who are appointed to carry out these tasks. Every man's age, death, sustenance, rain and other things are measured out to the angels to be implemented for a complete year from one month of Ramadan to another. All angels are delegated different divine commandments by Allah. It is amazing that Allah chose this night for our decree, because this is the night when people will be engaged in worship and dua to Allah. Allah could have chosen any night, but He chose a night in which we would feel closest to Allah.

إِنَّا أَنزَلْنَاهُ فِي لَيْلَةٍ مُّبَارَكَةٍ ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُنذِرِينَ - 44:3

Indeed, We sent it (Qur'an) down during a blessed night. Indeed, We were to warn [mankind].

فِيهَا يُفْرَقُ كُلُّ أَمْرٍ حَكِيمٍ - 44:4

On that night is made distinct every precise matter -

أَمْرًا مِّنْ عِندِنَا ۚ إِنَّا كُنَّا مُرْسِلِينَ - 44:5

[Every] matter [proceeding] from Us. Indeed, We were to send [a messenger]

3- It also means 'the night of appreciation and value'. In this night, whoever worships Allah, Allah does qadr(appreciates it) so much that He counts this worship as better than a thousand months. The actions of this night are magnified and multiplied and have great value in the sight of Allah. Also, those who truly seek to recognise Allah will find a great appreciation of Allah in this night.

It was narrated from Abu Hurairah that :

The Messenger of Allah [SAW] said: "Whoever stands (in he voluntary night prayer of) the Ramadan out of faith and in the hope of reward, his previous sins will be forgiven." (Sunan Nasai)

4- It also means 'constriction, restriction or congestion'. e.g. Qadr is used in the Qur'an when Rizq becomes tight and restricted for someone. 

أَوَلَمْ يَعْلَمُوا أَنَّ اللَّهَ يَبْسُطُ الرِّزْقَ لِمَن يَشَاءُ وَيَقْدِرُ ۚ إِنَّ فِي ذَٰلِكَ لَآيَاتٍ لِّقَوْمٍ يُؤْمِنُونَ - 39:52

Do they not know that Allah extends provision for whom He wills and restricts [it]? Indeed in that are signs for a people who believe.

So many angels descend on the Earth on this night that the heavens and the earth become constricted. The quantity of angels on the Laylat ul Qadr is more than the pebbles on Earth.

The Messenger of Allah sws said narrating about the journey of ‘Isra wal Miraaj, “Then I was shown Al-Bait-al-Ma'mur (i.e. Allah’s House). I asked Jibril AS about it and he said, This is Al Bait-ul-Ma'mur where 70,000 angels perform prayers daily and when they leave they never return to it (but always a fresh batch comes into it daily).”- Sahih Bukhari & Muslim

One of the signs of Laylat ul qadr is that in the following morning, the sun appears bright but has no rays, and the reason could be the descent of angels.

THE VALUE AND IMPORTANCE OF THIS NIGHT

Allah has chosen and favoured some people (e.g. Prophets) over others, some places (e.g. Makkah) over others, some objects (e.g. Zamzam, Ka'bah) over others, some months (e.g. Ramadan) over others. This is a part of the mercy and wisdom of Allah. Ramadan is the best of all months, and Laylat ul Qadr is the best of all nights of Ramadan.

The rewards and barakah of deeds we do on this night is better  than a thousand months. If we take it literally, a thousand months is approximately 83 years. The average lifespan for men in developed countries is less than that! So the reward of this night is even more than our lifespan. 

According to some, 'a thousand months' is used metaphorically and it does not signify a precise number, but actually denotes eternity. Allah alone knows how much more the reward is multiplied. SubhanAllah! So, we should use this night to do as many good deeds and ibadah as we can. 

Narrated Abu Huraira: The Prophet (ﷺ) said, "Whoever fasted the month of Ramadan out of sincere Faith (i.e. belief) and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his past sins will be forgiven, and whoever stood for the prayers in the night of Qadr out of sincere Faith and hoping for a reward from Allah, then all his previous sins will be forgiven ." (Bukhari)

Anas Bin Maalik (ra) said: “Ramadhaan began so the Messenger of Allah ﷺ said: Verily this month has arrived upon you and in it is a night that is better than 1000 months. The one who is deprived of it has been deprived of all Goodness and only the deprived person is deprived of it.” Narrated by Ibn Maajah (1644). Also narrated by Ahmad and An-Nasaa’i from Abu Hurairah (ra)

All the angels bring down, during the Night of Qadr, the decree for everything destined to occur in the coming year.Throughout this blessed night, the Malaikaat (Angels) will descend and fill the sky. There will be a constant flow of Angels coming to give their salams and immediately leaving. In other words, Angels will be coming and going throughout the night delivering salams upon those who are worshipping. It is the nature of the Angels to love those who perform Ibadaat and turn to Allah  in repentance. They love those who praise and glorify Allah. They seek out those who perform such acts and pray for them. Angel Jibrail will also be one of those Angels that will descend on this night. The very same Angel that was blessed to carry the wahi (revelation) to our messengers, including Rasullulah ﷺ. How amazing is such a night, to be in the presence of such an Angel!

Sayyidna Anas narrates that the Messenger of Allah said: "When the Night of Qadr occurs, Jibril AS descends on the earth with a huge throng of angels and all of them pray for every servant of Allah, man or woman, busy in salah or dhikr, to be blessed by Allah." [Mazhari]. (MQ)

One of the signs of Laylatul-Qadr is that on the morning after that night, the sun will be bright and clear, but the rays of the sunlight will not be as visible. It is said that because of the wings of the Angels on that morning, the rays of the sunlight will be blocked.

Although we cannot see the Angels, we can try to reflect on the sheer magnitude of what is happening on that night!

WHEN DOES THE NIGHT OF QADR OCCUR?

It is explicitly stated in the Qur'an that the Night occurs in the blessed or auspicious month of Ramadan, but its exact date has not been disclosed. As a result, it is disputed and debated among scholars. There are about forty opinions recorded.  The most authentic opinion is that the Night of Qadr occurs in the last ten nights of Ramadan. It could be any of the last ten odd nights: 21, 23, 25, 27 and 29. All the Traditions pertaining to the date of the Night are authentic, and there is no need for any convoluted interpretation. The safest method is to find the Night of Qadr in all the last 10 nights of Ramadan. (MQ)

Narrated `Aisha: Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) said, "Search for the Night of Qadr in the odd nights of the last ten days of Ramadan." (Bukhari)

Narrated `Aisha:

Allah's Messenger (ﷺ) used to practice I`tikaf in the last ten nights of Ramadan and used to say, "Look for the Night of Qadr in the last ten nights of the month of Ramadan (Bukhari)

Narrated Aisha: With the start of the last ten days of Ramadan, the Prophet (ﷺ) used to tighten his waist belt (i.e. work hard) and used to pray all the night, and used to keep his family awake for the prayers. (Bukhari)

Narrated 'Ubada bin As-Samit: The Prophet (ﷺ) came out to inform us about the Night of Qadr but two Muslims were quarreling with each other. So, the Prophet (ﷺ) said, "I came out to inform you about the Night of Qadr but such-and-such persons were quarreling, so the news about it had been taken away; yet that might be for your own good, so search for it on the 29th, 27th and 25th (of Ramadan). (Bukhari)

 Ubaadah bin Saamit (ra) reports that he asked the Prophet ﷺ about “Laylatul Qadr”. He replied: “It is in Ramadhan, during the last ten days, on the unevenly numbered nights, either the 21st 23rd, 25th, 27th, 29th or the last night of Ramadhan. Whosoever stands in “Ibaadah” on this night, with sincere faith and with genuine hopes of gaining reward, his previous sins will be forgiven. Among the signs of this night is that it is a serene, quiet, shining night, neither hot, nor cold but temperate as if a moon is shining clear, and no meteors are shot at the “Shayateen” on that night; it lasts until the break of the dawn. Another sign is that at morn, the Sun rises without any radiant beams of light, appearing rather like the moon in its fullness. On that day, Allah prohibits the “Shayateen” from rising up with the Sun.”Reported by Ahmad (23145) and Al-Haithami said that the transmitters are trustworthy.

WHY WAS THE PRECISE DATE OF LAYLAH TUL QADR KEPT HIDDEN?

Not having the exact knowledge of Laylat ul Qadr is a gift from Allah. There are many benefits of not knowing the exact night:

1. Anything that is valuable in the sight of Allah, Allah does not disclose its exact time and place. He makes us search and strive for it because the juice is worth the squeeze. For example, Allah told us to guard prayers, especially the middle prayer, but didn't specify what the middle prayer is. Allah told us to prepare for death but did not reveal to us the time and place of our deaths. Allah told us there is a special time in Jumuah when duas are accepted, but He kept the knowledge hidden. So, the major benefit is to make us search for Laylat ul Qadr in all the nights so that we earn extra reward by turning to Allah.  Imagine if someone offers a million dollars to us for praying for ten nights, who would refuse that offer? Allah is offering us a reward of more than a thousand months! The sad reality is that if Allah had specified the date, the masjid would have been empty in all the remaining nights. 

2. Imagine you spend 10 days with a friend, and after that you have to part with them. You will have developed such a strong bond with them in those days that you will miss them sorely. Allah wants us to spend the complete ten nights with Him so that we develop such a strong relationship with Him that we miss him after these nights are over. Regular Ibadah in these nights will make it easy for us to turn to Allah after Ramadan is over

3. Also, if someone ignored Laylat ul Qadr and kicked it to a side even after knowing the exact date, imagine what loss he would have been in? It is a mercy that Allah kept the knowledge hidden, so we wouldn't be of the unfortunate ones. 

HOW TO MAXIMISE THE LAST 10 NIGHTS?

It was narrated that Abu Hurairah said: "The Messenger of Allah said: 'There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month, which Allah, the Mighty and Sublime, has enjoined you to fast. In it the gates of heavens are opened and the gates of Hell are closed, and every devil is chained up. In it Allah has a night which is better than a thousand months; whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived."' (Sunan An Nasai)

If we are able to make the most of Laylat ul Qadr, it means that Allah chose us and gave us the taufiq to maximise the blessings of this night. We need to get rid of all those sins that could keep us away from gaining the qurb of Allah SWT, and deprive us of the rewards of Laylat ul Qadr. Whoever is deprived of this blessing is truly deprived i.e. it is a huge loss. 

So, how do we make the most of it?

1. I’tikaaf – This was a practice of Rasullulah ﷺ. 

Abdullah bin Umar narrated that Rasullulah ﷺ used to practise Itikaf in the last ten days of the month of Ramadan [Bukhari].

Dedicate the last ten days and nights of Ramadan to the worship of your Creator, Al-Khalaq. Spend the time performing dhikr, reading Qur’an, praying supererogatory prayers, tahajjud, etc. If you can’t devote the full 10 days and nights, it’s encouraged that you do what you can, even if it’s a night or two. Dhikr includes dhikr made with the heart and dhikr of the tongue, constant and exclusive.

2. Make a master du’a list

 Take some time and brainstorm all the things you would like to ask from Allah  in your du’a. Include anything and everything, whether it be things in this dunya or in the akhira. Don’t feel shy, as Allah  is Ar-Razzaq (the One Who Provides your Sustenance), Ar-Rahman (the Most Merciful) and Al-Wali(the One Who Protects you the Most).

Allah  loves for His servants to supplicate and ask for their desires to be met. He is Al-Ghani (the Rich), and His Provisions do not diminish by answering the du’as of His servant. In fact, it is out of the arrogance of us if we do not seek Allah’s guidance, mercy and provisions by supplicating in du’a.

Having an organized list will help you visualize and remember your list, so that when you make your du’a to Allah  you will be prepared, knowing exactly what you desire and being efficient in your supplications.Also, be sure to include some of the du’as that were commonly recited by Rasullulah ﷺ.

A’isha radi Allahu `anha asked Rasullulah ﷺ, “If I knew which night is Laylatal-Qadr, what should I say during it?” Rasullulah ﷺ told her to say:

اَللَّهُمَّ اِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ ، تُحِبُّ الْعَفْوَ فَاعْفُ عَنِّي

Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘anni. “O Allah, indeed You are the Pardoner, You love to Pardon, so Pardon me.”[Tirmidhi]

This is a very simple, yet powerful du’a. One of the beautiful names of Allah  is Al-Afuw, the One Who Pardons your sins and Removes them from your record (as if you never committed them). Allah  loves to pardon so ask Him for your pardon. He loves to forgive those who sin and ask for their forgiveness.

Also, try to memorize new sunnah duas, and duas from the Qur’an and hadith.

3. Reflect on the Words of Allah 

During these last ten nights, use the opportunity to become closer to kalam-Allah (the speech of Allah). Reflect and ponder over its meaning. Read what the scholars of Tafseer and the Ulema have commented on the Qur’an and try to derive lessons that you can immediately implement into your daily life.

Listening to the Qur’an, Recitation, Memorization, Understanding, Explanation.

Focus on a Surah as a project

4. Pray Tahajjud/Qiyaam 

Rasullulah ﷺ said, “Whoever stands (in qiyaam) in (the night of) Laylatul Qadr out of faith and expectation (of Allah’s reward), will have all of his previous sins forgiven” [Al-Bukhari and Muslim].

Sayyidna 'Uthman narrates that the Messenger of Allah said: "If a person performs his 'Isha' salah in congregation, he will attain the blessings of spending half the night in devotion; and if he performs Fajr salah in congregation, he will attain the blessings of spending the entire night in devotion." (Muslim)

Strive to perform prayer in the last 3rd of the night as that is the most virtuous portion of the night.Abu Huraira reports that Rasullulah ﷺ said, “Our Lord, the Blessed, the Superior, comes every night down on the nearest Heaven to us when the last third of the night remains, saying: ‘Is there anyone to invoke Me, so that I may respond to invocation? Is there anyone to ask Me, so that I may grant him his request? Is there anyone seeking My forgiveness, so that I may forgive him?’” [Bukhari]

5. Worship all the 10 nights: 

Try to worship the whole of the 10 nights or as many days you can manage as that is the best way to catch the unimaginable and incomprehensible rewards of  Laylatul Qadr. Each and every good deed from Maghrib until Fajr on Laylatul Qadr is rewarded a minimum of at least 83 years’ of worship. Subhan Allah, that is longer than most of us will live!

6. Avoid sins and kick out distractions: 

As much as we plan on striving to increase our ibadaat during these nights, it’s important to refrain from those actions which displease Allah. 

The Prophet ﷺ said: “Nothing will be heavier on the Day of Resurrection in the Scale of the believer than good manners. Allah hates one who utters foul or coarse language.” [Tirmidhi]. 

So we must aim to be the best in character during these blessed nights and continue to do so for the rest of the year. Minimize idle conversations and actions which take you away from the remembrance of Allah. 

7. Be extra generous 

Rasullulah ﷺ was well known to be generous – but he was especially generous during the month of Ramadan.  Any good act such as charity during Laylatul Qadr is rewarded like you have done it for over 83 years.

Ibn 'Abbas said, "The Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was the most generous of people in giving charity. He was even more generous in Ramadan when Jibril, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, used to meet him. Every night of Ramadan Jibril used to come to him and the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, would read the Qur'an to him. When Jibril came to him, the Messenger of Allah, may Allah bless him and grant him peace, was more generous in giving charity than the blowing wind.” (Al Adab al Mufrad)

8. Evaluate yourself and make life changes

Ask yourself those questions that need to be asked. Do an evaluation of where you are and where you are going. Let this evaluation lead you to feel happiness for the good you have done and remorse for the bad you have done. We should make the necessary changes to improve ourselves as Muslims and what better time to make such changes than during these blessed 10 nights where we can change our lives forever. We must internalise these changes and make a firm commitment to Allah, and maybe that he will wipe off our sins until we become newborn babies, In sha Allah.

9. To do list for Laylat ul Qadr

Make a to do checklist for each Night of Power. This should define how you would like your night, the one better than a thousand months, to be used.