Tafsir of Surah Qadr: Ibn kathir on Laylatul Qadr

Tafsir of Surah Al-Qadr (Chapter 97)

-From the classical Tafsir of Imam Ibn Kathir R.A.

"We have sent it [the Qur'an] down on the Night of Al-Qadr.

And how will you know what the Night of Al-Qadr is?

The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months,

In it the angels and the Spirit come down by their Lord's leave, with all His decrees.

Peace it is, until the rising of the dawn."

[Surah Al-Qadr, the 97th Chapter of the Qur'an]

The Virtues of the Night of Al-Qadr:

1. The night of the Revelation of the Quran:

Allah informs us that He sent the Qur'an down during the Night of Al-Qadr, and it is a blessed night about which Allah says:

"We sent it down in a blessed night ... "[Al-Qur'an 44:3]

This is the Night of Al-Qadr and it occurs during the month of Ramadhan. This is as Allah says:

"The month of Ramadhan in which the Qur'an was revealed ... " [Al-Qur'an 2:185]

Ibn Abbas and others have said:

"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 heaven of this world. Then it came down in parts to the Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, based upon the incidents that occurred over a period of twenty-three years."

2. A night better than a thousand months:

Then Allah magnified the status of the Night of Al-Qadr, which He chose for the revelation of the Mighty Qur'an, by His saying:

"And how will you know what the Night of Al-Qadr is?

"The Night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months ... "

Imam Ahmad recorded that Abu Hurayrah said:

"When Ramadhan would come, the Messenger of Allah would say, 'Verily the month of Ramadhan has come to you all. It is a blessed month, which Allah has obligated you all to fast. During it the gates of Paradise are opened, the gates of Hell are closed and the devils are shackled. In it there is a night that is better than one thousand months. Whoever is deprived of its good, then he has truly been deprived.' "

3. A night of Forgiveness of all Sins:

Aside from the fact that worship during the Night of Al-Qadr is equivalent to worship performed for a period of one thousand months, it is also confirmed in the two sahih collections, from Abu Hurayrah, that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

"Whoever stands (in prayer) during the Night of Al-Qadr with faith and expecting reward (from Allah), he will be forgiven for his previous sins."

4. The Descent of the Angels during the Night of Al-Qadr:

Allah says:

"In it the angels and the Spirit come down by their Lord's leave, with all His decrees."

Meaning the angels descend in abundance during the Night of Al-Qadr due to its abundant blessings. The angels descend with the descending of blessings and mercy, just as they descend when the Qur'an is recited, they surround the circles of dhikr (remembrance of Allah) and they lower their wings with true respect for the student of knowledge.

In reference to the Spirit, it is said that here it means the angel Jibril. Therefore, the wording of the ayah is a method of adding the name of the distinct object separate from the general group (in this case the angels).

5. The night of Decree:

Concerning Allah's statement:

" ... with all His decrees."

Mujahid said:

"It is security in which the Devil cannot do any evil or any harm."

Qatadah and others have said:

"The matters are determined during it, and the times of death and provisions are measured out (i.e., decided) during it."

Allah says:

"In that night every affair is wisely decided." [Al-Qur'an 44:4]

6. The night of Peace:

Then Allah says:

"Peace it is, until the rising of the dawn."

Ash-Sha'bi said concerning this:

"The angels giving the greetings of peace during the Night of Al-Qadr to the people in the masjid until the coming of fajr (dawn)."

Qatadah and Ibn Zayd both said:

"This means all of it is good and there is no evil in it until the coming of fajr (dawn)."

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Specifying the Night of Qadr and its Signs

[Summary of this section: The Night of Al-Qadr occurs during an odd night in the last ten nights of Ramadan.-AHD]

This is supported by what Imam Ahmad recorded that the Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, said:

"The Night of Al-Qadr occurs during the last ten (nights). Whoever stands for them (in prayer) seeking their reward, then indeed Allah will forgive his previous sins and his latter sins. It is an odd night: the ninth or the seventh, or the fifth, or the third or the last night (of Ramadhan)."

The Messenger of Allah, peace be upon him, also said:

"Verily, the sign of the Night of Al-Qadr is that it is pure and glowing as if there were a bright, tranquil, calm moon during it. It is not cold, nor is it hot, and no shooting star is permitted until morning. Its sign is that the sun appears on the morning following it smooth having no rays on it, just like the moon on a full moon night. Shaytan is not allowed to come out with it (the sun) on that day." [This chain of narration is good. In its text there is some oddities and in some of its wordings there are things that are objectionable]

Abu Dawud mentioned a section in his Sunan that he titled, "Chapter: Clarification that the Night of Al-Qadr occurs during every Ramadhan." Then he recorded that when question about the Night of Al-Qadr, the Messenger of Allah said:

"It occurs during every Ramadhan." [The men of this chain of narration are all reliable, but Abu Dawud said that Shu'bah and Sufyan both narrated from Ishaq and they both considered it to be a statement of the Companion Ibn 'Umar, and thus not the statement of the Prophet]

It has been reported that Abu Sa'id al-Khudri said:

"The Messenger of Allah performed i'tikafduring the first ten nights of Ramadhan and we performed i'tikaf with him. Then Jibril came to him and said, 'That which you are seeking is front of you,' so the Prophet performed i'tikaf during the middle ten days of Ramadhan and we also performed i'tikafwith him. Then Jibril came to him and said; 'That which you are seeking is ahead of you,' so the Prophet stood up and gave a sermon on the morning of the twentieth of Ramadhan and he said:

'Whoever performed i'tikaf with me, let him come back (for i'tikaf again), for verily I saw the Night of Al-Qadr, and I was caused to forget it, and indeed it is during the last ten (nights). It is during an odd night and I saw myself as if I were prostrating in mud and water.'

"The roof of the masjid was made of dried palm-tree leaves and we did not see anything (i.e. clouds) in the sky but then a patch of wind-driven clouds came and it rained. So the Prophet lead us in prayer until we saw the traces of mud and water on the forehead of the Messenger of Allah, which confirmed his dream."

In one narration it adds that this occurred on the morning of the twenty-first night (meaning the next morning). They both (Al-Bukhari and Muslim) recorded it in the their collections. 
Ash-Shafi'i said:
"This tradition is the most authentic of what has been reported."
It has also been said that it is on the twenty-third night due to a tradition narrated from 'Abdullah ibn 'Unays in Sahih Muslim.


It has also been reported that it is on the twenty-fifth night due to what Al-Bukhari recorded from Ibn Abbas that the Messenger of Allah said:

"Seek it in the last ten (nights) of Ramadhan. In the ninth it still remains in the seventh it still remains, in the fifth it still remains."

Many have explained this statement to refer to the odd nights, and this is the apparent and most popular explanation. It has also been said that it occurs on the twenty-seventh night because of what Muslim recorded in his Sahih from Ubayy ibn Ka'ab that the Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace, mentioned that it was on the twenty-seventh night.

Imam Ahmad recorded from Zirr that he asked Ubayy ibn Ka'ab:

"O Abu'l-Mundhir! Verily, your brother Ibn Masud says whoever stands for prayer (at night) the entire year, will catch the Night ofAl-Qadr." He (Ubayy) said: "May Allah have mercy upon him. Indeed he knows that it is the twenty-seventh night." Then he swore by Allah. Zirr then said, "How do you know that?" Ubayy replied, "By a sign or an indication that he (the Prophet) informed us of. It rises that next day having no rays on it - meaning the sun."

It has been said that it is the night of the twenty-ninth. The Messenger of Allah was questioned about the Night of Al-Qadr and he replied:

"Seek it in Ramadhan in the last ten nights. For verily, it is during the odd nights, the twenty-first, or the twenty-third, or the twenty-fifth, or the twenty-seventh, or the twenty-ninth, or during the last night."

The Messenger of Allah also said about the Night of Al-Qadr:

"Verily, it is during the twenty-seventh or the twenty-ninth night. And verily, the angels who are on the earth during that night are more numerous than the number of pebbles."

Abu Qilabah that he said:

"The Night of Al-Qadr moves around (i.e., from year to year) throughout the last ten nights."

And Allah knows best.

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Supplication During the Night of Decree

It is recommended to supplicate often during all times, especially during the month of Ramadhan, in the last ten nights, and during the odd nights of it even more so. 

It is recommended that one say the following supplication a lot:

"O Allah! Verily, you are the Oft-Pardoning, You love to pardon, so pardon me."

This is due to what Imam Ahmad recorded from 'A'ishah, may Allah be pleased with her, that she said:

"O Messenger of Allah! If I find the Night of Al-Qadr what should I say?"

He replied:

"Say: O Allah! Verily You are the Oft-Pardoning, You love to pardon, so pardon me."

This is the end of this brief explanation of Surah Al-Qadr, and all praise and blessing are due to Allah.

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Source (with added sub-headings by AHD)- SUNNAHONLINE 

Easy Format for ‘ibadah on Blessed Nights

A brief Format for ‘ibadah on Blessed Nights

Our Beloved Nabi (sallallahu’alaihiwasallam) has mentioned:

“Indeed your Lord has reserved certain special moments in time (in which He bestows abundant/special mercy). Be sure to avail yourselves of these opportunities.” (Majma’uz Zawaaid)

We are usually aware of the significant occasions that present themselves each year. 

The crucial thing is how do we “avail ourselves” and maximize our benefit from these blessed nights?

Here is a suggested format for “What to do on Blessed nights?”

[Note: These are mere suggestions intended to make it easy for people. One may engage in whatever form of ‘ibadah one is comfortable with.]

1. Offer Maghrib, Esha & Fajr Salahs with the congregation (Jama'ah) in the Masjid.

Rasululllah (sallallahu’alaihiwasallam) said:
“One who performs Esha in congregation gets the reward of spending half the night in worship. And he who follows that up with the Fajr salah in congregation, will be as if he has stayed up all night in ‘ibaadah.”
(Sahih Muslim & Sunan Abi Dawud)

2. Sleep in the state of wudhu

Hafidh Ibn Hajar (rahimahullah) has mentioned a reliable narration that states: “The soul of one who sleeps with wudhu makes sajdah (prostrates) at the ‘Arsh of Allah”
(Fathul Baari)
Imagine our souls making sajdah at the throne of our Creator on a night like Laylatul Qadr!

Rasul Allah (sal Allahu alaihi wa sallam) said: “Purify these bodies of yours and Allah will purify you. There is no slave who spends the night in a state of purity but that an angel remains close to him. He does not pass an hour of the night without saying, ‘O Allah, forgive your slave. He spent the night in a state of purity.’” [At-Tabarani related in Al-Awsat and al-Mundhiri said it's isnad (chain) is good.]

Trying to stay in a state of purity is a reason to have an additional angel be especially appointed to work for you. That angel is ordered to stay at your side and continually ask for your forgiveness. So immense is the good that comes out of Islam! So simple and beneficial are the ways in which to increase our reward!

3. Abstain from sin

It’s not logical to fill the bucket when it has a hole…

"Leave all sins, open or secret: those who earn sin will get due recompense for their "earnings." [6:120]

4. Clear your heart from ill-feelings towards fellow Muslims.

The ‘Ulama state that those who harbour ill-feelings are deprived of Allah’s mercy and forgiveness on occasions like these.
A Hadith in Sahih Ibn Hibban, there is mention of four people that will be deprived on this night:
a) An Alcoholic.
b) One who disobeys his parents.
c) One who severes family ties
d) One who harbours ill-feelings in his heart for others.

5. Salatut Tasbeeh

This is highly recommended due to its huge reward. 

6. Tawbah
Since the purpose of the turning to Allah on these nights is precisely to attain forgiveness from Allah, this act is  fundamental on such occasions.

The procedure for Tawbah is:
a. Perform two rak’aats of Salaah. (Salaatut tawbah-Optional)
b. Stop the sin that one is repenting from.
c. Regret the sin from the bottom of your heart.
d. Make a determined pledge with Allah never to repeat that sin.

Besides the two rak’aats of Salah, the remaining are all fundamental.

Furthermore, if the sin involved usurping the right of the next person, one needs to ask him/her for forgiveness too. Without this we are not guaranteed forgiveness.
If that person has passed away, we could make dua for him and repay the debt (if any) to his heirs.
Besides this, read 'astaghfirullah' in plenty.

7. Dhikr

There are many forms of dhikrullah. I would suggest the following:
A hundred times “Laa ilaah illallah”
A hundred times repeating the name of “Allah”
And a hundred times:
“Subhaanallahi wabihamdihi subhanallahil ‘Azeem”
The reason for the third one is the following:
Rasulullah (sallallahu’alaihiwasallam) said:
1. “He who recites this one hundred times will have all his sins forgiven even if it be equal to the foam of the ocean” (Sahih Bukhari)
2. “These words are beloved to Allah Ta’ala, easy on the tongue and weighty on the scales (of deeds on Qiyamah)” (Sahih Bukhari)
Furthermore, this is the form of dhikr that the entire creation is engaged in. (Al-Quran, Surah:17 ayah:44)

8. Salawaat on Rasulullah (sallallahu’alaihiwasallam)
If it was not for our beloved Nabi (‘alaihiSalatu WaSalam) we would not have these Blessed occasions. Therefore we cannot afford moments like these to pass without remembering him. In fact by doing so we ourselves benefit.
One Hadith states:
“He who sends salutations upon me once, Allah Ta’ala sends ten salutations upon him.”

9. Tilawat (Recital) of Quran

This is considered as the best form of dhikr. One could recite even a quarter juz or just the masnoon Surahs that are to be recited every night. Like Surahs Waqi’ah, Mulk, Sajdah, Yaseen etc. (if doesnt have much time.)

10. Dua (Supplication)

“Du’a is the essence of Worship” and hence cannot be omitted when we engage in worship.

More so on occasions when Almighty Allah accepts duas such as on the night of Qadr. One should spend a lengthy duration in begging from Allah, as we are all in need of it.

In light of the current world crisis, do remember our oppressed brethren around the globe.

On the night of Qadr, the following Du’a should also be repeated as taught by Rasulullah (sallallahu’alaihiwasallam) to his beloved wife Sayyidah ‘Aishah (radiyallahu ‘anha):

اللهم إِنَّكَ عَفُوٌّ تُحِبُّ العَفْوُ فَاعْفُ عَنِّيْ

Allahumma innaka ‘afuwwun tuhibbul ‘afwa fa’fu ‘Anni”

O Allah! You are indeed Most Forgiving, so forgive me.

11. Give Charity (Sadaqah) on these blessed nights

Giving charity helps in decreasing Allah's anger, attracting His mercy and attaining purity and salvation.

The Quran says:

"Those who spend their wealth in the Cause of Allah, and do not follow up their gifts with reminders of their generosity or with hurt, their reward is with their Lord. On them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve” [al-Baqarah 2:261-262] 

And,

الَّذي يُؤْتي‏ مالَهُ يَتَزَكَّى وَ ما لِأَحَدٍ عِنْدَهُ مِنْ نِعْمَةٍ تُجْزى‏ إِلاَّ ابْتِغاءَ وَجْهِ رَبِّهِ الْأَعْلى‏ وَ لَسَوْفَ يَرْضى‏

"he who gives his wealth to purify himself and does not expect any reward from anyone, but seeks only the pleasure of his Lord, the Most Exalted, and, surely, soon he will be well-pleased". (92:18-21)

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Notes:

Note 1: The above can all be achieved in about 1 hour.

Salatut Tasbeeh: 20 mins

Tawbah: can be incorporated in the du’a

Zikr: 10 mins

Salawaat: 5 mins

Tilawat: 15 mins

Du’a & Tawbah: 10 mins

However if one is short on time for whatever reason, my suggestion would be to at least do the first four and the last one. That would be:
a) Esha & Fajr with Jamat
b) Sleep with Wudhu
c) Abstain from sin
d) clean the heart
e) Dua and Astaghfaar

Note 2: The night commences at Maghrib, not after Esha or after Taraweeh or at Sehri time. Therefore one can and should commence ‘ibadah from Maghrib, although it is indeed best to do so at the last part of the night.

Note 3: These are mere suggestions intended to make it easy for people. One may engage in whatever form of ‘ibadah one is comfortable with.
May Allah Ta’ala grant us all complete forgiveness and steadfastness on guidance. Ameen.

Adapted (with slight changes) from:

http://www.al-miftah.com/2012/08/15/a-brief-format-for-ibadah-on-blessed-nights/
Original article by Moulana Muhammad ibn Moulana Haroon (Allah protect him)