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Layatul Qadr Shaykh Ahmed Abdur Rashid Laylatul Qadr www.circlegroup.org 3 Nights of Light 3 NIGHTS OF LIGHT: LAYATUL QADR Presented at the Zaawiyah of Shaykh Nooruddeen Durkee Charlottesville, VA 8 July 2012 18 Shacbaan 1433 Bismi-Llaahi-r-Rahmaani-r-Raheem Allahumma inna nasalaka mujibati rahmatika Wa’aza’ima magfiratika, wa salamata min kulli Itmin, wal-ganimata min kulli birrin, wal-fawza bil-jannati min-a nnar. Oh Allah, we ask You for words which will make certain Your Mercy, actions which will make certain Your Forgiveness, freedom from every offence, a supply of every virtue, entering Jannah and safety from the Naar. Asalaamu calaykum wa Rahmatu-Llaahi wa Barakatuhu INTRODUCTION Laylatu-l-Qadr (also known as Shab-e-Qadr), translated as the Night of Power (Night of Honor) or Night of Decree is the anniversary of the night when the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to Prophet Muhammad (salla-Llaahu calayhi wa sallam) in his profoundly deep muraaqabah at the cave at the Mountain of Light (Jabal Nur). It is one of the holiest nights for Muslims and indeed for all humanity. It is a cosmic event that Allah (Subhaanahu wa tacaalaa) has deemed significant enough for it to be repeated annually. Or, one could say it is happening all the time and we have an opportunity focus and try to attune our self to it at a specific time of the year—for the purpose of deepening our iman and witnessing the reality of the Divine Presence. Allah (Subhaanahu wa tacaalaa) relates in the Quran: 1 Shaykh Ahmed Abdur Rashid Laylatul Qadr www.circlegroup.org 3 Nights of Light INNĀ AÑZALNĀHU FĪ LAYLATI-L-QADR WA MĀ ADRĀKA MĀ LAYLATU-L-QADR LAYLATU-L-QADRI KhAYRUM-MIN ALFI SHAHR TANAZZALU-L-MALĀA’IKATU WA-R-RŪHU FĪHĀ BI’IDhNI RABBIHIM MIÑ KULLI AMR SALĀMUN HIYA HATTĀ MATLAcI-L-FAJR Indeed the Divine Mystery has revealed this revelation in the Night of Power: And what will make you comprehend what the Night of Power is? The Night of Power is better in its status than a thousand months. Therein come down the Angels and the Pure Spirit by God's decree, for every affair: Enshrouded in Peace this Night! Until the rise of the dawn! (Surah 97) Laylatu-l-Qadr is the crowning glory of the holy month of Ramadan, it is the night of spiritual ecstasy and Peace. Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said: Verily this month has come to you; and therein is a night which is better than a thousand Months. Whosoever is deprived of it, is deprived of all good; and none is deprived of its good except a totally unfortunate person. (Ibn Majah). And also, Whosoever stands up (in prayer) at the Night of Power out of faith and hopeful of reward, all his accumulation of negative actions will be forgiven. (Targhib) Everything in the creation has an appointed time, the earth has its seasons and different human affairs also have their best moments. As the rainy season is suitable for farming, similarly for the attainment of nearness to God, specific times, specific days and specific nights are most suitable. For example, the time of Tahajjud prayers in the deepest part of night, Friday prayers, the month of Ramadaan, the Day of cArafah, the moment before breaking the fast after sundown, Israa’ Micraaj and Nisfu Shacbaan. The Night of Power is marked as the most suitable night of mystery for attaining nearness to Allah. The month of Ramadaan has been singled out for special worship (cibaadat) and exclusive favors. It is a month unlike other months. Allah (Subhaanahu wa tacaalaa) says in Sura al•Baqarah: SHAHRU RAMADĀNA-LLADhĪ UÑZILA FĪHI-L-QUR’ĀNU HUDAL-LI-N-NĀSI WA BAYYINĀTIM-MINA-L-HUDĀ WA-L-FURQĀN. The month of Ramadan, that in which the Qur’an was sent down; a guidance for mankind, and clear signs of guidance and distinction. (2:185) And, among the nights of Ramadan, is this one special night. Laylatu-l-Qadr is a celebration to commemorate the arrival of the final guidance for humans. It is a tribute to the commencement of the message revealed to mankind by their Creator, a message that shows the way to achieve happiness in both the worlds. Just as the arrival of a child is celebrated, on its birth and then every year, as a bringer of joy and fulfillment for the family, Laylatu-l-Qadr is celebrated as a bringer of light and guidance for mankind. Unlike the birthday, which is celebrated with a feast for the senses, Laylatu-l-Qadr includes a feast for the spirit, a feast of worship and prayers. Laylatu-l-Qadr descends on the inner heart like a Spring Mist: A state of inner calm described in Sura Al-Imran: 2 Shaykh Ahmed Abdur Rashid Laylatul Qadr www.circlegroup.org 3 Nights of Light ThUMMA AÑZALA cALAYKUM MIM BAcDI-L-GhAMMI AMANATAN NUcĀSAÑY-YAGhSHĀ TĀA’IFATAM-MIÑKUM. He sent down upon you a sense of security, an inner calm, which enfolded some of you. (3:154) Allah (Subhaanahu wa tacaalaa) Who rules and sustains, Who is Forgiving and Merciful, gave these explanations these words that will be known as the inner meanings of the Qur’an and as words of divine knowledge—to the Prophet, peace be upon him. He explained the meanings of the fast saying, O Muhammad, even as I sent down the first surat to you on Mount Hira, I sent down this light and rahmat. I sent it to you as Laylatu-l-Qadr. In his book, Siyam Darshan (Meeting with Fasting) Sadr-uddin Ahmad Chishti writes, During the real fasting, when the mind is guarded—no unripe thoughts, no negativity find any entrance to the mind. This door to the garden is opened. Thus inspirations begin to pour in upon the inner plane of Mujahid (one who strives, warrior of light) and in such inspiration—subtle aspects of truth and falsehood become manifest and clear. This in one hand, guides the Mujahid into the path of truth and attracts towards truth; and in other hand, shows what is false and drive him away from every falsehood. Thus every subtle thought, delusion with the material lower world slowly gets detached from the mind. Thus nowhere in his inner world can there be any place for the fire (naar). From first night (of Ramadan) to last, this is how it is. And Shams al-Tabrizi (r.a.) says, Without doubt, whenever you sit with someone and are with him, you will take on his disposition. On whom have you been gazing that tightness should have come into you? If you look at green herbs and flowers, freshness will come. The sitting companion pulls you into his own world. That is why reciting the Koran purifies the heart, for you remember the prophets and their states. The form of the prophets comes together in your spirit and becomes its sitting companion. That is in regard to reading the Qur’an, and the same can be said about sitting in peace and reflection on the Laylatu-l-Qadr. In regards to the Salaat prayer, Sayyidi al-Shaykh Saleh al-Jaafari (r.a.) said, In the courtyard of the generous we have come to rest, and in their courtyard their generosity overflows onto us. As the peasant saying of the old woman says, “He who is in the vicinity of the blessed will be blessed, and his lights will overflow onto him; and he who is in the vicinity of the damned will be damned, and will be burned by his fire.” On Laylatu-l-Qadr we are invited to sit in the courtyard of Allah, and pray that He (Subhaanahu wa tacaalaa) will open the door into the inner courtyard. Today we pause to reflect on this noble, joyous night and imagine the amazing festive atmosphere that the Earth has witnesses on this night. We reflect on the reality of what took place that night, and we let its significance in history in the reality of the world and hearts of people sink in. Perhaps then we will begin to understand a bit of the purpose of the Qur’anic mention of this night: WA MĀ ADåRĀKA MĀ LAYLATU-L-QADåR 3 Shaykh Ahmed Abdur Rashid Laylatul Qadr www.circlegroup.org 3 Nights of Light And what will make you understand what the Night of Qadr is? On this night, every wise judgment was made. The values, principles, and scales of Justice, were laid down. Guidelines and requisites were made that transcended the guidelines for individuals: for nations, countries, and all peoples. In fact, it has been taught that they were even greater and mightier than this: ordainment of realities and hearts were established! We might call them the consummate potentials. But Humankind has become heedless – due to its ignorance and disconnection from that very Reality and source of Truth; Heedless of the value of the Night of Qadr and the reality and significance of this event. Since the time that humanity fell from the station of Remembrance and Ihsaan; we have been deprived of sensitivity and the potential to appreciate the most joyous and beautiful gifts from Allah. We have lost the true happiness and peace (sakeenah) serenity (mutma’innah) – the peace of mind, and peace in the home and society. This cannot be replaced by the materiality of this world or from our civilization. It is our duty to rekindle the flame in our hearts and turn on the light of knowledge once more…for the sincere there is no mountain too high to climb or ocean to deep or rough to swim.
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