Lailatul Qadr: Nights Hold Special Significance In Islam
By S.
Arshad, New Age Islam
26 April
2022
Those Praying
At Night Receive Greater Rewards From God
Main
Points:
1. A chapter in
the holy Quran is named Al Layl (night)
2. The hoy
prophet pbuh ascended to the heavens on the Night of Ascension.
3. The night
prayers are stressed in the chapter Bani Israil.
4. The Night of
Glory (Lailatul Qadr) falls in the month of Ramadan.
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Islam
enjoins on the Muslims to offer Salat (prayer) five times and do zikr
(remembrance of God) and recite the Quran as much as they can. The Quran asks
Muslims to do zikr day and night, morning and evening, that is during the
waking hours.
But apart
from this, the Quran lays special stress on prayers, dhikr and recitation of
the Quran during the night. Prayers offered at night are more appreciated by
God.
If we delve
deep into the Quran and consider some important happenings in Islamic history,
we will come to the conclusion that the night holds special significance in
Islam.
The holy
prophet pbuh ascended to the heaven in a blessed night. The night is called
Shab -e-Meraj (The Night of Ascension). On that night, the holy prophet pbuh
travelled to the seven heavens and was granted a meeting with God. It was the
most important event in the Islamic history. This event happened at night.
Though, Namaz
at night was not made obligatory to save the Muslims of the hardship but the
Quran makes it clear that those spending a portion of night in prayers will receive
greater rewards. Supplications made during the night are readily accepted. God
says in surah Bani Israil verse 79:
"And
some part of the night, awake for it is a largess for thee. It may be that thy
Lord will raise thee to a praised estate."
The word
"Fatahajjad" hints the prayer of Tahajjud that is
offered at night.
In Surah
Muzammil, God asks the prophet pbuh and through him all the Muslims to 'stand
in the night' (Qumil layl), recite the Quran with tarteel (proper way of
recitation) and utter His names. Here is the translation of some verses of
surah Muzammil.
"O you
wrapped in clothes (Muzammil)! Stand all night in prayer except a little, pray
half the night, or a little less, or a little more and recite the Quran
properly in a measured way. For, We wil soon send upon you a weighty
revelation. Indeed worship in the night is more impactful and suitable for
recitation, for during the day, you are over occupied with wordly duties."
The Night
of Glory (Laylatul Qadr) falls in any odd night during the last ten days of
Ramadan and is the most blessed night in Islamic calendar. The rewards for
praying in this night is equal to those of thousand nights. A whole surah (Al
Qadr) was revealed on the rewards and significance of this night.
"Indeed
it is We who sent down this (Quran) on the night of glory. And what will make
you realise what the Night of Glory (Lailatul Qadr) is. The Night of Glory is
better than thousand months. That night the angels and the holy Spirit descend
by the permission of their Lord for every decreed matter. It is all peace until
the break of dawn."
All the
verses and Surahs prove the significance of night in Islam. The Quran was
revealed on the Night of Glory; the holy prophet ascended to the heavens on a
blessed night and it is the night, not a day during the month of Ramadan that
is called better than thousand months.
The reason
for the blessed state of night is that during the night, man takes rest and
sleeps after the day's hard work so that he can prepare himself physically and
mentally for the social duties of the next day. For general people, the night
is a boon in the sense that he can sleep and take rest. The Quran says':
"It is Allah who made for you the night
that you may rest therein, and the day giving sight."(Ghafir:61)
But for
those who seek blessings and rewards from God and spiritual gifts, night is the
most opportune time. God loves those who take some time off from his time to
rest at night and remember Him, recite His holy book and stand in namaz. This
act of His devotee pleases Him the most and He showers His blessings on him and
grants what he begs of Him.
The night
is so important and sacred in the sight of God that to stress on its
significance, God revealed a chapter in the Quran named Al Layl.
The night
prayers were also offered by the Christians. To them, the time for nocturnal
prayers was from 2 AM till dawn.
Therefore,
the importance and significance of night in Islam is great as God showers His
blessings and rewards on those who spend a part of night in prayers, His
remembrance and in reciting the Quran.
-----
S.
Arshad is a columnist with NewAgeIslam.com.
URL: https://newageislam.com/islam-spiritualism/lailatul-qadr-significance-/d/126871
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