The Blessed Days and Nights

The Night of Power

Question: What is the significance of the Night of Power?

The Night of Power is the most special night within the month of Ramadan. According to some scholars, it is the most estimable night after the Noble Birth, or Mawlid. The Night of Power is a night unique to the community of Prophet Muhammad. Such a night has not been conferred upon the communities of other Prophets. As stated in a Prophetic Tradition, “God Almighty granted the Night of Power to my community and not to any other community before it.”

God’s Messenger was shown the life-spans of the people who had gone before him and when he became troubled that the lives of the people of his community were too short for them to be able to do as many good deeds as others before them, God granted him and his community the Night of Power and thus comforted him. The Night of Power always coincides with the month of Ramadan.

According to the hadith, when God’s Messenger was informed of just how long the people of former civilizations lived, he reflected upon how short the lives of those in his community were and was concerned that they would not be able to perform as many acts of goodness as those who came before them. God thus favored him with the Night of Power, a night more blessed than a thousand months. (Imam Malik).

When the Messenger of God told his Companions of Prophets sent to the Children of Israel who worshiped God for eighty years, his Companions were astonished. Archangel Gabriel then came and said, “O Messenger of God, your community is surprised by the eighty years’ worship of those Prophets. God sent you something better than it.” He then recited the Qur’anic verse which reads, “The Night of Destiny and Power is better than a thousand months.” (Tafsir Mughni).

Prophetic Traditions pertaining to the Night of Power state:

“There are four nights whose days are as meritorious as their nights. God does not turn away the entreaty of one who turns to Him during these days, He forgives them, and they are favored with blessings therein. These are the Night of Power, the night of Arafa, the Night of Salvation (Bara’a), and Friday nights.” (Daylami).

“Anyone who spends the Night of Power in Prayer motivated by belief and in anticipation of the reward, will be forgiven their past wrong actions.” (Bukhari, Muslim).

Question: What is the significance of the Night of Power and is it certain to be on the twenty-seventh night?

The Night of Power is in the month of Ramadan. Its exact date is not known for certain. Our scholars state, “God Almighty has hidden His approval in worship, His wrath in wrongdoing, the middle Prayer in the Prescribed Daily Prayers, His friends (the saints) among the people, and the Night of Power within the month of Ramadan.”

Thus, one must not underestimate any act of goodness in way of attaining God’s pleasure and approval. As Divine wrath is concealed within sins, no sin should be slighted. The five Daily Prayers ought to be observed at their proper time so as not to miss the middle Prayer, and as the friends of God are concealed within the people, everyone must be treated in the best possible way. One must consider every person a Khidr and each night the Night of Qadr (Night of Power).

Spending the twenty-seventh night of Ramadan in worship is very meritorious. As stated by several Prophetic narrations: “Seek the Night of Power on the odd nights of the last ten nights of Ramadan.” (Muslim)

“The Night of Power is in Ramadan, and look for it in the last ten days. It is on an odd night: on the 21, or the 23, or the 25, or the 27, or the 29, or on the last night (of Ramadan). “One who observes the night Prayer in it out of belief and in seeking God’s reward his past and future sins will be forgiven.” (Imam Ahmad). One must painstakingly keep away from sins and wrongdoing during such blessed periods of time and must increase their worship and all manner of charitable deeds, for a person loved by God is preoccupied with virtuous deeds on such meritorious occasions. The servant disliked by God, however, is preoccupied with evildoing during such times. Occupying oneself with wrongdoing leads to an increase in the severity of the punishment and incurs God’s heightened disfavor as by acting thus, one has both been deprived of the blessing of that occasion and has on top of that, violated its sanctity and honor.

In order to make the most of this night, must one must increase their knowledge—by studying, for instance, the basics of Islamic belief and practice—make up for missed Prayers, read the Qur’an, make supplication, seek forgiveness, give in charity, make the Muslims happy, and entreat God for the rewards of all these to be conveyed to all believers, dead and living. Even if all the sins of a person who duly observes the Night of Power, fasts during the month of Ramadan, and performs the Pilgrimage are forgiven, this does not release them of their debt of servanthood such as the Prescribed Prayer and fasting. One must make up for missed Prayers and fasts in order to be discharged of such a debt.

God’s Messenger has advised believers to make the following supplication on the Night of Power: “Allahumma innaka afuwwun tuhibul afwa fa’fu anni” (O Allah, indeed You are the All-Pardoning, You love to Pardon, so Pardon me).

Question: What are the signs of the Night of Power? How must the nights of Ramadan be observed in order to chance upon this night?

If a person deems each night of the month of Ramadan a Night of Power, they would have chanced upon it. The following, at the very least, must be performed each day:

1. The Qur’anic chapter Al-Qadr must be recited during the night Prayer as the additional portion of the Qur’an to be recited after the Opening chapter.

2. The supplication specific to the Night of Power must be recited.

3. A few pages of the Qur’an must be read.

4. A couple of pages from books on Islamic practice must be read.

5. One must give in charity, even if little.

6. Two units of Prayer must be performed before dawn, names of saints and scholars in the spiritual chain extending to the Prophet invoked, and supplications be made for them and in seeking means through them.

7. As its day is as estimable as its night, the days must also be utilized wisely.

Signs of the Night of Power

It is stated in a hadith, “The Night of Power is a clear and mild night, neither hot nor cold and the sun rises the following morning weak and red (in color).” (Tabarani).

“The Night of Power is clear, neither hot nor cold, but temperate No clouds are visible and there is no wind or rain. The sign of this night is the sun’s rising without any radiant beams of light the following morning.” (Tabarani).

“At sunrise on the morning of Night of Power the sun will rise without radiant beams of light, just as a disc.” (Muslim).

Question: That the Qur’an was revealed on the Night of Power is indicated in the Qur’anic chapter al-Qadr. Now, why does this night not fall on the same day each year, but on different days during the month of Ramadan instead? If the revelation of the Qur’an began on the eve of the twenty-seventh day of Ramadan, then doesn’t the Night of Power need to invariably be on this night? And the same is true for the lunar months. Ramadan coincides with summer as it does with winter. Why does it not fall upon the same dates every year, but move through all the months of the year?

God created the moon to cycle through the entire year. The lunar year is 354 days. It is ten or eleven days shorter than the solar year. Thus, the lunar year comes ten days before the solar year, as such, cycling throughout all the months of the year. This is how God Almighty has decreed it. As a result, the fast of the month of Ramadan occurs during the longest, shortest, coldest, and hottest days of the year.

Islam was sent not to a particular geographical region but to the world as a whole. It addresses human beings in all the world’s regions and climates. There are hot and cold countries and places where days or nights are long and short. If the month of Ramadan was fixed at one and the same date every year, this would have been very difficult for Muslims. There are may be much more wisdom behind this. God has concealed the Night of Power, or established it on various days of the month of Ramadan. If He places the Night of Power on the first of Ramadan this year, He can place it on the seventh of Ramadan the next. He has not made it a set day like other holy nights, but has hidden it. This night has nothing to do with months but with nights. Even if the Qur’an descended to earth on the twenty-seventh night of the month of Ramadan, the Night of Power can coincide with the third of Ramadan on a particular year. This means to say, this sacred night coincided with the third of Ramadan. One needs to look beyond the notion of months. The other nights pertain to nights, while the Night of Power pertains to the night. If God had willed, He would have placed one in every month and every month would have contained a Night of Power and we would have observed this night each month.

God grants the singularity, merit, and blessing of the night when the Qur’an was first revealed to a different night each year. In other words, He wills for a different night to carry the worth and virtue of that sacred night each year. The same night need not carry the grace of that auspicious night when the Qur’an was first revealed each year. A different night can bear that merit and honor.

The Mawlid

Question: What is the Mawlid?

The Mawlid denotes the birth of the Messenger of God. The night of the Mawlid is the night falling between the eleventh and twelfth days of Rabi’ al-Awwal. The noble birth of God’s Messenger is a day of festivity for all Muslims.

The Night of Salvation (Laylat al-Bara’a)

Question: When is the Night of Salvation, known as Laylat al-Bara’a, and what is its significance?

The Night of Salvation, or Record, falls on the fifteenth night of the month of Sha’ban. It is indicated in the commentaries that the Qur’an descended to the Preserved Tablet on this night. It is declared, “By the Book clear in itself and clearly showing the truth. We sent it down on a night full of blessings; surely We have ever been warning (humankind since their creation)” (Ad-Dukhan 44:2–3).

On the fifteenth night of the month of Sha’ban each year, on the Night of Salvation, the things to transpire that year, lives, causes for death, ascents, and declines, in other words everything, is recorded on the Supreme Preserved Tablet. God’s Messenger used to engage in much worship and supplication on this night.

When the reason for (supererogatory) fasting during the month of Sha’ban was asked, God’s Messenger said, “Sha’ban is such a meritorious month neglected by the people that in it deeds are presented to the Lord of the Worlds, and I like that my deeds be presented while I am fasting.” (Nasa’i).

Some of the Prophetic Traditions in this regard are below:

“On the Night of Salvation, the gates of the heavens are opened, the angels convey glad tidings to the believers and call them to worship.” (Nasa’i, Bayhaqi, Munziri).

“The fast most excellent after the month of Ramadan is the fast in the month of Sha’ban.” (Tirmidhi)

“When it is the night of the middle of Sha’ban, spend its night in Prayer and observe the fast on that day. For Allah descends at sunset on that night to the lowest heaven and says: ‘Is there no one who will ask Me for forgiveness, that I may forgive them? Is there no one who will ask Me for sustenance, that I may grant them sustenance? Is there no one who is afflicted by trouble, that I may relieve them?’ And so on, until dawn comes.” (Ibn Majah).

The Night of Ascension

Question: What is the meaning of the Night of Ascension (Mi’raj) and what is its significance?

The word Mi’raj literally means ‘stairs’. This is night that God’s Messenger was taken up to the Heavens and met with God. It falls on the twenty-seventh night of the month of Rajab. On this night, the Prescribed Daily Prayers were made obligatory. The first verse of the Qur’anic chapter entitled al-Isra refers to the Ascension.

The

Night of Raghaib

Question: When is the Night of Raghaib? How must it be observed?

The first Friday night of the month of Rajab is referred to as the Night of Raghaib. The Prayers and entreaties made on this night are not rejected and countless rewards are granted for such acts of worship as Prayer, fasting, and charity on this night.

It is highly meritorious to fast on the Thursday and spend the night in worship. Fasting during the month of Rajab is also highly encouraged. As stated in a hadith, “Seek much forgiveness from God in the month of Rajab because in every hour (of the month) there are servants whom God frees from the Fire. There are such palaces in Paradise that only those who fast in the month of Rajab will enter them.” (Daylami).

The Day of Ashura

The tenth day of the month of Muharram is the Day of Ashura. The month of Muharram is one of the four months valued highly in the Qur’an and fasting on the first day of Muharram is as meritorious as having fasting for the entire year.

The most esteemed day of this month is the Night of Ashura. God Almighty has accepted a great many supplications on this day. Adam’s repentance being accepted, Noah’s deliverance from the flood, Jonah’s escape from the belly of the whale, Abraham’s not being burned by the fire, Enoch’s being raised to the heavens while still alive, Jacob’s reunion with his son Joseph, Joseph’s getting out of the well, Job’s recovery from his illness, Moses’ crossing the Red Sea, Jesus’ birth, his escape from death and his being raised to the Heavens in the flesh, all occurred on the day of Ashura.

A hadith states, “This is the day on which Noah’s Ark settled on Mount Judi, so Noah and those with him fasted this day in thankfulness to God. The animals too had not eaten anything. God split the sea for the Children of Israel on the Day of Ashura God forgave Adam and punishment was averted from the people of Jonah. Abraham was also born on this day.” (Tabarani).

The Day of Jumu’a (Friday)

Question: What is the significance of the day of Friday and why is it so esteemed?

A Prophetic Tradition reads: “The best of days on which the sun rises is the day of Jumu’a. On it Adam was created, and on it he fell from the Garden. On it he was forgiven, and on it he died. On it the Hour occurs, and every moving thing listens from morning till sunset in apprehension of the Hour except jinn and men. During it there is a time when Allah gives to a Muslim slave standing in Prayer whatever he asks for.” (Bukhari, Imam Ahmad).

The Three Sacred Months

Question: What is the virtue of the three sacred months?

The Month of Rajab

The Messenger of Allah gave great weight to the month of Rajab and would entreat God saying, “O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha’ban blessed for us, and allow us to reach the month of Ramadan.”

Again, he said, “Seek much forgiveness from God in the month of Rajab as in every hour (of the month) there are servants whom God frees from the Fire. There are such palaces in Paradise that only those who fast in the month of Rajab will enter.” (Daylami)

“The supplication made on five nights is not turned back: the night of Jumu’a, the first night of Rajab (Raghaib), the night of mid-Sha’ban (Bara’a), and the two nights of ‘Eid.” (Ibn Asakir).

“If a person has fasted a single day in the month of Rajab in reverent piety, that day will acquire the faculty of speech and say, ‘O Lord, forgive them!’” (Abu Muhammad).

The Month of Sha’ban

The Messenger of Allah placed great importance on the month of Sha’ban also and would make the following supplication: “O Allah, make the months of Rajab and Sha’ban blessed for us, and allow us to reach the month of Ramadan.”

Aisha relates, “The Messenger of God did not fast in any month more than in the month of Sha’ban. Sometimes he used to fast all of Sha’ban.” (Bukhari).

When asked the reason behind his frequent fast during the month of Sha’ban, God’s Messenger said, “Sha’ban is such a meritorious month neglected by the people that in it deeds are presented to the Lord of the Worlds, and I like that my deeds be presented while I am fasting.” (Nasa’i).

The Month of Ramadan

The Messenger of God says concerning the virtue of the month of Ramadan, “There has come to you Ramadan, a blessed month, in which Allah, the Mighty and Exalted, has enjoined you to fast. In it the gates of mercy are opened and the gates of the Fire are closed, and the devils are chained up. In it Allah has a night which is better than a thousand months; whoever is deprived of its goodness is indeed deprived.” (Nasa’i).

It is stated in another hadith, “(In Ramadan) a caller calls out every night: ‘O seeker of good, proceed; O seeker of evil, desist!’” (Nasa’i).

“When Ramadan arrives, God commands His angels to seek forgiveness for the believers.” (Daylami).

“The five Prayers and from one Friday to the next and one Ramadan to the next expiate what is between them provided one avoids the major sins.” (Tabarani).

“One who is able to fast three days consecutively must observe the fast of Ramadan.” (Abu Nu’aym).

“Ramadan has been named so because it sears away sins.” (Ibn Mansur).

“The beginning of Ramadan is mercy, its middle forgiveness, and its end deliverance from the Fire.” (Ibn Abi ad-Dunya).

“The table of Divine Benefaction that Allah has prepared that no eyes have seen, no ears have heard, and no mind has even conceived of, are only for those who fast.” (Tabarani).