Prepare - Approaching Night of Qadr

Prepare yourself, as we enter upon the last 10 days of Ramadan. Let not this blessed Night of Qadr pass you by. The signs of Laylatul-Qadar From amongst the signs of Laylatul-Qadar is that it is a calm night and the believer's heart is delighted and at peace with it, and he becomes active in doing good actions, and the sun on the following morning rises clearly without any rays. Shakyh Ibn al-'Uthaymeen Fataawa Ramadhan - Volume 2, Page 852, Fatwa No. 841; Fataawa ash-Shaykh Muhammad as-Saalih al-Uthaymeen - Volume 1, Page 563 Specifying the 27th of Ramadhaan as Laylatul-Qadar There is basis for this specification and that is that the night of the 27th of Ramadhan is mentioned in the hadeeth, in Saheeh Muslim, on the authority of 'Ubayy Ibn Ka'b (radhi-yallaahu 'anhu). However, the overwhelming opinion of the people of knowledge, from the forty or more opinions, is that Laylatul-Qadar is in the last ten nights, and specifically in the last seven of those nights. So, it is possible that it could be on the 27th night, the 25th, the 26th or even the 24th night (and so on). Because of this, it is befitting for (each) person to exert (himself in worship) during all the nights such that he does not deny himself the excellence of them and the reward (to be gained) in them. Allah (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) says: "We sent it (this Qur'an) down on a blessed night [(i.e. Laylatul-Qadar) in the month of Ramadan]. Verily, We are ever warning [mankind that Our Torment will reach those who disbelieve in Our Oneness of Lordship and in Our Oneness of worship]"[Soorah ad-Dukhkhaan, Aayah 3] And He (Subhaanahu wa Ta'aala) also said: "Verily! We have sent it (this Qur'an) down in the night of al-Qadar. And what will make you know what the night of al-Qadar is? The night of al-Qadar is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allaah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, i.e. 83 years and 4 months). Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (Jibreel) by Allaah's Permission with all Decrees. Peace! (all that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allaah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn".  [Soorah al-Qadar, Aayaat 1-5] Shaykh Ibn 'Uthaymeen Fataawa Ramadhan - Volume 2, Page 852, Fatwa No.842 al-Fataawa libni-'Uthaymeen - Kitaab ad-Da'wah - Volume 1, Pages 204-205 (Source) The Virtues of the Night of Qadr Abu Hurairah RAA reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Whosoever performs the night prayer on the night of Al-Qadr with Eemaan (firm belief) and seeking reward will have all his past sins forgiven ." This hadeeth is evidence for the virtue of the night of Al-Qadr as well as performing qiyaam during it. And it indicates that it is a grand night, which Allaah has honored and made better than a thousand months in regards to its blessing and the blessings found in the righteous deeds that are performed in it. Thus it is better than the worship of a thousand months and that is equivalent to eighty-three years and four months. Due to this, whoever performs qiyaam (night prayer) with true faith and while seeking reward in it, will be forgiven his past sins. There were certain verses verses concerning this virtue: Allah says: "We sent it (the Qur'aan) down on a blessed night. Verily We are Ever-Warning. Therein (on that night) is decreed every matter of ordainment ." Therefore, it is a blessed night meaning it possesses much good and blessing due to its merit and the great reward that awaits the one who does good deeds in it. Among its blessings, is that Allah revealed the Quran in it. Allah says: "Verily, We have sent it (the Qur'an) down in the night of Al-Qadr. And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr is? The night of Al-Qadr is better than a thousand months. Therein descend the angels and the Rooh (Jibreel) by their Lord's permission with all decrees. (All that night) there is peace, until the appearance of dawn ." bn Katheer (ra) said concerning Allahs saying "Therein descend the angels and the Rooh" This means that the descending of the angels increases during this night due to the vast amount of its blessings. And the angels descend along with the descent of blessing and mercy, just as they descend during the time when the Qur'aan is recited and encompass the gatherings in which Allaah is remembered and spread their wings for the true seeker of knowledge, showing respect for him. This night occurs only in Ramadan, since Allaah revealed the Quran in it. He informs us that its revelation occurred during the month of Ramadaan in His saying: "Verily, We have sent it (the Qur'an) down in the night of Al-Qadr." And His saying: "The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Qur'an " This means that its revelation from Allah to His Prophet Muhammad (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) began in it. Allahs statement: The night of Al-Qadr is either an indicative of the honor and station of that night, as it is said: "Such and such person has great Qadr". The conjunction of "the night" to Al-Qadr is the joining of a descriptive feature to it, thus making it mean "An honorable night". The word "Al-Qadr" may also be in reference to the ordainment and disposal of affairs. Thus, its being joined to the word "the night" would be in order to denote a place or time to it. So it would mean "the night in which all that will occur in the following year will be decreed." This is similar to Allah's saying: "Therein (on that night) is decreed every matter of ordainment." Qataadah said of this: "Therein is decreed every matter of the (upcoming) year"and Ibn Al-Qayyim said that this is the correct opinion . What seems most correct is that there is nothing that restricts the possibility of these two understandings and Allah knows best. His statement: with Eemaan means with firm conviction in what Allah has prepared for those who stand in prayer during this magnificent night. And seeking reward means looking for reward and the attainment of recompense. Thus, this is a grand night, which Allah has chosen for beginning the revelation of the Quran. So the Muslim must acknowledge its weight in worth, by guarding it and spending it in worship whilst having firm conviction and seeking the reward of Allaah, in order that Allaah may forgive all of his previous sins. This is why the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) warned us about being heedless of this night and being neglectful of spending it in worship, for the Muslim would be prevented from its good. Abu Hurairah reported that the Messenger of Allaah (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) said: "Ramadan has come to you — a blessed month. Allaah has made it obligatory upon you to fast in it. During this month, the gates of heaven are open, the gates of the Hellfire are closed and the evil devils are chained. To Allah belongs a night in it, which is better than a thousand months. Whosoever is prevented from its good, then he has been prevented." The Muslim should supplicate much on the nights in which the night of Al-Qadr is sought. And he should supplicate with that which the Prophet (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) instructed Aaishah RAA with, when she asked him: What if I know on which night the night of Al-Qadr occurs, what should I says So he (sallallaahu alayhi wasallam) said Say: O Allaah, indeed you are All-Pardoning. You love forgiveness, so forgive me. Ibn Katheer (ra) said: It is recommended to supplicate a lot at all times and (to supplicate) more than that during the month of Ramadan, its last ten days and its odd days. And it is highly recommended to increase ones invoking with this supplication: O Allah, indeed you are All-Pardoning. You love forgiveness, so forgive me. (Source) More reading: Last 10 Days of Ramadan