بِسْم الله الرحمن الرحيم
The Connection between the Beginning and End of the Surah:
"Verily! We have sent it (this Quran) down in the night of Al-Qadr (Decree)"
"The night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is better than a thousand months (i.e. worshipping Allah in that night is better than worshipping Him a thousand months, (i.e. 83 years and 4 months)."
Sufyan ath-Thawri was asked if faith increases or not. He replied that the faith in the heart of the believer can increase until it becomes as great as mountains, or decrease until there is nothing left of it.
Ramadan is a chance to increase our faith and Taqwa. This is the purpose behind Allah ordaining fasting. In [2:183]:
"O you who believe! Observing As-Saum (the fasting) is prescribed for you as it was prescribed for those before you, that you may become Al-Muttaqun"
After Ramadan you should check yourself:- Did my faith and Taqwa increase during this month?
Abu Darda'a said, "It is of the wisdom of a man to know if his faith has increased or decreased, and it is of his wisdom to know which point the Shaytan attacks him in"
Half of Ramadan has passed. We have to ask ourselves this question, because we have to fill the last 10 nights of Ramadan with worship.
In the verses concerning fasting in Surah AlBaqarah, Allah said:
"...The month of Ramadan in which was revealed the Quran, a guidance for mankind and clear proofs for the guidance and the criterion (between right and wrong)..."
And the Prophet ﷺ said:
أُنْزِلَتْ صُحُفُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ عَلَيْهِ السَّلَام فِي أَوَّلِ لَيْلَةٍ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ وَأُنْزِلَتْ التَّوْرَاةُ لِسِتٍّ مَضَيْنَ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ وَالْإِنْجِيلُ لِثَلَاثَ عَشْرَةَ خَلَتْ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ وَأُنْزِلَ الْفُرْقَانُ لِأَرْبَعٍ وَعِشْرِينَ خَلَتْ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ
"The scriptures of Abraham, upon him be peace, were revealed on the first night of Ramadan. The Torah was revealed after six nights of Ramadan had passed. The Gospel was revealed after thirteen nights of Ramadan had passed. The Criterion was revealed after twenty four nights of Ramadan had passed." [Musnad Ahmed #16536]
This shows us that there is a great connection between the month of Ramadan and the Holy Books. The Prophet ﷺ used to study the Qur'an with Jibreel in Qur'an, and on the last year before he passed away, they studied it twice together. And this is what we're going to do with Surah Al-Qadr.
Repeated Words:
1) ليلة القدر x3
This shows us that the theme of the Surah is ليلة القدر. Allah wants to inform us of the importance and great virtues of this night.
Pillars of Faith in this Surah
Why do we study the pillars of faith? Because Allah said regarding the believers in [8:2]:
"The believers are only those who, when Allah is mentioned, feel a fear in their hearts and when His Verses (this Quran) are recited unto them, they (i.e. the Verses) increase their Faith; and they put their trust in their Lord (Alone);"
The more details you know regarding the Pillars of Faith, the more your faith will increase.
1) Belief in Allah
"أنزلناه" - Allah revealed the Qur'an
"بإذن" - "The Permission of Allah". This is another of Allah's actions
"ربهم" - This is one of the Names of Allah. الرب is the One who runs the affairs of His slaves, and nurtures His slaves. And one way of nurturing His slaves is revealing the Qur'an as a guidance for them.
2) Belief in the Angels
"تنزّل الملائكة" - Allah didn't say "تنزل", He said "تنزّل". There's a difference between the meaning in Arabic. The former means one group of Angels that goes down. The latter means groups going up and down.
The Prophet ﷺ informed us that the Angels fill the earth on that night, more than the number of stones on earth. And they're amazed by two worships the human Muslims do which the Angels can't do:
i) Asking Forgiveness from Allah
ii) Giving Food as Charity
3) Belief in the Books
"أنزلناه" - Allah revealed the Qur'an in Laylat AlQadr.
The revelation of the Qur'an occurred in two stages. The first of which was the whole Qur'an being revealed from The Preserved Tablet to the lowest heavens. This occurred on the Night of Qadr.
4) Belief in the Prophets and Messengers
5) Belief in the Last Day
6) Belief in the Qadar
"بإذن ربهم" - We believe that Allah knows everything, wrote it, nothing occurs without His permission, and He created it.
Theme of the Surah: ليلة القدر
The Prophet ﷺ said:
تَحَرَّوْا لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ فِي الْعَشْرِ الْأَوَاخِرِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ
"Seek the Night of Decree during the last ten nights of Ramadan.” [Bukhari #1916]
In another narration:
تَحَرَّوْا لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ فِي الْوِتْرِ مِنْ الْعَشْرِ الأَوَاخِرِ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ
“Seek Laylat al-Qadr among the odd numbered nights of the last ten nights of Ramadaan.” [Bukhari #2017]
And in another narration:
عَنْ ابْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا أَنَّ رِجَالًا مِنْ أَصْحَابِ النَّبِيِّ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أُرُوا لَيْلَةَ الْقَدْرِ فِي الْمَنَامِ فِي السَّبْعِ الْأَوَاخِرِ فَقَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ أَرَى رُؤْيَاكُمْ قَدْ تَوَاطَأَتْ فِي السَّبْعِ الْأَوَاخِرِ فَمَنْ كَانَ مُتَحَرِّيَهَا فَلْيَتَحَرَّهَا فِي السَّبْعِ الْأَوَاخِرِ
Ibn Umar reported: Some men among the companions of the Prophet, peace and blessings be upon him, were shown the Night of Decree while sleeping in the last week of Ramadan. The Messenger of Allah said, “I see that your dreams agree regarding the last week, so he who wants to seek the Night of Decree should seek it in the last week.” [Muslim #1911]
The Prophet ﷺ used to perform I'tikaaf in the Masjid during these nights, in order that he ﷺ wouldn't miss Laylat AlQadr.
عَنْ عَبْدِ اللَّهِ بْنِ عُمَرَ رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُمَا قَالَ كَانَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ يَعْتَكِفُ الْعَشْرَ الْأَوَاخِرَ مِنْ رَمَضَانَ
Abdullah ibn Umar reported: The Messenger of Allah ﷺ would seek seclusion (i’tikaf) in the mosque during the last ten nights of Ramadan. [Bukhari #1921]
The Connection between the Theme and Title of the Surah:
The Theme of the Surah is the importance and great virtues of Laylat al-Qadr
The Title of the Surah is القدر which means high rank, التقدير (The Decree/Ordainment - because Allah reveals to the Angels on that night the decrees for the entire year. And that's why we say "اللهم إنك عفوا تحب العفوا فَاعْفُوا عنا"
You're not just asking Allah for forgiveness; you're asking Allah to give you wellbeing for the coming year. You're asking Allah to protect you from sins, from sicknesses, from calamities that may happen during the coming year.
The Connection between the Beginning and End of the Surah:
Allah talks about the revelation of the Qur'an in the first verse, and the Qur'an is the source of guidance and peace. If you want peace, follow the guidance of the Qur'an.
The Connection between the Beginning of the Surah and the End of the Previous Surah (سورة العلق):
The last verse of the previous Surah:
"Nay! (O Muhammad (Peace be upon him))! Do not obey him (Abu Jahl). Fall prostrate and draw near to Allah!"
Allah commanded you with prostration. Laylat AlQadr is the time of prostrating and drawing nearer.
The Connection between Surah Al-Alaq and Surah Al-Qadr as a whole:
1) Allah began Surah Al-Alaq ordered the Prophet ﷺ to recite the Quran, and began Surah Al-Qadr informing us that He revealed the Qur'an on Laylat AlQadr.
2) Allah covers both stages of the revelation of the Qur'an.
The first verse revealed of the Qur'an to the Prophet ﷺ was the first verse in Surah Al-Alaq (This is the second revelation of the Qur'an).
And in the first verse of Surah Al-Qadr, Allah talks about the first revelation of the Qur'an - from The Preserved Tablet to the lowest heavens.
3) Allah begins Surah Al-Alaq orders the Prophet ﷺ with reciting the Qur'an, and ends with commanding him to prostrate. In the following Surah, Allah talks about Laylat AlQadr - the time when you should prostrate and recite Quran.
It was called ليلة القدر for two reasons:
1) Either because of the great virtue and status of the night
2) Because Allah wrote down all the decrees for the coming year on this night
"And what will make you know what the night of Al-Qadr (Decree) is?"
Allah asks us this question to show us the great virtues of this night. Don't sleep, don't miss it because of its great virtues. Fill it with Prayer, Dua, Qur'an, etc.
Allah gave this virtue to our nation and not the nations before us. This is the بركة of that night.
The Messenger of Allah ﷺ was shown the lifespans of the people (who had gone) before him, or what Allah willed of that, and it was as if the lives of the people of his community had become too short for them to be able to do as many good actions as others before them had been able to do with their long lives, so Allah gave him Laylat al-Qadr, which is better than a thousand months."
As-Sa'di said:
أي: تعادل من فضلها ألف شهر، فالعمل الذي يقع فيها خير من العمل في ألف شهر [خالية منها]، وهذا مما تنحير فيه الألباب و تندهش له العقول حيث من تبارك و تعالى على هذة الأمة الضعيفة القوة و القوى، بليلة يكون العمل فيها يقابل و يزيد على ألف شهر، عمر رجل معمر عمرًا طويلاً، نيفًا و ثمانين سنة"
"Therein descend the angels and the Ruh [Jibrael (Gabriel)] by Allah's Permission with all Decrees,"
This is the second virtue of Laylat AlQadr. The earth will be filled with angels on that night, a group going down, and a group going up. And when the Angels descend, they descend with good. That's why the Prophet ﷺ commanded us to ask Allah from his bounty whenever we hear a rooster, because it has seen an angel.
And even Jibreel عليه السلام, the best of all Angels, descends on that night.
"Peace! (All that night, there is Peace and Goodness from Allah to His believing slaves) until the appearance of dawn."
That night is peaceful; like Jannah. Allah described Jannah as دار السلام (The Abode of Peace). This could mean that the night is free of evil, or that the Angels are saying Salaam to the Muslims on that night.
Allah revealed the Qur'an, a source of guidance, which leads you to دار السلام.
Laylat AlQadr changes from one year to another; It isn't the same night every year. It could even occur on the last night, when people think Ramadan is over and are busy preparing for the Eid. Don't get busy occupying yourself with the Dunya.
What should I do on that night?
قلت: يا رسول الله أرأيت إن علمت أي ليلة القدر ما أقول فيها؟ قال: "قولي: اللهم إنك عفو تحب العفو فاعفُ عني"
Aishah (May Allah be pleased with her) reported: I asked: "O Messenger of Allah! If I realize Lailat-ul-Qadr (Night of Decree), what should I supplicate in it?" He (ﷺ) replied, "You should supplicate: Allahumma innaka 'afuwwun, tuhibbul-'afwa, fa'fu 'anni (O Allah, You are Most Forgiving, and You love forgiveness; so forgive me)."
[At-Tirmidhi].
Aaisha رضي الله عنها didn't ask the Prophet ﷺ when Laylat AlQadr was, she asked him what she should say. And he ﷺ told her to say "اللهم انك عفوا تحب العفوا فَاعْفُوا عنا"
Recite this on every night in the last ten nights.
The Scholars say this دعاء is very suitable to that night, because Allah decreed all the ordainment on that night. If Allah wrote العافية for you on the coming year, then you've been successful.
And don't think العافية isnt something very important.
عَنِ الْعَبَّاسِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ، قَالَ قُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ عَلِّمْنِي شَيْئًا أَسْأَلُهُ اللَّهَ عَزَّ وَجَلَّ . قَالَ " سَلِ اللَّهَ الْعَافِيَةَ " . فَمَكَثْتُ أَيَّامًا ثُمَّ جِئْتُ فَقُلْتُ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ عَلِّمْنِي شَيْئًا أَسْأَلُهُ اللَّهَ . فَقَالَ لِي " يَا عَبَّاسُ يَا عَمَّ رَسُولِ اللَّهِ سَلِ اللَّهَ الْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ " . قَالَ أَبُو عِيسَى هَذَا حَدِيثٌ صَحِيحٌ . وَعَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الْحَارِثِ بْنِ نَوْفَلٍ قَدْ سَمِعَ مِنَ الْعَبَّاسِ بْنِ عَبْدِ الْمُطَّلِبِ .
Al-`Abbas bin `Abdul-Muttalib said: “I said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, teach me something that I may ask Allah, [Mighty and Sublime] for.’ He (ﷺ) said: ‘Ask Allah for Al-`Āfiyah.’ Then I remained for a day, then I came and said: ‘O Messenger of Allah, teach me something that I may ask Allah for.’ So he (ﷺ) said to me: “O Abbas, O uncle of the Messenger of Allah! Ask Allah for Al-`Āfiyah in the world and in the Hereafter.” [Tirmithi]
عَنْ أَنَسِ بْنِ مَالِكٍ، قَالَ أَتَى النَّبِيَّ ـ صلى الله عليه وسلم ـ رَجُلٌ فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَىُّ الدُّعَاءِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ " سَلْ رَبَّكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ " . ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ فِي الْيَوْمِ الثَّانِي فَقَالَ يَا رَسُولَ اللَّهِ أَىُّ الدُّعَاءِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ " سَلْ رَبَّكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ " . ثُمَّ أَتَاهُ فِي الْيَوْمِ الثَّالِثِ فَقَالَ يَا نَبِيَّ اللَّهِ أَىُّ الدُّعَاءِ أَفْضَلُ قَالَ " سَلْ رَبَّكَ الْعَفْوَ وَالَعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ فَإِذَا أُعْطِيتَ الْعَفْوَ وَالْعَافِيَةَ فِي الدُّنْيَا وَالآخِرَةِ فَقَدْ أَفْلَحْتَ " .
A man came to the Prophet ﷺ and asked him, “What supplication (du`a) is the best?” The Prophet ﷺ said, “To ask for wellbeing and cure in this world and the next”
The man came the next day and asked, “What supplication is the best?” The Prophet ﷺ answered the same as before. The man came the next day and asked the same thing. The Prophet ﷺ said, “If you are given wellbeing in this world and the next then you have succeeded.” [Tirmidhi 3512]
قَالَ رَسُولُ اللَّهِ صلى الله عليه وسلم " مَا سُئِلَ اللَّهُ شَيْئًا أَحَبَّ إِلَيْهِ مِنْ أَنْ يُسْأَلَ الْعَافِيَةَ
Ibn Umar narrated that the Messenger of Allah said (ﷺ): “Allah has not been asked for anything more beloved to Him than being asked for Al-`Āfiyah." [Tirmithi]
It's a very general Dua, if you say it, you'll possess all the goodness in this life; you won't have sickness, calamities, you won't be sad, you'll increase in faith, you won't commit sins, etc.
If you have it in the hereafter, Allah will protect you in your grave, on the Day of Judgement, the Hellfire, Allah will enter you into Paradise without pain. This is a great Dua.
When you know the meaning of the دعاء your heart will ask before your tongue. And this is what faith is - your feelings towards the unseen.
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