In the name of God, Most Gracious, Most Merciful.
The Grand Night is better than a thousand months.
How to spend the Laylatul Qadr/Shab-e-Qadr?
1. The Night better than a thousand months starts after Maghrib prayers [and not after mid
night only to prepare for 2 rakat prayer at 2.30 AM]. But the worship should start at Asr
itself because Sultan-ul-Layl, the Asr to Isha period, is to be strictly guarded as per the
command of Imamuna Mahdi AS on ordinary nights, then how can one be negligent on
the night that’s better than a thousand months?
2. Make Ghusl and Wudu before Asr prayer. Adorn yourself with the best new clothes and
fragrance that you can afford, join the Asr congregation prayer and sit for Zikrullah till
Maghrib prayers, break your fast and resume Zikrullah and continue the Zikrullah nishist
till Isha [~ 2.30 AM].
3. This night we do not perform make-up prayers [Umr Qaza] or Qur’an recitation [Tilawat].
The entire month of Ramazan and the whole year is there for Tilawat. The purpose of
every act of worship is to achieve Zikrullah and the objective of Zikrullah is Divine vision
(Deedar). Don’t spend this night in something less superior and nothing is more superior
to Zikrullah, not even Namaz and Tilawat [Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration
to thee, and establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust
deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allah
knows the (deeds) that ye do (29:45)].
4. Make a fresh Wudu every-time your Wudu is broke, and offer Tahiyatal Wudu prayer,
seek Allah’s forgiveness and make dua for His Holy vision in Sajda Munajat and
continue the Zikrullah nishist.
5. The non-Mahdavis strive and struggle 5 odd nights, and still element of uncertainty
persist with them. We really are unfortunate people who don’t seem to value this Night
revealed to us through our Imamuna AS, and we take nap on this night before Dugana in
Masajids and our homes. Please take nap or full night-long sleep on all other 364 nights
but spare just this night for best form of worship incessantly.
6. We get 26 days advance notification of this bounty, yet we don’t take a day or two off
and rush through the prayers thinking only about the job day-after. Taking 26th day of
Ramazan off will give you enough time to energize and prepare for spending the night
with vigor and strength. Taking 27th off will give your body complete rest.
7. After Isha prayers, Dugana and Witr prayers, grab a date or two and some water
for Sahri, don’t waste precious 2 hours (better than a 1000 months) after dugana in
socializing and Sahri preparation and eating. Witr to Fajr remain seated on Musalla
where dugana is performed or go back quickly to Masjid or home and remain in Zikrullah
until Fajr. After Fajr congregation prayers remain in Zikrullah until sunrise (Sultan-un-
Nahar).
8. Power off your cell phone, it is the single most distracting gadget in our hands, always
on and always with us.
9. If you can’t do any of the aforementioned things, at least leave the prayer premises and
not become a source of disturbance and noise, bothering brothers sitting in Zikrullah.
Women folk
Make your women folk reap the rewards too, on this holy Night and don’t force them serve you
even on this Night, let her serve Allah swt at least this night. Buy some fast food, to-go, parcel
food [whatever you call it depending on your location] from restaurant for both Iftar and Sahri for
your family and give her a break from kitchen and encourage her to get busy in Remembrance
of Allah swt. Your encouraging her and doing this is also Ibadat:
It is narrated that a companion was pulverizing some food grains. Seeing this, Imam Mahdi as
asked him, “What are you doing?” The companion replied, “I am pulverizing bajra (millet).” The
Imam as said, “This work could have been done if you had given a handful of the grain. One
should not waste his time. Give a handful of grain and remain in the remembrance of Allah.”
[#197, Naqliyat-e-Bandagi Miyan Abdur Rasheed RZ]
In those times, trading and wages were exchanged as done in bartering. Hence the handful of
grain to be given as a wage to get the job done and free himself for Zikrullah was the command
of Khalifatullah AS. We’ve the luxury of currency, and it pretty much buys anything for us today.
But Alas! we don’t buy time with it for Zikrullah.
Wisdom behind holding back Isha farz prayers till ⅔ of the Night of Qadr?
Narrated Anas bin Malik: Once the Prophet delayed the 'Isha' prayer until midnight and then
came to us. Having prayed he faced us and said, "The people had prayed and slept but you
were in the prayer as long as you were waiting for it." (Bukhari, Book #12, Hadith #808)
So, just reflect upon this beautiful and immensely beneficial hadith and don’t waste time of the
night which is better than a 1000 months in idle talk or trivial things which can be postponed
for day after. Waiting for Farz prayer can only happen when one is waiting for it on Musalla like
we do between sunnat and farz prayer any other day. Also, Allah says “Wa Aqimis Salaata
Liz Zikri” Establish regular prayer for celebrating My praise [20:14]. Hence, by performing
Zikrullah and waiting for Isha prayers, we are reaping the two best rewards, one staying
in Isha [for waiting is praying] and two staying in Zikrullah, which is not only goal of the
prayer, it is greater than prayer [Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and
the remembrance of Allah is greater, 29:45]. Hence the notion that Quran is revealed on
this Night so reciting it on the night of its Revelation is rewarding, even if it is true, it will be
much less rewarding than Salat and Zikrullah, both of which are obligatory. Two, this holy
month is the month of reflection and Night is night of reflection, acting on what the Quran
says is more rewarding and demanding than just blindly reciting it without understanding its
underlying message.
Can we recite the whole Quran on the Night of Qadr? Yes, How?
It’s almost impossible for any ordinary person to recite the entire holy book in one night,
and even if any gifted person does it, it can only be done one time. However, by perpetually
performing and staying in Zikrullah, one is considered to have recited, read, and understood
the gist of all 4 divine books, how?
Somebody asked Imam Syed Muhammad Mahdi al-Mau'ood (AS) to explain the purport and essence of all
the divine speech (Kalamullah - Allah's Books) in one sentence. The Imam (AS) said: "I will explain the
purport and essence of all the divine Books -The Old Testament, The Psalms of David, The Bible and
The Quran - in one sentence, and that sentence is La ilaha illa Llah (There is no god but God-Allah).
[#1, Hashia-I, Hashia Insaaf Nama]
Our teaching of Zikr-e-Khafi with paas-anfaas, is nothing but La ilaha Ilal Lah. So, don’t
under-estimate its value and trade this obligation for something much inferior especially
on a night which is better than 83 odd years. Also, know that the objective of Zikrullah is
to achieve the Divine vision of our Beloved and only Deity, Allah swt. And this cannot be
attained by any other form of worship:
Malik Bakhkhan Bariwal rz asked Hazrat Miyan Syed Khundmir rz, “Is there any benefit in
reciting (reading) Quran?” The Hazrat rz said, “If the Quran is read, even as it should be read, a
veil of luminosity (nur) emerges between Allah and His servant in the heart of the believer. And
the remembrance of Allah, which is La Ilaha illa Llah, removes even the veil of luminosity.”
[#160, Naqliyat-e-Bandagi Miyan Abdur Rasheed RZ]
One day the Imam as saw some two or three persons indulged in idle talk. He went to them
and asked them what they were doing. They said they were talking about a story on religion.
The Imam as said, “Brother, you will not reach Allah by stories. Establish Zikr (remembrance)
of Allah Most High, because there is no way to reach Allah except Zikr.” [#192, Naqliyat-e-
Bandagi Miyan Abdur Rasheed RZ]
And let’s not forget, Laylatul Qadr is not over just soon after Dugana and Witr.
Peace! it is until the emergence of dawn.
The Grand Night is better than a thousand months.
How to spend the Laylatul Qadr/Shab-e-Qadr?
1. The Night better than a thousand months starts after Maghrib prayers [and not after mid
night only to prepare for 2 rakat prayer at 2.30 AM]. But the worship should start at Asr
itself because Sultan-ul-Layl, the Asr to Isha period, is to be strictly guarded as per the
command of Imamuna Mahdi AS on ordinary nights, then how can one be negligent on
the night that’s better than a thousand months?
2. Make Ghusl and Wudu before Asr prayer. Adorn yourself with the best new clothes and
fragrance that you can afford, join the Asr congregation prayer and sit for Zikrullah till
Maghrib prayers, break your fast and resume Zikrullah and continue the Zikrullah nishist
till Isha [~ 2.30 AM].
3. This night we do not perform make-up prayers [Umr Qaza] or Qur’an recitation [Tilawat].
The entire month of Ramazan and the whole year is there for Tilawat. The purpose of
every act of worship is to achieve Zikrullah and the objective of Zikrullah is Divine vision
(Deedar). Don’t spend this night in something less superior and nothing is more superior
to Zikrullah, not even Namaz and Tilawat [Recite what is sent of the Book by inspiration
to thee, and establish regular Prayer: for Prayer restrains from shameful and unjust
deeds; and remembrance of Allah is the greatest (thing in life) without doubt. And Allah
knows the (deeds) that ye do (29:45)].
4. Make a fresh Wudu every-time your Wudu is broke, and offer Tahiyatal Wudu prayer,
seek Allah’s forgiveness and make dua for His Holy vision in Sajda Munajat and
continue the Zikrullah nishist.
5. The non-Mahdavis strive and struggle 5 odd nights, and still element of uncertainty
persist with them. We really are unfortunate people who don’t seem to value this Night
revealed to us through our Imamuna AS, and we take nap on this night before Dugana in
Masajids and our homes. Please take nap or full night-long sleep on all other 364 nights
but spare just this night for best form of worship incessantly.
6. We get 26 days advance notification of this bounty, yet we don’t take a day or two off
and rush through the prayers thinking only about the job day-after. Taking 26th day of
Ramazan off will give you enough time to energize and prepare for spending the night
with vigor and strength. Taking 27th off will give your body complete rest.
7. After Isha prayers, Dugana and Witr prayers, grab a date or two and some water
for Sahri, don’t waste precious 2 hours (better than a 1000 months) after dugana in
socializing and Sahri preparation and eating. Witr to Fajr remain seated on Musalla
where dugana is performed or go back quickly to Masjid or home and remain in Zikrullah
until Fajr. After Fajr congregation prayers remain in Zikrullah until sunrise (Sultan-un-
Nahar).
8. Power off your cell phone, it is the single most distracting gadget in our hands, always
on and always with us.
9. If you can’t do any of the aforementioned things, at least leave the prayer premises and
not become a source of disturbance and noise, bothering brothers sitting in Zikrullah.
Women folk
Make your women folk reap the rewards too, on this holy Night and don’t force them serve you
even on this Night, let her serve Allah swt at least this night. Buy some fast food, to-go, parcel
food [whatever you call it depending on your location] from restaurant for both Iftar and Sahri for
your family and give her a break from kitchen and encourage her to get busy in Remembrance
of Allah swt. Your encouraging her and doing this is also Ibadat:
It is narrated that a companion was pulverizing some food grains. Seeing this, Imam Mahdi as
asked him, “What are you doing?” The companion replied, “I am pulverizing bajra (millet).” The
Imam as said, “This work could have been done if you had given a handful of the grain. One
should not waste his time. Give a handful of grain and remain in the remembrance of Allah.”
[#197, Naqliyat-e-Bandagi Miyan Abdur Rasheed RZ]
In those times, trading and wages were exchanged as done in bartering. Hence the handful of
grain to be given as a wage to get the job done and free himself for Zikrullah was the command
of Khalifatullah AS. We’ve the luxury of currency, and it pretty much buys anything for us today.
But Alas! we don’t buy time with it for Zikrullah.
Wisdom behind holding back Isha farz prayers till ⅔ of the Night of Qadr?
Narrated Anas bin Malik: Once the Prophet delayed the 'Isha' prayer until midnight and then
came to us. Having prayed he faced us and said, "The people had prayed and slept but you
were in the prayer as long as you were waiting for it." (Bukhari, Book #12, Hadith #808)
So, just reflect upon this beautiful and immensely beneficial hadith and don’t waste time of the
night which is better than a 1000 months in idle talk or trivial things which can be postponed
for day after. Waiting for Farz prayer can only happen when one is waiting for it on Musalla like
we do between sunnat and farz prayer any other day. Also, Allah says “Wa Aqimis Salaata
Liz Zikri” Establish regular prayer for celebrating My praise [20:14]. Hence, by performing
Zikrullah and waiting for Isha prayers, we are reaping the two best rewards, one staying
in Isha [for waiting is praying] and two staying in Zikrullah, which is not only goal of the
prayer, it is greater than prayer [Indeed, prayer prohibits immorality and wrongdoing, and
the remembrance of Allah is greater, 29:45]. Hence the notion that Quran is revealed on
this Night so reciting it on the night of its Revelation is rewarding, even if it is true, it will be
much less rewarding than Salat and Zikrullah, both of which are obligatory. Two, this holy
month is the month of reflection and Night is night of reflection, acting on what the Quran
says is more rewarding and demanding than just blindly reciting it without understanding its
underlying message.
Can we recite the whole Quran on the Night of Qadr? Yes, How?
It’s almost impossible for any ordinary person to recite the entire holy book in one night,
and even if any gifted person does it, it can only be done one time. However, by perpetually
performing and staying in Zikrullah, one is considered to have recited, read, and understood
the gist of all 4 divine books, how?
Somebody asked Imam Syed Muhammad Mahdi al-Mau'ood (AS) to explain the purport and essence of all
the divine speech (Kalamullah - Allah's Books) in one sentence. The Imam (AS) said: "I will explain the
purport and essence of all the divine Books -The Old Testament, The Psalms of David, The Bible and
The Quran - in one sentence, and that sentence is La ilaha illa Llah (There is no god but God-Allah).
[#1, Hashia-I, Hashia Insaaf Nama]
Our teaching of Zikr-e-Khafi with paas-anfaas, is nothing but La ilaha Ilal Lah. So, don’t
under-estimate its value and trade this obligation for something much inferior especially
on a night which is better than 83 odd years. Also, know that the objective of Zikrullah is
to achieve the Divine vision of our Beloved and only Deity, Allah swt. And this cannot be
attained by any other form of worship:
Malik Bakhkhan Bariwal rz asked Hazrat Miyan Syed Khundmir rz, “Is there any benefit in
reciting (reading) Quran?” The Hazrat rz said, “If the Quran is read, even as it should be read, a
veil of luminosity (nur) emerges between Allah and His servant in the heart of the believer. And
the remembrance of Allah, which is La Ilaha illa Llah, removes even the veil of luminosity.”
[#160, Naqliyat-e-Bandagi Miyan Abdur Rasheed RZ]
One day the Imam as saw some two or three persons indulged in idle talk. He went to them
and asked them what they were doing. They said they were talking about a story on religion.
The Imam as said, “Brother, you will not reach Allah by stories. Establish Zikr (remembrance)
of Allah Most High, because there is no way to reach Allah except Zikr.” [#192, Naqliyat-e-
Bandagi Miyan Abdur Rasheed RZ]
And let’s not forget, Laylatul Qadr is not over just soon after Dugana and Witr.
Peace! it is until the emergence of dawn.
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